Want to know more about Adam of Paris Patisseries?

A photo I took at Jacques Genin of his lemon tarts. I bought one of each of these lovlies.

OK, you probably didn't come here for Paris pastry reviews or to know more about Adam. But just on the off chance that you want to know more about him and his wonderful blog, please go here to read bit more about him.

Jacques Genin

It pleases me beyond measure to know that in some city far away (Paris) is a Master of his profession working away for 15 hours a day and inspecting and checking even the most mundane details in order to turn out the best pastries, chocolates and caramels I've ever tasted.

I booked a trip to France before I knew I would be having knee replacement and really hope I can go on my trip. At least I have a solid incentive to get well.

So enjoy Adam's blog about Paris pastry and chocolate shops.

Paintings

Here are three new paintings I've been working on recently. No titles yet. I have two more in the works and will post when they're done.

It's been a busy time around here lately. I'm scheduled for total knee replacement surgery on February 21st. There are a lot of things to do before hand too and I'm working on being prepared by exercising twice a day usually for a total of 45 minutes to an hour. I have the luxury of time to work on the muscles that will be needed to heal well. I'm also doing the same exercises that are done post-op. Everyone I talk to says moving and exercising are the main task after surgery. In fact, the doctor's office says 80% of the success is directly tied to the patient being motivated to doing the exercises.

24x36

24x24

18x18

Christmas. Helen Frankenthaler.

Here are a few images of my daughter's house on Christmas Day. I love the video of an "open hearth" playing on the flat screen. The Buche de Noel came from a bakery in Hillsdale. I recommend it.

Here is a recent post from the New York Times about Helen Frankenthaler.

And here is the google image page for Joan Mitchell. What a painter!

A quote from Hemingway

I'm not a big Hemingway fan but I'm reading a good book right about being a pedestrian in Paris and each chapter has a quote.

Here is one I really liked:

"Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep, really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough."

Recent work

I recently hung a new show with my critique group at the Lexus dealership in Beaverton for the month of November. The show looks great and I forgot to bring my camera! Again.

But here are some photos of the new pieces. The last one looks good either vertical or horizontal, your choice. The first two images are hung as two pieces vertically. The next image shows how it looks horizontally. I did wire it so it can be hung either way because I couldn't make up my mind.

I'm enjoying working in a new more restrictive format. The two smaller pieces are 6 by 36 inches. The larger piece is 16 by 48 inches because I joined two 8 by 48 pieces together.

Return to painting after a long absence

It has been a long time since I posted to my blog. After returning from and recovering from my trip we had a long bumpy road to travel with my husband's medical problems.

This week I returned to painting for a few hours. The top picture is before starting and the other two show the mess that quickly develops when I'm painting. The pieces are not finished but I'll post some photos when they're done.

Good to be back!

Paris sign

I just had to take a picture of this lovely old building in the 6th or 7th district. It says a lot about Paris, globalization or fill in the blank yourself.

Here are some reviews of the movie "Buck" which I saw on Sunday and heartily recommend. And if I were a good writer I would have written what Joe Williams and Roger Ebert have already written.

And here are the previews and trailers.

Don't miss it. It won awards at Sundance and is showing at Cinema 21 right now.