A Conversation with Clayton Bailey: Dr. Gladstone and Psychoceramics I visited Clayton Bailey at his rural home and studio in Port Costa, California not far from the Carquinez Strait Bridge where the Sacramento River meets the San Francisco Bay. Approaching Bailey’s place, among other exotic sights, an aluminum rocket comes into view and several demon dogs standing guard on a high fence that surrounds an outdoor collection of his work spanning decades of inspired fancy. It had been almost twenty years since I’d first had the pleasure of a visit with the artist. Clayton let me in through a gate and as I looked around, it ... Apr 4, 2012, 78253 reads

A Conversation with Melanie DeMore: Sound Awareness The music program at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland, California opened my eyes. I have grandkids there and have been treated to several of their school concerts. Every student, from the kindergarteners to the sixth-graders, performs. The performances, under the tutelage St. Paul’s several music teachers, have always been impressive. Striking is the eclecticism of the music chosen, the quality of the children's performances and the musical versatility of the instruction that is always in plain evidence. Listening to my first concert there, it was ... Jan 1, 2001, 77001 reads

A Conversation with Grace Dammann : Before and After I was intrigued when at a servicespace gathering one evening when Pavi Mehta took me aside and told me about a woman she’d met, Grace Dammann. I should meet Grace, she told me. She's been a physician to AIDS patients, a dedicated Zen practitioner, a parent, a partner, a recipient of the Dalai Lama's Compassionate Spirit award and a patient who spent 48 days in a coma after a devastating accident—the results of which she continued to negotiate in daily ways. This would be our meeting place.      Pavi proposed that a small group of ... Dec 15, 2013, 75856 reads

Bicycling to Mongolia: Fredric Fierstein and Guardian   In which we learn the origins of a mysterious and powerful public sculpture reminiscent of an ancient Mongolian shaman archer/warrior, take a brief detour for commentary on puff-piece journalism, meet an artist too clear-eyed to waste his energy struggling for an art career, spend a little time with primitive Buddhist temple kung-fu in the far reaches of Malaysia, contemplate a moment of revelation at the unlikely juncture of West Coast sophistication and the ancient life of a hill tribe poppy farmer, reflect a bit on the sad vicissitudes of public art - and hear how one ... Feb 23, 2011, 74167 reads

A Conversation with Carl Cheng: The John Doe Company photo - r. whittaker I can thank the late James Doolin for introducing me to Carl Cheng. And along with Carl, he also introduced me to Michael McMillen. The three artists were best of friends. Jim spoke glowingly about both Michael and Carl. He marveled at each artist's capacity to build things - nearly anything - and each one's originality. "Carl," he said - and searched for the right words... "has a way of thinking that's really unusual."       I couldn't wait to meet them both. It wasn't difficult to arrange ... May 2, 2005, 73324 reads

A Conversation with Adam Campbell: A Taste For Life It was one of those bright mornings we’re blessed with so often in the Bay Area. No matter that it was mid-December. A week earlier, I’d been ambushed by Pancho Ramos Stierle and Sam Bower. They were excited. A visitor was staying at Casa de Paz who I had to meet - Adam Campbell. Neither Sam nor Pancho twist my arm very often and when they do, I pay attention. Sam was the founding director of greenmuseum.org and Pancho, a founding member of Oakland’s Casa de Paz at Canticle Farm. I agreed that I had to meet Adam.      When the morning ... Dec 13, 2012, 73266 reads

Jim Campbell: Frames of Reference Photo: R. Whittaker In August of 1998 Jim Campbell was given a retrospective show at the San Jose Museum of Art. His work has been shown internationally and is included in many collections including the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. Campbell received undergraduate degrees from M.I.T. in mathematics and electrical engineering. He divides his time between art work and work as an electrical engineer specializing in cutting edge digital technology. We started talking about computer art. Jim Campbell:  I've always felt that even using the word ... Jan 22, 2002, 71587 reads

Smart Arts: Observations on Art in Academia: Katina Huston Wedesday. It begins with leaving home in the dark. Long lines for security. Dirty carpet, fluorescent light. A thousand docile people offer their shoes. On the plane there is more dirty carpet and fluorescent light. A woman recognizes me. I blink at her. It is Suzanne. We work at the same small liberal arts college but have never seen each other there. I know her husband who works at California College of Art in graduate studies. We chat. On the subway into town, my colleagues are plain to see mixed in among the commuters. In front are three painters from McAllister, Texas. Behind me is ... Apr 2, 2005, 70152 reads

Interview with Fredric Fierstein: An Outrageous Act The story leading up to this interview includes the influence of my having read Peter Kingsley's A Story Waiting to Pierce You. In his book, Kingsley hypothesizes that a mysterious figure, Abaris, traveled from Mongolia to Greece to meet Pythagoras. Abaris is mentioned in several ancient texts, usually carrying an arrow, a symbol of shamanic power.       A few years before having read Kingsley's book, I'd been bicycling around the Berkeley marina one day, when I was surprised to come upon a warrior archer astride a mythical beast that looked ... Feb 23, 2011, 69064 reads

Interview with Painter Michael Beck: by Razi Mizrahi Sunday In The Park, oil on canvas Sometimes life gives us with a chance to reconnect with a harmony once heard as a child and, as an adult, explore variations that the mature self can hear and appreciate. Reconnecting with Oakland (CA) painter Michael Beck, a long-time family friend, has been just such an experience for me.      Michael was a teacher at my mother’s preschool more than four decades ago, when I was a child. Over the years, I enjoyed glimpses of Beck’s work as his career and vision developed through reports from family and friends, ... , 68248 reads