Schubertkirch in the fog
Christkindlmarkt Rathaus
Chris
Night time at Christkindlmarkt
Stephensdom at Christmas
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Hotel California
I need to add a few words about this painting.
Yesterday Chris and I spent the day driving around looking for something to paint. It was a beautiful day and we saw some wonderful scenery traveling back roads but nothing grabbed us. The night before I watched a documentary on CNN called "I'll Be Me" about Glen Campbell's last tour and his battle with Alzheimer's. I watched it because my Godson Kief Nilsson was in his band, but the documentary blew me away and has been with me ever since. At one point in the doc Keith Urban said how all we are is our memories and what a horrific loss to lose that. I realized how true that was. So today I went back to a place of very wonderful memories to see if it was still there and how it made me feel. The day was beautiful, warm and just a little breezy and I was alone and there it was still the same and empty, although the area around it has changed. For two hours I was back in time and happy painting and remembering. This very haunted building was part of the Camarillo State Mental Hospital (aka Hotel California) For four incredible years I rented it for Caitlyn, and Chris built her stage and she had a complete theater, including courtyard, rest rooms, and lobby for her one woman shows. Her brother Richard was her partner and the two of them worked together so beautifully creating a new show every other month. Caitlyn did the choreography, costumes, programs, publicity, and of course danced, and Richard did all the lights, special effects, sets and scenery. And every year for Halloween, led the ghost tours of the abandoned buildings. Henry sometimes contributed music and mom, family and friends attended. Caitlyn developed a loyal following of fans. I sold tickets and refreshments at intermission. It was such a very special time and loving family project. The creativity, originality, hard work and talent that went into these shows was something I will never forget. One article said Caitlyn was the future of dance, and I will add Richard was the wind beneath her wings. It was a magical 4 years and I am so proud of what they did.....and what happened in this little building, now empty except for its ghosts. Today for awhile in my heart it was alive again and the lights were on.
Yesterday Chris and I spent the day driving around looking for something to paint. It was a beautiful day and we saw some wonderful scenery traveling back roads but nothing grabbed us. The night before I watched a documentary on CNN called "I'll Be Me" about Glen Campbell's last tour and his battle with Alzheimer's. I watched it because my Godson Kief Nilsson was in his band, but the documentary blew me away and has been with me ever since. At one point in the doc Keith Urban said how all we are is our memories and what a horrific loss to lose that. I realized how true that was. So today I went back to a place of very wonderful memories to see if it was still there and how it made me feel. The day was beautiful, warm and just a little breezy and I was alone and there it was still the same and empty, although the area around it has changed. For two hours I was back in time and happy painting and remembering. This very haunted building was part of the Camarillo State Mental Hospital (aka Hotel California) For four incredible years I rented it for Caitlyn, and Chris built her stage and she had a complete theater, including courtyard, rest rooms, and lobby for her one woman shows. Her brother Richard was her partner and the two of them worked together so beautifully creating a new show every other month. Caitlyn did the choreography, costumes, programs, publicity, and of course danced, and Richard did all the lights, special effects, sets and scenery. And every year for Halloween, led the ghost tours of the abandoned buildings. Henry sometimes contributed music and mom, family and friends attended. Caitlyn developed a loyal following of fans. I sold tickets and refreshments at intermission. It was such a very special time and loving family project. The creativity, originality, hard work and talent that went into these shows was something I will never forget. One article said Caitlyn was the future of dance, and I will add Richard was the wind beneath her wings. It was a magical 4 years and I am so proud of what they did.....and what happened in this little building, now empty except for its ghosts. Today for awhile in my heart it was alive again and the lights were on.
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