I share with you here a return to color through my new abstract watercolor painting with literary content. Color is my first language and is also a deep love of mine, even a visceral instinct. That is why I yearned to return to some color work as I further relaxed from my Zen black and […]

I’m taking a relaxing break from painting by enjoying some basic ikebana, The Way of Kado, in my Sogetsu class. This is so very simple and lovely. Basic upright  nagiere style. “The ultimate purpose in Kado is not to make pleasant flower arrangements, but cultivate appreciation for each moment, to work with obstacles, and to develop […]

I find my Zen and Sufi insights gain me deeper understanding of my own Christian roots. First the fish needs to say, “Something ain’t right about this camel ride— and I’m feeling so damm thirsty. -“Damm Thirsty- Hafiz 1844S, 42” x 60” Commentary on my Zen Painting “So Damm Thirsty” This is when a fish, if […]

My paintings are more of the “transformational” nature rather than the “transactional” or commercial nature. I love that phrase, given me by my confidant, Charlotte. I’m ready to grow into that now as a point of view, and those of you who subscribe to my blog, I believe will understand and embrace this. I hope […]

Sumi-e hinge mounting behind the scenes is what I’m giving you a peek at in this blog. This is one of the asides of creating beautiful sumi-e painting. When we artists are not busy making new creations, there is a lot of preparation and details that occupy our time… I brought the work inside the […]

This is a sneak preview of the finished painting of the healing antidote for the “In the Interest of National Security”. This one is “Mother Rocking Her Child” by Marilyn. The above painting is my antidote for the angst I felt over the situation of children still being separated from their parents at the border. […]

A little sketching in the category of “so fun and easy, having wonderful time, wish you were here type…” and here are my happy group again. We had such a relaxing time, with old and new members, Frank, Kathy, Jason and daugher Helen plus Donna. You know we always try to hit up a pie […]

My art continues to evolve in this time of troubling government resolutions. When I first heard the news on the immigration situation at the border, I was deeply shocked. Even now this is hard for me to write, as the emotions continue to reverberate through my system. That separation of children from their mothers, from […]

Sketching with heart and soul and friends. Or this could also be called “Won’t You Be My Sketching Friends?” I thought of the beautiful documentary movie on Mr. Rogers, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor , in connection with our sketching trips. The legacy of Fred Rogers deeply touched my heart in these troubled times of chaos and […]

There is an inner power which, when discovered within, frees one from reliance on force to exist in this world. I express this in my sumi-e artworks inspired by poetry or quotations from various sources. These works convey my own path to inner awakening to that power; I hope they may inspire you as you […]