I received my copy this week and as I flipped through the pages, I became distinctly aware that I am in a book with some of the most amazing artists working in Santa Fe. What an HONOR!! Even Jon proclaimed: “You’re in a book with Bill Mauldin!” Yes, that would be the Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist and creator of the characters Willie and Joe, Bill Mauldin.

And as I turned the pages, I began to proclaim, “I’m in a book with –

• Ron Adams, an amazing printmaker and artist;
• Ron Pokrasso, one of my favorite mixed media artists;
• Willard Clark, who is mostly known for his wood engravings;
• Michael Bergt, an artist who I befriended when I lived in Santa Fe;
• Anne Sawyer, one of Star (Liana York)’s very good friends;

And then of course, there are the artists who made my life in Santa Fe a lot of fun because of their friendships with me. I am certainly honored to be in a book with my friends. Artists like:

• Norma Evans, to whom I owe much with my move and transition to the Bay Area; she was my connection;
• William Gonzales, whose work was recently published in a book of this same series;
• Brian Bari Long, who introduced me to the Etching Club;
• Elizabeth Cook, whose framed print is at the center of our living room; I love her work!;
• Jo Basistse/Eli Levin, who is at the heart of the Etching Club;
• and of course, Dr. Bob Bell, who has been supporting the club since 1980, and without whom the book would not exist.

And there are other artists in the book who I never met but whose work makes me want to pick up etching again. Wow! I’m almost embarrassed to be in a book with them, they’re so good!

Needless to say, you need to take a look at this book for yourself. You can purchase your own copy by contacting Argos Gallery in Santa Fe. The book is $30 plus shipping.

Rest in Peace, Light, & Love

Holly with her son, Alex, in early April.

In the meantime, here are some drawings I managed to do today: (yes, they are of our pets)

Amazingly enough, I find Sammy difficult to draw with a pencil. I think this is the most success I’ve had with capturing his personality using conte pencil. And of course, this would be his sleeping personality.

Like Sammy, I also find Phobos difficult to draw. Maybe it’s because he is mostly a black blob, thereby making it more difficult to understand the form beneath all the fur and darkness. Granted, Siwa is also a black blob, but because she is larger, it is easier to see her form and make decisions.

So there you have it. More drawings.

We spent a nice long weekend in Tahoe. (Actually, it wasn’t long enough!) It’s a trip we make annually to get our fix of snow - yes, Jon and I are from the Northeast, and yes, we actually love snow. The fortunate part about living in the Bay Area is that we have the option to drive to winter, unlike the Northeast, where one does not have a choice in the matter…

We rent a house with our good buddies, drink beers, snowshoe, play scrabble, ski, and not necessarily in that order. And this time, I actually drew in the sketchbook that I brought up with me. I drew almost every day. And here are the results:

The drawings above are of the one and only Siwa, sleeping, of course.

The drawings below are of Jenny’s dog, Bailey, who was an excellent model because she actually has form, and not so much fur, though she moved a lot… I couldn’t quite get myself to do gesture drawings of her, and that would have been perfect for her.

Where is Sammy in all this you ask? Well, our young pup is maturing. He tolerates only so much from us. After Jon had his fun with him, he decided to tell us in his own special way: “Screw you guys, I’m going upstairs…” (do you hear Cartman?), and immediately his fuzzy butt could be seen going up the stairs to the loft where Jon and I slept, no doubt climbing onto our bed to get away from all the hands groping him.

Sho ’nuff, there was the monkey butt on our bed:

And finally, I had to attempt a landscape. It’s funny how even with drawing, using the wrong tools can make or break the sketch. Guess who had the wrong tool?

Siwa & Me, Then (1996) & Now (2008)

Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.

By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.

By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.

For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.

We began Siwa on the vaccine last Thursday, prior to our trip to Tahoe. It may just be wishful thinking on my part, but I swear she is responding positively! The bounce to her step is back, and she’s not lagging as far behind on our walks. Actually, she seems to keep up now! I am hopeful!