There is a fortune from a fortune cookie that I've kept with me many years as a reminder. It reads "Do not let ambitions overshadow small success."

So, today, I would like to make a point to celebrate a small success: I sold the below painting today at Ten Women which makes rent at the gallery for this month plus a little pocket money. It is a start and worth celebrating.

Abbot Kinney Urban Landscape
8"x8" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

This painting is so much better in person! Anyways, there was a quote from Arshile in which she talked about never calling a painting "finished." She like to look at her paintings as being alive and the word "finish" seemed too much like death. Instead, she never really "finished" a piece, more just stopped working on it.

"I think that if you can turn off the mind and look only with the eyes, ultimately everything becomes abstract."

Finally made a long overdue visit to MOCA. Here are some inspirations from the visit:

I'm a huge fan of his work. It reminds me of windows and the soft mottling of the paint makes it seem like light is leaking through. Also, his choice of color juxtaposition is always rad.

Honestly, I have never been a fan of Pollock...He just seems like he was a bit of a thoughtless drunk. (*Gasp!*) However, having seen this piece in person, it is actually quite impressive. The layer seems to actually be intentional and the colors are great -Overall the piece at first appears to be neutral but upon closer examination there are hot mustards, pinks, turquoise etc... Also, the black is shiny and metallic-looking. Check it (close-ups):  http://buhopcz.blogspot.com/2010/04/jackson-pollockmoca-la.html

This is the last big canvas that I have laying around...Thinking about going even bigger next time!

36"x48" acrylic and gold leaf on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

This one is a bit different -w/ silver paint in the clouds...I think I'm going to add some silver leaf actually because the silver paint doesn't quite have the pop I'm looking for.

30"x24" acrylic and silver metallic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

A portrait of my second cousin and cutie pie, Brady. It took three tries on this one... Lessons learned (or relearned more like it): 1- Ask for a larger image when needed. I first received printed photos of this little guy -none w/ his head bigger than a quarter...which made things a bit difficult. Finally did what I should have done in the first place which is to ask for larger images. 2- (And I should know this.) Paint babies softly disregarding details and avoiding overshadowing as that will destroy the youthful quality that their baby flesh should exude.

8"x10" watercolor and colored pencil on cold press watercolor paper

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

One of two pieces completed to be put up at Ten Women. This piece can also be purchased in the shop section of this website.

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas