Memories of San Francisco

When I was nine years old, Mom, Jeanne and I spent three months in Reno to get 'our' divorce. Our step father was in Japan on business and wouldn't sign the papers.
We stayed on dude ranches (Lazy A, Donner Trail) and Jeanne and I had a incredible time riding horses three hours a day in the mountains, hanging out with cowboys and 'indians'. For kids from New York who worshipped the tv show, Bonanza. This was a dream come true, a summer none of us will ever forget. We got back to school late -- just before Halloween.
Sometimes we helped with the round-up of horses or stray cattle. My favorite horse was Critter, a funny-looking old cowpoke horse. All you had to do was hang onto the saddle horn and Critter cut the cattle like a barrel-racer.
To get a divorce in Reno in those days, one had to set up residency for six weeks. We weren't really allowed to leave the state but snuck off to San Francisco. Even in those days they had the 49-mile scenic drive which we tried but kept getting lost. I can remember driving down Geary or California, seeing the light and the PACIFIC OCEAN, to the Cliff House and the sea lions (and the Playland at the Beach) and then getting on the Great Highway South and not being able to turn off. I can remember getting lost on the top of Mount Davidson in a strange neighborhood of munchkin-Disneyesque houses. Then suddenly finding our way onto beautiful Dolores Street with the row of palm trees. I can remember the light in the afternoon and I can remember very confidently telling my mother that if I ever had to live in a city, San Francisco is the city I would choose to live in.
Funny how things work out. Now my life is spent painting those same views.
We had the poodle Peggy with us the whole time. We first stayed at the Sheraton Palace but then moved to the St. Francis. Mom complained about the room facing a brick wall and they gave us a room in the front overlooking Union Square (4th floor?) where we sat on the ledge and watched the cable cars go back and forth. Mom had placed a call to Japan and Mr. Adams called back at 3am-ish. Jeanne and I were banished to play with Peggy in the hall on the flowered carpet. Felt very 'Eloise at the Plaza'.
The next day Peggy got out and later was found on the perfume counter being pampered by the sales girl.

Last week we had our Spring Open studio which was a great success. People liked what I was doing with the large paintings while seeming to appreciate the small weird ones, and lots of great friends showed up. Attached is a studio shot. On the small paintings I was trying out very frames...I think I have finally found one floater that sets off much of the work well.
The large paintings are more of a problem. I am framing them myself and it is so hard for me. Takes so much time. But they do look nice and it's nice to see them go out to such great homes.