My computer crashed a week ago. This was the fourth hard drive installed on my "demon" computer. There were days I thought I would never be able to get everything back. Of course, I had everything backed up on an external hard drive, but so what if the computer is dead? I learned my lesson after my hard working tech spent days on it and brought it to life again today. I wrote down all my passwords on real paper.

10" x 10" encaustic, oil and rice paper

10" x 10" encaustic, oil, collage

One good thing about not accessing the computer, I finally was inspired to start a new series. I made a couple of small paintings and am looking forward to continuing in this vein. I will make a YouTube video of the process and let you know when it is posted.

My raised vegetable garden on my terrace. I harvest everyday

Early morning inspiration

I have just had a realization that I have been painting for over 60 years! No wonder I am becoming impatient with artists that work in the encaustic medium who do not make paintings, just pretty surfaces. These are the most boring images I have even seen and the web is full of these images. Is there a female version of curmudgeon? 

I am doing more art teaching in the workshops. I said I wasn't going to do that, but sometimes I just can't help myself. I plead with people to look at negative space, use some composition...

I am taking a break from teaching and enjoying my garden and still editing my manuscript, but I have some painting image that are pushing into my mind.

Here is a video I made about a year ago: Abstract encaustics

Finally some art! I finished some small paintings that I had started as demos at least a month ago. It felt good to be in the studio instead of at the computer editing my memoir.

Senor de la Columna

Last night the preparation for the procession of el Senor de la Columna began. The neighborhood was filled all night with people decorating this one street in San Miguel.The street is covered in grasses and camomile flowers

A unique statue of Jesus is carried by pilgrims that walk through the night from a church in another town. They reach San Miguel before dawn. Free coffee is passed out to the pilgrims.The fireworks started at 4:30 am. I considered getting up to witness the spectacle, but reached for my earplugs instead and went back to sleep.

I checked on the aftermath of the celebration after I returned from meditation this morning. By 8:15, the street sweepers had piled the grasses, flowers and palm in piles ready to be picked up by truck. The paper and plastic decorations that are strung across the street are left in place until they disintegrate.

This photo was taken by Trish Synder. She lives on the street. This is part of what a missed.

11:30 this morning, the street had been swept clean.

This is just the beginning of the observances of Santa Semana.

encaustic, collage and shellac

 This wonderful painting were made by Cynthia Hamilton, my daughter who lives in San Francisco.

 We work quite differently, as is usual in encaustic, but I wanted to share a couple of her paintings.
 These make me wish I could get shellac in San Miguel.

 I belong to the Edible and Medicinal Plant study group. We meet once a month. Different local plants and herbs are shown, tasted and discussed. I believe that nature gives us healing plants in what ever local we live and I am curious what the high desert of San Miguel offers us for our health.

This month we met at the large municipal market where we met with a man who's grandmother began teaching him about herbs and how they are used in healing when he was 7 years old. He is well into his 60's now. He explained all of his herbs, mixtures and how to use them. I found it interesting that there were many mixtures for diabetes. Thanks to Coca Cola, and ignorance of nutrition for the rampant spread of that illness in Mexico. The original Mexican diet, couldn't be healthier.

The front of the market is mainly produce and flowers

Of course, there are always piñtas