Many Hands Build a Bridge

I have completed another assemblage which is in honor of the 75th birthday of the Golden
Gate Bridge. Did you know that the GG Bridge is considered the 2nd man-made wonder of the world right after the Chunnel which joins England and France? We all love taking people who visit us in the Bay Area to see the Golden Gate Bridge. It's beauty and the engineering are marvelous.

I read The Golden Gate Bridge, by James Barter,which talks about the many people who helped build it. We honor the engineer who was the head of the project, Joseph Strauss, but his original idea was considered ugly by the public. He chose another engineer, Clifford Paine, who designed the bridge as we know it today. Also consulting architects, Irving F. Morrow and his wife, Gertrude, joined Paine on the project and contributed the art deco style of the towers.

The Arts of the Covenant will exhibit "Bridges and Connections" at the annual Menlo Park art fair on July 21 and July 22 which will be at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. My assemblage, "Many Hands Build a Bridge" will be on display for the weekend.

Paintings of Hakone

This painting "Feeding Time" was shown at the Pacific Art League the first weekend of  May for Open Studios. It was purchased and more paintings of Hakone are to follow.  I am also submitting paintings  to a show called "Think Big, Paint Small." I am enjoying painting on yupo that is translucent. It enables me to collage with colors behind the painting instead of collage on top. The Open Studios for two weekends were very successful and I hope to show more work at other venues.

Pacific Art League-Open Studios, May 5-May 6, 2012

Saturday and Sunday this weekend there will be 7 artists showing their work and having a sale at Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona Street, Palo Alto. Please come for a art-filled experience with a reception and plenty of ambiance in Palo Alto. .

Hangin' Out at Filoli

In the summer, Filoli has jazz concerts on the tennis courts. Andre and I love to go. It's not only good music, but with a picnic lunch and warm days under umbrellas, it is fabulous. Before the concert, one must wait before you can stand in line to enter. This couple seemed so relaxed and warm in the sunshine while waiting for their turn.

Filoli is a grand estate once owned by the family connected to the Matson Lines. There are splendid gardens mostly maintained by volunteers. This is a national trust and has the largest staff of volunteers in the country. Filoli is a made-up name and is located near Woodside, CA. I hope to get this framed in time for Open Studios starting May 4-5.

Poppies Galore

When we entered Yosemite about 3 weeks ago, there was no sign of wild flowers. However, when we left after 2 days later, the hills were covered in California Poppies. This really brings home the golden hills of California.

This is an acrylic on canvas and is "gallery-wrapped" which means the sides are painted in the continuing image of the art. No frame is needed.

Coming up this Saturday is the Milpitas Christian School Craft Fair at 3435 Birchwood Lane, San Jose from 10-4:30pm. I will have cards, notebooks, totes, and several 6X8 new works.

May 5-6 I will be in Open Studios at the Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona, Palo Alto from 11-5pm both days. There will be over a dozen paintings including my new paintings. There will be 7 artists showing at Pacific Art League.

Yosemite Spring

We just returned from Yosemite with our Hawaii and Reno families. This was the first time our daughter-in-law ever saw Yosemite. She really is a marvelous photographer and her photos of the national park are already getting accolades on Facebook.

This is my painting of Yosemite Falls at the base where you can also see the upper falls as well. The painting came together just today and sometimes one gets lucky to paint quickly and get it right on canvas.

This is painted on a gallery-wrapped canvas (no frame, edges painted) and was done in acrylic.

Coffee Break in Campbell

I decided to do some local street scenes and started with this one in downtown Campbell. It was a quiet day for the city and the locals were out looking for cafes and coffee houses as the weather has been so warm.

This is painted on canvas with acrylic and is gallery wrapped which means the edges are painted with the scene as well instead of a frame.