A little studio play as inspired by the NASA/ESA Hubble Telescope website's gallery of planetary nebulae! Just an opportunity to experiment with a new set of metallic acrylic paints (a great product by Arteza) as well as a motley assortment of found items: a plaster medallion a dried sea urchin shell some very old BBs. (My brother was the childhood shooter, not me. His reaction to this piece: "That's really amazing!! The neighbors are probably thankful too that those BBs are not thru their windows from that drat neighbor kid with a Daisy BB gun from long ago."

Well ... yes a massive painting by this name is in the Louvre in Paris and was completed in 1840 by Jacques-Louis David. But this image is of a copy created in mosaic by me working with plastic sparkly bits custom prepped for me by the "Painting With Diamonds" factory in China (apparently with no compunction in copying this image no questions asked). The crowded and theatrical setting is the mountain pass in which the Battle of Thermopylae was about to be fought in 480 BCE. The pass was chosen as ideal for waging a defensive action in view of its narrow passage through the mountains. This helped the Greeks make a stand against the numerically vastly superior Persian invaders. King Leonidas, the Spartan leader, delayed the invasion of Darius I and the Persians by sacrificing himself and his 300 men to give the Greeks time needed to organize an ultimately victorious resistance. This act of bravery and sacrifice inspired the artist as France waged its own campaigns against rival European powers that wanted to restore France's pre-revolution régime. I must confess the notion of tackling this noble theme in a commercial medium more given to do-it-yourself renderings of unicorns and rainbows was too tempting to pass up, and it proved therapeutic in time of pandemic.

This logo was created and painted on the side of an antique steamer trunk which was presented to Marty T. Clown in 1987 upon the occasion of his running away with the circus. It accompanied him as he toured across North America for over ten years with Circus Vargas for which he performed both in the ring and on the road as an advance clown. He made his colorful mark on all those for whom he performed, as well as on all of us who were lucky to call him family and friend. He is dearly missed.

The Hydrangea flower traditionally symbolizes gratitude, grace, and beauty. Realistic blossoms painted across the entire surface of this heart transform it into a special Hydrangea inspired by those that bloom profusely each year in gardens throughout San Francisco (most notably those on Lombard Street).

This sketch is my submission in support of the 2023 Hearts in San Francisco fundraiser for the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. To learn more about the Foundation's efforts, please visit them at https://sfghf.org/.

A deep dive into the commercial side of the floral arts that kept me busy during the heart of the pandemic has now been concluded. Back to the studio!

(central panel: acrylic on wood - 19" x 32") - Following the passing of my cousin, Magician Doug Hagdohl II, the family reached out to the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 216 (San Jose) to see if somebody might be able to repurpose Doug's beloved performance cart.

To our delight, Magician Tom Collett was interested in taking on the cart. I helped rebrand the painting to reflect the special blend of science and magic in Tom's performances. Please visit his website at www.tomcollettmagic.com.

(plastic mosaic on paper with applied taxidermied insect - 20" by 36") - A pandemic craft project for the new age! A company called "Painting with Diamonds" commercially produces and sells a modern equivalent of a paint-by-number set. The kits, manufactured in China, include a base paper of sticky tape pre-printed with an image (usually something to do with rainbows and kittens). Along with the paper comes numerous individually packed and coded envelopes of tiny sparkly extruded plastic bits. Using tweezers, the idea is to apply the coded sparkly bits to the pre-printed paper as appropriate based on the matching codes in the image. I have no idea why this kind of tedious handwork appeals to me, but it always has (as you can see in much of my work - often the journey, not the destination, is the real joy). I especially love working with mosaic mediums as the image only comes into view once many separate elements are in place.

This manufacturing company gives you the option of providing your own photograph which they will then reproduce on the sticky paper with appropriate coding that will relate to the custom envelopes of sparkly bits they provide (it took quite a while for this to happen due to pandemic manufacturing and shipping woes). My photo is one I took myself of a bloom on the grand old Magnolia tree in my front yard planted by my Father nearly 60 years ago.

It was a very slow and calming process assembling the sparkly bits onto my image - perfect for a pandemic. And while I did like the sparkly image once it was complete, the whole "mechanical-plastic-extruded-from-a-Chinese-factoryness" of it all left me somewhat cool. After further consideration, I determined that what it truly needed was a good strong dose of Mother Nature.

Enter the insect - a preserved Pomponia Intermedia Clearwing Cicada. This fellow hails (hailed) from Thailand and sports (sported) a seven inch span of the most beautiful transparent wings. I believe he adds just the right touch to my sparkly Magnolia, though I admit that absolutely everyone who has seen this piece in person truly hates it.

(mixed media: rhinestones on a very confused and concerned ceramic rabbit with applied mask - though alas not the recommended N95 version)

(Pastel chalk on sidewalk - 4' by 8') - My first attempt at drawing on the sidewalk (as a grownup anyway) took place at the 2019 Luna Park Chalk Art Festival (www.lunaparkarts.org). Held at Backesto Park in the Luna Park neighborhood of San Jose, CA, the neighborhood is named after the Luna Park amusement park built by Audley Ingersoll of Ingersoll's Amusement in 1906 with financing from the San Jose Street Car Company as a way of bringing more customers to the area. The original amusement park, baseball stadium and public park operated from early 1907 until it was closed in 1921 and redeveloped into Backesto Park and its surrounding residential neighborhood that still informally bears the name Luna Park. I wanted to honor the original Luna Park in San Jose through my chalk art, but discovered that there are no known photographs of the area from during the park's heyday. So I took my inspiration from vintage carnival art from another Luna Park, this one at Coney Island in New York. The design and colors are based on carnival wagons of the era.

It was a new and wonderful experience drawing in front of hundreds of festival attendees. My favorite comment was from a little boy who really reacted to the Moon's face in my design. He exclaimed "I Love the Moon! He's sneezing!!" Until he said it, I had never thought that my Moon was sneezing, so I asked the boy "Why do you think the Moon is sneezing?" He gleefully answered "Because of all the chalk!!!"

Joined the neighborhood (along with Elaine the Chow Chow) in assisting artist Lila Louise Gemellos in painting the community building at Mary Jane Hamman Park in San Jose. Lila is an amazing person! Please visit her website at https://www.gemellosmurals.com/.

(mixed media: paper, foil, tissue, acrylic on canvas) - Created in a guided instructional group session facilitated by artist Christine M. Oliver at Detati Art Studio. Located in Sunnyvale, CA, the studio offers group art sessions and classes in various mediums. For information, visit www.DetatiArt.com.

(acrylic on canvas - 12" by 16")

From: Dictionary of Imaginary Places (Alberto Manguel and Gianni Guadalupi – New York, 1980):

“Golden Asses, Island of, near the island of Polypragmosyne. This is where the Wise Men of Gotham, and other people from Polypragmosyne who have meddled with things they do not understand, end their days, having been turned into donkeys with ears a yard long.

It is said that they will remain donkeys until, by the laws of natural development, the thistles on the island turn into roses. In the meantime, the inhabitants comfort themselves with the thought that the longer their ears, the thicker their hides, so a good beating will not hurt them. Visitors can ride the inhabitants at leisure.”

Original source: The Water-Babies:

A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby

(Charles Kingsley – London, 1863)

(Found object (okay, a honey bear) with crystals and beads - 3" x 3" x 7") - arty [ahr-tee] adjective: characterized by a showy, pretentious, and often spurious display of artistic interest, manner, or mannerism.

(sequins, beads, glass, stones with monofiliment on fabric - 16" x 16") - Part of my series of drapeaux, this piece explored the use of symbols not usually used in this combination. I was interested in combining the symbolism of the red apple of knowledge and of the serpent from the Garden of Eden with the three golden apples Paris was to bestow on those women he judged to be the most beautiful in creation. Using symbols on a banner like this adds gravitas to their roles as symbols. And yet this combination seemed to me a bit odd, sending a rather fun mixed message.

(Acrylic on canvas - 6" x 6") - Created for and dedicated with love to Claire & Bobbi

(acrylics, metallic powders on canvas - 14" x 10") - Dedicated with love to Scott Hagdohl.

(acrylic on wood - 12" x 8") - My goal was to explore intimacy by decorating a lovely wooden box for use in the bedroom. While the outside displays romantic intimacy, the inside raises the temperature considerably with luxurious upholstery and a second image of the figures engaged in decidedly more erotic pursuits. This piece was created for the October 2009 benefit auction in support of The Billy DeFrank Silicon Valley LGBT Community Center (www.defrankcenter.org/).

(Acrylics on printed fabric - 42" x 72") - A sweet interlude in the studio, this banner was created for Jeanette and Librado, and presented to them by their Uncle Marty on the occasion of their engagement to be married. This was a wonderful opportunity to pull out my favorite beat-up type reference book from 1973 (David Gates) as inspiration for an evening of hand-lettering. And a special treat was the chance to research Hawaiian fabric prints, resulting in locating this wonderful border-print cotton from Fabric Mart in Aiea, Hawaii.

(fabrics, beads, sequins - 8" x 10") - Intended as a sunny companion to the earlier "Passion Flower", this piece began as a need to play with spring colors during winter. Using hooked rug and collage techniques, the intended sunflower theme turned a little darker than expected resulting in a midnight scheme.

(acrylics, ink, gold leaf on canvas - 12" x 12") - This piece was created with inspiration from The Canary Foundation (www.canaryfoundation.org)

The seasons seemed to pass unnoticed during the months that my mother’s final battle with cancer was our family’s primary focus. Since then, while trying to resume daily life, the seasonal changes continue to remind us of her loss. One of her favorite times of the year was the annual harvest of fruit from her beloved backyard fig tree. This piece reflects the first harvest without her.

(wood, nails, beads, mixed artifacts, electrics - 10" x 10") - Born out of a broken heart, this piece is a visual representation of a battle I'm sure many fight to assure themselves that in spite of external spikes, inside their heart is rich and full. One of my strongest memories making this piece is fairly perverse. After adding the nails to the outer case, I added oatmeal to achieve the desired crusty texture. Instant oatmeal. With raisins and cinnamon. I placed the piece outside to dry in the 100+ degree heat. When I went outside later, the piece was a swarming mass of ants. I was riveted. It was an incredible visual with the nails sticking out through the writhing insects. That's still one of the most arresting visuals I have created. Alas, it was impermanent (to say nothing of being more than slightly off track from my plans). So once the ants had had their fill, I did some rethinking and retooling. But I always remember those ants when I see this piece. Contributed as part of the Second Annual Recycled AIDS Medicine Program Silent Art Auction in San Francisco, June 2007 in support for RAMP's operating budget and for Zimbabwe AIDS Relief. Please visit their web site at: www.rampusa.org

(watercolor, colored pencils, gold leaf on paper - 16" x 10") - On a botanical background pattern inspired by William Morris, I inscribed a quotation from a 3,500 year old Egyptian papyrus. One of my favorite aspects of Ancient Egyptian burial rites is the use of the heart scarab. This beetle-shaped amulet was tucked inside the mummy wrappings just above the heart. It was often inscribed with this prayer excerpted from the Egyptian "Book of the Dead" beseeching the heart to not reveal anything negative about the deceased during the final judgement. Paraphrasing: If you have nothing nice to say, please don't say anything at all. What a great connection to share with the ancients: our mutual wish to not be defined by our errors and mistakes, but rather to dwell on our qualities and positive intentions.

"O heart

which I had from my mother,

O my heart

which I had upon earth,

do not rise up against me as a witness

in the presence of the Lord of Things

do not speak against me

concerning what I have done,

do not bring up anything against me

in the presence of the Great God,

Lord of the West.

Hail to you, my heart!

Hail to you, my heart!

May you say what is good,

may you make me to flourish,

may powers be bestowed when I go forth,

having been interred among the great ones

who long endured upon Earth.

Not dying in the West,

but becoming a Spirit in it."

From the Papyrus of Ani

Translated by Dr. Raymond Faulkner

(sequins, beads and trims with acrylics on fabric - 34" x 36") - Oh it started innocently, even a bit playful. Then, text entered into it (a favorite movie quote: "Perhaps I don't recognize love. I'm not a wise man"). Then I found myself obliterating the text, making it unreadable. Playtime over. After introspection, I realized my long-held affinity to the quote had changed (certainly in regard to the first line, not so much the second). I became conscious of turning it into a relic of a preciously held attitude from long ago now repudiated. The result seems to unsettle the few who have seen it, but I gather comfort from it and have kept it close.

(latex paint mural - 6' x 10') - A stylized wisteria is the subject of this mural on a garden shed. A family project, it was designed and painted by myself and my mother, Eva. We had a great time! Sharing the making of art is a wonderful thing.

(silk screen on t-shirt) - Logo for cast shirt Bug's Bunny's Bourbon Street Follies, Theatre Royale, Marriott's Great America (Santa Clara, CA).

(silk screen on t-shirt) - Logo for cast shirt Bug's Bunny's Wonder Circus, Theatre Royale, Marriott's Great America (Santa Clara, CA).

(watercolor on illustration board - 14" x 20") - An illustration exploring non-related items of differing textures. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design with a minor in illustration has done this to me. Every now and then, the compulsion emerges.

(ink on paper - 8.5" x 11") - Film studio opening credit logo for an unofficial (very unofficial) Marriott's Great America Yankee Harbor Colonial Drill Team Movie (Santa Clara, CA).