When the lease is up...

Dear Peter, Radar, and Beauvra,

We're moving here, and playing with hula hoops and hay. (But we're not wearing tomatoes as jewelry, cause they'd probably stain).

LOL as if I'd ever have a say about where we live.

I think if I could only watch one music video ever again for the rest of my life it'd be this one.

If I make it to Moab I'm gonna get my canteen filled.

There's nothing that the road cannot heal.
Yeah, there's nothing that the road cannot heal.
Washed under the black top, it's gone beneath my wheels.
There's nothing that the road cannot heal.
Vela grazie!
They say the sun won't burn forever but that's a science too exact
I can prove it, watch, we're crossing the state line.
See those headlights coming towards us? That's someone going back
To a town they said they'd never, yeah, they swore it on their life
But you can't break out of a circle
That you never knew you were in.
Washed under the black top, its gone beneath my wheels...
There's nothing that the road cannot heal. You can't see it very well in any of the pics I took, but the tree growing alongside the road is made up of the lyrics from that chorus.

Notice how the road looks like its a different texture than the rest of the painting?

That's because it's band aids.

And what gives the rest of the painting that spidery texture?

Medical gauze of course.

Every element of this piece is in keeping with the theme of healing.

Buy it here.

Mountains for my Mom

Last Summer, in the midst of a deep depression, my folks whisked me off to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

If you've never been to Highlands, North Carolina, put it on your to do list. It is not only a fantastically quaint yet simultaneously culture packed little town, but it is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside anyone could dream of.

Artists flock to Highlands more and more, and it is easy to see why. The southern Appalachians provide endless inspiration.

I've had this painting bouncing around in my head for so long it is not even funny. Having finished it was actually a tremendous relief.

When Mother's Day came along this year I knew I wanted to create something personal for my Mom. Then, when I found this gorgeous hand carved Sant Anooka tray I knew it was the perfect vehicle for a scenic painting to honor my parents' thoughtfulness and love.

Thank Heaven my folks haven't gotten sick of getting paintings as gifts yet!

Remember when I lived in the Caribbean?

Watching it snow sideways outside the window of my tiny NYC apartment made me hungry for videos from warmer times.

Peter: Hey Sha, you know one thing you have to look out for on this part of the island?
Shakins: What?
Peter: Look- over there.
Shakins: huh? (I look, see nothing & turn back)
Watch the video to find out what flew by!

Oh Bright Eyes... you narrate my American melancholy so well;

"The road finally gave me back, but I don't think I'll unpack... 'cause I'm not sure if I live here anymore."