Listen

There's a great article in the current issue of Ode Magazine titled "Don't Just Do Something, Stand There" by Kim Ridley. It's about listening rather than giving advice or trying to fix other people's problems. One of the first things they taught us when I was studying psychology is that people don't want advice. They just want to be heard. So few people really listen, though. We have become a nation of non-stop talkers, and nobody's listening.

Holy Smoke!

Here's what happens when you hold a piece of plain canvas over a candle and create smoke patterns. It seems like it has potential for something!

Cat Changes His Stripes

It's been less than a week, and already Nelson's fur is growing back. And he has tiger stripes! You couldn't see any stripes in his fur when it was long. He was a solid orange cat, and he's changed to a subtly striped cat.

The weather has been warm, and he's appreciating his new lion cut. It took him a while to get used to it, but now he seems to like it.

Rejuvenation

I went to Zuma Beach in Malibu with some of the people in my dream circle this morning. We shared dreams and then went in the water, even though it was freezing cold. I had forgotten how beautiful the waves are when you're in the midst of them, and how much fun it is just to be in the ocean. I don't think I've been in the ocean since I was a child. I've been away from it way too long. I left feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated, and I can't wait to go back!

LA Art Exchange Auction

I helped out today at the LA Art Exchange Auction. It was quite an experience. I had never been to a live auction before, and the pace of it was both exhilarating and exhausting. I was one of three "runners" collecting payment from buyers, and we were kept very busy. A lot of work sold, including one of my paintings, pictured above, and collectors went home happy with their new purchases. The auction was webcast through eBay's Live Auctions website, and there were even online bidders. Jonathan Holiday was the auctioneer, and he did an incredible job of keeping everyone's energy and enthusiasm up for four hours non-stop. The entire event was fascinating, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity be a part of it.

The Lion

Nelson got a lion cut today, because the summer heat has been bothering him. So far he's not too happy about it. He's all jumpy because he can feel things on his skin, and I guess it feels weird to him. He walks through the yard and he leaps in the air every time a blade of grass touches his skin. He can't settle down because whatever he touches feels strange. And he's grooming himself obsessively.

Enzo and Sashi can't believe their eyes. He's half the cat he used to be, and they're not sure it's the same cat. I feel sorry for him because he looks so vulnerable now. Hopefully he'll get a little fur back soon. But not too much. I don't want to have to go through this again any time soon.

Dots

This one is for those of you who don't like the dots in my paintings. You know who you are.

Cinnamon's Birthday

Today is Cinnamon's birthday -- she would have been 17 today. She died three months ago, and I'm missing her a lot again right now. Happy birthday, Cinnamon, wherever you are. I love you so much. You brought so much joy and happiness to my life, and I miss you terribly.

Contemplation

I was watching an Adyashanti DVD this evening titled Turnaround of the Heart. If you're thinking of buying any of his DVDs, this is a really good one. It's my favorite so far. A light went on in my head, and I suddenly realized that I need to paint as if no one was ever going to see my paintings -- as if no one was watching. I need to let go of my conditioning and all expectations, and paint what is authentic inside of me.

Is that even possible? What would my painting look like without any conditioning -- without the things I have learned about what makes a "good painting," and without other people's thoughts and ideas? Would that be painting like a child? If I could let go of all conditioning, would my paintings become childlike?

Woolly Blue-Curl

I love these Woolly Blue-Curls, and I did some impressionistic photos of them today, before they're gone and no longer in bloom.



They look so fanciful and fun -- a bright spot of color that jumps out at me whenever I spot them on the trail.

Parker Mesa Overlook

I went on a hike last night with the Temescal Canyon Association. We hiked up the Paseo Miramar Trail in Pacific Palisades to the Parker Mesa Overlook, where we would have been able to see views of the city from Pasadena to the Channel Islands, if it hadn't been foggy! We were up above the fog, but the fog below kept us from seeing anything.

It was 5.3 miles with a 1200' gain, and I'm definitely feeling it in my thighs today. We came down fast, because it was getting dark, and I think the downhill got me more than the uphill.



One of the other hikers had a watch with a GPS system that told us our precise mileage and altitude. Wow! That is so cool. If I had one of those I'm sure I'd spend more time fiddling with the watch than watching the scenery unfold around me. That's also why I can't have a TV. Too easily distracted and hypnotized by fascinating technology. I probably shouldn't have a computer, either.

Mountain Kingsnake

I saw one of these guys while I was hiking the other day. It's a Mountain Kingsnake, and the colors are unbelievably beautiful and bright. The one I saw slithered away before I could get a picture, and this picture is from the California Reptiles and Amphibians website.

Most of the snakes in this area blend into the environment and are somewhat difficult to see, but these kingsnakes really stand out.

Hard Edge Painting

For some reason I feel like doing some hard edge work. This is "Yucca," 48" x 12", latex paint on canvas. I'm using house paint because I like it's flatness and opacity. It sure dries fast -- especially in this heat.