Earth Day, 2015

Hope everyone enjoys Earth today.

Hay rolls study, 12 x 12, acrylic on canvas

Altamont Pass wall mounted

The idea for this work is to install several wooden display boxes with solar powered "windmills" in a storefront window exposed to sunlight. As the sun crosses the sky and hits the solar panels, each windmill will spin, individually or in groups, following the path of the sun. The spinning will occur in a wave-like pattern, similar to how windmills spin at the Altamont Pass.

I showed the first box at the Cafe Gabriela show in 2014. I'm thinking of starting a "Kickstarter" campaign to raise funds and locate a suitable storefront for this conceptual work.



Video of wall mount display test

Altamont Pass - Desk top series

After completing the successful Altamont Pass Study, I created small desktop versions in cardboard. These works were shown at the Rhythmix Gallery as part of the Mini-Masterpieces Show in December 2014 and at the Cafe Gabriela Show in 2014. Currently, all the Altamont Pass Desk Top series have been sold.


Video of Desk Top works in action

Altamont Pass inspired

In 2010, my day job required that I drive 110 miles passing through the Altamont Pass. The Altamont Pass is a windy road through the foothills near Livermore and supports many windmills for power generation. The windmills always fascinated me. Early in the morning, before sunrise, I can see these giant towers with their slow churning blades silently working to power our cities.

The windmills inspired me to create a series of artworks celebrating the mysterious spinning blades powered by nature. I created this piece titled "Altamont Pass - Desktop" using store-purchased picture frame, recycled wood, wire and paper, and solar panels. Under sunlight (or the switched, internal incandescent light) the blade will spin.

Video of Altamont Pass moving

Give me an "A"

Here is the Art Jam Puzzle challenge from 2013. Bill S. created a puzzle, gave us each one piece to decorate/craft, and then we put the pieces all together again. So, what does that spell?

Shepherd's Beak Whale

It's hard to tell what the whales look like in the flesh by just their skulls. I think this one would be very dolphin-like.

Whales at the Academy

The California Academy of Sciences is hosting an educational and entertaining whale exhibit. I did not know that whales are descended from hoofed mammals, like an ancient sheep. Here's a sketch of a sperm whale skeleton on display - the skeleton filled half the room...