Back in the Land of Ah’s

It was 4 years ago that I last came to Manhattan, Kansas for a workshop with a unique group of friends that paint together. This group seems to value friendship over ego, perhaps more than any other I’ve met. They pull each other forward as artists, and their growth is tremendous. This week was a…

Mid-Southern Watercolor Society

Painting with the Mid-Southern watercolor society was a nice treat! (it sure felt good to be back where people “talk right”.) The Southern hospitality and charm were both in full swing for this fast and furious glass workshop. We had to race to finish this complicated demo in time, but the results speak for the…

Miami Watercolor Society

Just home from Southeast Asia and filled with inspiration, I immediately had to head out again to judge a show, give a demo and workshop with the Miami watercolor society. With jetlag and daylight savings time, one might think I should have been exhausted, but I was bouncing with energy from the previous adventure, and…

Tokyo Meandering

Walking the streets of Tokyo this past week has been a dream. It is much like New York City, but larger, cleaner and more crowded. The other differences are quite noticeable as well. Fashion seems to lean toward the bizarre “Lolita” trend for teenagers and twenty-somethings. I saw no homeless, no panhandlers, no rudeness or…

Bright Lights of Bangkok

Until this week we have avoided big cities on this adventure, but Bangkok beckoned, and our next flight departs from their big airport. I only scheduled four days here, which was not enough to really see much, but I did my best. Khaosan Road is the backpackers haven and location of the cheapest hotel rooms…

Up Close with Elephants

Elephants are awesome! I’ve always liked them from a distance, and had enough respect for their giant size to admire from afar. At over three tons, they can easily squash a human being, so you definitely want to stay on their good side! I have always wanted to get a closer look at one of…

Just Phuket

When Nantucket is under a bucket of snow, head to Phuket. (pronounced Poo-ket) The beach is sunny and hot in Thailand this time of year, and all has been beautifully rebuilt since the 2004 tsunami. We came over on the ferry from Phi Phi this afternoon. (pronounced Pee-pee). Both islands are fun, but Phi Phi…

Drawing in the Sand

It began simply as a thank-you note to good friends at sunset. I was going to email them a photo…(sorry Hallmark, it’s a different era). A very small girl from the Sea Gypsy fishing village watched me write in the sand with a stick, then came over to show me how it’s really done! She…

Thailand’s Islands

The Sea Gypsies that operate the long tail boats in the Andaman sea have made a great life for themselves, ferrying travelers between the hundreds of small dots of land in the turquoise water. Some of the islands jut straight up out of the water with sheer cliffs topped by lush jungle. They make for…

Ferries, islands and dreams

Sitting on the ferry to Ko Phi Phi I am reminded of many such water crossings I have had in my travels. Orcas Island, Wa and Ocracoke Island NC have been among my favorites. My family used to hitch a ride with the National Park Service boat to Horn Island regularly when I was a…