The farm birds are packing up and heading out

 

Like a lot of people I know, the geese are gathering, eating, and socializing before taking the long trek south to warmer climes.

It's one of the magical times up north when, in the evenings and mornings, the sound of their honks, and splash landings of multiple flocks makes you stop in your tracks, forget what you were doing, and marvel at the abundance of nature on the move.
 Remind me to be patient with them when they get here.

If they don't come to Miami, where do they go?

I went to the island before it went under #sandy #rooseveltislandpark

New York has a new state park! It wraps the southernmost tip of Roosevelt Island, (once Welfare Island), and it features a giant bust of the visionary president sculpted by my great step grandfather, Jo Davidson.

It gave me goosebumps to see the head so well placed. What a wonderful thing for Jo.

FDR lived from 1882-1945 so you can imagine or may have studied what he lived through as far as wars, depressions, crisis, etc.  Looking into his kind of tired face, I wondered, "can this 2012 presidential election claim to have anyone with FDR's foresight, patronage, and brevity? One of his most famous speeches was "Be sincere; be brief; be seated."

 

The people at the Kahn designed park, even on a cloudy day, enjoy the spot. 

The views of the city were fascinating, and the atmosphere was of respectful reverie.

I will be brief: "So glad to have been there."

The edge of night

One of my favorite things to do is enjoy a window seat on an airplane ride. 

This weekend I got to see the night arrive and it reminded me of a childhood desire 

to stand at the halfway point of night and day.

back to work

student work sets the tone...

and angle and value and depth

From the bones, the huesos, springs love

I'm learning Spanish. Huesos means "bones". It takes strong bones to build a loving nest; to create a blooming heart. I see it happening enough to merit a painting. #33 in the 50 Ways to Find Joy series.
5 x 4 inches. (collection of Dr. S. Strauss)

the vultures have made it into my heart

In spite of Hurricane Sandy unleashing high winds and dumping loads of rain, the vultures from Ohio have started their annual trek to the beach. Their arrival, by the thousands, signals the END of hurricane season, and the beginning of the gloriously famous fabulous winter weather! Yipee. #32

A wall of books down to the letters

Art students bring intelligence and memory to the studio.  I work on providing them with a space that inspires centering and concentration so they can control their mark making and, with a modicum of precision, unleash the flow! They teach me as much as I teach them. What you see are works in pencil on paper and paint on foam core.

Eyes wide open, heart full of love

On most days, I approach this second half of my life as if I am blooming. It is unfortunate I had to make so many mistakes to get this wise. Another egg tempera and acrylic painting on canvas. 5 x 4 inches. Blooming, expanding, spilling over and taking notes. #31 in the series... (collection of Mme. Alas Luquetas)

It is darker inside me, than out.

I think I am a nice person. I enjoy my life. But painting happy pictures bores me to no end.

It's taken me MONTHS to do this series... "Where to find Joy"... I set myself out to paint 50 of these small canvasses LAST FEBRUARY!!!! This painting, a heart with soggy wings, in egg tempera and metallic acrylic on canvas panel, is number 30. You'd think I could do better. You'd think I could make a list of the things I love and illustrate them. But I have been stuck. I just finished watching Frida, a favorite movie of mine, and realize it is all about painting your soul, what is inside you that matters. Joy is not in the things you do or have. It is not in the way things look. It is a movement, a symphony, a smell, and maybe a color. When I painted this heart I thought of the flutter sound of a flock of ibis overhead, the punctuation of a palm tree in the landscape, the heave of a chest in lovemaking, and the radiance of clouds at dusk.
(Collection of S. Wood)

Making paint while the eggs are fresh

 Decorating letters with home made egg tempera paint.

 Students contemplate the labor intensive process of the masters

 and come to appreciate the color range of our modern paint supplies.

opening night of skin of our teeth

It is great to work with theater people. 

It is one of the things I thought I'd do, eventually, when I got older and had more time.

I got there now. 

 Tonight, the pre-view show went on perfectly... not a missed cue- or line that I could detect. Phoebe, the director, has worked magic. The kids, the actors, were magnificent. They have a passion that can't be found too many other places.

 I have spent the last few weeks staying late after school with a handful of students, working on the set designs and the props and late one evening with my friend Krisse painting the panels.

Just yesterday it sort of looked disastrous... and yet...Everyone pulled it together.

the sets look good...

Art opening tomorrow night at the falls 7-9 pm

Falls Art District!!! I've been painting.

Falls Art District Gallery Walks  from SW 129th Street to SW 134th Street, (off 87th Ave.)

 

 Click here for info: come to the studio art walk

food trucks, friends, and artwork... I will a few paintings at Demandt Architects...look for the red lantern at 

8 8 8 6  S W  1 2 9  T E R R A C E
T: 305.665.5250  F: 305.259.4526

By the skin of our teeth

the show goes on

I love my advisees

We painted a mural today in less than 4 hours... they arrived with enthusiasm, worked respectfully with each other, followed through to completion and cleaned up! I'd paint a mural anywhere with them again!
This falcon is the school mascot and is in honor of homecoming next week!