Sueño del Mar

Ocean Dream or Dream of the Sea.

This is from a series of reverse glass paintings I am working on of the Sea of Cortez.  An experiment of balancing a little fantasy with reality. Sea Turtles are such charismatic, mysterious creatures and I do not get tired of exploring the undersea life in all it's colors and moods. Working on little 3 min flick of the technique but for now google wikipedia for an explanation of the technique of reverse glass painting. :~) It's featured in a lot of my work.        Click on the pic for larger viewing.

Stay tuned for another Sea of Cortez painting that includes una Sirena (mermaid).

Current books I liked

The following books  I liked and you might like too! I listen to books a  lot when I work on a piece or travel. Usually have 5 to 9 books going at any one time. Books are a big passion with me. So here's a few...

The Art Of Racing In the Rain  - audio book; bittersweet and really good.

Three Cups Of Tea - audio book; amazing story.

Blink, the Power of Thinking without Thinking  - audio book. How decisions are based/made.

Stop and Smell the Roses - favorite comics - Mutts, they make me laugh and think.

Artist to Artist: 23 major Illustrators talk to children about their Art - great read!

Breaking Dawn - yes, I am a Stephanie Myers fan and this audio book was good.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - children's audio. I love children's books and stories. 

Dead to the world by Charlaine Harris from her Southern Vampire series. Light, entertaining, funny.

Little Scout

A new piece I just finished last week. Still playing with technique of incorporating my reverse  glass painting with the mosaic and other media.  It has mirror bits and iridescent glass and glass gems. I have always loved  working with glass - it offers so many choices and textures. 

S.T.A.R Academic Academy

Viola! Done! The mirror makes it glitter from afar - even though can't see it in this photo.

S.T.A.R Academic Academy- students at work!

S.T.A.R Academic Academy - Installation

Pieces being attached to wall. Was put together in three pieces that were pre grouted on hardi backer board, then bolted onto wall, then finish grouted on edges. Colored grout was used for star, cactus and red birds :~). 

s.T.A.R Academic Academy - Installation

Ace installer Walter doing finish grouting around the edges. Birds were already pre grouted and done -ready to install. 

They turned out so cute I want to make some for myself! 

S.T.A.R. Academic Academy School sign

This was a great project at the  school S.T.A.R,  Academic Academy. A school that gives students the opportunity to get their high school degree. The students designed the piece, made the clay tiles which were then broken and used to make the mosaic. Once the work got going, glass gems, mirror and other tile were incorporated. the students and I put it all together.It turned out sparkly and can be seen very easily. 

It is welcoming for the students and parents and gives a sense of place. The dark line is where the grout has not dried yet at one of the joint seams.

Here is a sample of reverse glass painting. It is from a series of hummingbirds for a contemporary piece.

Canto de Sonora

I like working in mixed media. Currently it's reverse glass painting with mosaic, mirror, gems, minerals and just about anything that feels 'right' for the piece. This one's called Canto de Sonora, or Song of Sonora. 

Coyote is a fascinating figure in folk tales and real life. He is often a feature in my work. this piece has the reverse glass painting in the center and a variety of media.

This piece was shown at the Tohono Chul Touch show in Tucson, AZ  It is free hanging, fun to touch with it's varied textures and the mirror sparkles.

San Diego Sea Turtle Picnic Table, Sea Port Village

Here is my art work in Sea Port Village, San Diego, CA.  A public art piece that was mixed media of mosaic and painting for the Port of San Diego. I t is a picnic table with the theme of the Green Sea Turtle titled El jardin del mar or Garden of the Sea. Features local marine life such as the endangered green sea turtle feeding in kelp with orange Garibaldi and other fish. 

My Best Girl - Risa

This is my best friend, playmate, roommate etc. We have a lot of fun together. Because I work either in studio or on site as a professional artist Risa comes with me most places. She is an Australian Sheppard, very intelligent and excellent in public. I'm looking into service dog training so we can make visits to retirement homes and libraries. A truly wonderful companion and I still ask her "Risa, how did I get so lucky?" She answers with a happy smile and intelligent, shining eyes that say everything.