Monday, November 30, 2009

The Red Book by Carl Jung

image from the Red Book, courtesy of amazon.com


Here is a book that has a legendary past: psychologist Carl Jung's personal record of his visions, documented in calligraphic text and color illustrations, called the Red Book.  

Jung's family has kept this private volume locked up for decades, and finally it is being published.

The original is now on view at the Rubin Museum of Art (one of my favorite museums in New York, a mysterious treasure box of ancient Himalayan art). 

The museum is posting pictures of the pages on its website, as each page is turned.

This is a good thing because this is an expensive book with a list price of $195! Amazon has it at a discounted price of $114.07.









Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Portrait Sketch


pencil and crayon on paper 


Happy Thanksgiving!  

A turkey is the traditional symbol of Thanksgiving. 

Instead, here is a drawing I did a few years ago that I feel represents this All-American holiday.

This is my portrait of my sweetheart, who has mixed Native American and European ancestry. In his family tree is the story of this country. He is wearing colorful feathers in his hair.

I'm sending my best wishes across the world wide web. 

I'm very thankful to be alive and well and surrounded by beautiful friends and family.




Saturday, November 7, 2009

Sketchbook: San Francisco


crayon drawing on construction paper by Rosa Phoenix


Drawing is a way of seeing.   

When I'm drawing, I notice much more than I would with a casual glance.

This cheerful yellow house has a Yin+Yang symbol decorating it. 

On the eave of the roof stands a Kuan Yin statue. 

I love the bottlebrush trees and bright blue sky.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead


Dia de los Muertos display

 Valencia Street is reflected in the window of this shop

in San Francisco's Mission District







This is where I go for Dia de los Muertos decorations.

This shop sells Mexican handicrafts.

Huge paper flowers, Frida Kahlo cards, sugar skulls, paper cutout party banners and more.






I bought these paper skeletons and hung them in the hallway.

These pictures were phantomized in PhotoShop.





 


Honor the ancestors.