Wine Country Weekend

This weekend we ventured on a spontaneous daytrip through California Wine Country. The morning was foggy, and the drive was peaceful. We wound our way past rolling hillside orchards, massive wineries as grand as castles, pocket-sized homes with weathered fences, and a distant view of railroad cars.

At last, we arrived in Sonoma....

I saw an apartment window with drapes gently parted...

the reflection of green leaves on a beautiful black fender....

a classic theatre marquis...

with a quiet ticketbooth lady tucked inside...

(Now Playing, Michael Caine's "Is Anybody There..." Words perfectly befitting the ticketbooth sign, I thought...)

floral ornamentation on a building that must have needed a finishing touch...

ironwork creations from working hands and minds...

four balloons in a leafy canopy, playing with my senses like juicy grapes on a vine.
I'm reminded that magical things can happen in Wine Country, even before your very first sip.

Sacramento here I come...

If you happen to find yourself in Sacramento on Saturday, try to pull yourself away from the Railroad Museum just long enough to stop by and say 'hello.'

I'll be participating in the Handmade Parade Craft Faire at Giovanni Hall, and will have a cheerful array of photographs in tow....


See you next week...Enjoy, whatever you do, wherever you are...

Spring is Nice, but it's Really Starting to Feel Like Summer!

We've been blessed with another week of glorious weather here in the Bay. Yesterday I drove into San Francisco, over to Marin, and back to the East Bay. I viewed the Bay from the vantage of three beautiful bridges -- the Bay Bridge, Richmond Bridge, and of course the Golden Gate. I couldn't help but think..."I love this place." (Trust me, there are days when I don't think that - but most often, I do.)

To celebrate the approaching season, and daydreams of an endless summer, I've added a few new print options to my Etsy shop.

Now available... Skycab no.1, 2, and 3... only $10 for a 5x5 Metallic print, or $25 for a set of three.

Until now, I've only offered Limited Edition, Matted prints. These little Skycabs are now available au natural, so you can dress them up as you like!

Monday Morning, Rise and Shine

When I was 14, my favorite poet was Jim Morrison. A lot has changed since then, but my mind still hears his voice recite these lines from "An American Prayer" just about every time I walk by this graffiti.

Awake
Shake dreams from your hair
My pretty child, my sweet one
Choose the day, choose the sign of your day
The day's divinity
First thing you see.
A soft radiant beach
in a cool jeweled moon
Couples naked race down by its quiet side
And we laugh like soft, mad children...

There's more to the poem, but you know, it's been a long time, and frankly I'm a little surprised I remember as much as I do!

What would your mind recite if you walked by this graffiti?

Also, thanks to Shari at Spearmint Decor for blogging my Roadside Photographs. She wrote that my photographs make her want to go "on a roadtrip to every small town [she has] never heard of." I love it! Check it out here.

Saturday Sweets

Happy weekend everyone...!
I hope you find a little sunshine in everything you do.

Travel by Train, Scenes from a Window

My husband Josh and I love to travel by train. It can be relaxing...romantic...and oh so good for the imaginative mind. Thought I'd share a few snapshots from our recent journey, Seattle to Vancouver B.C.

We saw...

a quiet blue sea...

and paths intersecting...

smiling faces of people waving hello...

and birds in flight...

the setting sun...

on a perfectly wonderful world.

A Good Night

Went up to the roof to get some fresh air and clear my head.
The sky above was blue and orange and friendly as can be.

I wonder what the setting sun looks like to you. Do you view it from a rooftop like me?
Watch it disappear into the ocean? Admire it through the filter of a window screen?
Or, work straight through and miss it entirely?

Maybe you skip the sunset and go straight to the stars. I don't get to see stars where I live, so if you happen to catch some tonight, please tell them hello.

Sunday Sweets

Ode to Mom.

A day in the life, West Oakland, California.

SFMOMA Artist's Gallery Warehouse Event Sale

Wednesday already?
This week started to get away from me, but aha! I caught it.

As I've mentioned, I'm really excited to participate in the SFMOMA Artist's Gallery Warehouse Event Sale (16th Annual!) Over 300 established and emerging Bay Area artists offer affordable, original art at 50% off the regular price. I'm volunteering Thursday, May 7, from 5-8 p.m., so if you're in San Francisco please stop by and say "well hello there..." Just in case you can't make it, here's a peek at my new work, debuting tonight at the Warehouse Event Preview.

Leo's Watch Shop

Paris Chop Suey

"Shoe Shop"
(Yeah, I know I've already given you a sneak peek, but I thought maybe you wouldn't mind another!)

Rainy Day Royal and His Collection of Books

Golden State

Thanks to all of you for your recent comments. They are a fresh source of inspiration, and it's so nice to know that you're out there...!

May Day Celebrations

May Day, Paris, 2005.

I hope you have an inspired weekend...