To Honor This Day

It is Veteran's Day in America, but why not pause the world over to think of all who serve their countries?
About a year ago, I had the chance to be imbedded with the US Air Force on live fire training exercises. If these brave young men and women thought for a minute "what was this round woman with graphite pencils doing climbing into their "truck"?!, they did not skip a beat as they welcomed me and included me in the training. For all the in-between joking and answering my unfailing barrage of questions, it took but a nano-second for them to get serious when they needed to. Their fresh faces and keen minds took me through what they experience day in and day out, on bases on our continent, and of course, in lands afar. It matters little what your political stance is- these are young people whose families are without them this day. I salute them, one and all.

Sneak Peek

I am in the final stages of finishing a body of work that is being produced as part of a grant. I was sent to China last year to be the documentary artist that recorded the FIT factory visits in Hong Kong and mainland China. NO photos allowed, and so, it was up to me to keep apace with the groups, the tour guides and the translators- who barely stopped to take a breath. The machines were whirring away, up the stairs, down the stairs, on with masks, off with masks, cutting, folding, pressing, drying, dyeing.
It was terribly exciting and my hand was moving like crazy trying to capture it all.

When Vacation Seems So Far Away...

it's good to bring it back. It's been some time since I posted. School is keeping very busy in a very good way. My classes this semester are just great and have once, again, reminded me how much I love drawing. I took a little trip back to South Africa in my mind today- the crisp air and the beautiful blue sky brought me right back there...

Out of and back from (South) Africa

It is a land of big skies and purple mountains. It is a coast with the
turquoise Indian Ocean crashing its shores. The air of traditional cultures,
struggle, and renewal hugs the mountains, the villages-and the malls. So much
to see and to hear and to eat and to drink in. Three weeks in South Africa
have left me with a sense of awe and curiosity, wanting even more. I am just now beginning to digest all of what I experienced and drew. My first posts here represent what struck me most- that people walked- from the early hours
of the morning, through the day. Their silhouettes dotted the landscape as the fiery sun set; wrapped in their winter clothing, determined to make life good for themselves and their families for another day. They walked the highways, through the sugar cane, out of the townships, the cities, down from the mountains.

I Broke Even

Last weekend, I earned the good soul award by traveling to Atlantic City on a community (not mine) bus trip. Well, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't get a kick out of a good run or two at the slots, but truth be told, I would have been more of winner if I had spent the whole time drawing!

The Art of Conversation

Sometimes the art is not only on the wall. During a recent trip to the Met with my friend Tony, the Bacon show proved to be provocative for those attending, and a great opportunity for me to capture the characters that flock and comment.

Sunny, Southern California-NOT!

When I was asked to be one of a panel of judges for the Arts in Fashion competition in LA, it didn't take me but a minute to say "when do I leave?!" With visions of palm trees, surf and sun, I took off, only to spend a grey, cool weekend in LA. No sun, no star sightings, and it was cold... The competition yielded amazing talent, wonderful colleagues and a dinner at a great restaurant, LOUIE, where I spent a few meals, fascinated by the open kitchen and the little army of chefs.