Brene Brown, DeRay McKesson and Ito Jakuchu

Last Thursday, I was in a packed Riverside Church to see this talk, "The Courage to Show Up: A Conversation with Brene Brown and DeRay McKesson". Of course I knew about Brene, but I knew almost nothing about DeRay except that he was one of the leaders of Black Lives Matters. What happened was so astonishing that I have not stopped thinking about their unscripted, unrehearsed and vulnerable conversation on the most difficult politically charged topics right now. What struck me the most was not only their refreshing (not canned-food) authenticity and courage but also DeRay's sincere optimism. He was above all curious, open, and engaged with the people who hold such different views. The talk could have go for hours more, and we would have all been riveted.  I reflect on why I love seeing my artist friends' works in progress. Why people ask questions about the process and want to know the thoughts behind the making of things? The talk gave me a window into Brene's and DeRay's process. They had no answers or fixed opinions. It was pure flow. In the spirit of that talk, I'm posting my painting in progress and my makeshift studio, exactly as it is today. Ito Jakuchu's One Hundred Puppies, made around 1790 when he was eighty-six is the catalyst behind this painting. It's one of the his last works so this painting is an homage to him, and I am in a conversation with him. I am thinking about love, abundance, infinity, mortality and of course puppies.

Recently, I have moved my "studio" out of the family room and into the the corner of the bedroom. I live in a NYC apartment that I share with 2 kids, a husband, two dogs and a bunny. I have surprised myself by realizing that a person does not need much to have an art space. Also, I have streamlined all my materials to oil paints, linseed oil, Turpenoid and Murphy's oil and Safflower oil for cleanup.