September 13, 2006
Woke up at five. Went out early for my bike ride with the dogs. Spectacular skies in all four directions, masterpieces all. I tried to memorize the effects but ultimately, they are too grand and too subtle, all at the same time. I end up just admiring them before they disappear (usually in about two minutes they're gone).

Blogging, Blogging, Blogging, Sold American!
“Two days in a row, I must be getting very involved in your blog. I like the landscape for the blog yesterday. I think you do a great job with all the desert colors. You can feel a storm coming. By the way, how much for the John Wayne ‘failure’? It looks nice to me.”
—Hugh Howard, Maniac# 9, SASS# 49890

Hugh, because you are a Maniac (which practically makes us kin) I’ll give you the Duke for $75. Does that work for you?

“I'll send you a check next week when I get back in town. If you will sign it that would be great.”
—Hugh

Thanks Hugh, but please, please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want anyone else to know I’m practically giving these damn things away.

The Road To Erudition
When my cousin Tap Lou was visiting yesterday, I gave her a tour of my studio and she later commented, “I had no idea all of the extra work it takes you to produce a finished painting.” Boy Howdy!

Based on her comment, I thought it might be instructive to give you a tour of my studio, so you can see where I work, and then to walk you through the sketches and planning for one specific scene. We’ll start that tour tomorrow.

“Necessity never made a good bargain.”
—Benjamin Franklin