Current projects

Woodside residence

2011-12-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

For a new, custom and architecturally stunning home in Woodside:

The living room: Ceramic vessel on table.

Ceramic horse's heads over fireplace

"Grazing Horse," steel, copper, 24x38x12"

"Gazing Horse," steel, copper, 24x38x12"

The Kitchen

Vessels

Guest bath

"Pasture," acrylic on canvas, 72x48"

New painting for the contractors on the Bay Bridge

2011-12-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

Just after the Bay Bridge column in Sac Bee was published, I got a call from the contractors, American Bridge/Fluor Joint Venture. They've commissioned me to create a new painting of the construction status as of the day they sent me a new photo. I was so excited. Such an honor. So this is the painting and it's being reproduced as high quality prints, 11x14."

The Meaning of Memes: SacBee

2011-12-04T10:39:00.001-08:00

The art of appropriation and political protest takes on a contemporary form in the internet phenomena known as "meme." The new use of the word meme is in itself a meme.

As an artist who creates in the public realm, I found this instantaneous and spontaneous eruption of emotion fascinating. The power of image!! I'm knocked out by the breadth of creativity and imagination that this incident has provoked, from appropriated picture to video.

Link to my new column in the Sacramento Bee Op-ed Forum section

Your response is appreciated.

Ceramics on Saturday

2011-10-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

It's Fleet Week and the parking is horrid, but persevere because the artists here are really strong. The Air Show has added intensity and screaming noise at times, but it's amazing to see these jets flying so low right over the Bay.

Ceramics Annual: installation day

2011-10-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco
Thurs eve- Sun eve 6pm.

My work and others.

The end of the day.

Ceramics Annual of America, San Francisco

2011-09-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Several Sacramento artists are getting ready for the largest ceramics exhibition in America. As usual, John Natsoulas is the creative catalyst behind this terrific show. I'm a last minute entry this year, hearing about it just recently and taking the place of someone who had to cancel.

Glenn Takai in his studio

Maurizio Rivera in his studio

Come visit us at Fort Mason, San Francisco, Oct. 6-9.

Woodside residence

2011-08-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

Woodside is a unique neighborhood with vast estates of old money and lots of new. I'm creating paintings and sculpture for a contemporary "farmhouse." The house, brand new, is a celebration of texture, surface and materials with the most beautiful tile work I've ever seen. Huge windows and doors open onto a woodland meadow surrounded by mature oaks. Woodside is also home to many horses, and a path borders the property.
I haven't thrown on the wheel since the summer before my last show. I've missed it terribly. The great thing about throwing is that it's seriously not possible to think about anything else while the wheel is spinning under my hands. The calmer and more still I am, the more effective the process. It's a metaphor of sorts. Things can only happen when I'm still enough to let them in.

Riverfront installation

2011-08-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

This week we finished installing the mural, 5.6" x 25.' Now we're looking for new walls.

UCD Med Center & Riverfront

2011-08-04T21:49:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a cast cement project on and off for some time. The Business Journal did an article awhile back on the project. Dennis McCoy came to shoot me pouring cement and I hadn't seen him for about 20 years (wow, that was quick) since the last time he shot me...painting murals at Birdcage Center. He said that he was so happy to be able to shoot someone actually making something, as most of his subjects are suits behind desks...because nobody's actually making anything around here anymore.

So today my crew and I installed the cast concrete tiles at the new Emergency entrance.

And while the guys installed the 21 tiles, I returned to my studio to finish the 25x6" mural that we'll be installing next week at the Riverfront Condos, on P St just south of the Crocker.

Another giant watercolor painting.

2011-07-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

Red & yellow

A red robin, her beak
so useful has landed
to peck repeatedly
at a day-glo yellow
ground hugging plant
in my garden.

She helps herself
leaving only shreds
to fly to her nest,
back and forth
each time filling her
beak to capacity.

She is a satisfied
little bird
this tiny thief.

The watch store

2011-07-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

Two new projects are in the works. First, a 25x6' mural for a condominium project in downtown Sacramento. Second, for the Sacramento Zoo: the outside wall of the new exhibit space for the River Otters...as soon as we find funding, an interactive relief mural.

In the meantime, I was waiting for my watch to be fixed at, of all places, a watch store. And before me, a layered, enticing image in the tradition of the super-realists like Richard Estes.

I'll be installing 22 cast cement tiles soon for the new entrance area at the fabulous UC Med Center expansion ER. If you're in the neighborhood, a visit to see Yoshio Taylor's stunning tile mural in the main lobby is well worth your time.

Lyon Village in Inside Publications, May 2011

2011-05-03T22:24:00.000-07:00

A nice mention of the Lyon Village murals.
May 2011

Lyon Village at Peet's continues

2011-03-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

End of day, Tuesday.

The weather has turned...really hot, really fast.

Had to call in reinforcements. Rick Jacobs showed up with a taller ladder and painted the high parts.

I was hoping to finish this area today, but ran out of steam. Moving to the Pilates area tomorrow.

Small dog and baby fan at Lyon Village

2011-03-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

Gotta love this fluffy little dog named Toby. A bright, sunny day brought welcome warmth and a dry wall. Hurray.

A new fan finds the cat. This baby is adorable. She was with her grandmother and great-grandparents.

I started adding color at the end of the day. I'll be back again tomorrow.

Interviewing small dogs at Lyon Village

2011-03-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I started painting at the Peet's window, hoping that the next storm would be delayed. The sun came out occasionally, to warm the wall and it turned out to be a very pleasant day. I had a number of really nice visitors, and special nods to Frank.

As I was thinking about just the perfect dog to place below the window as I indicated in the sketch, this fellow came along with his little fashionista dog.

Seriously now, how cute is this dog?

Then, along came some competition. This little fellow wasn't at all happy about the prospect of a "big break." I started to laugh as I tried to follow him around (in circles) to get the right pose.

I was reminded of another time and place, at Jack London Square in 1996, when just as I needed a wolf for Jack's mural, a hybrid wolf showed up, as if sent by Jack. This kind of thing happens all the time to me when I'm painting. Odd. I often end up painting people into my murals, adding them spontaneously as they just happen to pass by. The Regional Transit mural has several last minute additions.

I've discovered that the Sacramento Natural Food Coop has terrifically beautiful food.

It looks like great weather for the rest of the week. Come by for a visit.

Rain, rain, go away

2011-03-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

Please visit my travel blog for my latest moving narrative, a trip to Tomales Bay, one of my favorite places ever. Now back, I'm waiting for the rain to stop. Could be awhile.

Lyon Village murals

2011-03-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

Today it's disappointingly threatening rain and wind, and the next two spaces aren't covered, so I guess I'll stay dry. But I've almost finished the first mural, at the Edward Jones window. Lots of little fans visited yesterday, chatting away.

It's amazing how much bigger the mural space looks, as if it physically expanded as I painted.

I'm almost finished here.

And late in the afternoon, I started the piece at the Pilates studio.

Lyon Village murals_day 1 & 2

2011-03-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

The threat of rain and increasing wind shortened my painting day today. But working again is a great relief and everyone that passes has been enthusiastic.

Lyon Village murals

2011-03-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Today, I'm starting to draw on the walls around each round window at Lyon Village. I'll be working on murals for each area as weather permits.

Sketch for the Peet's Coffee area.

Sketch for Vitek area.

Sketch for Pilates window.

A day at Raley Field

2011-03-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

Gotta love mechanical lifts. Up in the air, repainting the sculptures for the first time since 2002 when I made them. It was a beautiful day. Opening day is soon, so come on out and watch the best baseball.

Words Worthy: Saturday deluge

2011-02-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

Words Worthy: Saturday deluge: "This is my first blog on my new blog site. Yah! It's Saturday. It's grey and rainy, a perfect writing day, which is what I have planned. I..."

Talking about writing with my friend, Jane Mellor

2011-02-18T13:57:00.000-08:00

A lovely afternoon spent between rain showers, chatting about all things to do with writing. Well, not all things, but at least a start. See her website for more info on this talented writer, recently returned to SF from Vancouver, BC.

Walls and other things

2010-09-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

1) Today in the Bee, Bob Shallit mentioned my project in planning on the back / north side of Willie's on 16th. The wall faces north and can be seen through the gas station. Not the best view, but certainly a challenge. While most of my projects over the years are history and location based, they've also been about the transformation of architecture, or rather, how an architectural space is perceived by the visitor. I've definitely had many such challenges, including the Hyatt Hotel on "L St." and the San Francisco Hilton. Is waiting for an epiphany an epiphany something like "Waiting for Godot?" We'll see.

The view from the intersection at 15th and X.

The view driving east on X.

2) Yesterday I had a lunch and meeting with Dr. Ron Stroud, Professor Emeritus in Classical Literature and Languages. I had a memorable experience and will write about this soon, as I want to do the event justice in my head.

3) Saturday is the artist's reception at the Crocker, and on Sunday, the new museum expansion opens. Along with many other artists in town, I send in an image that will be part of a large collaborative piece. Wow, I finally made it into the Crocker! So come on Sunday and become a member so you can visit often. This is a major and significant event in this Valley.

4) Also on Saturday, I'll be performing in Davis for the Natsoulas Jazz Festival on Saturday, Oct 9th from 1:15pm - 2:00pm, with the Brubeck Institute. No pressure, huh? I'll need all the support I can get. So come join the fun. It's FREE!!

5) If you're flying out of SMF, Lorrie Kempf from the Sacramento Metro Arts Commission has curated an exhibition of travel sketches in a number of locations, including many of mine and my mom's, too.

The above image in the lower right is mine, from a trip to the Cinque Terre in 1996, hiking with my daughter on the scariest, steepest, narrowest trail, far above the sea below. Travel sketching is wildly popular now, because of Moleskins and the net. The creativity is so inspiring. It's also a great way to slow down time, to intensify your travel experience and also, to make friends. I'd like to get a sketchup going here in Sacramento. See the menu on the right for my travel sketch link.

Brightening Broadway

2010-09-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

I've just spent the last five days creating a painting on the corner of Iron, at 13th & Broadway. So look for a lot of color and come to lunch, happy hour and dinner, too! I wish I could add color all up and down Broadway. Years ago I made a plan for Del Paso Blvd., for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment. I wanted to expand the Deco theme there, but they never followed through.
So that's what I'm looking for: one whole long street, both sides. Another area is J st., between 10th and 11th, due for development that was stopped with this depression. Yes, I said depression, but don't get me started.

Introducing Permaforms Architectural Panels

2010-08-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

My John C. Fremont Park project has inspired a new artistic adventure. Only it's NOT ART. I'm creating a company called Permaforms, Pre-cast & custom specialty cement panels for architectural ornamentation.

Visit the Permaforms website.

I'm looking for new walls now. And though this isn't a time for new construction, it's a great time for upgrading existing properties.

What's been happening at the Zoo?

2010-05-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

The River Otters are looking for more elegant diggs. There are two of them and they're very cute. In their natural habitat, they're very large and scary and can be vicious. That's why we like to see them at the Zoo.

Cast shadow

2010-04-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

Just a simple cast shadow late on a Thursday afternoon.

Studio work in progress

2010-03-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

Please check out the day to day progress on my current project for John C. Fremont Park, in a separate link. Your comments are appreciated. http://fremontparkart.blogspot.com

Clay symposium in Laguna Beach

2010-02-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

As a worker bee for thirty years, I haven't had a lot of time to attend workshops or conferences. Grad school doesn't count; that's just one big workshop. So when my St. Louis friend Melody Evans was invited to present at the Paperclay Symposium in Laguna Beach and asked if I'd like to attend, I said heck ya.
The primary core of the very generous contributors:
1) Linda Saville, Laguna Beach, the inspiration and very impressive organizer of the event. This is a woman who works in clay but decided that she could create a great 10 day experience in Laguna Beach. I was as impressed with her achievement as I was with the event. She represents what we need more of: people who decide what needs to be done and then just do it.
2)   Rosette Gault, Seattle, one of a few creators of paperclay worldwide. I've been using her recipe for years so it's great to meet the inspiration behind such a great product.
3) Graham Hay, (below) Perth, AU, a major global spokesman for paperclay. His vast website offers all you'd ever need for resources and information.

So what is paperclay? It is any clay that is reinforced with fibers that form the structure of paper. Other fibers can also be used, but paper fibers provide particular features that make the resulting clay very strong and very desirable.
Attributes that I know of, so far:
1) The longer the fibers, the stronger the clay is in unfired form, both with individual elements and as a whole structure/sculpture.
2) The fibers act as tiny hollow tubes, conducting moisture effectively, from wet to dry clay. This results in attaching capabilities from dry or wet to dry, to mend and add elements that can't be attempted in unreinforced clay.
3) The fibers decrease the shrinkage of clay in both the drying and firing process.
   The presenters were from Australia, Wales, Britain, Italy, Canada, Colorado, Mass., and California. See links to participant's web sites on Linda's site. Many gave demonstrations and others showed slides. The thrust of the presentations was to show how the properties of paperclay can facilitate stretching the boundaries of what can be accomplished in clay.
   For me, the artist who most maximizes these properties is Rebecca Hutchinson, faculty at Dartmouth. Her work doesn't remotely resemble something that is build by a human.

A Trip to the Golden Corral

2010-01-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

Last week I took a trip to a new world, the world of over eating. To eat as much as I'd like to eat is not something I've aspired to, though I'm not culinarily shy. I had to kill two hours near McClellan, so I chose the Golden Corral on Watt Ave., north of 80 because it was 6pm. So I turned it into an experience, as if I was on a trip somewhere, and here are my notes pretty much as I wrote them, rewriting in the first person because, after all, it's my story.

This is a casino style food service enterprise.

The Golden Corral is the kind of place where I don't have to mind my manners. Or even have any. All I need is $10.99 plus tax, including coffee. This restaurant seats about 650 people and employs a staff of 195. In the first 5 days of opening 6 months ago, sales were $240,000. The buffets stretch about as far as I can see and offer an overwhelming selection of everything from fresh vegetables to the deepest, fattiest, fried varieties of potatoes, chicken, zucchini, and fish, though I've yet to find fried Twinkies.

The wait staff are the thinnest people here. Most customers are a minimum of 20-30lbs. of cardio heaven over weight. (I'm not making judgements here- I'm not too tiny myself).

Most plates contain a remarkable lack of anything green. I've been here for an hour and several people around me were here before, consistently eating non-stop, plate after plate. (There may be a green bean on this fellow's plate, in a picture taken with his happy permission).

Here's the drill.

The front entrance put me into a Disney style line. I passed by the drinks, then paid $11.95 for my meal. I got a receipt and picked a table. Wait staff brought coffee, water and cleaned other tables, and cleaned and cleaned some more. Then I picked up a plate- one for starters, and off I went.

I chose ribs (excellent), some roast beef, bites of assorted salads and squash- a not at all an unhealthy selection. Later I chose bites from four desserts: I'm not being sanctimonious about my choices, just visually overwhelmed by such a vast and tempting selection. Near me, a woman arrives with broccoli but also potatoes and pizza.

Sandra

As the friendly waitress, Sandra, cleared a table, she stacked 13 plates plates up her arm, all loaded with uneaten food. And she stopped to chat with a young customer. She told me that in the beginning, in the 1st week, people ate so much that they vomited right in the aisles, all over the floor. Fifteen children and two adults.

Carpet cleaners had to come in every night. I'm surprised at how cheerful the staff is; they certainly work hard. They clean constantly, and after each shift, they clean again. The average customer uses three colorful dinner plates.

Every so often a voice comes over a loud speaker with instructions for the staff, in code. It's time to wash down the buffets or to wash hands...all together now.

There are three different buffets: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Kids 3 and under eat free

Kids 4-8 @ $4.49

Kids 9-12 @ 5.49

Adults @ 8.69

Seniors @ 7.99

I can go back for more if I want to. I could just sit here till the place closes- eating.

Golden Corral Motto:

"Help yourself to happiness"

And if you go, don't forget to tip the wait staff. They deserve it.

Editorial: aside from the impact of obesity on my health care costs, this is still a free country and people should be allowed to eat what they want. I have to admire Golden Corral's business plan, especially in this economy. They're providing good, fresh food at very reasonable prices.

Ghost floors at Globe Mills

2009-11-25T08:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of tagging along with Jennifer Smith, journalist for Channel 10 News, for a special Alice-in-Wonderland kind of exploration of the reincarnation of Globe Mills at 12th & C, in downtown Sacramento. Mike Malinowski is the very talented, passionate and visionary architect on the project. Jennifer's piece will appear on the Friday evening news.

The silos from the exterior, above, and from the interior looking up, below.

We had an abbreviated version of Mike's usual tour, but an extended version of the special tour to hidden places. Up and up to the roof above the silos, to a view unique in Sacramento. And stunning. To the South, the Capitol. To the West, the Railroad Museum Shops, and from there a 180 degree view of the future Railyard development over the next 20 years.

When I referred to Mike as a visionary, I meant it in quite a literal sense. When Mike started the design process of the dilapidated structure, the existing plans were incomplete. As we walked from area to area, he described the element of surprise as each new opening was cut through thick concrete walls to reveal another space within. And another.

-more later -

Channel 10 video

2009-11-03T22:41:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Smith just created a really fun video on my work. I had a great time with her, running around Sacramento. Check it out.

Tomales Bay Writer's Workshop

2009-10-26T16:48:00.001-07:00

Another first for me. A writer's workshop...and in a stunning setting, one of my favorite places, the tiny hamlet of Marshall. If I had a lot of money I'd buy one of those tiny houses that are suspended over the water, just barely attached to the land. Great Whites could swim below. The organizer of the event is Kate Asche, a very passionate poet who has a writer's blog. She'll be updating soonest. Click here if you want literary specifics.

Late afternoon sun streams over the Bay and into tall pines. The Marconi Station was actually a receiving and transmitting tower and mechanical for the Marconi Company until it was gifted to the State. The original main building stands tragically abandoned in the center of the property. I'm guessing it's because of the cost of earthquake retrofit, and that's probably a good idea because this is literally on top of the San Andreas Fault. Perhaps some knight in shining armor will endow it's reincarnation. The tall pines aren't native to the area and are all starting to age at once. They pose quite a potential hazard, but the property would look so naked without them.

Our literary guru, Fenton Johnson.

7:30 in the morning, on the way to a very weak cup of coffee, the sun rose over the back side of the Marconi Station property.

Each writer brought a 10-15 page manuscript. Here, on the last morning, we critiqued the last two pieces. Every evening, each participating writer read selections from published and unpublished work. The honesty and sheer talent was inspiring and stunning. It may take me awhile to recover and certainly some time to get my brain in order.

My debut as a performance artist Oct. 10th

2009-10-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

Jazz Festival in Davis, Natsoulas Gallery

CSUS Latin Jazz Ensemble

Saturday, Oct. 10th.

This was a really fun experience for me. I ended up creating 2 8x8' paintings in 45 minutes. It was a beautiful day spent listening to live performances and watching other painters. This wasn't such a stretch for me because so much of my mural work has been in very public places interacting with the passing public. Though this is more "formal," I've had some very interesting experiences over the years. I've often put passing people into my murals spontaneously, and with their permission, of course. And to this day, I ponder some of the comments. One day I was up on a ladder as I heard a man below say to me, "My brother paints flies." I still haven't figured out exactly what he meant.

Video shot by Jennifer Smith, edited by Stephanie

Update on Crocker mural installation

2009-09-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

Great News!! The mural is being replaced.

Update as of Friday the 9th. The installer encountered a more difficult removal process which has resulted in delays because of prior scheduling. Now we're just hoping it doesn't rain on the day they reschedule.

Prior post: This morning I received a link to a Sacramento Press blog by Kati Garner. I'm really happy that she and others love the mural. I'm even happier that the recent peeling issues are now being addressed by the original printer out of Los Angeles. I had driven by yesterday to take this picture. We now have an update on the process.

The Crocker mural is being replaced. The installers are removing the original vinyl mural, 1997, and the 2nd vinyl that had been installed in Oct. 2007. It may be looking like a bad sunburn for a couple more days. But then the new digital print will be installed and we will have a fresh mural again. All material degrades and the beauty of digital is that with a click of a button and a few brave people, a mural can be replaced in a matter of days.

"Sunday Morning in the Mines," was painted by Charles Christian Nahl in 1872. It's a stunning example of the Museum's 19th Century collection. The Crocker Art Museum is the oldest museum in the West. It's currently undergoing a tremendous expansion that will reflect it's commitment to contemporary art in California.

This is what the mural will look like in a few days.

Nahl created the original painting and I added a contemporary twist.

This project was made possible by Michael Ault and the Downtown Partnership. Many thanks to the man who runs the parking lot below for his cooperation and patience with this process.

Surprises

2009-09-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

This week I experienced a mouth-dropping moment. I walked into the UCD Extension site in Davis, and was stunned to see that all the art was mine. I created the series for what was called Farmer's Savings Bank in 1985. I had to look at my signature to find the date. I had heard that the bank has closed many years ago, and had always wondered what had happened to the paintings. I had really enjoyed portraying the winter landscape and was delighted that the paintings still looked fresh and contemporary. Several incorporated torn paper and some tape.

Losing art created for public installation is part of the public process. I've learned to accept this, though not the outright destruction of art; this is against Federal and State law called VARA, or the Visual Artists Rights Act. Happily, these paintings were still around, though I have yet to find out if they were sold or gifted to UCD. I've been painting for the UC Med center since 1986, an activity that I've always found rewarding.

Hallmark Inn mural reception, Davis

2009-09-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

On Friday the 11th, the Youmans are hosted a reception to celebrate the mural and also the 100 year anniversary of the Davis Farms.

Crrrrrazzzy week!

2009-09-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

In between opening our new restaurant, Iron Steaks, making art for that and several art projects, I've been nuts but happy. Friday night Iron opens to the public for limited dinner seatings. I'm going to be in Davis at the Hallmark Inn for the art reception there starting at 5:30. Please join us if you're in Davis. Saturday is a reception for the artists on the Franklin Blvd. Urban Art Project featured below.

Martin, owner of Unique Tee's & Graphics.

I grew up in Sacramento, cruising on L&K every weekend night. I love driving and I love cars, especially small, fast ones though my 2001 Outback is more practical. The car culture in integral to Franklin Blvd. and when Martin's assistant brought out his reconditioned Chevy with huge, shiny rims, I could see the Blvd. reflected. Perfect.

Franklin Urban Plein Air Project

2009-09-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a first in Sacramento. It's a great idea and I'm really looking forward to creating a very small painting on-site, spontaneously. I have no idea what will inspire me when I get to the spot. Check out this link to a pfd about the project which takes place between Sept. 5 and 11th. Come visit me on site. I'll be at 4717 Franklin.

Grand opening at Valley Hi Library

2009-08-28T16:06:00.001-07:00

Jeremy fr0m Skyline stands under the installation, scaffold free, for the first time.

Tomorrow is the grand opening starting at 9:30am. Come see a terrific example of green architecture.

The last butterfly

2009-08-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, I added the last butterfly. I've attached just short of 2,000 ceramic and mixed media elements.

Pictures, poetry and prose

2009-08-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

As an aspiring writer I've been spending some time looking at writing blogs. There are many that offer participation with prompts. I haven't had enough time to actually pursue this but it's a great idea. One of the blogs is looking for images as inspiration so I wrote the author gave her permission to use images from my sites. I like the concept of open sourcing, sharing, collaboration. Here's a link to the image that Laura Jayne just posted.

RECEPTIONS & OPENINGS

Valley-Hi Library

The grand opening is Saturday, August 29 at 9:30am. It's worth a visit just to see the innovative green architecture by Noll & Tam in Berkeley. My installation is in the tower below, and the main reading room is to the left, a room flooded with north light. Besides the technology, the library is a terrific example of a new community center concept with rooms for age groups, meeting, study and browsing. The park, just to the south is also amazing. The library isn't on web maps yet but look for the Bruceville entrance to Cosumnes River College, just south of the Cosumnes River (exit) just to the west of Hwy. 99.

Hallmark Inn, Davis

In September, on Friday the 11th, Hallmark is celebrating the new mural with a reception as part of the Davis monthly art event, on the 2nd Friday of every month. Come join us and visit the other gallery venues. Davis is a mecca for really talented artists and great galleries. Map to Hallmark Inn.

Iron Steaks

Our new restaurant at 13th & Broadway, passed final inspection this week. The chef immediately ran out to buy steaks, fired up the grill and fed us huge, wonderful meals. Please visit the web site for opening updates. Pictures, Brooks Taylor chatting with Ron Henderson, head of banquets, and Eric Stimson, the chef.

Almost finished at Valley Hi + new projects

2009-08-17T20:03:00.001-07:00

Last Friday, my 6'6" friend George Hauptman joined me for the third day. He's a handy guy to have around when you need someone really tall to reach up to a 17' ceiling. Visit my separate blog to see more of this project. I can't believe, after making and installing close to 2,000 butterflies, that I haven't lost my mind. Or perhaps I have. If I have, it's been worth it. The monarch is a remarkable creature, worthy of a lost mind.

New project with SMAC

Shelly Willis and Lorrie Kempt, two very clever people from Art in Public Places have created another really interesting project. This is a collaborative effort in that 22 artists have been selected to create plein air paintings along Franklin Blvd. This will be a temporary project, lasting only as long as the owners desire, at least after some initial period of time. Between Sept. 5 & 11, each of us will go to our assigned spot to paint directly on a building. The subject must be inspired by what we can see from our particular spots. I've been assigned Unique T's & Graphics at 4717 Franklin. Click here for a Google maps view. Tomorrow I'll visit the spot, take pictures, post and start thinking.

Iron Steaks to open

My very talented husband is opening a new restaurant called Iron Steaks at 13th and Broadway. He has completely transformed the former Fuji site into a contemporary steak house in the tradition of the legendary Midwest institutions. The architecture is so beautiful that the space doesn't even need any art. So visit the website for updates and sign up as a Facebook fan. And then come in for "simply traditional value," upscale but casual.

Valley-Hi: installation

2009-08-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Butterflies have been consuming me. I've made a separate blog so please visit. All comments are appreciated.

Largest single painting of my career

2009-07-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

Reflections in the pool at 10 am as the sun moves across the sky.

This was such a fun project as was the Scott's painting. This consists of 48 panels, each 46x60." Each panel is created as a separate painting, and then matched loosely up to it's neighboring panel. The substrate lends a softer quality to the paint than a hard surface. Hallmark Inn is participating in Davis' 2nd Friday Art Walk on September 12th. Please join us for an "unveiling."

"Bird's-eye Davis" at the Hallmark Inn

2009-07-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

There's nothing more provocative than an architectural space with an immense, blank wall. This is how I felt when I first saw the San Francisco Hilton and this is how I felt when I first saw the pool area at the Hallmark Inn. What I saw was a terrific opportunity to transform a space. And that's what I love to do.

Measuring 20 x 50,' this is the largest single painting I have created in my entire career.

The technique is like a giant water color painting, but more permanent, working flat and flooding the surface with water and pigment. The water takes the paint where it wants to go. Small photos can't convey the how loose this painting is.

The land between Davis and Winters, along the Coast Range has always knocked me out. In the Spring I spent several days wandering around the budding trees and crops and contemplating those incredible undulating hills with their dots of oaks disappearing into the distance. Prior blogs below describe the design and painting process. The Davis area abounds with wonderful artists who have portrayed this landscape. Having been born in this Valley, I feel privileged to add to the effort.

Hallmark has been upgrading for several years. Working with Michael Dunlavey, Seasons Restaurant and areas around the hotel have been transformed. It is now a sweet boutique property, appropriate for the many visitors to Davis, from academics to sports teams. This wall is a recent addition, resulting from a new development to the north.

After the crew primed the wall back to white last Sunday, I met Rick and Juan, on Monday at 6:00am to try to beat the heat. The day was cooler, but still in the mid-90's. The wall surface can get extremely hot very quickly so they started up top. With the top planks at about 21' this is a daunting place to be. Working quickly under the shade of the scaffold, the left half of the mural was up by 2pm just as the sun began to sear through our skin.

On Tuesday, we started at 6am again. We finished adhering the panels around 2pm and joined Susan and Reed Youmans for a much welcome lunch while the first coat of sealer was drying. After lunch, Rick and Juan applied the final top coat. The scaffolding will be removed as soon as possible. I will be returning to take pictures as it comes down. Then I will be creating a "time lapse" video of the process. Visit the new mural anytime or join us September 12th for an art event at Hallmark for Davis' 2nd Friday.

Today, Thursday, I returned at 8am to shoot a time lapse of two workers removing the scaffolding. By the time they were done at 10am, there was a shadow cast across the wall. The changing shadows will make the video more interesting but it makes for a more difficult exposure for the mural. A professional photographer will be able to compensate, I hope. Here is the best I can do with my small Sony. Please also see Bob Shallit's article in the Bee this morning.

Valley-Hi: installation

2009-07-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

The first stage in the installation of the butterflies is to attach the amazing tensioning devices into the reinforced walls.

The drop ceiling is 17' from the floor. Rick Jacobs is helping me on this phase. We have to position the cables to allow for future maintenance access. The tape on the walls tells us where the reinforcement has been installed.

I've added a few butterflies as tests. The cables will all be pulled tight as the installation progresses.

Here and there

2009-07-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Busy times- started installing the Valley-Hi Library yesterday, and then buzzed over to Scott's for a 6pm treat with Alan on the patio while waiting for the Bee photog. Thank you, Bob, for the attention. http://www.sacbee.com/shallit/story/2011618.html This was the first visit back to the site since installing the mural a couple of weeks ago.

This morning, Reed and Susan Youmans, owners of the Hallmark Inn in Davis, came to visit the mural which is spread all over the studio. And now I'm back to the butterflies.

Studio Garden

2009-06-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

I've been spending a lot of time painting on my projects on long tables in the garden off my studio. Until the extreme heat of yesterday, it's been such a treat. I planted veggies early and the eggplant, tomatoes, squash and strawberries are beginning to flourish. Every year my lotus gives 2 flowers, but this year, with fertilizer, there are 3 so far.

This is the life cycle of the first.

The seed pod will dry out, with the seeds contained in holes. I'm going to try planting them this year.

Scott's on the River

2009-06-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

What may have been the largest water color landscape painting at 700 sq. feet is now a mural on an event structure at Scott's. It was a really wonderful process. The size of the structure section exceeded the size of my entire studio so I painted on a substrate (see prior post). Then, with my trusty installation crew, we adhered the painting to the section.

Starting with the section laid as flat as possible on the floor, we laid out all mural sections to make sure it fit and that I had actually painted everything as planned.

And then we started the adhesion application, carefully positioning each section.

Finally, the last piece was in place, and ready for touch-ups, a 2 day cure and installation by the structure crew.

Pulling the painting onto the structure and securing it to the frame.

Come to Scott's to have drinks and dinner on the patio to see the final painting. Tell your server that I sent you.

Public art tours on Second Saturdays

2009-06-08T21:47:00.000-07:00

In Sunday's Bee, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission is showcasing a selection of public art projects. Bravo.

Weekend observations

2009-05-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

My friend, Elaine Corn, has been creating a stunning series on the restaurants on Broadway. Her most recent piece is on the special characteristics of the Pancake Circus . We met there for lunch one day recently. It was a time warp for me, right back to a restaurant my dad used to run every year at the CA State Fair. It was called The Circus Cafe and it was the only full service, sit-down option at the old Fair Grounds on Broadway. I worked there every year, starting at age 8 to 18. So when I walked in the Pancake Circus, with decor from the 60's, I was transported. This place is not retro. It's real. NOTHING had changed.

River mural at Scott's

2009-05-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

I think I may be creating the largest watercolor painting in California.

The area is approximately 700 square feet . The mural will be adhered to the top panel of an event structure on an area that is too large to transport to my studio so I had to figure out a method of production in my studio. I'm creating it on the same substrate that I used on the Jack London mural at Beer's Books. The material is 46" wide cut to 10' with a grid drawn on the sketch. The image above shows the drawing up on the studio wall with some panels painted and rolled up in the studio.

Once the drawing was complete I rolled each out onto two lengths of 4x8' plywood in my garden and started painting wet into wet, letting the paint flow where it will.

A new morning, hot sun, another panel and lots of water and paint.

And shade in the afternoon. A perfect day in the garden.

New mural for Scott's on the River

2009-04-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

I'm creating a 700 square foot mural on the top area of an event tent. I'm painting it on a substrate in my studio that I'll adhere to the tent on site. The painting is loose and fun, portraying the marina on the opposite shore.

Projecting the image in the studio. The area is 50' wide at the bottom x 28' high.

Small things eaten

2009-04-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

Small things in groups

2009-04-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

My neighbor raises quails, and offered these eggs. They're too beautiful to eat, but I'll force myself.

The piece for the Crocker Art Museum auction.

"Migration #1," ceramic, 16x16x4"

A day at the Mondavi

2009-03-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

I love my job. I often get to do unusual things like:

climb up 10 stories on an exterior staircase on the side of a cruise ship in San Diego harbor, thankful for my hardhat
discover a whole hanger full of WWII Corsairs and sit in one
visit high rise buildings under construction
fly over LA in a Baby Bell chopper with the door off
interview Amelia Earhart's last official photographer
rescue a "great white hunter" from Alaska and his hooker in an elevator at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, guiding them safely to the concierge level

and last week, for my Davis project, I got to climb up to the roof of the Mondavi Center in Davis to see the view and take pictures. An endless metal circular staircase felt like many more stories than it was, culminating in a vertical ladder to the roof and stunning views which only served to reinforce my perception that this Valley is reallllly flat.

Mt. Diablo to the South

Sacramento

Down the Valley

The Mondavi is an amazing structure, made more so by it's total absence of people. Looking down on the floor seating to an empty facility, the flash only goes so far.

Climbing up into the structure on the way to the roof.

Acousitics

Curtains

In the middle of the stage, I faced the empty seats and sang, briefly and as loudly as possible, my favorite song when faced with this opportunity, "move over world, and give me some room." Without embarrassment. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Downtown history tour

2009-03-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

An architectural selection from I to K Streets showcased

by a history guide from the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

Our pace was too fast to sketch, so I'll have to return.

If you take the time to look, often up, there are an impressive number of gems, both old and new.

At the infamous property at 8th & K, we can see the tunnels that run under

many sidewalks, secretly connecting many downtown streets and

most often used to get from one speakeasy to another during prohibition.

The Cathedral adds to the skyline from many vantage points.

This is one of my favorite downtown views.

As we walked the streets, our guide, who designed the program and started it

seven years ago, talked about all the businesses that no longer exist.

In these tough economic times, it was a reminder that transition

is inevitable. And that was before technology.

This is the smallest per square foot business in the world.

Some things don't change, and that's comforting though our guide

said that this space is now occupied by an oral historian.

Deco touches with Gladding McBean cladding.

The original facade of the Hales Building which had been covered for years.

More Deco on the Kress facade.

The City Library has benches under the trees on I Street,

a great place to people watch.

Ceramic light posts just outside the entrance above. The rich textures, patterns on patterns, enrich the pedestrian experience at street level.

To really enjoy the beauty that Downtown offers, both in street scape and architecture

visit on an early Sunday morning when the streets are serene. And if you want to

see the facades, go soon, before the trees burst out in full leaf.

K street development

2009-03-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

K Street development has been stalled for many years in part because a few property owners have put intense self interest above reasonable response. This might be effective for them, but it has resulted in major delays and consequences for the greater good of other property and business owners and the community at large. I created a mural many years ago for the Downtown Partnership to apply what I call an "urban band-aid" to a burned out shell on K between 8th & 9th. The top photo shows the site before, with the mural below.
The mural was a commentary on the transitory nature of contemporary culture and architecture. A great example in this region is the Arco Arena which appears to be obsolete and useless just twenty years after it was built. Using the timelessness of Michelangelo as a metaphor, I added a contemporary twist, showing the figures with hairdryer, running shoes, and a newspaper.

By 2000 something, the developer had destroyed both the mural and what was left of the building behind. By federal law, he should have notified me, but didn't. I do wonder if he just threw it away, which is really sad as it brought a lot of humor to that part of K.

Yesterday the City Counsel passed new proposals for K Street.
We can only hope that the economy recovers sufficiently to support both
the existing businesses and the new concepts.

A day West of Davis

2009-03-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I packed up my portable paint kit and camera and set off to explore the landscape around Davis. This is really an adorable and charming town, especially now, before both the buds and sun have burst into full bloom. I was particularly interested in the land between Davis and the Coastal Range. Fecund is the most appropriate adjective to describe one of the most fertile valleys in the world.

And it is flat. Really flat.

Well, it's flat until the Coast Range rises abruptly, though not very high, out of the Valley floor,

West of Winters, a tiny, charming hamlet.

I've always thought the East facing side of the Coast Range was just stunning, with curvaceous undulations, dotted dramatically with puggs of trees, which always seem to cast long shadows, no matter the time of day. Thiebaud captures this the best of all, poor imitators that we are.

There's a linear quality to the landscape.

(turn down the sound on the following video)

This is what's growing between the rows of trees.

This is the real California, an economy based on agriculture.

Myrian Sanchez, packing oranges at the Fruit Tree stand in Winters.

I can only hope that land developers don't have the last laugh.

A walk in the rain

2009-03-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

For the second Sunday in a row, I joined the Fleet Feet training crew. This is a real find for me. There are 3 main levels, walkers like myself, walk-joggers, and runners. While I used to jog, all I'd ever "competed" in was a 10K, and heck, that was probably in 1980. I'm happy walking and keeping myself safe, especially as I want to continue making art for at least another 30 years.

So off we started, in a very steady rain, from Sunrise Blvd. down to the River, heading downstream. I've biked this many times, but I seriously never thought about walking it. I could have just walked home, but didn't, and at the 5 1/2 mile mark, turned and headed back.

Last Wednesday night, yes in the dark & out on the trail, I watched tiny headlamps like fireflies and thought to myself that there was absolutely nothing I didn't just love about the experience. I've been working out on the American River Parkway since moving back to Sacramento in 1982, but I've never once been down there in the dark. With the critters. Mountain lions, tigers and bears.

Water "footprint"_wsj.com

2009-02-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

It takes 505 gallons of water to produce 1 pair of Levi's stonewashed jeans.

Reflections of glaciers on Stryn Lake, Norway, Summer 2007

This stat appears in a really interesting article on water and the cost of production, cost being the impact on natural resources. Attached to the article is a link to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The six week animation is particularly interesting. Both are provided by the National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

And as I write this, "Insight" on capradio.org is interviewing Scott Slater regarding water and drought issues. I'm reminded of the drought of 1975-77 though our population in CA and everywhere else has grown way beyond Malthus' theories.

6:45am

2009-02-10T08:14:00.001-08:00

comment on CA politics

2009-02-01T07:10:00.001-08:00

OK, just to clarify, I do have a degree in History from UCLA, with a focus on Political Economy. While I can't remember much, Kant, Hume, Heidegger, etc, it's in there somewhere. I need to pass on what I read in Dan Walter's (sacbee.com):

the 2008 California Legislature

passed 772 bills

the taxpayer paid $350 million dollars in salary and costs

equals over 1/2 million $ each legislator

resulting in a

$40 Billion deficit (over the next 18 months)

We need to return to a part-time legislature, of citizens who want to give to their community, honorably, and who don't get paid if they don't DO THEIR JOB: pass the budget.

Butterflies_ Valley Hi project

2009-01-31T17:02:00.001-08:00

Have you ever been to a Butterfly House?

My first experience was in Vienna, 2000, and the second was in St. Louis, 2007. First, you enter into a tiny barrier space, and then into a warm, humid, atmosphere filled with exotic plants....and butterfies. They are everywhere, and they land all over everyone. It's the most magical experience.

I came home this afternoon, turned on KVIE to the most glorious Nova special on Monarch butterflies. Do yourself a favor. Take an hour, yes, almost an hour, to watch the video on line. If you have a mac, you can still download the Windows software. To quote the director, Nick de Pencier, who has a fascinating story all by himself, the journey is about the "mythic, magical quality of the migration." I've been making butterflies. Of course, they won't fly on their own, and they certainly won't be making a 2,000 mile migration to Mexico.

If you have the interest, but not the time, here is an abbreviated summary.

A caterpillar sheds skin 4 times & on the 5th becomes a crystallis for 10 days, and then a butterfly, emerging to dry it's wings. Then 100 million butterflies migrate from southern Canada over 2,000 miles south, over the Great Lakes, deserts, into Mexico, down the Sierra Madres, to the Michoacan and Mexico reserves, over 2 months at 50 miles/day. No one knows how they do this, or how they fly back. Some fly to other places, like Santa Cruz, but the Mexican migration is the longest, most impressive. They cluster in forests to stay over the 5 coldest months, and then turn around, fly off again, mating and dying and birthing for three more generations, until they reach Canada again.

It's a singularly unique event in the entire animal kingdom.

no water

2009-01-18T16:36:00.000-08:00

I'm standing in the middle of the American River, just East of Howe Avenue Bridge.

I'm standing on the bottom of the river.

I should be swimming.

The water is so low that fishermen stand in the middle of what's left.

What I can't fathom is how the City of Sacramento can approve yet another vast mall and subdivision to the South, let alone what they've already allowed in Natomas and Roseville. Where's all that water going to come from?

new projects

2009-01-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Last year I was approved for my first public sector projects through the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. I've made the finals on two other terrific projects in the past, Sac City Hall and the Alhambra Water Reservoir, but most of my commissions have been funded by the private sector or non-profits.

Fremont Park

This sweet park is one of Sacramento's oldest, bounded by P, Q, 15th & 16th Streets, with a new fountain in the center and radiating walkways to each of the 4 corners. The park is named for John C. Fremont, a name we've all heard many times, a pivotal figure in California history and even more profoundly, in the history of the United States. As a lay historian, I thrive on immersing myself in research about my subjects.

Amelia Earhart and Jack London are particularly obsessive examples for me: I seem to be attracted to explorers and adventurers.

The Concept

The vessels serve as a gateway to the most visible entrance to the Park. The surface is covered with a narrative of elements symbolizing historical and contemporary issues.

Fremont Park Art Blog

Valley-Hi Library

Digital image by Rachel Glabe Taylor

This new library in Elk Grove is currently under construction, with a commitment to LEED certification. I was awarded a wonderful and very unique space, a children's reading room which also functions as part of the ventilation system. It's an amazing opportunity for me to create an entire installation. I'm hoping to instill a sense of magic and wonder for both children and adults. http://www.saclibrary.org/new_projects/valleyhi.html

The Concept

California has always attracted a variety of immigrating people and creatures. The butterfly, and especially the Monarch is a symbol, not only of migration, but of transition and adaptation. Language and cultures have melded into what appears at times to be chaos, but might also appear as a cocoon. I was inspired by the Butterfly House in Vienna, as well as the intimate and curved shape of the space. The ambient air moving through will cause the suspended and tensioned elements to quiver gently.

link to information on Monarch migration

"Before Winter"

2008-12-09T12:23:00.000-08:00

UC Med Center, Department of Internal Medicine,

requested that I create a new image to show

appreciation to their donors.

Downtown Sacramento from the Bridge

american river parkway

2008-11-25T14:38:00.000-08:00

Fall has been lazy this year, dragging out perfectly warm, sunny days. Waiting for winter. What is exciting about our Parkway, is that no matter how many times I've been down there, I can always discover something new.

It's hard to resist touching this enormous, fleshy fungi.

But where's the water?

Where are the millions

of spawning salmon that used to line the river, from shore to shore, and from the

San Francisco Bay deltas to the hatcheries at Nimbus Dam?

I've seen optimistic fishermen standing in the middle of what used to be a roaring torrent.

boston oct 12-22

2008-11-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

A visit to Boston to see my son Greg, an architecture student
at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard.

Boston Commons

"Head of the Charles," an international

rowing competition

Longfellow's House and Garden

flying across america on a clear day

2008-11-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

October 12, Sacramento to Boston

Folsom Lake, east of Sacramento, with the water level so low that vast areas of the lake bottom are exposed. Note all the development around.

First dusting of snow on Sierra Nevada mountains, on the south-west side of Lake Tahoe. Water runoff from these mountains supplies California with water, from the North via the Sacramento River, from the East via the American River. Sacramento was built on the confluence of these two major water sheds. Native American tribes date back about 12,000 years at the confluence.

Nevada starts just West of the Sierras, with a vast,

relentless desert. Note the curvature of Earth.

Dry lake bed shows direction that the water used to flow.

Odd patterns break up evidence of the flow of water.

East of Continental Divide, Rockies. Note green areas under precipitation clouds, and desert to the east.

Great plains stretch with little habitation, interrupted by evidence of past water flow and

remnants of lakes left as tiny puddles

or no water left at all.

Capital Public Radio interview

2008-10-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

link to CapRadio interview, October 30th

inspirations from Norway

2008-10-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

"between ice & stone"
in collaboration with

Reidar Gjorven, Oslo, Norway

link to slideshow

installation views at Solomon Dubnick Gallery

2008-10-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

"240 Tiny Paintings," ceramic, steel, plexi, 84x24"

"Totemic Core Series," ceramic, steel, 84x12" to 71x10"

detail of new work

2008-09-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

Norway glaciers: where the water comes from

2008-09-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

Water is dangerous in Norway. Roads are narrow and water is every where and too cold to survive for long. Sometimes rock slides can cause huge tsunamis. Sometimes glacier lakes can collapse and drain, in a flash, taking anything floating on the lake, down... But it's also amazingly beautiful.

Reflection image was taken by my cousin Reidar.

more tiny vessels

2008-09-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

Making many more, ready for underglaze drawings.

making a large vessel

2008-09-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

Making round forms on the wheel with a pinching technique starts with a rolled out slab. Some artists roll coils, but I prefer to cut the clay on a bevel, so that each joint is really strong. I use a small roller to make the slabs uniformly thick.And pinch each layer on as the wheel turns slowly. I keep adding layers, drawing into the surface of the clay with my fingers, and sometimes with tools. The walls of these vessels can be made quite thin, and by building on prior layers that have hardened, I can make tall and very light structures.

While it's possible to create a really smooth, perfect surface, I'm really attracted to just leaving the surface the way I have spontaneously marked it. I like the way it marks time both horizontally and vertically.

"Where #1," ceramic, fractured glass, small letters, 72 x 16 x 16," 2007.

making work

2008-09-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

Throwing tiny vessels

Hundreds of tiny vessels with drawings

Into the kiln

travel sketches, norway 2007

2008-08-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

In July, I flew to Oslo, to stay with my cousin Trude Tjensvold. She's a professional artist so we have a lot in common, along with our other cousin, Reidar Gjorven. We traveled to Stryn for 7 hours by bus, and later climbed to her family's summer cabin, overlooking the entire valley. On the left is Stryn Lake, fed directly from the glaciers, into Stryn River, a typical meandering glaciar feature, and out to the fiord on the right.

All the local families keep these cabins, like those seen on the left. Trude's mother and all the other girls, made this impossibly steep climb two times a day, to milk the cows in the evening, stay the night, milk again in the morning, and walk down with the pails of milk balanced on poles across their shoulders. They repeated this all summer long so that the cows could feast on the grass in the upper meadows.

It rained a lot, but it didn't matter what time of day it was, as on the left, or 2am, as on the right, it was always speechlessly beautiful.

Sketching from the boathouse, above.

Or from the shore.

To the Briksdalsbre Glacier

http://www.briksdalsbre.no/

Reider stands next to where the glacier was in 1880.

Hiking up to the glacier on a switchback trail which used to sport horse-drawn carriages until recently when one got away. Now the lazier tourists are driven up in noxious golf carts.

Reidar has been visiting this glacier since he was a small child. He doesn't expect that it will last his lifetime. It's disappearing so quickly that scientists have had to suspend their research.

Reidar's image, 2005

and another taken in November 2006

With my cousin Erling for scale, 2006.

The color is not a trick of photography.

Any attempt to convey the magnitude of this place falls too far short of my visceral response.

Oakland and Sausalito

2008-08-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

A new project in Oakland, Inn at Jack London Square, gave me several really

fun days wandering around taking pictures, along with a ride on a really fast boat on the Estuary. I've always wanted to see the Port from the water side and I wasn't disappointed.

Huge ships dock to unload under towering cranes.

And on to Sausalito

travel sketches, chicago 2007

2008-08-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

In the Spring, I had the priviledge of attending the convention for the American Association of Museums with my CA Railroad Museum friends.

Spent my first night in a Chicago Blues club, the real thing, not a tourist club. And a lot of time wandering around this magnificent city. I had no idea how beautiful it is. The development between the downtown area and the water is brilliant, with Millennium Park, and the museums. The sculpture in the Park is outrageous, bringing tears to my eyes when I got to experience the Crown Fountain, by Jaume Plensa. I've never seen a more inspiring example of public art. Of course, Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" is a close second. Photographs do not convey the impact of the interaction between the art, the location and the audience on these installations.

And then there's the Pritzker Pavilion and Bridge by Gehry and the Lurie Garden. And an installation of a number of compelling pieces by Mark di Suvero. What a treat.

At the Convention, I attended the opening address by Salman Rushdie, who was quite funny, and not nearly as serious as I thought he's be. Very impressive fellow. I've just started reading his novels.

I also spent a lot of time by the Lake, and again, found many more buoys and bollard examples. For some reason, they just keep settling in my mind. Can't wait to get back to this City.

travel sketches, New York City, 2006

2008-08-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Ten days solid, in NYC, staying with my gallery director, Shirley Dubnick. What a treat. This was a trip spending more time looking at art than making it. I logged at least 10 miles per day, starting early each morning. Hadn't spent any significant time in NYC since I was 10, staying with my grandmother.

As for defining moments, a walk along the Hudson found me near a storage dock full of abandoned buoys and giant ship bollards,

stacked this way and that. These massive forms inferred the intimate relationship between man and water.

From that moment I began to look for these forms everywhere I went.

The other forms that I have always found compelling are the water tanks. From the window next to my bed, a stunning panorama of the neighborhood unfolded. I sat through some very wonderful lightning storms.

Again, vessels for water.

Experiences of note: Zaha Hadid's large paintings and models at the Guggenheim, Eva Hesse at the Jewish Museum, really contemporary ceramics at SOFA, the quality and prices of the restaurants, clean streets.

travel sketches, London 2003

2008-08-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

From the 4th floor of the Tate, a panorama, on many pages.

First trip to London to visit daughter, Lauren, who was studying at Bartlett School of Architecture, for a masters, at University College.

After spending many hours at the British Museum, especially with the African collections, I decided to give up the figure. The authenticity of tribal myths and rituals.

I was also profoundly moved by the vessels at both the British and the Victoria and Albert.

We also spent time in pubs and at Jamie Oliver's "Fifteen," though only for snacks.

travel sketches, Norway 2000

2008-08-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

In the summer of 2000, my extensive Norwegian family had a reunion at the family farm, on Stryn

Lake, Nordfiord. It's a 7 hour drive from Oslo, on roads that aren't as impressive as Fair Oaks Blvd. in Sacramento. I met most of my 135 second cousins, which was a tremendous treat as I have no siblings. Two of the cousins are professional artists in Oslo.

This image shows the family, on the Bolstad farm, at the funeral of my great-grandmother. She bore thirteen children in the two room cabin on the left.My grandmother, Thea Bolstad, left home for America at age 16. She was most likely sent as an indentured servant, as she had 12 other siblings, all living in a two rooms house that still stands on the property. I never had the privilege of meeting my grandmother as she died before I was born, but she was strong-willed and must have been an amazing woman.

My cousin Reidar and I climbed up to a nearby waterfall. From there, the view is out over the glacial valley, with meandering river and constant cows.

The people in my family who still farm grow grass on narrow patches of land between steep mountains and the rivers and lakes.

The family pictured above is now buried in a small church just to the right of this image.

travel sketches, Austria and Italy, 1999

2008-08-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

A concert in Vienna and

then the bar at The Butterfly House.

The Austrian countryside

12 hours in Venice

Stayed just outside Venice because of the car, and then took the train in. Too short a time.

travel sketches, Austria and Italy, 1999

2008-08-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is my first trip by rented car, a new Mitsubishi which I drove at 110 mph as soon as I possibly could. Too fun. Vienna was incredible as was Klimt. I was treated to the trip by my friend as payment for designing her garden. I think traveling by car is the best.

We crossed Austria to Salzberg, where my grandfather was born. He had immigrated to the US at 14, with his twin brother. Salzberg is a jewel of a city, but as with my first visit there in 1972,

I could find no evidence of relatives.

From Austria, we drove south by way of Passeo Stevio, the most steep, switch-backed drive I've ever taken. Crazy British sports rally drivers mixed with cyclists who climb impossibly up, then down. Into the Tyrolean Alps and Italy, to the Lake Region, Como, Bellagio. Oh to be rich. Damn.

Then to Venice for an unreasonably quick visit, and back north to Vienna.

travel sketches, Italy, 1996

2008-08-03T22:02:00.000-07:00

Back in Florence, I found the most perfect fountain and cafe, where I sat, rain or shine. Michelangelo washed his hands in this very fountain, after performing his forbidden dissections in the church bordering this square.

I spent a lot of time wandering across Ponte Vecchio, over to the Boboli Gardens, into nooks and peeking into small private spaces. I love how the Florentines gather in groups, sitting on parapets over high places, or over the river.

new work 2008, for October show

2008-08-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

The problem with trying to blog when traveling is that I either get out and travel, or stay in and write. It's critical to have the correct priorities. My attempt at blogging failed on the Route 66 trip, so now I'm starting with prior travels & sketches, to provide a background for my current work. I first started travel sketches in 1972, when living in Europe for 7 months, but I'll start with drawings from Paris, 1991.

I'll be posting several sketches created since, from Italy, Austria, London, Norway, NYC, and back to Norway in 2007, a trip that has defined and refined the content of this new work,

"Between Ice & Stone."

Route 66 road trip. October 2007

2007-10-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Tonight, my art friend Melody and I are heading south, back to her home in St. Louis, via Route 66. I'm suddenly missing my high school car, a 1959 Ford Galaxy LX convertable with a 352 cubic inch engine and dual glass pack mufflers. I'm also missing my dad's 1965 update of the above, which he drove until he was 90- to the golf course. Alas, a 2004 Volvo station wagon will suffice. Perhaps wearing my cowboy hat will help.