2009

I subscribe to the notion that challenges give life more depth and meaning, and hones my ability to appreciate the journey a lot more. 2009 was a year of challenges and hard choices, risk and reward. A good year.

This year, I went all-in with 3 Fish Studios, and focused on making it a sustainable income. It is scary to fly without a net. But it gives me focus. It is a hell of a lot of work - I am both surprised and humbled by the efforts required to not only make new art, but to sustain it: marketing, teaching classes, ordering supplies, keeping stores stocked, bookkeeping, packaging and shipping. A wise man once said that if it was easy, everyone would do it. Too true.

But I love it. I simply love it. And again, it is challenge that makes the reward so much sweeter, because sometimes I get emails that say things like this:

''You do great things in teaching and encouraging creative works.''

I can not say it is great, but it sure is satisfying.

So at the close of this year, I wanted to offer a big thanks to everyone who plays a part in this adventure. Your support and encouragement is helping me realize my dreams.

With that said, here are some of the moments in 2009 that highlight the year for me. Looking back, it was pretty great:

January

A winter drive to Joshua Tree National Park provided the perfect getaway for Annie and I to plan out our year. Nothing like blue skies and beautiful scenery to clear the cobwebs of the holidays and provide focus for the road ahead.

February

For Annie's birthday, we went out on the town for a spectacular dinner. I snapped this picture of a quintessential SF scene on our way to Kokkari.

Also in February, Annie began a series of Sketch Tuesdays at 111 Minna. I love seeing her there with some of the most interesting artists in San Francisco.

March

March brought in fresh leaves on our trees, and blooms in our backyard. Every year, our plants grow in stronger and healthier than the year before. Spring has officialy become my favorite season.

March also brought in the clan from Rossiter Mountain in Ireland. We spend 2 incredible weeks together, going to every nook and cranny of the Bay Area. I snapped this shot of SF from Treasure Island.

I also got this shot of the side of Halfdome in Yosemite, where my brother-in-law Davey and I ran into my cousin Kathleen on the trail to Mirror Lake. Small world, big rock!

April

April began with Think Spring and Carry On, a lovely little event hosted by the amazing Victoria of sfgirlbybay at 3 Fish. My friend Melissa from LaCrema wines came by with some of Sonomas finest. Great time.

April also brought me to Sierra Nevada foothills near Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park for one of the most amazing wildflower displays I have ever seen.

May

May means Annie and I go to Ireland to see our family in Wexford. This year we were able to take a trip to Northern Ireland, too, in order to gaze and walk upon the Giants Causeway in Antrim county. We had stunning, clear weather, and a natural wonder of the world all to ourselves. Amazing.

I shot this as the sun was setting on the path up from Giant's Causeway.

May is also my birthday, and Annie gave a present perfectly suited to a guy who does not really need anything - a robot and some B-movie action figures. Proudly displayed on our mantle to this day.

Man, May was busy! My good friends Jason and Adrianne were married up in Healdsburg at the end of the month. Yours truly did the ceremony - my third since getting ordained. Here is a shot the morning after, having some fun with masks and grapevines.

June

I love how the nights become longer and the light begins to shift into golden beams in June. This is a view from the big windows in the studio. I find the industrial landscape so intriguing.

Here is a shot of the old military fortresses near Cavallo Point, on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. I had never been there before, but I stopped with my friend BA on the way back from the races at Sears Point.

July

Work work work! July was busy with preparing for two Renegade fairs, in Los Angeles and San Francisco. My hand-painted robot prints were a big hit.

Here is a rare sight - my linocut plates all clean.

August

Annie and I escaped the fog of San Francisco and stopped in Chicago on our way to Michigan, for my 25 year high school reunion. As we were walking through Millenium Park, I snapped this photo of a sculpture/installation all lit up. I love Chicago!

When I returned from Michigan, my Mom came out to California for her first ever trip to Yosemite. She really is the reason I began paint and draw as a child, and it was great to bring our sketchpads and do some drawing together. Here is a shot of her taking in Halfdome from the (smokey) valley floor.

My Mom and I went up to Glacier Point, and I had my friend Chip's wide-angle lens. The smoke from the wildfires was casting a eerie orange shadow on the mountains.

The smoke shadow made Halfdome look like it was carved from a block of wood. I am amazed by this shot.

September

The bright days of September were welcomed in on our new deck. This shot really shows it off nicely. Glass of wine anyone?

We also took a fall camping trip to Point Reyes, where I snapped this sunny, yet foggy, scene on the trail to Tomales Point.

October

San Francisco Open Studios, always held in October, was incredible. We had a record turnout for our fifth year, and I sold five paintings in one day. Here is a shot of the studio in full production mode. It looks busy, right?

There are trainyards, abandoned factories, and all kinds of industial relics around our studio. One day in October, I was walking around and found this scene. Something about the design on the front of the train engine, the faded patina of the crossing sign, and the cross-hatch of the fence spoke to me.

November

Living so near wine country means there is always an easy escape to scenes like this. This was taken on the Westside Road on a fall getaway near Russian River.

And living 2 blocks from the Pacific means there is scene like this waiting at sunset almost every day. If only the water were warmer!

December

Home sweet home. December was spent getting ready for 5 art selling events, and coming home to this scene in my living room after hours spent on my feet. Fire blazing, glass of wine with Annie, friends and family visiting. Good times.

Happy New Year everyone!