Creative Musings

You might think I’m a nerd after this email. Or maybe you already know that I am! Last week, I read an article about recently discovered petroglyphs. More specifically, life-sized camels and other animals carved into sandstone in northern Saudi Arabia around 12,000 years ago. The discovery challenged previous notions about pre-Neolothic humans in the region. What I found most fascinating was how sophisticated and realistic the carvings were. And the fact that all the camels look very similar....

Today I did a demo in preparation for a portrait painting class I’ll be teaching in Santa Rosa. (Four Thursdays, 10/23-11/13, click here if you’re interested). I came home totally fired up! I LOVE teaching. What I did today was show the audience how I paint in layers. Normally, it’s a multi-stage process over 4-5 sessions; but today, I distilled it into two hours, utilizing the lessons I’ve learned from decades of research and practice. Some of it came directly from teachers along the way;...

Artists observe; we offer commentary. We are especially sensitive to changes in the zeitgeist. So here are some of the things I’ve observed lately...and how I believe creativity can help. The first layer on my new series, "The Map of the Butterfly." It's nothing but energy right now, but I have a vision for where it's going. Life on this planet is going to keep getting more stressful for humans. Overpopulation, climate change, mass migrations, water shortages, authoritarian governments. It...

I used to think of art as a solo act. I went into my studio, closed the door, put on music, and painted. Just me and my Muse, creating sacred work. When I was ready to show it to the world, I found a place. A group exhibition, a local venue, a rented space. But nothing much came of it, other than a few lines on my curriculum vitae. After 30+ years, and a gallery of art on my walls (and in the garage), my motivation sagged. I wasn’t as interested in going into my studio alone. "Beyond the Skin...

Last Thursday, I was reminded about the important connection between art and community at the opening reception of Xicano Community Narratives at Petaluma Arts Center. Over 150 people came to celebrate the works of Chicano/Latino/a/x/Indigenous artists in the Bay Area. More will attend next week’s Lowrider Festival for the Arts. An Indigenous tribal leader gave a blessing. He said he’d been thinking about Creator, and Creation, and realized the connection between the two is creativity....

Yesterday, after I drove down to the De Young museum in San Francisco to see Rose B. Simpson give a talk and inaugurate the exhibit of her two Lowrider cars, “Maria” and “Bosque.” Just before going there, I’d spent hours receiving art for the next exhibit at Petaluma Arts Center, “Xicano Community Narratives.” I’m co-curating that show along with Anabell Nuñez, Juan Roman, and Vicky Kumpfer. So, I was already filled up with beautiful images that express stories of Chicano and Indigenous...

I recently took on a part-time gig as Program Manager of Petaluma Arts Center. It's turning out to be even more fun than I imagined. Today, I went to a lowrider car show to promote our next exhibit, which I'm co-curating, titled "Xicano Community Narratives." We're having our own lowrider festival as part of the exhibit. Another task is to gather local artists to paint empty wine barrels for an upcoming fundraiser. Over the last few days, I maneuvered and lifted over 25 of these giant things....

Oscar Wilde famously said, "When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss money." Some prefer to see artists as spiritual ambassadors floating above material concerns. They plug into the zeitgeist and brilliance flows out of them and patrons flood in. Or perhaps the artist should not have money, and should instead toil in poverty like Van Gogh, feverishly painting until they die from suicide or lack of self-care. "The Peace of the...

I’m teaching an in-person class at Petaluma Arts Center on Sunday, September 7—“From Mess to Masterpiece.” It’s a catchy name for a simple concept: any failed artwork can be saved and transformed. Every artist has experienced the frustration of a piece going awry. I’ve overworked and messed up my share of paintings! As long as I’m willing to let go of what I want it to look like, I can let it become something new. Click here to read more about the workshop. I first learned how to take risks...