Independence Day 2011

David Smith at Los Angeles County Museum of Art

This sculpture is entitled "Bec-Dida Day," to honor the artist's beloved daughters.

Painted on steel, it incorporates Mondrian's limited palette and demonstrates Kandinsky's signature forms.

Currently being exhibited at LACMA, it is owned by Yale University.

A Powerful Woman

I just finished reading the epic biography of the multi-faceted Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. It was totally absorbing; while this dynamic woman was revealed to me in a whole new light. Equally impressive is the writer, Hannah Pakula, the author of this, "The Last Empress, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and the Birth of Modern China."

Seeking Solace

Frank Stella's, DAMASCUS GATE I, is one of my favorites at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.

The beautiful garden is a mix of landscape and art. Pictured is Aristide Maillol's MOUNTAIN, made in 1937.

Marie-Laure is enjoying Amadeo Modigliani's, PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST'S WIFE, JEANNE HEBUTERNE, an oil on canvas, from 1918. The portrait head was sculpted by Wilhelm Lehmbruck in 1911 in plaster.

Pablo Picasso painted this oil on canvas entitled WOMAN WITH A BOOK in 1932.

This morning's sunrise

Just a sliver of moon was still there when the sun came up this morning.

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?