Last week at the de Young

Last Thursday, we closed off the gallery in the morning and had our friend, Michael Fong, take photos with the lights dimmed. It was a special time to be with the show to document the way projected images on the screens played in the darkened space and spilled reflections onto the wooden floor. My tall sculpture, Earth, shines in the light as it sits on a mirror that completes the boat when you look into it. Leo helped me form the wood structure that I finished by weaving opened shopping bag handles stained with coffee around the frame.

At the beginning of the residency, I wished for sunshine and my wish was granted. The weather has been gorgeous which has enhanced the show and the visitors moods. We did not have a cold,rainy, gloomy or foggy January to dampen spirits. The sun has been able to play with the boats hung in the window all month long.

Five more days to share the boat making process. People have made all kinds of comments and found the art to be open-ended so results are as unique as people are from each other. Boat makers are in a special state of mind and empowered as they try their hand with the paper bag canoe or the bottle boats that get their creative juices flowing. I had also wanted this to happen and it has been the greatest part of the show.