Kennedy at Christmas

Kennedy at Christmas

Oil on Wood

 12"X 10"

The East Wing of the White House is surprisingly intimate and graciously presents our history. Photographs and portraits of past presidents line the walls of the elegant rooms. It was especially so this Christmas, filled with live trees and all the trappings of merriment. But coming upon the portrait of Kennedy, in a quiet corner, with a bowl of red roses placed on a table beneath took my breath away. It is restrained and beautiful, soft and sensitive. It is so alive. People fell silent as they stopped to admire it, struck by the heartbreaking loss and enormity of what might have been. 

Lemon Square on Grannie's Crystal Plate

Lemon Square on Grannie's Crystal Plate

Oil on Wood

10"X10"
After lunch today, as a special treat, I put one lemon square, baked by a friend, right in the center of one of my grandmother's crystal plates and remembered.

Grannie loved sweets, especially ones that reminded her of the old country. These dessert plates were among the few possessions she managed to bring from Europe and were reserved for special occasions; birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries.  It is that time of year. Sweet memories of friends and family and little moments shared.  Brings it all back.

Lunch With Tito

Lunch With Tito

Oil on Wood

8"X 10"

It was a very good time. In the Christmas spirit. And then some.

Lemon Squares Under Wraps

Lemon Squares Under Wraps

Oil on Wood

8"X10"

A wise friend whose advice I value told me this morning to "get comfortable with not knowing." That nugget freed me right up to just keep doing as I please, which this afternoon included memorializing a platter of lemon squares brought over by old friends who joined us for dinner last night. It was one of those evenings full of conversation and laughter and the kind of connection that happens when friendship stretches over decades. Sweet. Rich. Special. I may not know what I am doing, but I know this confection wrapped up for the holidays says it all. 

Ozzie: Newman and Gray Senior Boatyard Dog

Ozzie: Newman and Gray Senior Boatyard Dog

Oil on Wood

8"X 6"
SOLD

Taking a break from Superman today, I turned my attention to a SuperDog. It just felt good to connect with a canine on this cold, crisp December morning. 

Superman - Bigger Than Life

Superman - Bigger Than Life

Oil on Wood

10"X8"

Mel Ramos', "Superman" that hangs in the De Young Museum is 40"X 30" and sits up high on the wall. It is not very big, but it feels monumental, especially if you are a kid passing by. I didn't mean to make a painting exaggerating "Superman's" stature, but that's what happened. A happy accident. Its how we feel when we are in the presence of magnanimity: emboldened, strong, and better than ever.

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is Coming

Oil on Wood

8"X6"

My sweet neighbor showed up at our first Friday breakfast this morning bearing gifts. It's that time of year. Holding on tight to Love and Friendship and Hope and Goodwill, while the world mourns the loss of Nelson Mandela, the man who spoke to our better selves. Or as Obama said, "he bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice." It's that time of year.

Sizing Up Superman

Sizing Up Superman

Oil on Wood

8"X6"

Mel Ramos' "Superman" attracts the best stances known to (super)man. See it next time you visit the De Young Museum. It is conveniently located right outside the rest rooms. I might have to go again this week to stock up on some old fashioned, down to earth art, to counteract the "holiday" hysteria that threatens to get me down.