Koko - and Happy 2016

Koko

Oil on canvas, 12x12

Happy 2016, everyone! I hope you're feeling the new year beckon, with promises of possibility, whispers of hope, and the thrill of a new beginning. 

There's part of me that would like to say that there's no magic in the start of a new year, that every day is, in fact, the start of a new year, and that the whole celebration thing is artificial. 

But the fact is that the prospect of a new year, artificial or not, excites me! I love the sense of standing on the threshold, looking ahead, dreaming big dreams. And I hope you do, too. 

The appearance of Koko in our lives was one of the many blessings of 2015, and one that continues happily into 2016. Koko helped ease our sadness at the losses of Jojo and Zoe, and she has brought playfulness and energy and the sense of discovery back into our home. 

So, from Koko and me, Abby and Peter, Smokey and Woodreau, Samantha and Puffy, Happy New Year! 

***

Dog of the (Hole) Day 

I used to think that the day after Christmas was Boxing Day, but apparently, here in Wachapreague, it's Hole Day. Abby and Koko spent it digging big, dumb holes in our poor yard. Oh, well. We can fill them in - or plant stuff in them! 

***

A Final Thought

"The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes 

and, ironically, the more real." 

- Lucian Freud

Autumn in Chimney Rock

I've stopped in North Carolina for a while on my way home, with Christine Stark, who fostered Abby and now Koko.

Christine lives on a mountaintop, currently with 11 dogs, most of whom are up for adoption. She's near Lake Lure, which is close to Asheville, and is a center for leaf-peeping tourism.

I went out and painted the other day, late in the afternoon, with the sun slanting through the trees and absolutely lighting up the fall colors.

If anyone is looking for a place to have a nice fall vacation, I'd suggest this area. And if anyone is looking for a good dog to adopt, get in touch with me and I'll put you in touch with Christine!




Left: Autumn in Chimney Rock
Oil on black canvas, 12x36
Please click here to email me about price and availability





Below, Koko waiting at the door.

***

THE TRIP TO TEXAS was sort of a disaster, but it's OK. I learned a number of lessons from it, and they're valuable enough to have made it worth my while. 

I had some fun, interesting experiences, too. One was my time at Tannehill Ironworks State Historical Park in McCalla, Alabama, not so far from Birmingham. I didn't get to see the ironworking part of the park - a blacksmith demonstrates and teaches his skill - but I did get to see the amazing Halloween decorations. 

Nearly all the people who have RV spaces in the park decorate their areas for Halloween. And it's a big park. Randy, the park security man, told me that they close the park to cars at a certain point on Halloween, and just let the kids go around. And, he said, thousands of kids would come. 

And above, here's my cot in the van, all made up for the night's camping. 

***

Dog of the Day

Saw this guy in Asheville, NC. He was pretty seriously defending his car. 

***

A Final Thought

"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." 

- Robert Schumann