8.12.07


Watch this quick video (The Story of Stuff ) and send it to your friends for Christmas, then make cookies instead of going to the shops... this fox thinks its a good idea.

17.11.07


"Forgive what you do not approve & love me for this energetic exertion of my talent."
-William Blake

4.10.07

Tiny Peruvian Owl

This owl inhabits the dense undergrowth of highland forests in a remote region of Peru. It is probably my favorite animal. I really would love to go to Peru and find this guy. I am saving my money to fly to Peru during fall of next year. Its a whole year away, so I think I will be able to save enough. I hope so...
My next painting will be of this white poisonous caterpillar. Ohhh...!

2.10.07

Three Egg Incubator

I wonder what pushing "clear" does?

1.10.07

Halloween is coming soon!


Last night there was a giant harvest moon over Santa Barbara and it reminded me that Halloween is coming soon and that is really really special.

30.9.07

After the division the two parts of man, each desiring his other half, came together, and throwing their arms about one another, entwined in mutual embraces, longing to grow into one, they were on the point of dying from hunger and self-neglect, because they did not like to do anything apart; and when one of the halves died and the other survived, the survivor sought another mate, man or woman as we call them, being the sections of entire men or women, and clung to that. So ancient is the desire of one another which is implanted in us, reuniting our original nature, making one of two, and healing the state of man. - Plato, Symposium

This is my family recipe for Caponata. I am going to make it for our open studios event which is on Friday. My family is from Cirella, a small village in Calabria, Italy. Cirella is close to Plati, and some of my family is from there as well.

Most of the food in Cirella is a mix between Italian and Greek, because of the heavy Greek influence. In Cirella, Griko is spoken, which is a hybrid language between the two cultures. However, Cirella is its own special place, and has a taste all of its own. This recipe is the Calabrian version of the dish, but there are many variations of caponata throughout the Mediterranean.

  • 2 medium eggplants (cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (or a bit more)
  • 2 onions sliced
  • 1can tomatoes (16oz) chopped with liquid ( I use overripe tomatoes instead of canned).
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced zucchini
  • 1/2 cup sliced pimiento stuffed olives
  • 1 can sliced ripe black olives
  • 2 tbs. capers
  • 3tbs.sugar
  • 1/2 cup wine vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper

In a large skillet, saute eggplant in very hot oil for about 10 min. or until soft and slightly brown. Transfer eggplant with slotted spoon to large saucepan. Reduce heat under skillet and saute onions about 3 min., adding a little oil if necessary. When onions are golden brown, add tomatoes and celery. Simmer about 15 min, or until celery is tender. Add olives and capers. Dissolve sugar in vinegar in small saucepan. Stir into eggplant. Cover and simmer over medium heat 30min. stirring occasionally. Remove from heat: cool. Refrigerate overnight. Serve at room temperature over crusty bread


"The history of the world shows that peoples and societies do not have to pass through a fixed series of stages in the course of development.
"

Aung San Suu Kyi

Fox and the stones.

There was a fox who lived in a small tunnel between a river and a rock wall. The tunnel was egg colored and full of leaves and moss that the fox had gathered for his nest. In the daylight the tunnel was invisible to outsiders as it blended into the rock and bubbling river, but at night the tunnel glowed so brightly that anyone could see where the fox lived.

The fox was worried about his tunnel being invaded by others, so he devised a plan to cover the tunnel from prying eyes.

He spent three days gathering the finest stones he could find. He carried the stones back to the tunnel one by one until he had enough that he could prepare a wall entirely covering the tunnel's bright interior.

After a long day of placing stones along the tunnel's entrance the fox was convinced he had finished his work and that the tunnel's interior would be protected from the outside.

Fox was so tired from his work, that he decided to take a quick nap near the riverbed. When he awoke he discovered that he had slept too late and it was now very dark and beginning to storm. The fox began to make his way home, when he realized that the tunnel's glow would not be able to guide him home.

The fox roamed all night, but could not find his tunnel anywhere.

The next day the fox was tired and cold, but relieved to finally find his way home. He took the stones away and fed them back into the river one by one.

That night he slept peacefully in the glow of the tunnel.

22.9.07


This is my dog, Juneau. His ancestors were bred to herd reindeer near the White Sea many centuries ago. He is a purely wanderlustiful creature.