Studio Renovation Update

Joe has pulled out the old cabinets, linoleum countertop and sink. The space now looks bigger, lighter and airier - a preview (with some imagination) of good things to come.

Definition of Great Art

"Exhilarating, startlingly new and rich enough with life and form to sustain repeated viewings." This is how Roberta Smith describes great art in a review of "Avedon Fashion:1944-2000" in today's New York Times. What a great set of goals for a working artist!

On Their Way To The Pacific Crest Trail

Rees Hughes, Taylor Smith, and Amy Uyeki spent the night at our house before an early morning departure to Idyllwild, where they will stow their car and head on to hike the southern portion of the Pacific Crest Trail over a three week time period. Rees is co-authoring a hiker's literary companion to the PCT, which will include original woodcut prints of the trail by Amy, an artist.

Happy Mother's Day, Momma!

This was our annual Christmas card picture, taken in Pittsburg, Kansas in December, 1959 when my brother was ten and I was six. Thank you, Mom, for a happy childhood, many fond memories, and much, much more! Love, YFD.

A Drawing Show in New York I'd Love to See

“Compass in Hand: Selections From the Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection” continues through July 27 at the Museum of Modern Art. Find out more about it on MOMA's website: www.moma.org. Roberta Smith's review appeared in the New York Times on April 23rd. You can read it on-line at nytimes.org. My favorite image from those reproduced is Franz West's small black and white drawing of tap dancers on a stage from 1973.

Kiki's Wild Adventure (cont.)

THIS is the All Points Bulletin posted everywhere by Kiki's frantic humans during the harrowing night of her absence. Did she care? Did she apologize upon return? We certainly doubt it. Most likely, she simply expected adoration, adulation, and extra chicken...

A Great Evening With Artist Friends

A dinner party last night at our house brought good friends together to celebrate many things: Tari and Dean are getting married, Greg finished two large paintings (a diptych) for a commission, Kate has a beautiful new home and studio, Kiki returned safely from a mysterious night out and, for all, happiness abounds. From top to bottom: Tari Brand and Dean Smith; Siobhan McClure and Greg Rose; Kate Savage and Tom Miller; Annie Stromquist and Joe Kump.