Sketches: Messalina, Toulouse-Lautrec, LACMA - 07/2026

While visiting the new Geffen addition to LACMA, I ran into one of my favorite Impressionist painters: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Although from a wealthy family, Toulouse-Lautrec lived a relatively hard life due to his health and short stature. He haunted the underworld of Paris society, enjoying the theater, night life, and depicted those experiences in his paintings. 

Messalina, Toulouse-Lautrec, LACMA - 7/2026

Late in his life, he was inspired by the opera Messaline and painted six works of the opera. The colors are so rich and the depth of the composition puts you right on the stage.

CoWaBunGA
   

Sketches: Band, Serra, LACMA - 07/2026

Last year, I rode my motorbike to the Grand Canyon and made a stop to Sedona, Arizona, to see the red rocks. It was awe-inspiring and an unforgettable experience. So, when I revisited LACMA last weekend and saw Richard Serra's "Band," it brought me back to Sedona. 

Band, Serra, LACMA, 7/2026

To be immersed in the bands of cor-ten steel, with its "grains" of rust and rich orange/red hues, you feel like you're riding in the Sedona canyons again.

CoWaBunGA!  

Sketches: San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk, Monet - 7/2026

Amazing sunset colors within Monet's painting "San Giorgio Maggiore at dusk" - see for yourself at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk, Monet, DeYoung Museum - 7/2026

You can see how Monet's trip to Venice broke his artist block.

CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: The Riodella Salute, Monet, DYM - 7/2026

Another painting of Venice canals in the Monet and Venice exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, composed of colors and no outlines. The effect is beautiful but very difficult to sketch. 

The Riodella Salute, Monet, De Young Museum, SF - 7/2026

CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: Harkness, Answered Prayers, SFMOMA, 7/2026

This work by Hilary Harkness, "Answered Prayers," currently on exhibit at SFMOMA as part of the Modern Scandal show is mysterious and ripe for great stories. Although the painting is a tribute to Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas, it evokes classic film noir scenes.

Harkness, "Answered Prayers", SFMOMA, 7/2026

Go see for yourself at SFMOMA.

CoWaBunGA  

Old Oakland Summer Stroll: June, Thank You

Thank you to those who came out to check out the artists and vendors at the Old Oakland Summer Stroll in June, especially Penny F. who brought her family. I heard there will be fancy cars next month...

Old Oakland Summer Stroll, June

Hope to see you next month!

CoWaBunGA!
 

Old Oakland Summer Stroll: Night Herons, Gargoyles - 6/2026

As you walk through Oakland Chinatown, the Night Herons sit above the shop awnings and watch the people go about their daily lives. They are protectors of the neighborhood, like urban gargoyles...

Night Herons, Oakland Chinatown gargoyles - 6/2026

Night Herons, Oakland Chinatown Tao Yuen - 6/2026

Night Heron artworks includes stands

These artworks and others will be available this Friday at the Old Oakland Summer Stroll.

CoWaBunGA