A Case Moth Visit

A Case Moth Visit

I almost stepped on it, thinking it was a dried leaf. Glancing down I noticed small bits of green that seemed to be attached to whatever it was. Measuring about four inches long, conical in shape with several green short stems attached to one end of the cocoon like...
And a Hearing Aid Appeared

And a Hearing Aid Appeared

Finally, after getting no answer at the security gate in front of Clinica Dinamarca, I called on my cell phone. A petite Tica (Costa Rican woman) emerged from a building at the end of the block and waved me towards her. As is often the case here in Costa Rica – I find...
Jan’s Muse is Back – Newest Paintings, 2016

Jan’s Muse is Back – Newest Paintings, 2016

My Muse is Back My appreciation of and enthrallment with color is helping me to see again. Look again. For nearly two years the colors have been more somber as I felt my way through the deep grief of losing Frank. The first Intensive in December began the...
On Painting White Light and Night

On Painting White Light and Night

I am always startled by the white object in the landscape. Suddenly – there it is! And just as suddenly I am thinking about light – and composition, a different perspective, color ideas, etc. It all happens so fast that sometimes the moment passes before the requisite...
Dancing Stroke Demo

Dancing Stroke Demo

Dancing Stroke Demo – A closer view of the process Lets take a look at the step by step process I use to paint the background using my favorite photo of the blue leaves. I tape off in order to isolate the upper right hand corner of the photo. Then, as I generally do,...
A Family Painting Intensive

A Family Painting Intensive

June 2016 The Family Painting Intensive began as an email enquiry – and we all jumped in! The family: Nancy Rottle, Landscape Architect and professor at the University of Washington Paul Olson, Architect who I worked with years ago in Eugene, Oregon after...
An Unexpected Healing

An Unexpected Healing

It seemed like a convergence of just one too many difficult events – each one vying for my attention and time. Set against the backdrop of the angry fervor of US Presidential Primary season it seemed almost like an extension of the fear and panic energy. My quiet life...
Anniversary of the Heart

Anniversary of the Heart

The holiest of all holidays are those Kept by ourselves in silence and apart; The secret anniversaries of the heart. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Frank is on my mind a lot these days – March 10 this year marks the second year anniversary of his passing. I miss him and I...
The Dancing Stroke

The Dancing Stroke

My use of what I call the ‘dancing stroke’ began its evolution when I moved to Costa Rica seven+ years ago. Everywhere I looked there were strokes of shapes – leaves – layers and layers of leaves. Coming from New Mexico, surrounded by light and air – I was...