Some months ago I read an article about proven methods to reduce stress. Apparently I’ve been intuitively utilizing several of them – coloring (so to speak), changes in spending, and reduced screen time. Research has shown increased screen time to be a major risk factor for mood disorders among U.S. adults. One key recommendation was to […]
Our recent trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, had beautiful architecture and great weather. We found it a bit more “faded glory” than anticipated, but one real high spot was the amazing energy of the carnival parade in Montevideo’s old city. Uruguay’s carnival celebration is more family oriented than those in New Orleans […]
Last month I realized I was in the middle of reading five different books. They range from fun fiction, to an award-winning literary novel, to compelling nonfiction accounts of the flood in New Orleans, girls raised as boys in Afghanistan, and the criminally insane murderer who helped create the Oxford English dictionary. Apparently, my thirst […]
It is always a challenge to give presents once people reach a certain age. While I hope you are enjoying the holidays, they do tend to exacerbate the issue. People have what they need, or they have very particular tastes, or you don’t know what they really want. Plus it’s often awkward to calibrate the […]
You may recall earlier versions of this painting from previous posts about my painting process. I’ve described how I usually work from photos, do thumbnail sketches to test ideas, block-in the large shapes, then start painting. I blogged about this particular painting at the stage when I was fine tuning it, studying the dark and […]
For several years I’ve been eager to experience southern Spain’s offerings, including its tasty tapas and Granada’s Alhambra palace. We just returned, and the sights were every bit as spectacular as expected. I’m inspired to paint again; the challenge will be deciding where to start. There are too many choices, such as this famous gorge […]
Claude Monet reportedly said “color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” With all due respect, I’d leave out the torment part. My love affair with color is absolute. Many artists struggle to use color more freely. Not me. Part of the reason I love painting with pastels is they are so robust. I paint […]
A long time collector of my art visited recently, and paid me what I consider to be quite a compliment. He told me he describes my paintings to his friends as “luxurious.” While I’m not into what most people consider luxuries – brand name clothes, new cars and such – that struck me as a […]
A recent article got me thinking about why I love travel, and talking to people who travel, and painting scenes from my travels – like this one of Chania harbor, on the Greek island of Crete. According to Psychology Today, there’s actually a scientific basis for it. Whatever people rate as important, their friends tend […]
It’s always been apparent that having water views makes me feel better. Conversely, being cooped up inside without views, as in my corporate days, depresses me. Before I earned a promotion and a window, I used to joke that it was like living inside a Band-Aid box – beige, bland and boring. Turns out there’s […]
