The tragedy of first position

Roy Lichtenstein

Malibu's Weisman Museum is hosting the first solo show in Los Angeles since the artist's untimely death.

"Interior with Nude Leaving," from 1997, is from a private collection. The exquisite colors invite the viewer to enjoy while trying to decipher the painting's visual puns.

Roy Lichtenstein is pictured at his easel. I was fortunate to have visited this revered Pop Artist in his Chelsea, New York City, studio in the early 1980's.

"Collage for Sower" is from the first brushstroke paintings. They are wry comments on Abstract Expressionism. The gestures seen here are a translation of Van Gogh's famous painting, marrying the two techniques through his unique style.

Good Food and Art

Again, I was lucky enough to share my appreciation of art with others when visiting the studios of a ceramicist and a painter. It is so thrilling to see the art as the artists discuss their visions. It was especially meaningful, as the painter was one of the recipients of the scholarship funds we raise.

Having lunch at the Palmeri Ristorante topped off the stimulating day.

Books, books, books

---Just finished Steve Martin's, "The Object of Beauty." He is so busy being an artistic genius that he doesn't waste any spare words in telling of the heroine's escapades in the glittering New York City art world during it's heyday. It is direct---just like her.

---Having won the National Book Award and being on the NY TIMES bestseller list, "The Mayflower," tells the real story of the Pilgrims. I am really looking forward to reading all the details.

---I love the city of Venice, Italy. "Lucia," is a love story, emerging from the pages of history during the time of Napoleon, placed in that wondrous city.

---This will be a re-read of "The Snowball." The author was given total access to Warren Buffet's life . That access, coupled with extremely good writing, proves a fascinating look into the world of "elephant bumping" with warts and all.

Kayaks at Rest

These kayaks seem to be blossoming from our hillside overlooking the beach. Sunny weather has been attracting the kayakers and paddle boarders who favor milder waters. The surfers are waiting for the promised high surf.

A Beautiful Day

From the window, I can see the Channel Islands on the horizon. Off the coast of Santa Barbara, the islands are 60 miles from here as the crow flies.

What a Difference a Day Makes

On January 1, 2011 there was sunshine and a minus tide, revealing all the tidepools.

This morning, January 2, 2011, we were swimming in the rain.

Joan Mitchell, The Last Decade

Yes, that's me, trying to catch my breath after entering this exhibition of Joan Mitchell's large-scaled paintings! There were thirteen of the most powerful and gorgeous works of art imaginable. Luckily, I went to the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills just before the show closed. It was the first time I had ever seen any of these stunning paintings. They will go to their new owners and may never be in the public view again. I only hope that museums may have purchased some of the paintings, so we can always have access to them.

RIVER, 1989, oil on canvas, 103 x 79 inches

ROW ROW, 1982, oil on canvas, diptych: 110 x 158 inches overall

BEAUVAIS, 1986, oil on canvas, diptych: 110 x 158 inches

The Rockettes

Some months ago, we dancers went to be the first to dance with the Rockettes on the Santa Monica Pier. We were to win tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular this year. But, when reading the fine print we discovered these were not tickets at all. They were vouchers that we needed to go the the Nokia Theater (some 40 miles away each way) to redeem. Would you have?

What's next...NO SANTA CLAUS?

Mother's Poinsettias

Do any of you remember my Mother's pale green poinsettias? They grew six feet tall outside our kitchen window. All of the visitors from the Midwest and the East were in awe.

A Change in Altitude

When reading Anita Shreve's A CHANGE IN ALTITUDE I was constantly wondering what was happening next and wanting to keep the heroine from her self-destructive actions. In other words, I was really involved.

Shreve's words are beautiful, her settings divine. This saga takes place in Kenya. I now know more about the places and events she describes, but not to the exclusion of my caring for the story or the characters. Having read three of her books, I want more.

Maira Kalman

This was illustrator, author, and designer Maira Kalman's first museum show. Mary-Laure and I met at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles to see it. It was our first time at the Skirball, and certainly won't be our last.

Kalman is the artist of many covers and drawings for THE NEW YORKER magazine. She is also the illustrator of many books for children and adults. Always true to her own personal style, it enchants as she depicts her viewpoint of contemporary life.

According to the NY TIMES, Kalman's new book, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, investigates our history and the current workings of our democracy. Exemplified by her playful style and rambunctious penmanship, the subject matter becomes all the more meaningful.

Can any image of Abraham Lincoln ever express how important he has been to us?

Noah's Ark

It is a wonder to experience the Noah's Ark room(s) at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles...and, plenty of children have discovered it. Many of them were there when we visited. They didn't even notice us, being so involved interacting with the exhibit.

This permanent award-winning exhibit has been the talk of the town. I defy any age to explore the interior of this gigantic ark, filled with animal sculptures, re-purposed from everyday sources, and not be excited.

If you are a child at heart---go. If you know children---take them. This is hands-on experiential art at it's best.

The 1000 Journals Project

We went to the museum and were invited to create!

Mary-Laure and I chose colored pencils and created our page(s) in a journal selected from the many. Next, the journals will be sent to destinations unknown as this project circulates from one artist's hand to another.

During the last ten years these journals have inspired extraordinary public dialogue as they have traveled around the United States and the world.