I did this one of Ray in at Marisa & Jay's house. He was playing MVP Baseball 2004, and was so focused that I was able to sit and paint him for about an hour. We're having such a nice time going to the beach, and driving across the bridge to Newport. Yesterday David and the boys went sailing, and I walked around Thames Street in Newport. We just LOVE it here! David and Brian are working hard on the Katie N, trying to get her ready for Narragansett Bay. Tess, Zelda, & Edward were here for a few days last week, hanging out with Emmet & David & Ray. Before that, the cousins spent a few days at the Jersey Shore, in lovely Beach Haven. Cousin fun!

Artists Trading Cards

I've been working @ Morristown High School, in the Art Dept. since May 4th. I'm covering for Mac McPeters, who will be back in the Fall. One of the things I've been doing with the kids is Artists Trading Cards, and they're so much fun. They're trading card size, and are like mini works of art that you can do pretty quickly. They look great displayed in those plastic cases, just like Pokemon Cards. You can also find a nice box to put them in. I'm keeping mine in a candy tin with the Eiffel Tower on it that David got in Paris. Anyone can make them, and anything goes. I'm going to be doing them all summer, and I want to have a big collection of them.

More Artists Trading Cards

I suggest you start collecting all kinds of scraps and bits of cut out words and pictures. Old sewing patterns, any kind of typefaces that appeal to you, rubber stamps, pieces of screens, old postcards and letters--you name it. Organize your stuff in cigar boxes or whatever, just have it at hand so that when you're inspired, you can go to work. And keep plenty of gluesticks and nice heavy paper or board. Let me know when you want to trade, ok? Maybe in early August.....I'll be done working, and I'm going to want to go to the beach, and just have some fun.

The Noonan Family

This is a beautiful picture of John, Marie-Line, Zelda, Tess, and Edward.

Man with Dog

This self portrait was done by John Noonan in the early 80s, when he and Marie-Line were living on the Lower East Side. We were all in New York, and it was a great time to be there. It was still affordable, and all our friends were laying the foundations for their careers. We were working hard and having a blast---there was no other place to be! Of course, John was only 29 or so when he did this painting, but he ended up looking EXACTLY like this. It's such a wonderful piece of folk art, and is so very John. He had a big mixed breed dog named Weezer in San Francisco that he loved very much, and the poor pup was lost in the park by a flakey friend. John never got over this....and I think Weezer was immortalized here.

Good bye John

My dear brother in law, John Noonan

passed away after a long struggle with cancer. He fought so bravely, and wanted to live more than anything. He loved Marie-Line, Tess, Zelda, and Edward so much. John was such a kind soul, with that Irish twinkle in his eye, and always had a smile. He was a poet, a musician, and loved Bob Dylan and a good cup of coffee. He was kind to everyone, and everyone adored him. He has friends from all over who are so saddened by his death. We will all miss him.

Ladies' Weekend

Here's our cousin Robin, Sam, Linda, and me visiting Marita in Miami last weekend. Marita is unbelievable, and totally focused on her Bridge game. We had such a great time! It was just the gals, and it was so relaxing....we just hung out, did some shopping, and went to Coral Reef for dinner. Sam wore metallic shorts, and carried a silver vintage Chanel bag. Verrrry nice! She's moving to Napa to go into the wine business with Trevor, and wants to bottle her own. We spent the entire weekend discussing the name and image for the label.