Starting from scratch with page 60

It was one of those days when starting from scratch is the right path. I’ve been struggling with this page since I accidentally deleted the original about two weeks ago. Yes, I’m spinning my wheels and I’m stuck in the mud. I’m downhearted. And now that my contract job hours are expanding, I have little time to work on the book.

I need to simplify everything. I need to just paint blobs and shapes. I need the work with colors and contrast. I need to paint with fewer strokes, fewer lines, with no hatching and no superfluous details. I make the best of the few minutes I have each day. I have to accept things are as they are. Struggling against adversity only strengthens it. I’m going to take a deep breath now.

Al Fresco Art Club, Jan 24, 2021 -- Our First Snow Day

View fullsize

Today was our first snow day, which means that the club had to meet in our kitchen.

This is my attempt to paint from a photograph I took in 2011 at the Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio of San Francisco. We walked our dogs there at least once a month and afterwards would drive to Clement Street to visit The Green Apple book store and grab some delicious banh mi from Little Paris, which is no longer there.

In the picture you can see our three boys. The big Staffie is Mojo, the Pomeranian is Chico, and the Pug is Taco. Mojo was our dignified gentleman. Chico was a bossy and angry alpha tyrant in a seven-pound body. Taco was a food addict who became angry when he suspected that anyone else was getting secret food treats. In the picture he thinks that Mojo is getting special treatment.