Finally, with all the hubbub of the holidays over, I've had some time again to focus on art.  Such a pleasure.  I have been experimenting with incorporating ink into my drawings to acquire a bit more detail.  Here's the latest:

"Dream" - Chalk pastel and ink on paper.

"Pear" - Chalk pastel and ink on acrylic painted canvas.

"Calm" - Chalk pastel on paper.

"Lush Twilight" - Chalk pastel and ink on paper.

"Night River" - Chalk pastel on paper.

With my November fundraiser now completed, I am happy to report that I was able to donate $700 in total to Peace for Paul.  Thanks to all of you who helped make that happen!  Your donation will be used wisely and go a long way.  

I am working on getting the prints finished and they will be mailed out by next week at the latest Many thanks to all who participated!

If you've never checked out etsy.com, it's worth your while to see all the amazing handcrafted items for sale. 

 I am now able to ship to anywhere in the world!  Please see my policies page for more information.

I am enjoying my vacation in Argentina.  Currently, I´m in Buenos Aires.  Talk about a city that never sleeps!  Lots of energy.  All the color here is amazing.  Getting my fill of inspiration! 

Just a few days before my Peace for Paul fundraiser begins and I´m getting some good response.  As usual, my buyers are awesome people.  Let's make something really cool happen!

It's the time of year when we start thinking about gift-giving, both personal and charitable.  I am offering a unique opportunity to combine both those activities into one. 

I have teamed up with a Portland-based non-profit, Peace for Paul, www.peaceforpaul.org.  Peace for Paul, founded by two inspiring young women, helps orphaned, neglected, and outcast children living on the streets of Jinja, Uganda.  These children have nothing and any donation helps so much.   100% of the donations Peace for Paul receives goes directly towards helping these children build a life (providing the basics of food, medical care, shelter, clothing and education) so that they are able to grow into self-respecting adults and become future contributing citizens of the world.  Inspired by the hands-on sacrifice and dedication of these two women, and the immense need of the children, I am contributing what I can also.  

 For the month of November 2009, I will donate 100% of all profits from art sold through this website to the Peace for Paul Foundation.  100%!  This is a great opportunity to combine your gift-giving and your charitable giving into one.  Enjoy art and make a real difference in a child's life.  What could be better?  Let's make this happen!

Thank you for your support and business this year. It is appreciated.  And I wish you all the best during the holiday season.

As a rule, the people that buy my art are people I really like (even if they weren't buying my art). Lucky for me.  Many thanks.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time. -Dalai Lama

I have a tendency to grab any old documentary at the library, regardless of the topic.  I love documentaries because I love learning.  I got really lucky with the film I just finished watching:

"CosM" is the title and it is a documentary about the "Chapel of the Sacred Mirrors" in New York, created by artist Alex Grey.  Some consider him a visionary, a mystic of sorts.   His paintings are inspired by meditative practices as well as the use of entheogenic substances.  And if you are not familiar with the term "entheogenic", I mean psychoactive substances taken respectfully in the pursuit of higher understanding and greater spirituality rather than for recreation.

Whatever it is that he's done that led him to create what he has, I think it's fabulous, because his work is amazing, if from no other viewpoint than the technical.  If you have any interest in anatomy, geometry, spirituality, auras, energy, or art, you may find yourself as moved by his artwork as I was.  He reminded me of what great art can do - not just affect the viewer, but elevate them!   I am floored.  And inspired to be better.

 I have a solo tripped planned to Argentina and Uruguay in October.  I am overdue for a vacation which typically provides a fresh perspective and relaxation that opens up the creative flow again.  I am really excited about all of the above.  Ever been to Buenos Aires?  Have any suggestions for my trip?  I've got 17 days that are open to possibility.  I'd love to hear from you!