New art....i'm a big girl now

We recently bought a new painting. It is the most expensive piece of art I have ever bought and well, that kinda makes me feel like a grown up.

My daughter Izzy attends an art class on Saturdays to learn to paint oil on canvas. This piece was painted by her amazing art teacher, Bernard Beneito. He is this wonderful gentleman from France who is highly influenced by various cultures, Blues Music and New Orleans. This painting depicts the beloved Marianne, a national emblem of France, relaxing over Paris. This is one of Bernards very favorite pieces and I am quite proud to have it on my wall.
















Izzy is on her 12th painting. Bernard has been trying to push her to paint people. He knows she is ready but she has been reluctant. He finally got through to her a few weeks ago and she is 3 weeks into this painting. Here she is working on her 2nd layer. I am gonna need a bigger house soon with more wall space!

Viva la Mexico

This shot is from a recent trip to Mexico. The pose, the colors, the sassy suit....I love it!

I can feel it....it's gonna explode....

Do you ever get that feeling that if you don't sit in your studio and make some jewelry (or create whatever it is that floats your boat) you are going to explode? I have that feeling right now....I have been so inspired lately and it's gotta squirgle (a Lucy word) it's way on out soon. When I am done writing this book (by the end of next week) I have a serious hot date with my studio. I need a nice chunk of alone time with a mess o' wire and some pliers.

What's with this recent surge of inspiration? Is it the simple things in life, or is it the big "in your face" stuff? Is it the weather, is it the Renegade Craft fair I went to last weekend, is it Izzy's messy hair, is it Paul's guitar, is it the music in the park, is it my new shoes, is it the smile on my moms face, is it my bike rides, is it the plethora of apricots in my yard or the nearly ripe tomatoes? Perhaps it's a pinch of each, combined and stirred together. Is it from a general feeling, or an exposure to beauty and color.....can ya pin it down? Can ya put a finger on what lights that fire? I hope not, because if you can clearly define it, you will try too hard to chase it or artificially recreate it. I am happy to have it pop in when it wants, when it finds a clear and appropriate passage. And when it is absent I will wait, and be, and observe. Will it wait for me?

It sure would be nice, though, if inspiration would strike when you aren't completely busy with something else....I know, I know, don't push it, be still. In fact, I will stop questioning it and just be grateful ;)

oh so sad....

'tis with an ungloved hand that I wipe a tear for Michael and Farrah. Anyone who knows me, knows that 2 of my favorite things ever are Michael Jackson and Charlie's Angels. I will have to listen to my Thriller vinyl while sifting through my Charlies Angels trading cards, which are kept in my Charlie's Angels lunch box.
What a loss!

Father's Day Picnic at the New Guinea Sculpture Garden on Stanford Campus

We picnicked (that sounds so civilized) at the super cool New Guinea Sculpture garden today. It is such a beautiful and magical little nook of Stanford University campus. There are a lot of little spots like this on campus. Learn more about this permanent sculpture garden here.

A few things I love about living in Redwood City

• The weather. After all, Redwood City is "climate best by government test", just ask us.
• The fact that a 10 minute drive will take you to amazing hiking trails.
• The fact that a 40 minute drive will take you to a camp site that makes you feel like you are in Tahoe.
• A 3.5 hour drive will take you to Tahoe.
• A 12 minute drive will take you to Anthropologie.
• A 6 minute bike ride will take you to Whole Foods.
• A 7 minute walk will take you Peets Coffee.
• A 30 minute drive North or South will take you to an International Airport to take you anywhere.
• San Francisco is oh so close which means easy train or bart access to The Fillmore, China Town, North Beach and the Ball Park.
• Today on my way to my chiropractors office in Portola Valley, I had to stop to let 2 deer and 4 baby deer get out of the street.
• There were way more Obama signs than McCain signs....well at least in Redwood City.
• I can walk my kids to school.
• Soon my kids can walk themselves to school....hallelujah!
• You get to say things like "I live in The Wood".
• My mom lives 2 towns south.
• The trees are big....and old.
• and the weather, again.

Working on my book....really, I am working not fooling around, really.

Yes, it's Saturday and I am at my office working on my book (ok, and fooling around). A nice chunk of the book is due next week and I am making good progress. The day started out great as I rode my new bike to work. It took me 12 minutes to ride here....not bad. I have driven this route 4 times a day for the last 2 years but on a bike you see all new things. What a great ride. And a big thank you to the fairly middle aged, bearded hippie gentleman who gave me a whistle, big thumbs up and a "nice bike" this morning. Who needs coffee when you can start your day with that :)

Now I continue on. The live Bonoroo webcast is playing in the background...Gov't Mule. Super good! Warren Haynes rocks. I don't know how that brotha can tour with 3 bands at once (Allman Brothers, The Dead and Gov't Mule) .... impressive.