My studio is in HyperAllergic!

Two years ago I submitted my studio at the ARTHOUSE, in the Falls warehouse district to be considered for the cool Hyperallergic "View from the easel" series! It happened last night!!!!

My studio got mentioned in Hyperallergic today! https://hyperallergic.com/469211/a-view-from-the-easel-104/
Check it out: A view from the easel!

I'm a Park Your Art Wynwood Winner!!!

So happy to be chosen to paint another (did it last year) Miami Parking Authority parking meter station in Wynwood, Miami's mural covered district, this weekend. Park your art is in it's 4th annual family canvas event. They have art supplies and projects for all ages to participate in a day of creativity and color.
Inspired by the intersection of highways 836 and 826 near the airport, I will be out at the curb with my paints pulling off a four sided mural of Miami highways at night. Wish me luck!

Once the ballot is cast

I hope everybody gets themselves to a voting booth. It takes effort and research to be a good citizen in a healthy democracy. I have let that go in the past, but this year I have kept on top of the issues and feel empowered by casting my vote for local officials and state amendments.

There is plenty to worry about. Personally I feel we could be moving ourselves backwards in terms of individual liberties, the health of the planet for human life, and a common welfare for all. I am exhausted by all the ridiculous money pouring into campaigns that could be serving to improve our infrastructure, our schools, and the homeless/hungry/poverty stricken. But look!...

What's on my porch!? A Bromeliad in bloom. Today I will enjoy the colors of foliage, Miami style.
Tomorrow we continue the work. I am an activist artist.

This is what a class demo can look like

This semester I have 74 students in classes. I teach Studio Art and Design and Composition One. Both courses at this point in the semester have the student artists working on making large heads using the grid-transfer method. We have practiced noses, eyes, mouths, hair, and scaling up in proportion. The Studio students are working in dry charcoal and the Design students are working in wet acrylic paint. I have one demo piece that I have been using to show measurements and grid transfer. I feel like I may be developing a split personality.

Yoga in the Park

One of my #100favFlorida things is the Sundays we spend in the park with friends meditating and doing our yoga practice. I have been going there for the past 7 years and have learned a lot from Peter, theyogawarrior.org 
To be among the trees is where I feel most comfortable in my skin. Miami is a city with a lot of trees- but not necessarily right outside your door. You have to be intentional about being with the trees. You have to search out sites that aren't under assault of construction. Miami is all about real estate and development so that, over the years, lots of my favorite trees in the neighborhood have been removed. When I practice the tree pose I gain inspiration from the energy of the park. I enjoy the rooted feeling of connecting to the earth and the lifted feeling from spreading my "branches" into the air overhead, visually merging my fingers with the leaves and birds.

I consider this to be my church time. While in the park, I meditate on non-violence, praying for compassion, focusing on my breath. I let go of my expectations and practice self-discipline, intention, concentrating on the gifts and movement of my healthy body. I also pay attention to the sounds of the animals, humans, and machines, feeling the breeze, sun, and grass against my skin... it always lifts my spirit and is the best way to start the day and week. It brings me light and gratitude for the love of God, the great Creator.

I had to do 3 paintings to get one that captures the love I have for Sunday Yoga in the Park.
#100favFloridathings

3D printing project

I am working on a gift idea that keeps coming back to me over the years. Last week I was lucky enough to work with MakerMia, a local maker space and machine shop.

They have tons of experts, like Paul Grata who shared a course introducing us to 3d printing.

And Andrea Gellatly one of the famed Witch Doctor Battlebot engineers. She showed me one of her tiny new robots- Hammerton, inspired by dueling Alexander Hamilton.

Here is a sneak peak at my project:

It's the gift giving season, so please consider art as your present. Look at my store on my website for originals or on my Fine Art America site for reproductions at great prices.

Laying in the Grass

Continuing my art series #100favFloridathings is the fact that we can, in the south here, safely lay in the grass and not worry about Lyme disease and ticks. It's been years since it has been safe to do so up north. Every Sunday Michael and I go to the park. We enjoy all the action it has to offer and especially the view we get looking up at the skies from our backs.
This is a kind of goofy painting... trying to capture the feeling of melting into the ground while also floating up to the clouds.

My paintings can be bought as prints on canvas or paper, as well as on phone cases and shower curtains through Fine Art America, (see the side bar). Think of the gift potentials!!!