Gift from My Neighbor

 Gift from My Neighbor

Oil on Wood

16"X20"

Before she left town, my neighbor found time to gather hydrangeas from her garden to leave for me to enjoy while she is away. 

Their beauty and her thoughtfulness filled this afternoon with inspiration, goodness and joy.

May 18, 2026

 May 18, 2026

Oil on Wood

3"X3"

Camellias bringing JOY to the kitchen window sill. 

April 2, 2026

 April 2, 2026

Oil on Wood

3""X3"

Sunshine and blue skies are back, the birds are singing, and Spring has sprung.

March 31, 2026

 March 31, 2026

Oil on Wood

3"X3"

In full bloom.

March 24, 2026

 March 24, 2026

Oil on Wood

3"X3"

Wild iris in the middle of nowhere. Gift from above. Also, Happy Birthday to my soul sister. Gift for life.

March 23, 2026

 March 23, 2026

Oil on Wood

3"X3"

The birds singing, plum tree blooms, Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio, my friend's poem. They all move me to tears today. Counting my blessings on the eve of my sister's birthday. We are the lucky ones. What a contrast to the ugliness and greed that grips the world.

March 4, 2026

 March 4, 2026

Oil on Wood

3"X3"

Grey skies this morning

What a difference a day makes.

March 3, 2026

 March 3 2026

Oil on Wood

3"X3"

Seeing this as I stepped out and painting it this afternoon saved my sanity today.

Also. Happy 6th birthday to Xavier, a blossom as beautiful and special as any on earth.

January 22, 2026

January 22, 2026

Oil on Wood

3"X3"

Christy's Dahlias

 Christy's Dahlias

Oil on Wood

8"X10"

Dark and brooding, rich and beautiful, accompanied by Bob Dylan's "Things Have Changed."

That's the mood in my studio today.

Jan's Parlor

 Jan's Parlor

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

It's always about the light.

Limelight

 Limelight

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

A bigger version of last week's painting, "Friday Light."

Finding solace in a morning walk with a friend, discussing everything that's on our mind, bocce at noon, Bach, and this. There is still light seeping through the cracks. 

Friday Light

 Friday Light

Oil on Wood 

6"X6"

Last ditch effort to shed a little light on the week.

Camellia from the Garden

 Camellia from the Garden

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Camellias are blooming, birds are singing. Life goes on, surprisingly.

November Rose

 November Rose

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

In the company of old friends.

J.S.Bach Morimur. The human voice. Solo Violin. 

Against Panic: A survival Kit by Margaret Renkl.

"There is no cure for profound grief, but beauty and love and tenderness can walk alongside it and ease the solitude, at least."

Roses blooming their farewell Fall swan song.

Soul Food.

Sweet Peas

 Sweet Peas

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

Friends gathered around my table at noon, another belated birthday celebration. Carol brought sweet peas from her garden. Their beauty and aroma fills my house still, a reminder of the goodness of friendships that light up our lives in the midst of darkness.

We are the lucky ones to have each other.

First Bloom, May 2024

 First Bloom, May 2024

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

The first blooms are exuberant, and hopeful especially as darkness envelops the world. 

Staying buoyant. 

To love, and be loved.

That's it.

One of a Kind

One of a Kind

Oil on Wood

6"X 8"

In memory of Steve Albini.

As my daughter wrote today:

"He was loved deeply for both the music he made and the person he was.

We have all benefited from the 61 years he spent on this planet making this place a little bit weirder and cooler and more beautiful."

I weep for the loss of his independent spirit, dedication to his art, his goodness, and I weep for my cousin whose son he was.

Making Light

 Rose Bouquet

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

Making light on another rainy grey day.

Now and Then

 Now and Then

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

Here is what happened.

I didn't like that the hydrangea was cut off in yesterday's painting. So the plan was to just do another.

I am in small painting mode. Fall. Studio Gallery TINY show is coming up. Serena and Lily Art Collection Gift of Art launch is coming up. 

I am out of 6"X6" boards so the time has come to paint over some of the HOPE series paintings. Each one meant a lot at the time, but some have worn out their welcome in the studio.

As I painted the vase and hydrangea, I saw HOPE 5  the March 25, 2020 Sonoma landscape through the window and just couldn't cover it up. So. Then and Now. 

It is October. Six years since fire swept through our land. And here we are. Older, wiser, and better than ever.