It was a great, fun day.
Debra & Jim, Marisol, Vicki
& myself made it out to Vero Beach
to get some rays, sand and surf,
and check out "Blue Angel's" action...
I've been doing my best girl stuff:
Shopping, swimming, hanging out with girlfriends,
reading, writing, sipping wine, listening to music,
biking and cooking.
Roy Hargrove, t, fh
and Crisol:
Chucho Valdés, pf
Russell Malone, g
David Sánchez, ss, ts
Frank Lacy, tb
John Benitez, b
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, ds
Miguel "Angá" Díaz, congas
José Luis "Changuito" Quintana, timbales
Saturday I went for my first swim this season.
Looking up, these trees caught my eye;
the effect the contrast of shadow
and slices of light and color have on me
is nothing short of fascination...
My lovely mother, Shirley, has recently passed away,
she was 88.
She had been in the care of my sisters
Wendy and Bonnie, since her stroke about 3 years ago.
She has taught me so many things
from my childhood to her last day,
that will stay with me all my life.
I will miss her blue eyes and sense of humor,
she passed both, to me.
For my son Michio, I'm sure he will always remember the spectacular summers
we spent with her and my step-dad, Al,
also joined by my 3 sisters, Debra, Wendy and Bonnie,
and their families.
As an artist, when emotion overtakes me,
I create, or think of creating.
I take a walk in nature and let it work its magic-
It helps me to process emotions that are too hard
to cope with...
So today some photos,
and a music playlist,
in gratitude and love for my mother, Shirley...
Gato Negro (Daniel Hokum & Okuma Remix) - Klik & Frik
A Different Light - Trentemøller
Creek - Hiroshi Yoshimura
The Piper's Call - David Gilmour
Crimson and Clover - Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld
Trade Winds - McCoy Tyner, ft. Béla Fleck
Le Surboomer - Grand Tourism
You Are Not An Island - Vanishing Twin
Sea Song - Pat Metheny
Walking On Air - King Crimson
I have been painting since childhood.
I felt my history and evolution while taking this self-portrait with "Lotus Pond", from 2003.
It's traveled with me here to Florida, from Japan...
In the past, as in this painting, I mostly painted what I saw.
Learning as I go, in studio and en plein air,
and revelling in the beautious scenery of Japan!
Then I went digital,
using imagination and honing my hand to mouse skills, editing, and digital skills...
I've had many successful shows in Japan, mostly in the jazz clubs I also performed in,
and art house coffee shops and restaurants.
But never a gallery.
I've had no luck getting a gallery showing in Japan.
Consequently, many of my canvases, (including "The Lotus Pond")
have not been seen in public due to the smoking
that was prevalent in most non-gallery public spaces, then, in Japan...
As a jazz singer, I see similarities in the artistic creative process; you must first learn fundamentals;
learn the music as it's written, before you can "improvise" with any precision.
You just know/feel when it's time to fly.
It's time to fly.
I want to do a retrospective; incorporating my art, new and old and with some of my music
into one show.
Not much to ask from the Universe, is it?
I was hoping to use the basket as part of my still-life,
but alas, no dice...
I tried out my new box of watercolor paints,
a gift for Mother's Day from my son, Michio.
After, a trip to the beach!
Sand, sun, surf, and suds...
Ninety Five - Holy Fuck
Crimson And Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells
Shifting Moon - Joe Locke Trio
Panopticom (Dark-Side Mix) - Peter Gabriel
Otterly - Cocteau Twins
California Sober - Billy Strings, ft. Willie Nelson
The In Samba - Nicola Conte
Só Danço Samba - Stan Getz, João Gilberto
Shinjuku Twilight - Eddie Higgins Trio
Fat Foot - Ralph Towner
The End Is the Beginning - Hammock
Photo: Michio Yves Ueda
