A little late this week, I’ve been reworking a wood panel piece that has taken way too much of my time the last few days. I decided to change the background color. In fact, I changed it a few times, which left the bird all shingatz. That is, I believe, NY Italian for a hot mess. I finally set it aside and started a new 18x18” canvas of an Owl that will be a companion for Cereza, the gorgeous creature above, which I love. Perhaps the problem with the one I was reworking is the surface of a wood panel doesn’t suit how I apply paint now. I started working on wood in the mid-90s when I was painting with egg tempura, which requires a rigid foundation. I often washed acrylic in between layers of the egg tempura as well. Desperado, below, is one of my Archetypal Angels from that period. It was a series to honor my many friends who had died of AIDS, and when 9/11 happened, there were Angels to honor people I knew who’d died then too. I stopped painting the Angels soon after I moved to Cape Cod. Actually, I stopped painting altogether for a few years to do some writing instead. Then Trump got elected the first time and I had to pick up the brush again - hence the Birds.

Also, good news this week. The check for the three paintings that recently sold to my follower on Instagram arrived and I now can afford to buy that elusive UK round trip ticket and I plan to go see Paul in August. In addition, another piece has sold as well so I’ll have a bit of money to spend while I’m there. Next sale, I’m getting new glasses to replace the ones I got after the cataract surgeries that have never been quite right. In the meantime I intend to paint through July so the gallery has new work for the show in August and prepare a few more collages for the workshop I’ll be doing at the gallery then too. Oh, and yesterday, I received the release form contract for a project I’m not ready to discuss yet but when I am, I promise it will be exciting. And finally, I attended a lovely opening ceremony for Province Post, a new housing complex where they have Ruckus and Electra in their permanent collection - here they are in their new home. OK, on with the day - time’s a wastin’.