Today

On one of my easels rests this painting still unfinished. In this state the art is meditation that quiets my mind as I make it come alive. I lose myself in the rolling hills of drapery. I push, pull, plunge and pet.  I'm in a creative trance in my sacred space. This is my mandala. 

Plums

This Is Just To say

I have eaten

the plums

that were in 

the icebox

and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold.

--William Carlos Wiliams

The Neighborhood

Looking at the Overlooked

I saw this trio of dogs in front of Peets on Fillmore. The pooch with the cone was why I stopped to take a closer look. I like most dogs but one-eyed dogs, three-legged dogs and dogs wearing cones bring out the paparazzi in me. I believe they bring good luck. The same goes for cats. I noticed the cat above watching  people go by on 18th near Mission. I'm uncertain if it was a one-eyed cat but this cat was cool just the same.   

Bodegon: Sheet on a Stone Ledge at 4am

My sheet on a stone ledge at 4am is like an ocean wave. Not too far off, the sounds of pounding and slapping resonate.

Hummingbirds Happen

Just yesterday I came across a charcoal drawing I made as a study. The project was a private commission which only had one demand. The art must feature hummingbirds. This house already displayed one of my still-life paintings. The couple fell in love with one of my huge pomegranates. Then they asked me to create another artwork based on their shared love for hummingbirds. If only this would happen every week. The drawing above was the first stage in the process. I choose my subjects but sometimes my subject chooses me. Busy with the still-life and figure, I never approached birds before that time, however I saw the hummingbird painting as an opportunity to spread my wings. And that has made all the difference.

More Ocean Beach Wall

The Ocean Beach Wall

The wall at Ocean Beach here in San Francisco stretches out from the base of the Cliff House incline, all the way south to Lincoln Way at the west end of Golden Gate Park. It was built in 1916 as an esplanade with a lavish walking area. Since then the parking lot has eclipsed most of the original concept. But that hasn't effected its popularity as a destination. Run, bike, walk along the length of it. Wax your surfboard there. Watch the waves and break bread with a friend while sitting on top. I'm slowly including more elements from my life into my artwork. That's why I've introduced the wall as an element in some of my still life paintings (and also because it's there).