Fostering a new renaissance through creativity, authenticity, spirituality, and art
I really enjoyed this book and stayed up late last night finishing it. It is about two widowers who fall in love in their sixties with someone each of their respective families consider most inappropriate. Major Pettigrew, a proper Englishmen, and Mrs Ali, a Pakistani shopkeeper, are a wonderful pair that you root for all … Read more
Here are some images from the current Ridgefield Guild of Art Juried Show. I have never submitted to this show as its entry dates always overlap with my trip to art camp in Maine. I thought this show was particularly good this year…
I’ve been experimenting with black & white photography lately, fascinated by the range of values and the effects of light…
At Creative Arts Camp this fall, when I learned more about underpainting, I remembered a painting I had done mostly as therapy to get over some upsetting news. Not surprisingly under those conditions, it had come out terribly and I knew now that I could definitely save it by relegating it as a first layer … Read more
I found this quote by Umair Haique in the Harvard Business Review blog encouraging: “If America wants to create the future… it’s going to have to prefer to buy stuff that offers real benefits, to work on stuff of real worth, to invest rather than just speculate, to educate and dedicate its time, energy, and … Read more
Bonding and Balance While I advocate being a noble gas with outer atomic shells initially complete, most elements do not exhibit those properties so molecules are formed by atoms sharing electrons not only to be numerically fulfilled but more importantly: to gain stability. It’s called bonding and it brings balance. At our most elemental, people … Read more
I have studied the story of the tower of Babel before. To me it is a lesson about getting so ahead of oneself with one’s own abilities that you forget about God. It’s about being so full of yourself that you work for your own gain instead of for God’s glory. It is about pride … Read more
Need a muffin recipe that is so delicious that you’ll want it over and over again, but one that is healthy as well? These muffins have enough staying power and nutrition to keep you satisfied all morning. They are totally yummy. Serve them warm, and not only for breakfast! Recipe for Morning Glory Muffins … Read more
I am so grateful to have been to Creative Arts Camp this year! It was just what I needed and I want to thank everyone there for facilitating for me an “oil change” of a spiritual proportion. Let me explain. Many years ago now, I was working on a major church project that was an … Read more
This is the last (and I think the best) painting I did at camp. There is a story to this painting; it was a learning process on many levels. I had been painting with high energy all week. The last day it occurred to me there were things my teacher could teach me … Read more
I had lots of friends in the printmaking class and visited their studio each day to view their progress. They collectively did some marvelous work!
Above is the second underpainting layer of the final tree which is shown down at the bottom below. I am happy enough with the final version, as it represents progress for me, but it took bravery to paint over that second layer of underpainting because the “fauve” in me loved it. Many people recommended to … Read more
As mentioned before, my painting teacher this year was Brooks Anderson. (The first photo below is of him.) He did a good job nurturing each of our “voices” and encouraging us “to look under our hood.” We had a lot of fun in this class and worked intensely too. Many times I laughed so hard … Read more
One of the great things about Creative Arts Camp is the morning meeting where we start our day hymn singing, doing collective Bible Study, and sharing inspirations. Just entering the incredible space on that peninsula overlooking the lake on both sides with incredible music by Phoebe (cello) and Linda (piano) is profoundly uplifting. The Bible … Read more
The painting above is the third painting I did at camp in a burst of inspiration. I felt very free doing this one. It is just a second layer. I am still considering whether to paint over it or not… The fourth painting at camp was a composition exercise. My teacher wanted me to do … Read more
This is the second painting I did at camp. Below you can see layer 1, 2, 3, and the final layer. I am still debating whether to take it further….
