Weather Effects

Winters are different in all parts of the world, but for the most part they bring temperature changes, winds, rain, or something else that's different than summer. Northern California, where I am right now, has a temperate climate. The first week here in mid January was exactly like the week I was here in August. Sunny, high sixties, deep blue skies. The rains have started now, and unlike the torrents that whip through Texas, they are soft and sweet, gently bathing the thirsty vegetation.

Yesterday I watched the rain from this comfy leather chair where I have my laptop set up. This is my favorite seat in the house, so I also sat here to work on a couple of concept drawings. I'll do some more of that today, since it's not going to be a good day to go hiking, kayaking, or even walking around the neighborhood with my camera.

40 Degrees Difference

It was less than a 4 hour flight between Dallas and Oakland, but wow what a difference in the weather! Brrrr! I left the hottest weekend of the year (105 that day) to arrive to temps in the 50s.

Yesterday I roused myself long enough to go buy some long sleeved shirts, at least. Otherwise, I'm raiding Helen's closet. The dogs that were tiny pups when I visited last are long-legged high energy hounds now. Fabulous!

I've already had my camera out in "Eve's" garden out back. Plucking blackberries and popping them into my mouth, alternating with the sweetest yellow plums you've ever tasted. I have babied my daisies at home to finally get them to bloom nicely after 4 years. Here the front yard is a riot of 4 ft tall full bloomed gems -- right beside the roses that look like they overdosed on fertilizer. What a difference the climate makes.

Helen has left me all her museum membership cards which I intend to take full advantage of. And she periodically sends me info on local events for me to choose from. Lots of choices around here!

In the meantime, I'm bundled up on the couch with a blanket and two dogs -- happy to be taking a break from my artist's work life.

Fun Funky Project

Here's the second mockup for the painting for lululemon, a new yoga athletic store in the Dallas Galleria. It seems that all the stores are a bit different, with local managers having the last say on decor. Fun and colorful, both these images have been approved by the store manager. The moment I met her and saw the under-construction interior, I knew what the paintings looked like. Obviously this is not something I would have done on my own. I got it from the vibe of the store, the manifesto (philosophy) of the company, and by the energy of the manager. Deposit is now being processed, and I'll start painting tomorrow. Will be a rush job since she wants them in the store for Black Friday. Have to finish by then anyway, since I'm off to Berkeley on the 24th.

Nancy and I are trying to work in a trip to Yosemite before the housesitting gig actually starts. So today I'm going to do some research beyond mapping the trip -- with just a short time I want to see the most scenic and photographically inspiring areas.

I spent all day yesterday on a photo shoot of boots, only to be told, no, it's not right. Jeez!

Tomorrow I'm going to the local elementary schools PTA meeting where the kids whose art competition I judged will get ribbons awarded. Should be fun!

Another Approval

Everyone loves the white boxes. I wish I could predict in advance what people will love. I would paint less and travel more.

Except for this year, when my work schedule has taken over my travel schedule. I can't believe I have turned down housesitting requests in Boston, France, Santa Fe, Berkeley and Mendocino.

If it doesn't stop raining in Dallas my schedule is stretched out even longer. I am literally watching paint dry, at a very slow pace. My flowerbeds are moldy, the constant rain has knocked the flowers flat and stripped leaves off the maple. When thunderstorms break out (daily!), I can't take the risk and have to turn off my office. That means my computer and printers. Work stops.

I have projects double hung on my studio wall, drying slowly. Three pieces have a crackle finish, and I can't use the fan to speed it up.

On the other hand I finished the first of three additional paintings for Mercury Grill, and it was approved by the restaurant owner this morning, so I can start the other two. This has been a really fun project.

I have delivered the proposal packets for Texas Clinic, now I'm waiting - uncomfortably! The thunder and lightning aren't helping things!

Changing the Schedule

I had agreed to housesit in Berkeley for three weeks starting in July. The dates changed, and I have a prior family commitment to be in Pennsylvania the last weekend in July. I still checked airfares trying to figure out how I could do it all.

Then a group of new commissions landed in the studio, and I've given up my creative planning. I just can't go to Berkeley.

Instead, I am working on new creative projects. One triptych is a blended color wash across all three canvases, and will have skinny long stemmed leaves stenciled on as the last design element.

Another triptych (a series of 24" boxes) is a random patterned minimal abstract from one of those paintings I did in my "white" phase.

The next three paintings are for the Mercury Grill, and will be a continuation of the 12 paintings I already have installed there.

Then there are three large photo paintings, not like the ones I've done lately, but an earlier version. There's a series of 10 photographs for this project, also. All this for a large hotel in downtown Ft Worth, TX.

AND there's more!

A 40" sq abstract minimalist painting on a box, silver leafed.

I'm still working on the two digital paintings for the golf resort.

I'm reworking the art placement and budget for Texas Clinic.

Have to make decisions for my solo show in October which will consist of 13 paintings.

See why I can't go to Berkeley?

Peace and Plenty

view from the balcony

At the end of a productive painting day, I attended a Buddhist prayer ceremony for the spirit of my friend Anne. It was the most peaceful experience, and a satisfying end to a great day. I made new friends, and apparently everyone around here needs a housesitter!

When I drove up the mesa the full moon illuminated the pinon forest, and I could clearly see the mountains in the distance. White puffy clouds moved silently across the sky. I checked the temp before bed, it was 22.

I tried yet another sleeping arrangement for me and the dogs (who have been driving me crazy running in and out of the doggie door all night). I locked them in the bedroom with me, and got a deep night's sleep.

What a surprise to see a sparkling layer of snow covering the landscape this morning! It's still only 28 degrees, at noon.Feedback from my client on my new work is mixed. I disagree a bit, and I'm still painting out this creative surge. I am calling this the "Generations" series.

People Are Complicated

Housesitting is a tricky business. For me, it's fascinating how people live in their own homes. I have some really funny stories to tell about my experiences, but I always keep them anonymous. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or betray my friends. But there's humor there, believe me!

I am housesitting again next week in Santa Fe, for my dear friends Charlotte and Shelley, so they can be with Shelley's mom in Baltimore for her upcoming surgery. The diagnosis wasn't good, and I am happy to be able to help them out, since they have always been there for me when I needed them. It's not a good time for me to be going away again, but my heart tells me to.

About the eight canvases that I prepped for painting that are still up on my wall. I was waiting for paint colors, but found out yesterday that the order was canceled by the client. I'm not sure where that leaves me, since I had a purchase order and the go-ahead to start the series. I have two options. One - bill for time and materials expended to date. Two - use the prepped canvases to paint something brand new. In other words, use them as inspiration. I am really more attracted to the second option.

Today I am finishing up two abstracts for Modernart Editions, my publisher. And I'm still unpacking.

Working Out

Taken in the Dahlia Garden at the Conservatory in San Francisco

No, I haven't dragged myself to the gym yet this year, but I am working out my sadness by using my hands. I started a series of paintings for a rep on the west coast -- something that I had pledged not to do this year. I intended to quit doing production paintings (sometimes called multiple originals) and selling wholesale. However, I really needed something to do, and received an order which gets me in the studio and working. It's a good place for me to be right now, and indeed has sparked a little creativity. I have also begun some experimentation, of minimal white paintings. We'll see where it leads.