Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Dog-o-rama

I know, I know.... I admit it! I love my dogs. I'm working on a portrait of them sitting in my studio and feel at last that I have captured their spirit. It's still in progress... the eyes are a challenge and the background needs a lot of work but I'm having fun and it's a beloved subject.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Winter Tides

Two of the lowest tides of the year happened yesterday and today. It's a wonder to be out when the sea pulls so far from shore... then there are the years that all the sand goes missing as well. At the local point, one of my favored haunts and an endless supply of inspiration, today was spectacular. The stone or shale that is left reaching out to the edge of the tide is an incredible grey with these wonderful indentations that hold water and all sorts of creatures stranded by the ebbing water.



The puddles that are left reflect the clouds and the sky in myriad shapes and depths. Nature in all it's glory on a stunning day before the rain comes. I see some painting in those wet days ahead.



Sunday, January 20, 2008

Jane Austen Love

For the next few months PBS is running "The Complete Jane Austen" series. For anyone else who is a nut for Austen books and films this is a no brainer. The shows air on Sunday evenings (West Coast at 9pm). Last week was Persuasion, this week Northanger Abbey, followed next week with Mansfield Park. Some of these are new adaptations for Masterpiece. In April when the series concludes, I highly recommend the films "Becoming Jane" and "The Jane Austen Book Club" to complete your obsession. It's all comfort food for the romantically disabled!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Thoughts for a new year

A good friend of mine sent me the link to this article on creativity the other day, which led me to the website 43folders, which led to a fascinating article written by Ryan Norbauer.

The article, you ask? Death and Underachievement: A Guide to Happiness and Work.

It's well worth the read, as is the first article Working in Close.

Happy reading.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

January Weather

























It's been beautiful here after the heavy rains of a week ago. Sunsets have been spectacular with the shifting clouds and days have been crystal clear. Santa Barbara is definitely a paradise and it's hard to imagine that there are people snowed in elsewhere in the U.S., without power, digging their cars out and enduring harsh weather.

We are definitely a spoiled bunch in Southern California.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

First Paintings of 2008







These represent 6 of the 10 small paintings finished this week, the first of the new year. They are 4x6", wee studies from past travels. I am dreaming of going, going anywhere, going out into the landscape more this year. Time to fill the well and research new terrain. I'm working on finishing paintings that were started at the end of last year while at the same time going out on mini-adventures up the coast and inland.

Utah and Sundance have been on my mind often as well. I am thinking this is the year to go home, back to familiar surroundings and the feelings of a long held love affair with a place.
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