Sometimes subtle is NOT what is called for—sometimes you need day-glo over-the-top in-your-face slap-you-silly color. Here ya go. Paint your VW bus already. A Year Ago: Some Birds I hoped the birds were going to cooperate, but alas—I am no St. Francis of Assisi… [read more]

A few years ago, I mentioned the French concept/term jolie-laide—something unconventionally attractive (generally a woman who does not conform to typical beauty standards but is indisputably stylish and appealing). And every now and then I find myself experimenting with pattern or color or some other mix of compositional elements, and winding up with something that…

My visual incantations appear to be having the desired effect. I’m told that the temperature will reach the 60s today. What better plan than to spend the whole sunny day in the car? Still, it’s the Ikea trip that must happen—for my peace of mind—before the real estate work takes over. A Year Ago: Mortal…

Nature, you wacky scamp, you! Surely I’m not the only one who sees a crouching, grinning cartoonish monkey—like a gothic cathedral downspout grotesque—at the center of each these 1960s-style petermaxish flowers? (Please say no, or I’ll start to worry.) It’s as if evolution dropped a coupla tabs of acid and decided that monkey gargoyle orchids…

I practically hear flamenco music when I look at these images. I expect the swift movement of a tango dancer’s limbs or the rattle of castanets. There’s no holding back here, no modesty of color or line: this is brazen stuff. If you’re going to be flamboyant, you might as well Go Orchid. A Year…