It's Saturday and I am celebrating the completion of my first year of grad school by still wearing my pajamas, drinking Earl Grey tea and allowing myself the luxury of a lazy day off.What a roller coaster last week was! I spent over 40 hours in my studio not counting teaching and attending school in SF twice. How did I do it? Very little sleep. It was a very good year. I am so glad I am attending the Academy. Much of my work was self taught since I graduated with a degree in sculpture then turned to painting. I felt that I had reached a level where it was important to build a stronger foundation in my understanding of painting and drawing methods. It is very exciting to be learning so much more. I do have to say I am a little scared. It is a strange place to be in where my concepts of art is changing and I do not know how my own style will be affected.

I spent a glorious day painting at the Petaluma River in front of the Greek restaurant Papa Taverna . I finished up last weekend in my studio.

This church sits on the corner of a street near my son's school. I am in love with the shadow pattern of the palm trees on the church in the early morning light. For the last year I would exclaim "how beautiful it was!" to the annoyance of my teenage son. Finally I took a photo and painted it.