How do you put links on the side bar?

Monhegan paintings 2006

Here are some of the paintings I did when on Monhegan in August. I tried something new this year and spent more time on each painting, often going back a second day to work on it. The Sunrise painting I did for about 30 minutes each morning for a week. It was interesting how the sun came up at a different spot from when I started to when I was finished. And when it rains(which is a lot of the time) I paint food, desserts mostly. The graveyard painting is of the tombstones from a man and his widow, and the little rock on the end of the shelter island, Manana, is called Casket Rock. You can see Casket Rock in between the headstones.
I only had 19 days to paint this year, but I managed to get a good amount done. All in all I think I managed to finish 12 or 13. I'm slowing down.

The Met

While we were on the East Coast, Mark and I made a point to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the most amazing places on Earth. It was so nice to go back, and to be in New York, even though we spent a lot of time walking around saying,'I thought it was on this street! Maybe it's on Lexington and 62nd? Was it Madison and 82nd?'
So I found another Van Gogh that I swear wasn't on the wall the last time I was there. Either way, it's my new favorite. A tree by a field. So lovely, the colors sing together.
A sensitive portrait stuck in a glass cabinet. It's a portrait of the artist's wife, and you can tell he loved her so much.
The stairs from the Chicago Stock Market building. Perfect Art Deco/Nouveau craftsmanship. I love these stairs, and will have them recreated in my home someday.
This sculpture stands near the stairs. So beautiful.
After the day was through, I realized that there is nothing better than having a husband who WANTS to go to the Met with me. And that Tiepolo still sets me on fire, he's so brilliant.

Tikki-Tokki

To celebrate Mark's father's birthday on September 24th, Mark, Max(dad), Peggy, Katrina, and I went to the East Side restaraunt in New Britain, CT. It is a German place with supposedly fantastic prime rib. They were out of prime rib though that night, along with many other types of meat. This was very disappointing to all the carnivores. Anyway, they (the waitresses, garbed in wench costumes) make you wear silly hats, and they sing when you order the big beer, which Mark and Max did (note size of said beers in pic). All night long we heard the cheer, 'Tikki, Tokki, Tikki, Tokki, oi, oi, oi!!' And everyone chimes in. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Monhegan art critic

One morning Spy, a new Monhegan resident, came over to give me advice on my painting. He has gorgeous polydactyl feet, and is very friendly in between hunting expeditions.

A Poem as Lovely as a Cloud

One of the things I missed the most about the East is the clouds. Weather causes clouds. LA has no weather, hence, no clouds.
Here are just some of the gorgeous clouds I saw every day on Monhegan. I delighted in every single one. I wanted to soak up the clouds with my eyes, and breath clean air in gulps as often as I could!

Christy and Dave Gannon

Since the last time a blogged back in August, I have gone to Denver to see my dearest long-time friend,Christy get married, gone to Monhegan to paint for three weeks, arranged my own wedding, participated in my own wedding, ate 20 pieces of cake, visited friends and family on the East Coast, and travelled back to LA.
So I would like to take a moment to talk about the first thing, witnessing my friend getting hitched. I have never seen such an emotional, sweet group of folks as Christy and Dave's gathered loved ones. It was a beautiful, emotional ceremony! How many people get the opportunity to have their own MOM help conduct the ceremony?? I was honored to do a reading, and help out in any way I could. It was a privelege to witness Christy and Dave express their love and commitment. So sweet.
Christy will always be someone I hold very close to my heart, and someone I think is exraordinary, rare, so beautiful, and delightful! Congratulations!

Reception

A week after the wedding, Mark's parents, Max and Peggy, hosted a reception for us at their home in Manchester. And, as luck would have it, it was like a high school reunion too. I am blessed with friends who still love eachother after 20 years. Yes, 20 years. We're not that old, are we??
Here are pics of my Dad and Shirley. My Mom, and Boo with his son, Joe. And of course, Claire, the beautiful girl Amy and Dan made. I look at this picture when my biological clock stops thundering in my head, and it is soon raised to new decibal levels. I love her gaze. To me it says,' You are all so weird!'
The reception was fabulous with more fabulous cake(Mark and I were given in total 4 cakes), yummy food, all our loved ones, and a blessing!! Who could ask for more?!