Seeking the Sublime in the Everyday

 I'm back from a wonderful visit to Chicago with Sam, Annye and Sunny, then on to Boulder, CO,  to celebrate the life of a dear friend, BettyVan Zandt, and re-connect with three buddies from my teaching days. It was a beautiful tribute, planned by Betty's children and grandchildren, with talks by dear friends.  I came away with a feeling I always get at funerals and memorial services, that is, "Gee, I wish I'd known that.  I wish I'd spent more time with her."  It's a reminder to keep reaching out and not to let time go by without contact--time goes fast enough!  Betty was--is--an inspiration. Once I heard someone ask her birthdate (July 3, 1924) and tried not to let my jaw drop--she was a year older than my Dad, but totally my contemporary. At her advanced age she was vigorous and steady on her feet and although her eyesight was failing, her vision was clear and her engagement with life was lively. Rest in Peace, Betty. Now I'll celebrate one who'...

 You know what's a good way to get started again when you think you've hit a creative wall?  Clean House!  I tried that this week and I have a new lease on my creative life.  You see, when I left my studio uptown I had to give up my large flat file and that was a serious sacrifice because I had no place to keep my large pieces; the only place was under the bed.  That was a bad idea is SO many ways, so I eventually got our handyman, whose name is, appropriately, Angel, to build me a cabinet.  This is not a perfect solution as the work has to stand up and sometimes it curls up at the bottom but it's an improvement over under the bed.   I took a few pieces out to let them flatten and had a eureka moment; Two separate pieces fell together!  I love when this happens; it's just how my Pelican piece came together years ago!  Shooting big pieces is not easy--I have to put them on the floor to get enough distance and then my studio assistant has to ha...

 I saw a terrific show this week, with work by my friend, Gwyneth Leech, one of the most generous and inspiring artists I know.  She was working in her midtown studio, enjoying the light and the long sky view from her window when she looked down and saw a construction site where there had been a low rise building.  She knew that meant the end of her beautiful view.  What did she do?  She started painting what she saw--the construction site, and painted the building as it rose.  That was quite a few years ago and she's still painting the buildings that spring up all over town. She sets her easel on the street and so has attracted the attention of a whole new audience for art-contractors and construction workers. You can see her work at  GwynethLeech .  Better yet, go see this show!  City Light,  a three-person exhibition of urban landscape paintings  by Gwyneth Leech, Valeri Larko and Pamela Tales, curated by Jennifer Roberts.  ...

I've been feeling a little doldrum-y lately with a drawing that is just not working.  I reminded myself that I haven't been doing my morning pages, that is, as advised by Julia Cameron in her 1992 book, The Artists Way , to write three pages, every morning, before I do anything else. I've been doing that faithfully for years and it pays off, in clarity of mind and the ideas that come readily. So why have I stopped? Russell needs an early walk.  But he's growing up and learning his manners and it's time to get back into my routine and so I resolve, as a late New Year resolution to get back to the pages. You heard it here--I promise.   I've started a new drawing, calling on Audubon for inspiration.  Yes, I know, we're not speaking his name because he owned slaves, but it's the old dilemma.  Can you love the work while disapproving of the artist? One thing I don't give up even in the doldrums is making collages in my appointment book. Here are some of m...

 I'm afraid my current drawing is just not looking good or promising or even intriguing.  Arthur said last week, "It's not supposed to be easy," but I'm not so sure. Sometimes a struggle can be enlightening but then again, it's nice when things seem to flow.  Actually, this looks better than I had thought. Here's the next phase.  Maybe it's not that bad. You know what?  I've been feeling discouraged, as you may have observed but seeing these shots makes me feel a little better.  I'm going to keep on keeping on. I'm writing this Thursday morning, to post it tonight so it will be in your inbox first thing tomorrow. Our son, Sam, and his wife, Annye, are visiting, and later we're going to the Met to see Manet/Degas. We'll take the C train to 86th St and walk across the park.  I bet I see something really inspiring to share with you. Later in the Day Well, I feel much better now.  A nice walk across the Park... And then the Met.  Manet ...

 I've decided to celebrate the fifth anniversary of my blog by just keeping at it. I'm working on a new drawing that's giving me trouble.  When I told Arthur that it was not coming easily he said, "Good. It's  not supposed to be easy." Hmph.  Here it is--my New Pagoda in progress. I started without a clear vision and now I don't know what I'm doing.  Do I want a landscape in the background or an elaborate frame?  I thought about a meadering stream and a waterfall but I no longer have room. I'll keep plugging away, hoping it comes together.  I always worry about making it too Hallmark-y, I'll have to keep at it and try to cut the sweetness. Meanwhile I've been busy with the new show at First Presbyterian Church, which I hope you'll come see on Sunday afternoon. Here's the invitation/Announcement; Art at First at the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York  is pleased to present Featuring work by Ellen Alt, Cecilia Andre, Ry...

 I have finished my new Great Blue Heron--maybe I should say Rob's Heron because he was my source. . I don't usually do such a direct copy; I'm more likely to put him someplace he doesn't quite belong, like a living room, but this was fun and you never know, I could cut him out and put him in a collage.  As I worked I listened to Elizabeth Gilbert read her book on creativity titled Big Magic . She's quite inspiring in the way she describes our creativity as an actual being who urges us to just keep at it for the joy of doing. I'm finding joy in the show that Fran Beallor and I are curating at First Presbyterian Church.  We named it The Seed, inspired by this quote from Camus; “One’s work is nothing but the long journey through life to recover, through the detours of art, the one or two great and simple images that first gained access to one’s heart.” We asked artists, "what was that image for you?  What first gained access to your heart and made you decide ...