Once-upon-a-time-long-ago, when I lived a boatish life with a boatish family, I spent a lot of time on or near the ocean. Although I never really learned the actual techniques of sailing, I loved being on the boat, sliding along with the wind. Even the sea-sick ick couldn’t keep me at home. 

Sailing seems like such freedom. These memories inspired four small paintings for and art show called “It’s Hip to Be Square” at Art on Main in Murphys California.

Stories from a road trip to Death Valley during a heat storm, plus some paintings.

What is Alpenglow?

The world amazes me. In January 2024 I saw something I never thought was possible.

One of my favorite things to do is paint portraits that capture the fleeting essence of a person. I look for the spirit, emotion, and humanity within each subject and I love to tell their unique story with paint.

See how what I learned in a composition class freed me from tyrrany.

I never set New Year resolutions. Read what I do instead!

Real Beauty is so deep you have to move into darkness in order to understand what beauty is— Barry Lopez

Bagpipes, the ultimate in balky reed instruments, are traditional throughout the world. My favorite are the Irish Uilleann pipes, or Irish pipes, which are the kind of pipes my friend Mike is playing in the painting above. And not surprisingly, today is also International Uilleann Bagpipe day, named by the Na Píobairí Uilleann society that celebrates all things about the iconic Irish instrument.

I’ve been dreaming about this image for awhile, inspired by an old photograph I found in my grandmother’s box of family ephemera. I don’t know who the girl is, or what she is doing. But she seems to be doing something, a thing at which I want her to succeed. I feel a purpose and a power in this image, a story that’s common to many women, although I don’t know what that story might be.