Aug 4, 2022, Thurs — Well, another special day is winding down. This is year 15 of surviving the day, Aug 4. Or being blessed somehow with it. The contrary feelings were real and remain that way. Magnified grief and ecstasy combined that day as I never even remotely dreamed possible. (I didn’t think it was even possible in a small way, as these seemed like contrary emotions, much less in sanity defying proportions.) Don’t how it is possibly year 15, but, according to the calendar, it is. 

I will leave it at that except to say that it was a very special day. Always is. Tribe is dispersed this year, but lots of reflection, meditation, and loving conversations by phone. Lots of magnified love in general. I do feel blessed and grateful.

Champagne Beach finished!

As far as the art diary goes, I did wander dazedly into the studio this afternoon, hoping that the sky on Champagne Beach was going to be okay. And yes, it was alright. Thank goodness because it was very dry already. Is it the perfect color? Was there something better? Possibly, but I wouldn’t know which direction to go. So, we’re going with it! I did a few very minor touchups both to the sky and to the water and that was my big day in the studio. And a painting finished!

Thank Goodness. It was so hot in there. It really does heat my eyeballs. That was not my imagination the other day. It is where I feel the fatigue the most. 

So here is the painting I’m calling Champagne Beach due to the bubbly soft hues of color that define the sunsets north of Santa Barbara. The painting is inspired by a beach a few miles south of Gaviota State Park. This narrow, remote stretch of beach is lined with beautiful rocks, some that have tumbled down from the rocky outcrops in the mountains above, some that have eroded in situ. Across the way the Catalina Islands merge with the sky. I’m loving the magical colors!! And the sky is growing on me quite nicely!