Inspirations

I hope everyone had a great fourth of July weekend.  We did here, although I wore myself out.  So instead of climbing up to the roof and watching fireworks from a distance as I had planned last night, I slept away most of the afternoon and evening.  Still, it wasn't a bad way to spend a holiday.  Sometimes, you just need to rest.

I was thumbing through a recent copy of ArtNews a couple of days ago, and happened to see an image of one of Rex Ray's collages.  If you are not familiar with his work, please do click on his name in the previous sentence and take a moment to browse his work.  I must admit that the images on his website do not really give a true impression of how his work is in person.  The one original work of Rex Ray's I have seen in person was quite large, and the scale made the colors and patterns even more impressive and ostentatious.  Nothing replaces seeing an artist's work in person.  At least you will have an idea of his work, despite the limitations of computer monitors.  Ray uses decadent color, which is probably what initially attracted me to his work.  He also has a wonderful sense of whimsy, and there is much about that I would like to have in my own work.  Ray's boldness inspires me!!! 

We continue to enjoy fairly mild temperatures here in Joshua Tree.  The desert is surprisingly green, for July. We are all bracing for the scorching summer temperatures, which will undoubtedly arrive sooner or later.   For now, we continue to enjoy cool morning walks and balmy evenings.  (As I write this, it is 81 degrees F at 9 pm.)

I leave you with a new painting of mine, which I called Cleopatra's Realm.  It is oil on canvas, measuring 40 x 30 inches.

 

This painting, too, is much better in person, although it pales in comparison to the work of Rex Ray.