Appreciating Texture

Columns in the National Cathedral, Washington DC

In Washington last weekend most of my time was spent with my camera around my neck. It's really too heavy to carry around like that, but I only had a few days and didn't want to miss anything. One benefit to that is that my level of awareness is increased so that I notice the beauty of ordinary objects. The above photo is of stone columns in the National Cathedral, taken from the balcony. They are color-washed by light fromthe stained glass windows.

Crushed roses in the street

Another kind of texture that caught my eye -- crushed roses. I liked the play of hot pink against the wet gray asphalt.

In the museums I was mesmerized by Jasper John's encaustics, each stroke thick with light and shadow. Same with Ryland's white paintings, rich oil paint liberally applied.

Today I am in the studio, working on the painting above. It's for corporate offices of a international hotel company, for the vice president's office. The background is a redwood color, the swirls are metallic in various shades. I'm waiting for approval from the designer now.

Another White Day

"The Language of Loss, #2"

I am fascinated to distraction with my current white paintings. The newest one is above, but there are many more in my head. I have commissions to work on, so my fingers are busy doing that, but my mind is on white. I showed the one above to my gallery, but it wasn't well received. Her clients are mostly hotels which are looking to add a punch of color. There's nothing punchy about this series. It's subtle, and that's the point. When asked what this series was about, I answered instantly, although I hadn't articulated it even to myself. These paintings are about loss.

The latest Harrah's deal fell through, but to replace that is a new project for a hotel in Florida, one that I quoted last year at this time. There are nine paintings.

And I quoted another project yesterday, for a series of 21 paintings all hung together in a grid. I'm still in love with grids, so I hope that project gets the go ahead.

Next week I'm taking a last minute trip to Washington DC on a photo shoot. My friend and fellow photographer Nancy will be there for a conference. She invited me to stay with her in a cool hotel near the Capital building. While she is busy in meetings, I'll be out with my camera. Our plan is to get out in the evening and take some arty night shots of the memorials. Last year when I went to Washington the weather didn't cooperate - there was a blizzard. I know it will be cold, but I hope there's no snow. I've seen enough of that this winter.

I've participated in Artist Residency programs for the past five years. This year I'm taking workshops instead. I am scheduled to attend a painting workshop in Mendocino in April, and an intense photography workshop with Moose Peterson on the Oregon coast in June. Hopefully the June event will correspond nicely with another housesitting gig in San Francisco the same month.