Summertime!

Today is the hottest one so far this year out here. The forecasters were predicting 95-plus degrees for a high. It's not gotten that high yet; probably closer to 90. And that's good.

Because our air conditioner is broken.

And they won't come to fix it until late tomorrow or Tuesday.

The fan on the outdoor unit won't turn.

Wait...update. Our resident repairman (the spouse) just went outside and manually spun the fan to kick start the thing. It's turning! Now we will see whether it starts to cool us off.

If it does, we won't need it again until after next Tuesday anyway. The high tomorrow will be in the mid-70s, and the high on Saturday will be 55, with rain.

Matilda has a Sheep

It's a stuffed one, but she loves it anyway. Here it keeps her company while she has a nice chew.

This is what a Corgi looks like from the back.

Springtime in the Rockies

Four p.m. March 23, 2010.

Once More Into the Vat

Dear friends of Janet Oliver Studio,

In the words of Bartles & Jaymes, "Thank you for your support!"

Like Frank and Ed, it is my aim to make a premium product. I feel I have done that, but it seems people just aren't buying wine coolers - er, original art - these days. But, while times are hard, I continue to hold out hope that one day, more people like you will appreciate the value of all the hard work that goes into making a delicious drink/painting and will bring home a four-pack for themselves. Until then, I'll keep stomping away!

And of course, there are many ways to use original art; for instance, as a topping! Over ice! Try it for yourself and see.

First Friday

Vienna, View from The Leopold Museum

Die Pferde des Kaisers Karl/Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School

Reconstructing Paris/Anarcho Plumbing

Pont Neuf at Night

Ternay Under Glass

My new series, Tiny Travels, opens tonight at Gallery 510 in the Oregon Arts of Dayton, Ohio.

It's Shake n' Bake, and Matilda Helped!

Freudian Nebula in the Ringstrasse Galaxy

Matilda Kills the Wubba

Finally! More Matilda, the Welsh Pembroke Corgi puppy!

Matilda is now almost nine months old. She is a teenager in dog years, which means that some days she is the most adorable creature on earth; on others, she wants to steal the car keys and go for a joy ride. Her unpredictability makes our lives interesting.

A Wubba is a dog toy made by the Kong company. It consists of two balls with squeakers inside, all covered by practically indestructible canvas. In this video installment, Matilda shows off her killer instincts.

In the Making

Rise and Shine, Breakfast in Vienna

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the year twenty-ten, where I have been very busy creating new worlds. There are sixteen so far, with at least five more to come. That's one of them above, and another one below.

Vienna, View from the Leopold

Here is one more.Tativille, View from Le Meridien

These little images are part of a new series I call Tiny Travels. I am making them to commemorate a trip I took to France and Austria in 2006. I have big plans for the series, which I will reveal shortly. For now, I hope you will enjoy the sixteen small worlds I have made.

Click here to see them.

All You Need is Art

And I have some for you. In December, I will have works not only at Gallery 115, but also at the Green Hill Center for NC Art.

Lynn and David Gibbs, owners of Gallery 115 on Pomona Drive will be hosting their annual Winter Show. Opening night is Friday, December 4. As always, along with familiar faces, new artists will exhibit. I've sent two new works:

Opteron Two
5 x 9" (image)
Mixed media on Strathmore illustration board


Opteron Three
5 x 9" (image)
Mixed media on Strathmore illustration board

Green Hill Center for NC Art will be hosting their 30th annual Collector's Choice Gala and Winter Show. According to the press release, the focus of the show is on "young and first time collectors" in order to support Green Hill's First Works program. Curator Edie Carpenter says that the Center "want(s) everyone to become a collector, no matter what their budget or what the economy is doing.” She goes on to argue that even if you "have less money...why not invest it in something unique and handmade, something that is one of a kind, and something that will increase in value." Carpenter assures the would-be collector that works in the exhibition have been priced to fit any budget. I say, go in with a friend and split the cost. The work can live chez vous for half the year, and with your friend for the other half.

Opening night for Collector's Choice Gala is Saturday, December 5th; the Winter Show opens to the public on Sunday, December 6th, when admission is free.

Some of my birds have migrated over for the exhibition:

Snow Goose
12 x 9" (image)
Mixed media on Bristol board

What better way to start the holiday season than a weekend of gallery (s)hopping?