[b. 12/07/1942 · d. 04/25/10]
the incomplete works / acrylics on canvas

March 30, 2010 ::: Oakland, CA (This was a blog post that I wrote about painting, but really to tell my Dad ‘thank you’. Joyful that we had a chance to share that he had read it and what it meant to him, shortly before he passed away. ~Lita)

I have early memories of growing up in San Diego, and my father packing us up into our 4-door, chocolate brown, AMC Matador — along with his canvas, tubes of acrylic paints, and his creative imagination — and going to the beach. Watching him paint, that day at the shoreline, and other days in the garage studio — seeing him negotiate a visual language with the art — has been my biggest inspiration with this medium. As a kid, I observed this mystical dynamic between the art and the artist, as he documented his interpretations with a palette of colors, textures, and layers. It felt like music.

The cool thing is my Dad is still working with layers, textures, and colors; painting as close to everyday as possible. And I’m still inspired by seeing the music in his work.

May 14, 2002 ::: Chicago, IL
by email (spacing and all caps is all him.)
Subject: Re: [Fwd:  :-)]

OK LITA,
KEEP ON THINKING,  GIVE ME MORE INFO,  INITIAL IDEA AND LOCATION SOUNDS GOOD.  THIS IS AMERICA, THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY, AND WE ARE THE UNIVERSE THAT SPREAD’S GOD’S PLENTY.  JUST LET THE IDEAS FREELY FLOW,  I’LL HAVE A LOT OF INPUT FOR YOU.  INSPIRATION,  IMAGINATION,  PLANNING,  EXECUTION,  AND STAYING THE COURSE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH. YOU KNOW YOU’RE A CHIP OFF MY OLD BLOCK.
I LOVE YOU,

DAD