Tomorrow I am heading off to a fundraiser for Sonoma County Farm Bureau called "Love of the Land". It is located at Richard's Grove and Saralee Vineyards. There will be twenty five artists, live music and great food. So I am bringing my tractor paintings which seem like a perfect fit for such an event.

It is official. The "Great Petaluma Paint Out" is returning. After a few dozen phone calls, emails... I have a date for the event, September 11, 2010.

In 2008, I launched the first one and ended up with 42 artists signing up to participate. It turned out to be a great event where all the artists gathered in the Petaluma Theater District Courtyard to display their masterpieces. There was judging by both artists and the public along with live music by Dgiin (a French Gypsy Funk Band) and awards.

This year we are combining forces with Art in the Park and the Artwalk to create a larger fun art event.

It is Friday and I am still trying to catch my breath as I hurdle through the end of May into June. I have lots of new paintings thanks to my last semester at grad school where I painted nonstop. Last weekend was the first of two weekends of Art at the Source. I am happy to report a positive shift in sales.

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.