Centered on the Center 2008

Huntington Beach, Calif., through February 17
I have conflicting ideas for paintings: I would like to do figurative work that is not exactly surrealist but that incorporates elements of the irrational; yet I am also still fascinated by maps. So the new (old) idea is to paint cities from above, based on how they are mapped, in an abstract manner devoid of spontaneity. Mixed media and encaustic may be involved. The title will be the name of the city.

Tonight was "Centered on the Center" at the Huntington Beach Art Center. It was crowded as usual and I left quickly, but there was one piece somewhat in the mode of my planned future abstractions, a primitive country scene by Alexa Alexander that engaged me with its naivete, and an oil painting by Joel Woodard that I might like to buy. I will have to return when things have quieted down.