Hello and welcome to my blog. Here, I offer a glimpse into my world—stories born from the challenges and joys of life, and the evolution of my interests in science, caring for people and my passion for the art world. As I share with you the result of my experiences as I poured colors on canvas, words on paper, cut stone or molded silver into sometimes very weird shapes. You can share with me any reactions, thoughts, questions, or observations on your mind.
The only rule is to be respectful to one another. Feel free to share what you want on this blog. Any observations about the creations, good or critical, are appreciated. Reflections about your own insights are welcome and helpful.
Evolution of Passion:
My art career began when I stole New Yorker magazines from a barbershop, bought some pastels, and started to copy the covers of the magazine. My original career was short-lived—about 18 months—when the family moved, and my works, hidden in my closet, were thrown away by my mother or brother.
Throughout my adult life, the art that most fascinated me was abstract. I have emotional reactions to color and movement. One day, Patricia and I were in Carmel, CA, which has several wonderful galleries. But for years, none of them showed abstract art. One day, such a gallery appeared.
The artist was there, and we talked for several hours. I asked if she ever gave lessons. She didn’t. That was of little concern to me because I don’t do lessons well. She said that she did days-long workshops and had one coming up in Carmel Valley the following month. But it was only for other artists who were also instructors.
Somehow, she saw my connection to the intuitive world and said that she would make an exception and make a space for me. I resisted. “No,” she said, “The other artists are wonderful people. I know them all. They will help you and take good care of you. You should really come; it will be good for you, help you to open up.”
I went. Day one. I flunked. Some might imagine that one cannot flunk in the abstract world. I would prove them wrong, two days running! At dinner on the second day, I suggested to Patricia that we go gallery hopping, play golf, or go home because this medium or approach wasn’t something that I could do. She left that decision up to me. “Don’t do it if you don’t enjoy it.”
That night I had a recurring dream. Over and over, I heard the words, “Screw it, just do it. Screw it, just do it.” I awoke at 5 a.m. and found a place getting ready to open for breakfast. The music camp where the workshop was being held was open 24 hours a day. I went there three hours before anyone else arrived. I painted, uninterrupted, until 5:30 p.m. When I stopped and looked around, only the instructor was there cleaning up.
I asked her what had happened. She said, “You were in a zone many of us never find. We asked you to join us for lunch, and you looked up, stared at us, and kept painting. You never said but two words the whole day. You were nearly done with your third painting as I walked by. You turned and said to me, ‘Something’s missing.’ I then told you to look hard, follow the color and motion, and you’ll know. After I said it, you turned around and put these two small strokes right here.” She then pointed at two small red lines.
The painting was done. I created three meaningful paintings that day. However, I’ve not been in that zone since then. Yet, when I need to I retreat to my small studio place and return to that world.
Once we retreated to spend winters in the desert at Quartzsite University, like a child introduced to a sandbox for the first time I was placed in a vast natural wonderland which for me became an adult sandbox. Whether hiking, four wheel driving or digging I found interesting rocks begging to be cut open. That led to cutting and polishing stones, designing and building the silver homes to display the stones, called jewelry. Fascinated by larger rocks I eventually moved to sculpture. That lasted until my back begged for relief.
Once we moved away from the home that housed my tools, Patricia suggested, “You and your family history are typical enough for many people to relate to, yet strange enough to amaze many. Half the time you tell me stories, you laugh, and other times you cry. Try telling those stories to other people.” That brings me to today.
Book one is on Amazon and Book two is soon to follow. Book Three is in the editing stage and book four? Well, we’ll see. For those who are interested, I will be placing photos of work and family on the blog as we go along.
