8:31 p.m. Made it home on my bike just before the downpour.
A Book I Loved
From the book Astrid the Unstoppable:
(Astrid is on the phone with her friend Ola.)
“Ola, is that you?” Astrid was whispering. It was best to keep her dad out of it so he wouldn’t have to share any of the guilt.
“Of course it’s me. Why are you whispering?” Ola asked.
Astrid curled herself up even tighter behind the washing machine. “Can you skip school tomorrow and take the boat here?” she asked him quickly.
“Yup,” said Ola.
It certainly was wonderful to have people like Ola, who never think before they do something wrong.
Warning
This is what happens to a champagne stopper after it is dropped into the garbage disposal.
Walking along the ditch / 7:39 pm
In the Mail Today
So satisfying to hold this fat little treasure in my hands. It’s an ARC (advanced reviewer copy). Neither the illustrations nor the words are “perfect” – but close enough!
Coming June 22
Canyon Road
Santa Fe for a day
Three Weeks Went By
Two birthdays
Cards (Larry made this card!)
Presents
Dinner at Los Poblanos
Down on the lavender farm
Candy!
Friends (Eric and Deb)
Deb, Tom, Eric on the tram
The REAL BOOK! Allyn, my publisher, always wraps up the first book I see. All the ribbons make it even more exciting.
Kathy, my neighbor here at the compound, had an open studio last night.
I know you don't believe me
but it’s true! This is the trail that runs behind our house.
The Bouncy Castle
Final art for Mimi’s Treasure Trouble is coming slowly but surely.
patio furniture
Rebirth of Wonder
Rebirth of Wonder Anne Herbst
When Anne emailed me some photos of her latest painting today I felt like I had just visited her studio (which is now 1,000 miles away). Isn’t it the most wonderful painting? To me, Anne’s paintings are like journal entries. This one brings to mind her beloved dog Carmen who died recently – and also the city-wide celebration of Ferlinghetti’s 100th birthday last month. The title of the painting is taken from his poem I Am Waiting.
Here is how Anne describes her painting: This painting was made by rubbing out paint as much as applying it. There are areas of built up paint as well as canvas showing through with very subtle washes of color. I wanted to create multiple layers as Carmen transforms throughout the whirling cosmos. The egg in the center is like a star bursting open. Tracing my feet and hands represents my presence and witness of her rebirth. The colors are much more vibrant than the photo with my iPad. Working with her image allowed me to create one of my most complex paintings – my infinite love of her emboldened me. I traced a cut-out from a photograph of Carmen lying down in front of the gallery and used it as my pattern for the painting. Somehow, the spiral always finds its way into my paintings.
Tom and Tom and John ...
All of us at Farm and Table
What Riley Wore!
May
Walking along the ditch / 7:02 pm
When the Moon Hits Your Eye
That’s Boris singing “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie…” Here at the Veranda Compound we’re working night and day on illustrations for Mimi’s next adventure: Mimi’s Treasure Trouble.
The ditch / 6:54 pm
