From what I recall during my tenure at a photo lab in New England, this is one of the most photographed lighthouses. And yes, the little shack is red.

I've fantasized living there for over 20 years.

Or...at least have it as a getaway place. Wouldn't that just be awesome? It would make a rockin' artist residency spot.

I'm back in Seattle. Travel-weary. I'm not hungry but am trying to get a little food down before hitting the sack because of fallen blood sugar. I had cleaned my house before leaving...including fully making the bed which I thought was a crazy move until I threw my bags on the floor, turned on the little lamp near my bed and saw how inviting it all is.

I'm glad to be here and yet passionately miss my east coast.

I really didn't think I'd get a chance to run out on a jetty again. The last time was over 15 years ago. On Wednesday we were driving around, and I saw it. Squealing, I pulled the car over, hopped out and began to head out to sea. My parents smiled and watched.

For me, jettys are a complex mix of childhood joy and adult freedom. Being alone on the end, feeling one step closer to touching the horizon and surrounded by salt water...

....it's bliss.

My view...from where I sit in the room.

Dramatic skies...

Morning light...

A beautiful windy, stormyish but no rain New England day.

My friend Lewis shot this yesterday. And...it's a perfect way to begin my vacation entries. Yesterday afternoon was spent with Lewis, Ian and Todd. We moseyed and romped on the Marginal Way (well Todd did most of the romping), had a really nice dinner and then more beach time...all the while very much enjoying each other's company.

Today is grey, windy and stormy-ish. Over the last 12 years, I've truly missed weather like this and in this very place. I'm sitting in a comfy highbacked chair, typing, looking out the window...and relaxing.

By the way, hearing waves crash against the rocks while drifting off to sleep is one of my world's wonders.

A little airport boredom.

Gee. I guess the Saturday night redeye is the flight to take. I'm sitting in the bar because it's dark, quiet and cozy. Also, it's fairly empty...as is the rest of the terminal. I still have another 1 1/2 hours before we board. How does a hot dog and a gin & tonic sound for a late supper?

I really wanted to bring a book but the two books I'm reading are big (in size) and didn't have the room. At the last minute I found a packet of NYTimes crossword puzzles a friend had printed out for me about a month ago. I had totally spaced them until I cleared off the table during my pre-vacation cleaning. Big score.

When I say it snows petals...I'm serious. Most of my neighborhood looks like this. I saw the accumulation early this morning and had to come back later to capture it.



How many times have I said that I can't wait to get to the beach? It really is my home.

My flight leaves tonight. Tomorrow I get to spend time with my family and then my parents and I will be here, at this beach, on Monday. I'm really thrilled to take this time with them.

Yesterday was a painting day. I was finally able to grab photos of my most recent in progress pieces. They are all 18"x24" except for the last one which is 30"x40".

These are me...but different from the past work. Although I'm always pushing myself with each painting, this time I wanted to take greater emotional risks. This painting direction is definitely out of my comfort zone and yet in some way feels familiar. I really need to dig deep and listen to them. It's the reason I wanted to document them so I can sit with them while on vacation.

You can click on each to make them bigger.









The left side of this big piece stumps me. Hopefully something will become clear while I'm away.

Officially on vacation. And it feels wonderful.

Over the year I do take vacation hours here and there...but it's normally to have extra painting time. To have a week off, away from home and the regular routine is a treat. After work, one of my best friends and I grabbed drinks and sushi to celebrate.

When we parted I strolled through the neighborhood. After a cloudy day, the sun came out...and so did the people. There were many mini happy connections with strangers. Mr. Violin Man was out sharing his craft. We exchanged a smile and a few words. I passed a young man who was juggling 3 balls and walking down the street at the same time. Spoke with a mom and her very shy 3 year old son. And a few others. I love my hood.

Tonight I'll catch both parts of the Project Runway finale. And tomorrow I'll head to the studio and clean because I don't need to return a week later to dirty brushes and a palette filled with dried up paint. And...I think I'll be starting a new painting before I clean up. I have a hankerin'.

Yeah for vacation!

I've been distracted with work stuff, getting ready to go away stuff and life stuff. Too distracted to focus on painting which is unsettling, but I'm trying to let it be okay. I've had a big exhale of fresh paintings and although I know that a daily practice is important, it feels as if I've been pulling away because I know I won't be there all next week.

Here is a creepy dollhead that showed up in a coworker's office. She was found while a friend was digging in their yard.

Studio time last night. The paintings, although a few with stuck moments, are overall in a good place.

Planning the prep for my vacation. Time for laundry and time to clean because returning from a trip and stepping into a tidy-ish house feels so good.

Seven days from now I will be getting out of bed and staring at the ocean....having my morning coffee at the water's edge. Heaven.

It's been a fun food time in the office. Last week we let another non-profit borrow our conference room and they thanked us by leaving two large tubs of extra creamy, utterly delicious ice cream and sugar cones. Mocha oreo cookie and toasted butter pecan. We've been enjoying their thoughtful and inventive generosity plus it adds an extra playful spirit to the office.

Yesterday afternoon a coworker returned from a work trip to Montana and brought a stick of buffalo salami and cheese in the shape of a bison.

This morning another coworker brought in two leftover homemade pies from last night's dinner party. Blackberry pie and a rhubarb pie.

The rhubarb was a perfect breakfast food. There is only enough sugar to combat some of the tartness without being sugary. My mouth tastes a clean flavor. And I think there's a hint of ginger in the pie.

Two more work days before vacation!

I found an extra day this week. Looking at my flight itinerary this morning I realized my plane leaves Saturday night, not Friday. For two months I thought I was leaving Friday evening. This gives me an extra day which, right now, is valuable. There are paintings to work and people to see.

It's just like finding a twenty dollar bill on the sidewalk.

Saturday was a really good day. Very fun party with a full 8 hours of playing and chatting. On Sunday, good friends were headed to the tulip fields and I really wanted to join in but also knew that it was the only day for the next two weeks I'd have to myself and so staying in was necessary. Quiet and alone was needed.

In honor of the tulip trip, I was flipping through my tulip excursion photos from 2008 and stumbled upon this image shot in Skagit Valley yet had never posted.

Happy Monday everyone!

It's been snowing petals...

I love cats yet very allergic to them. Sneezing and asthma.

But I've had this cat for about 49 years. He is one of my oldest toys, given to me by my pepere. Plastic. About 8"high. His head turns. His eyes go up and down and he still has most of his eyelashes.

Normally he hangs out in a corner of the living room, but this morning kitty wanted to feel the sun on my kitchen table.

I shot this yesterday afternoon while in the studio for today's photo and just now I noticed similarities between the photo and my new paintings, still in progress and somewhat underexposed.


22"x28"



18"x24"



18"x36"

Yesterday was one of those rare, amazing, magical days. On so many different levels, work rocked. Later in the day, studio time rocked as well. I wanted dinner eats that I could munch on while painting and so picked up my booty at Trader Joe's - a small bag of cauliflower, broccoli and carrots and a little tub of spicy hummus. It was just right and there's enough left for tonight's studio time. Some cheap red wine and an apple finished off the meal.

I'm looking forward to returning this afternoon. I have three other paintings currently going in the direction of this latest one.

This weekend is full with an old friend coming into town tomorrow, a party all day/night on Saturday, and then two very dear friends arriving on Sunday for an extended visit. Therefore I'm grabbing as much painting time as I can before friends and my trip to the ocean. I wore my painting jeans and green sneakers today so I can hop the bus to the studio right from the office.

The paintings are jumpin', the cotton is high, the sun is a bright ball way up in the sky.

It's a good day.

In the studio...