Older houses–I have always loved older houses. East Coast, West Coast, I like the feeling of previous lives in the halls, the open hand of a home with a past opening to welcome me into its present, translating me and mine into its history. But for those who have natural gas as a piped-in … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Blog
a fall of snow
I’m painting snowscapes out of memory. I sit in my studio in Southern California with the bzzzt of hummingbirds flashing by, the dull fog rising and sun glimmering through. But I’m not here. I’m in winter, trudging across the slopes in New Hampshire. Former family land, once farmed by my blood. I stroke the brush … Continue reading →
Horror, with a Little Help
Picture us sitting by the fireplace, three cats on the footstools, people in the armchairs, fire chirking cheerfully away. “I want to write a horror story,” I said. Husband smiles. Kid still buried in her book., turns a page. “I think it should be set in Isla Vista,” I said, making it up as I … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, publishing, writing
Of Paintings, Permanence and Picnics
Here are two twenty-year-old sketches for paintings, done in ink on paper. The originals measured about seven feet by four, each, though I’ve cropped the images because of the torn bits and the logs I put down to keep them flat for photographing. If you saw the entire original photos you’d also see the … Continue reading →
We’re not going there
We are the people who can’t take vacations. We hear the whispers– nay shouts, of our ancestors—’Sybarites! Hedonists! You’re the reason Rome fell!’ So how do you expect us to take a break? Take a lie in the sun on a beach? Who in hell are you kidding? We are the people who make the … Continue reading →
prose poem for Eowyn
I read this Tumblr post by a woman whose other work I have admired. It’s for anyone who has thought about Eowyn, shield maiden of Rohan. Read, imagine, and dream of her.
The Art of Faking Exhibition Poultry
The Art of Faking Exhibition Poultry, now there’s a title for you. I went on a search, one of my erratic repeated sniffings for the book I remember from my second grade days. It was a book my father owned because he was teaching agriculture and agronomy to classes in the Nigerian University. Brown buckram … Continue reading →
Guest Blog: John M. Daniel
Today it is my great pleasure to share with you a guest blog from my dear friend and mentor John Daniel who has a resume as long as my Main Coon cat’s tail. I first met John at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference many years ago, where he led a delightful late night Pirates’ session … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, publishing, writing
a note in the dark time
Winter, and the nights run long, the shadows reach further than even a week ago. I’m enjoying the change, easing into this cold part of the year when the light in particular has a ramped up drama. But for too many people I know or have known, or have been, the season possesses a vampire-like … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, social and anti
A Gesture of Oaks
On this early December day I give you a gesture of oaks. A portrait of some of the oaks I see nearly every day when I take my walks. You can see why I look upon this and see a painting. I’ve heard it said that in order to paint the landscape there’s no need … Continue reading →
