Hiroshima August 6

This is a painting that reflects back to my trip to Hiroshima, Japan, a few years ago.  Every year, on August 6, the anniversary of the bombing, there is a big commemoration.  It really is huge and the Mayor of Hiroshima issues a call for the end of nuclear weapons and of war.  In the evening, people gather at the river and send out handmade paper lanterns.  Hope for Peace indeed.

The building is called the Peace Dome and it was very near the epicenter.  It mostly survived. The Peace Park is nearby with many memorials to those who perished.   Being there was truly a moving experience.  True confession: I did this painting from a photograph.  The family I was staying with in Hiroshima wanted to have a sushi dinner and show family photos on the night of the observance.  We went to the daytime events and saw Caroline Kennedy, so that was interesting.  Well, I put family first, so didn't actually see this lantern ceremony in person.

By the way, the people I met in Hiroshima welcomed Americans.  Why?  Because we stayed true to a promise to help them rebuild after the War.  It was an enlightenment to me.

I'm posting this now because I recently finished the painting and because it will be in an upcoming show at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW).  Reception is December 14 at 5;30-7:30.  I did the painting as part of the Wednesday Studio at CHAW.  I am grateful to be part of that group, and than Ellen Cornett who is an amazing teacher. 

Pinocchio Snowgirl

This is the snowperson I plan to use for this year's holiday cards.  My big travel this year was a trip to Rome and that is where I was inspired to think about the Pinocchio story.  As a snowperson, the girl just came out....even though she has a smoking pipe.  I guess it's just another smart trick!  She is in the show at Velocity Condomiums and seems happy to join the other snowpeople and two penguins.  It's fun to see them all together.

Go Nats! Velocity Solo Show

This is one of two snowpeople I did this year.  This one is a version of a Washington Nationals baseball player.  If you didn't know it by now, the won the World Series this year!

I have installed (with the help of Louisa and Peter Smith) a solo show of snowpeople in the conference room of Velocity Condominiums nearby.  Velocity is about two blocks from the Nationals baseball stadium, so I expect there are many Nationals fans there.

Tomorrow is a Wine Wednesday reception from 6-8:30 and I expect to be there talking about the various snowpeople and talking baseball.  Guests are invited.  I'll have some snowpeople cards for sale.

The solo show includes many of the snowpeople I have done over the years....for more than two decades! 

I'll post about the second snowperson I did this year in the next few days.  I just wanted this "Nat" to have a chance to shine....without melting!

Gratitude

I'm participating in a local show called "Gratitude" and this is my painting for it.  It is a cute little hummingbird in a nest protected by a leaf.  The show is at the office of Dr. Nishan Halim. a dentist in our neighborhood.  My art group, Capitol Hill Art League, regularly shows at that office, but this is the first time I have participated.

The reception is Friday, November 15,  at 5-8 pm.  I hear the receptions have great food and are lots of fun.  This one will include a silent auction of work provided by participating artists and will benefit Movember, which is a global charity helping men to live happier, healthier, longer lives.

Road Trip

Capitol Hill Art League has the first show of this season with the theme of "Road Trip."  The painting I have in the show, "Further,"  is inspired by the bus of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters.  Neal Cassady is driving (he evidently always did) and Kesey is boarding the bus.  It's a pretty busy painting, but I think it captures the spirit. I actually saw this bus in San Francisco in the 60s!!!!

The reception is tomorrow at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop CHAW) from 5:30-7:30.  There are lots of great paintings in this show.  The show will be at CHAW until September 28.

TY Jan

When I had a recent birthday, I got a present from Jan that was a gift certificate to the local framing shop, Frame of Mine.  I am not making a painting of the actual gift (the frame) but am including in this post the painting that will go in it.  It is an impressionistic view of the Columbia River Gorge, as seen from the Maryhill Museum of Art.   The Maryill Museum is on the Washington side and this is a view of the Oregon side as seen across the River..

It is very impressionistic and I am not sure I even like it.  It is an early Spring view.  There is not much green later in the year.  The red is cliffs.  

My plan is to enter it into a show "Earth Wind Fire" that will be at Frame of Mine in September.  

The frame is distressed gold with a light blue highlight.  I think it will look good, and I thank Jan for the gift certificate.  That made it much easier for me.

Coffee and chocolate

I recently was in a car accident and sustained an eye injury which is healing nicely.  The first week, I couldn't see well and had to be escorted around.  A couple of guys (Griffin Smith and Bryan Cassidy) tried to cheer me up with comfort food---coffee chocolate candy bars from Trader Joe's.  I am much better now and it looks like there will be no long-term damage.  The injury was caused by the side curtain air bag.   I am grateful for the safety features of new cars as it could have been much worse.  No-one else was injured.