back in california... late last night i checked out the studio to see what was left behind. a few 4 footers that were in progress and 2 untouched 5x4 canvases ready for heavy action. good.

i've decided that my time out here will be spent on only 1 of the new canvases. i want to take my time and see how far i push the acrylic, before hitting it with oil. i've knifed the underpainting on heavily in a few different reds and some gel medium to get a good body of surface built up and now it sits in the grass under the sun. next step will be a few layers of white gesso and then the real work begins....

yesterday, before the flight i spent some time with gary snyder at his gallery on 26th street. i told him about my intentions and he mentioned that sometimes the slow periods in one's career can be the most creative. the group show he has up is closing soon. ?abstraction. do yourself a favor and check out the work of tad wiley. tough, totemic work that shows a sure hand and a most vigorous intent.

now i'm gonna see if the paint is dry. or maybe i'll just have a beer first and float a while in the pool...