More

More, 10"x10"

Confrontation (diptych)

Confrontation, 40"x16" (diptych)

the progression of a paintng...

Going Deeper

Going Deeper, 18"x18"

Couple in Car

Couple in Car, 8"x8"

Paper Airplane #4, 12"x26"

Not In a Hurry, 8"x20"

This painting is dedicated to Laura and Anna and Annette and Sue and Sandra and JoAnne and Chris and Kathie and Penny and Susan and Kim.

Snowy Peaks

Snowy Peaks, 24"x18"

I changed the sky four times on this one. The mountains are my favorite part.

No Fear

No Fear, 24"x45"

my prayer for my daughter

Applause

Applause, 10"x36"

something we all need...

Caught

Caught - 17"x17"

A simple painting of remembering...

Transcendence

Transcendence - 42"x42"

This is where I want to be right now.

Lighter than Air #4

Lighter than Air #4 - 45"x24"

My kids are so big now, 17 and 20. I still see them this way in my mind, skinny and scruffy, and I'm surprised when they get off the airplane or commuter train and all so grown up.

A Toast #2

A Toast #2 - 30"x40"

After I painted this, Bonnie and Rich and Sandra happened by my kitchen and laughed at their portraits. Can't make art without friends.

Log Bridge #2

Log Bridge #2 - 60"x43"

This is based on a canal we hiked past up in Nevada City. That girl looks so confident; I'd like to be like her.

Rooted #6

Rooted #6 - 38"x47"

I just want to stay here all day.

Princess Cottongrass

Green Water, 48"x18"

 There's a Swedish folk tale called Princess Cottongrass. The little princess has wild wispy blonde hair like a common wild flower that grows in the far north. She falls in love with a moose and loses a heart on a gold chain, and she spends so much time looking into the water at the gold heart that she turns into the wildflower. You know, a standard Swedish folktale...

Stairway

Stairway - 27"x17"

I have two old suitcases of my mom's by my easel. They keep finding their way into my paintings.

Bringing Down the Paintings

 Every artist needs a friend with a truck, especially if paintings are 12 feet long. These two pieces have been up at my church for awhile. They started as ideas doodles on a church bulletin, were painted in my garage, and are now there again. If you have space for one or both, let me know.
Thanks again, Eric, for your truck...

Spark

Spark - 30"x24"

Lean in closer. It's dark out there, but there's light and heat if you're close enough.

Outstretched Arms

Outstretched Arms, 24"x24"

 Good morning. It's a gray dreary morning. This painting helps me get out of bed.

Reach

I love these clouds.

Flight

Who needs shoes?

It's Been So Long

Improvisation

In doing improvisational theater, you cannot say no because it breaks trust and ends the plot. This year I want to say, "Yes, and..."

The Crossing

Some paintings are like my kids--I linger at the door and watch them walk out of sight. This painting is like that. A part of me is hanging at the Studio Shop in Burlingame, Ca.

Pink Window, Blue Sky

I get glimpses of something bigger.
This painting is at the Harrison Gallery--(413)458-1700.

Waiting for Rain

She knows it will come.

Trapeze Couple

Trapeze Couple, 62"x30"

Sometimes I put a big canvas on my easel with no idea where it will go. This one begged for a trapeze.

Standing on Heads

I have a solo show at the Harrison Gallery in Williamstown, MA, opening this Thursday, Dec 15. Thank you, Jo, for letting the work shine.

Vantage Point

Vantage Point, 36"x36"

When I go to the art store, I buy large jars of blue...

Yellow Innertube #2, 24"x24"

 She's undaunted by the immensity of it all, maybe even delighted by it. I wish I was like her.

Breathe

A good reminder for a Monday morning...

New Start

I am thankful for new starts, for the black soil when I rip out my old tomatoes, for friends in far places, for miracles every day.

Rooted #5

 Some paintings come easy. Others keep going back to the studio. This was one of those. First i had a reader at the base of the tree, then dancers. More appropriate that it's my kids, still rooted but venturing out.

Sophie Modeling

 August. My son is home from college, and he sees us with fresh eyes. I guess we're not a typical family...

White Dress

Dancers, White Sky

Open Studios is over. Thanks to everyone who came. Thank you, Galen, for letting me use your space. Thanks to Jonathan and Marcus for helping us transport it all home and the the Van Gelders for keeping Sophie. And special thanks to Ed for hanging around all weekend.

The next event of note is the SFMoMA Artists Gallery Warehouse Sale. It starts tomorrow, May 4 and goes through Saturday in building A at Fort Mason. All the art there is slashed 50%, and it's a very lively and fun scene. I have six paintings there. If you don't see them on the walls, ask a staff person to bring them out.

Open Studios Today & Tomorrow, April 30-May 1, 2011

 It's that rush time, loading up the car and hanging at Hunters Point. This year I'll be at my regular space and room 1210 on the main floor of building 101. April 30 and May 1, 11:00 to 6:00. I hope you can come.

My Studio

A late-spring chaos has descended on my studio this week. Tonight and Friday I will transport about 70 paintings to Hunters Point for this weekend's open studio. There's always a point at midspan on the Bay Bridge where I ask myself, "Do I actually get to do this for a living?" Even though it's a tremendous amount of work, I wouldn't want to do anything else.

Hunters Point Open Studio, April 30-May 1, 2011
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Building 101, Room 1210, Hunters Point Shipyard, San Francisco

The Judges

These guys go with me everywhere. They never agree.

Girl with Hand Raised #2

I sat out on the back porch to paint this one on one of those amazing blue-sky-days after weeks of rain. The painting gets shipped off tomorrow for the Harrison Gallery's tenth anniversary.

Girl at Beach

Oh, I am ready for summer.

Lamp Lit Dinner Party

I went around and around on this one, changing faces, changing the sky. I wanted everyone engaged but no one dominating. it's that time when the meal is over but no one is a hurry to leave the table.