Where Do You Dream?

Recording old things. The plastic ring box that contains my grandmother's wedding band and ring along with an antique mini crab key charm from San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. 4x6 sketch.

Eat to Dream

The last homebaked carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting. Food makes a small cooperative still life that rewards the artist.









Lemon tart from Babette's Feast in Belmont Shores. A small treat once in a while can't be dangerous if I add more exercise.












This was my first exposure to Argyle Sweater in the Los Angeles Times, Dec 27. I didn't get the paper scissor rock connection until I read it again online. The above is my attempt to cartoon tofu gone bad in my frig.

All done in 4x6 spiral sketchbook. Uniball gel pen.

Someone Else's Cup

Someone else's cup, their souvenir from a visit to the Norton Simon Museum in Stockbridge. It seemed like a good still life model before I fill it with paint brushes.

Moving Eastward Across the Ocean

"Take a little piece of my heart"
Janis Joplin











Three coin purses from Japan, gifts from three friends, left to right, plastic, leather, fabric.

Moleskine Slideshow

Pink Cupcake

Painting a pink fluffy cupcake is more fun than actually eating one.

Conversation with Hattie

Watercolor doodle painted itself while on a long phone call which came as I set up paints, water and sketchbook. I call this one "Conversations with Hattie". It is nice to listen to a favorite relative with stories to share.

Sea of Jellies

In a jellyfish state of mind, June 2009. Volunteering a the an ARt Miles event atthe aquarium has me thinking of fish creatures. Painted a full page of small jellyfish, cut into business cards embellished with beads and slipped into a clear cellophane envelope.

Garden by Starbucks

Feeding Starbucks coffee grounds to my garden and lemon cake for me. The coffee has improved the hard clay soil after a few weeks.

Emville Loft

M's loft in Emeryville. A short walk to the trendy Bay Street shopping area, a refreshing relaxing spot near the bay without the congestion and traffic of San Francisco and with a user friendly parking structure and next doorto IKEA, a place for light breakfast and decorating ideas.

Backyard Views

I don't think about posting sketches from my backyard because I see gardening chores that needs to be done. But the giant nasturtium along the fence and the pastel tops dancing in the summer wind seemed too seductive not to sketch.

Omelet and Toast

Omelet, cooked in a dab of butter as recommended by Julia Child, avocado strip garnish. Sourdough toast with olive oil and garlic, topped with diced tomato. If I paint quickly, the model feeds me lunch.

Bird's Eye

Playing with shapes while watching Numb3rs. Inspired by a Laurel Burch earring. Some of the fun spilled on the page.

Summer in November

Shapes and colors of La Jolla, ocean views, shoreline, fun, nice food. Watercolor on paper.



Burning hot sun cast shadows through a doorway. Summer in November in downtown Long Beach. Brush pen in moleskine pocketbook.

Still Life

Vincent Van Gogh's letters to his youngest sister Willemein during the last four years of his life, living in Arles, France. The countryside, people, landscape, colours, seasons and the difference in light inspired and gave him joy.

Painting at night, picking colors in the dark. He found joy during a creative period in his life. A happy ending depends on where you end the story.

"I believe that a man and a woman inevitably has to be in love with something..."
Vincent Van Gogh

Night Lights

Watercolor of downtown Long Beach city streets from the 17th floor.

Mind's eye view of night lights.




Acrylic on paper. Missing the fall colors of liquid amber trees.

Still Life

Green Flower, acrylic on paper. Pears, watercolor.
Man at table, acrylic on paper. Sometimes, images paint themselves.

Tea Time

Tea time. Watercolor and sumi ink. Vintage silk doll made in Japan. Didn't need a potholder but couldn't resist the appliquéd fabric shapes. The petite bowl turned out to be antique lacquer which began to crack when I floated a passion flower in water. In its former life, the bowl probably had a flattened doll's head, a silk tassel. The bowl is painted with a kimono design. My favorite thrift shoppe in Old Town Petaluma would sometimes got Japanese bits and pieces from the 40's, most likely brought home by men in the military.

Oceans

Just playing with shapes and colors. 9x12 watercolor.

Klown Korn Bread

Sketched the clown key tag last year and decided it would make a good recipe card. Slowly making a collection of sketched recipes for a postcard size album. The plastic pages protect the sketches. 3x5 inch watercolor.

Thought this sheer voile blouse was fun.