INSPIRATION

I want to share with you a great source of inspiration. "Works + Conversation" is a magazine started by Richard Whittaker that provides probing in-depth inerviews of artists and original spirits. It is advertising free. When I first began to receive the magazine I was so impressed I sent a card of appreciation off to the editor and a hand written note came back. How many times in this day and age does that happen? Now all the past interviews are available online through the website www.conversations.org Richard took the unorthodox step to turn subscriptions to the magazine into a gift-economy experiment which is a radical idea in our culture. All I can say is that when this publication arrives at my door I cannot wait to delve into it.

GANESH

Ganesh is one of my favorite Hindu Gods. He is referred to as the "Remover of Obstacles". As an artist I feel Ganesh should be our patron saint. The art journey can be one of many obstacles both inner and outer and getting rid of them is a constant battle.

I thought it might be of interest to see an old reference photo that I used in doing one of the past mercado paintings. By using a snapshot I am able to go back to the experience of standing in that place and more accurately drawing from it. What creates a better story though are the feelings I bring into the painting. When working on a painting I love different things at different times. The lady in the lower right hand corner with the yellow sweater and red scarf had a beautiful face and was rather tickled that I was taking a photo of the mercado. The beautiful white fabric draped in the basket represents such elegance to me. As I am painting each person I really wonder about who they are, what goes on in their lives and where are they now?