The Monterey Coast Weekly annual reader's poll winner for 2010

Much excitement around my studio this last year. Record painting sales, important site specific commissions, terrific new creative patrons, and enormous fundraising dollars earned for many local, national and international charities. Through the efforts of my painting, I have contributed to helping many at-risk and in-need children and their families cope and prosper. I am so inspired by the stories I hear and the images I see. My painting is becoming more and more a universal language of emotion, and I am so grateful I can speak from my heart with color on canvas.

Please visit ema-online.org This inspirational organization mobilizes the entertainment industry in a global effort to educate all people about environmental issues and inspires all of us into action. In a collaborative effort of the heart, I will be painting 16 new large works with natural earth friendly zero VOC paints on organic cotton canvas, stretched on reclaimed wood bars, for a spectacular LA event in November. Funds raised from the sales of the work will continue to support EMA and the "Yes to Carrots" project. This program supports organic gardening and greenery in urban Los Angeles schools and assists under served communities to develop self sustained organic food sources.Without EMA's Young Hollywood's School Gardens program, many children would not feel soil in their hands, not taste a true vegetable, not understand the Earth's and the Sun's purpose. Together, everyday, we can make a difference. In our homes, in our communities, in our world. Please return later in July for the date and location of the exhibition. If you would like to attend, send me an email.

Please visit www.peaceoneday.org Jeremy Gilley's organization is one of hope, and love, and I am looking forward to helping them with an exhibition of my work entitled "A Beautiful Mess" soon. His newly released documentary film starring Jude Law, "The Day After Peace" , is an award winning masterwork. Peace One Day proves that we can, together, manifest life saving activities across the world each year. Please visit his website and buy the film, now on DVD.

I am currently working on a coffee table book, a compilation of works on canvas and thoughts on paper, Book One should be on the shelves by October's end. It will be available here and at Amazon, please visit me again later for an update and some interesting excerpts.

Please visit my dear, long time friend and mentor, Laylon at www.vaultgallery.com She has been brokering 19th and 20th Century painting and sculpture her entire adult life, and is currently representing many extraordinary, contemporary artists in her gallery within the beautiful, charming village of Cambria, California. If you look closely, you'll see some of my work in the space as well. I am tickled to be working once again with Laylon, she is a force to be reckoned with, and a truly passionate patron of the arts.

Wishing each one of you a very happy and healthy new year.  I want to take this opportunity to thank  you for your kind and generous contributions throughout this last year and for your many thoughtful insights.

When I am working in my studio each day, I am reminded of the kindness of strangers.  How we artists for many centuries have depended on this kindness.And without it, our desire to work in isolation, to create this mystery, to propose ideas and feelings on linen with paint..well, none of this would be possible without the goodness of those who are curious about our intentions...

Picasso said it best, that "inspiration exists, but it has to find you working".  Each day as I set out charting a new path for my work, what new and fresh idea excites me, what new color I may mix that helps represent a new thought,  each moment is bathed in a constant  sense of my value in the world.  If I might help one person understand my message, see my clarity, feel my intention... then I have really accomplished something unique and stellar.  And to that end, the patron who sees the work, takes the time out of his hurried day to experience the work,  it is that person who connects me to my higher power, and my greater good.

2010 is a new year abundant in endless possibilities. An optimistic, thought provoking year  that I am hopeful will see each of us united in a constant and steadfast cry for peace.  We can whine about the economy, we can snivel about what we no longer have, or complain about the injustice that abounds, However, many of our neighbors do not have enough food to eat, or adequate water to drink, or  shelter to keep them warm. Many of our sisters and brothers have experienced atrocities too shocking for us to even manifest in our minds, and their loss is unimaginable.  Yet there is hope.

We must never stop assisting these good people.  I hope you find it in your hearts to give of yourself this year.  Whether it be time, money, clothing, your home, whatever resources you might have to help someone less fortunate than yourself. The love you feel within yourself, that fullness that exacts itself on you, is reason enough to open your arms to others.

My work is ignited by this one real, true conviction. That we are not alone. That we are each interconnected and capable of great good and together, we can raise our expectations for what this world ought to be.  Thank you for all that you offer me. Thank you for your generosity and goodwill, and I am excited to share my work with you, as It unfolds this year. Please visit often as I will be working on a new body of work entitled "The Woman I Keep To Myself"... A compilation of large color field works on canvas that raise the emotional ante in this interesting and compelling game of life we play.

I will be exhibiting new work in 4 solo shows throughout the United States this year.  Please contact me for a schedule...or just to pass a thought my way.  Please remember that joy is our absolute birthright.

look for many new adventures to come in 2010...