Here Comes the Sun...

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere but it can be hard to come by when you are cooped up for many long months. Just when I am at the end of my frozen rope we take a trip to warmer weather. My family and I are spending spring break in sunny southern California with my parents. When we stepped off the plane it was a staggering 50 degree difference in temperature. Eighty felt so hot! But who am I to complain? We have been enjoying the luxury of warm weather ever since!

I have been missing all things green and am so ready to throw some plants into the ground and say helloooo color! But since the ground is still frozen I guess my quest will have to wait. Until then, I have been taking some pics of my moms garden digs this week to get me into gear for spring.

There are so many little treasures to be found hidden around here. I love this birdhouse shaped like a church and hidden in the palms. It makes me think of unknown tropical places. maybe some of these shapes will start to crop up in my spring paintings.

Trouble Me

I have been working on a piece about a couple. I was thinking about how hard communication can be no matter how many years you have been together. While I was working I was listening to 10,000 Maniacs unplugged and the song Trouble Me came on. It seemed to suit the couple in the work and thus the title was born. It has been my experience that we do not always share and need to trouble one another with our problems.

Some of the elements in the painting were derived from pictures of a street bazaar in Marakesh...like the picture of the chicken. I began to think about a back alley, maybe behind a club where the couple performed. I added some elements that I thought worked as metaphor- like the instruments. When they are played well and in sync how beautiful they are or how on the other hand, if out of tune, what complete mess they are.