at crenshaw starbucks

So I stop at my Starbx at Crenshaw.  This guy (in wheelchair) tells me his name is Ray Charles, he’s a vet, a bluesinger and I remind him of his first wife (who he says he killed). Ok.  He says he shook President Obama’s hand last week at Roscoes.  Ok.  His friend with the hat never talks, just smiles and shakes his head in agreement.   I don’t know about Ray Charles and his stories but then a policeman drives by and stops to say to him, hey I saw you on Channel nine news shaking hands with the Pres!! too cool  man.”   They introduce me to the beautiful African Queen.  i say, you are indeed a beautiful african queen.  ” a  reflection of yourself, ” she answers.   she will model for me she says.  

me in studio

another sunday morning.  promenade with Kate. then studio and art store.  then stop at Grove to buy a chicken. all the county fairs couldnt keep up with this.  animals, face painting pumpkin carving (use electric drill).  Kate and I take pictures of each other in my studio.

a new world

started my painting workshop at Otis last night.  I LOVE it, I love the place, the other students (about 8) and the wonderful teacher. l feel like this is something really special and perfect.  Oils for me, glazing and materials . all the things I am craving to learn.  Wow.

today went to Bergamot station with Georgi DeLaTorre, she knew who each subject of the Don Bachardy drawings was, who collected the Beatrice Potter!!  Wonderful drawings, fun themes, pottery like Pompei glasses, great lunch. Ah, the artists life.

the studio is hot

by noon the two skylights magnify the sun and even two fans aren’t enough.  So I go early. These days my daughter, Mari, joins me until she heads off down the street to her job, which starts at 11.

she makes modpodge covers, I paint on my big canvases.  

my little student tells me, of one portrait, “it was nice, but now it’s not.”  She is six, and she is so correct.  I have to learn to STOP before I ruin things.  

the cop paintings need a psychological truth to each portrait.  I am digging in to find it.

be careful who you use as your model

today I tackled painting the details of a hand on one of my very large figure paintings (of girl on the street in the One Mile Radius).  I needed to look at a hand, so i posed mine and took a shot on my digital camera and referenced it as I worked.

I stood back and lo and behold there was a large, rather gnarled and wrinkled hand on this beautiful young girl.  

i only had about an hour today for studio.  in that hour I got as much done as some days all day. just shows what a good time frame can do.