4 Artists 1 Place

Anak Anak

Meet more children from Lombok, Indonesia.  During my time there, I came across so many beautiful children.  I was always amazed by the simplicity of their lives.  These three didn't pose...they just go through life near each other, and taking care of each other. I don't even know if they were brothers and sister, but their understanding of togetherness and support don't require blood.  It just wouldn't make any difference.

Oh...and "anak" means "child" in Indonesian.  In typical simple fashion, if you want to say "children", you just multiply the word and say it twice!

This piece will also be featured at Piccolo/Shirocos in November.

La Madera

I have a lot of drawings in my head...and I love things related to water.  That is part one.  Part two is that a couple years back, I played with the idea of abstract art by drawing a bee extremely close up for the Bees at the Bee show in Sacramento.  The focus was on color and composition. I like that idea.

So I think water reflections are prime for abstract images, and that is what La Madera is. Why call a water shot "Wood"?  Because the main dark section running through the center is a wooden pier. 

This piece was done because I wanted to do it, but I will also be featured starting November 4th at the upcoming "4 Artists 1 Space" show at Piccolo/Shiroco's.  I wanted to do an abstract piece for this show. The bee will also be there!

Come by and see the art there in November!  Karen Hatzi from BMS will also be featured, along with a couple of other folks I haven't met yet.

Cute Kids Live in Wigan

It has been since 2008 that I have visited my lovely friends the Steeles in Wigan, England.  When I was there last, it was just Darren, Emma and the young Amelia, a bit over a year I think.  I promised Darren and Emma that I would draw Amelia for them, and finally just got around to it!  I pilfered their facebook photo albums and found this amazingly precious photo when she was probably not quite a year old.  LOVE the expression...it really makes you wonder what was on her mind.

Since my visit, they have also added Oliver to the family.  No drawing of him yet...but I am sure there will be soon!

Kilmainham Gaol, 2008: Evolution of a Drawing

In the summer of 2008, I made a trip to Dublin, Ireland in search of my Irish roots.  My Nan, my grandma on my dad's side, always told me we had Irish in us.  She was from Wigan, England, as is the rest of my family on this side, and no one else agreed with her.  I journeyed around Dublin for a week, searching through pages of old death, birth and wedding certificates but found nothing.

When I headed to Wigan to meet up with my family, my cousin Kathleen helped me search in the local ancestry library there.  Joyously, we found them!  My great, great, great grandparents came to England at the age of 17 and married in Manchester Cathedral!

Anyway, while in Ireland, I did some touring.  I visited Kilmainham Gaol for one, and was fascinated by the history and the feeling of the place.  This is my first piece from what I hope to be a small series of drawings of the gaol. I love the way a drawing comes alive in its various stages, so chose to show that here.



Dougle the Dog

I was needing more samples of dog drawings for promoting the portrait aspect of my work, and this pic of my cousin Gaynor's dog Dougle has always grabbed me.  Dougle lives in Wigan, England, and is the love of his mommy's life!

Recent Summer Work

So the summer came and went, and school starts tomorrow.  I am excited to meet all the new kids...many have stopped by already for a hug and a chat.  Can't beat that.  But I did complete a couple of pieces amidst the hectic summer comings and goings.

The first one is called "La Cena", or The Dinner, drawn from a photo I took years ago in Lombok (an island in Indonesia).  This little girl was sent alone to fetch the fish for the family dinner.  Such a simple life.  I always wondered where she got that big, lacy shirt...maybe from a tourist?  It was meant for her.

The next one is titled "Manos con Anillo", or Hands with Ring.  The age of the person shows a long life, and the Claddaugh ring symbolizes that life filled with friendship, loyalty and love.  I went to Ireland a couple of years ago researching my heritage, and found it.  There will be more to come on the Irish theme!