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Alma Dolls
Some kids, a sewing machine, scrap material and a global pandemic morphed into a series of Alma Dolls… and it’s not over yet. NONE OF IT.
They are called Alma Dolls because they are comfort creatures and we all need a little comfort on a daily basis. Alma means “soul” in Spanish. Every time I make a new one, he/she/they are my absolute favorite and touches my “alma” making me happy.
Each doll is unique of course, because it would be impossible for me to create the same one twice. The Almas are sewn by hand by an untrained seamstress, me, using materials collected from my travels and my own neighborhood, many of them recycled, vintage and collectable.
That’s the fun of it.
Made with recycled and found fabrics, Yayoi is over 2 feet tall. Her arms are made of @Stance brand sox and her signature has been reproduced on her back. She is a circle, dot and pumpkin lover among many other things. She lives and works into her 90s in New York City.
Chuck Close was an American artist who made GIGANTIC photorealistic images of faces (he didn't like the call them portraits.) You had to stand across the gallery to understand the whole image. In his late 40s he a seizure which left him paralyzed from the neck down. He eventually found his way to a new style, with a brush strapped to his arm and with the help of a wheelchair and a lift, he continued to paint GIANT faces. Like the self portrait on the front of his shirt. I don't think i would have liked the guy much, but i love his work. My Chuck stands about 4 feet 6 inches tall.
Kandinsky was a Russian artist, musician and theorist. He is sometimes called the Father of Abstract art. And I once read that he saw music in color. Kandinsky is famous for his concentric circle art. A reproduction of his signature is on his back. Wassily is very tall at 40 inches. His jacket buttons were found in a Spanish flea market. His pants are made from lovely red vintage silk. Kandinsky admired both Monet and Matisse.
Ginevra loves shine and sparkle, but don’t be fooled by her style. Ginevra is a genius, but not the kind that lacks social skills. Ginevra is also genial. She is made from vintage fun i gathered in Port Costa, CA and around the world. GO Ginevra.
Elkie is 42 inches tall and lovely. She loves to visit the flower mart in the early morning hours to see all the blossoms. Elkie is patient, kind, affectionate and looking for a home.
Iris Apfel, the style icon of New York City stands 40 inches tall and wears fake fur and costume jewelry. She lived 102 years and made a wonderful contribution to the visual world. Miss you, Iris.
Monsieur Matisse was a master of color and shape. This is my little ode to his Big Talent. The artist/Alma doll measures 40 inches tall. He is made from Muslin, an old Indian Kantha quilt, Stance brand socks for arms, and various fun fabrics. His legs are made from wide vintage ribbons from France. His actual signature is reproduced on the back. Merci Henri, je t'aime.
Made from scrap fabric and images from Andy’s own Campbell’s soup series. Andy hangs out mostly with Basquiat. They have a lot in common. From the Inspiring and Inspired Artist series.
She stands 38 inches tall. Part of a series of inspiring creatives. I appreciate all that she dares to show of herself. She’s cool and she’s 101 years old!
Another inspirational artist to me, Jean-Michel Basquiat. He was born the same year as I was and died in 1988, leaving behind a collection of art that speaks about social injustice and inequity. Made from fabric, leather, paint and @Stance brand socks. He stands 40 inches tall.
Yayoi Kusama is an inspiring Japanese woman of 93 years. Her artwork is colorful, polka-dotted and often included pumpkins. Her work ethic is amazing. She is made of fabrics from Japan and the USA.
One in a series of artists I am working on, Salvador Dali stands 23 inches tall and is made with love in Oakland CA.
Inspired by the inspiringly inspiring POP artist, Yayoi Kusama, the 90 year old Japanese artist who adores pumpkins and polka dots. Made with vintage French buttons and fabrics from all over the world including Piedmont Fabrics. She is the first in a series of Inspiring Artist stuffies.
The pink floral fabric came home with me from Tai Pei’s fabric market. She adores creme brûlée and listening to podcasts. Especially stories about cats. Size: about 27 inches in length including tail. Top of ears to front toe is about one foot. Basically the size of a real cat!
Made with floral Indian fabric I brought back from Montpellier, France. Her ears and tongue are made from vintage velvet remnants. Her tail fabric came home with me from Tai Pei, Taiwan. Elle parle francais aussi, bien sur . Size: about 27 inches in length including tail. Top of ears to front toe is about one foot. Basically the size of a real cat!
Chantal Louise is a well-dressed feline with a very calm demeanor. She has a calming affect on everyone around her. Size: about 27 inches in length including tail. Top of ears to front toe is about one foot. Basically the size of a real cat!
Made from fabric brought back from China by a traveling friend. Their whiskers are fabulously gold and charming. Their name is Grimble and they like to hang out in wine bars and purr around the ankles of people with really nice shoes. Size: about 27 inches in length including tail. Top of ears to front toe is about one foot. Basically the size of a real cat!
Greta Maria can be a bit judgemental, bit she’s working on it, Made from a vintage curtain with Stance socks for her lovely limbs. She’s a dear.
Measuring 21 inches from head to claw, Earl is made of new and vintage material including Stance sock samples and a woolen sweater that he once spied in the window at Anthropologie. All hand made including the pom poms. Love him or leave him.
She’s made of vintage lace which was gifted to me by my favorite sewing genius and friend Cecilia Franklin who left the planet at age 81 in December. Cecilia loved my stuffies and taught me the few things i know about how to use a Bernina. Love you Cecilia.
Niki de Saint Phalle is famous for her pop art Nanas, giant female sculptures. She was born in 1930 in France and was a famous feminist artist. She died in 2002. This Alma doll was made in the style of Niki’s Nanas. She is approximately 30 inches tall.
Serafina is made of vintage Russian floral fabrics I found in Istanbul at a textile collector’s studio. Her arms are made from @Stance sox. She is almost three feet tall and very affectionate.
Ash is stylish and bookish which is somewhat rare in combination. You might be able to guess their favorite children’s book. Clue, they’re wearing it. Ash also loves to dance. The red fringe swings along with them while the read and dance. Something to see.
Aurelia wears fake fur and gets regular massages. Made of excellent fabrics and @Stance sox for limbs, she is a fashionista. Made with love in Oakland, CA
Standing 21 inches tall, Fiorella was created from vintage velvet remnants, Indian trim and other fun finds. Her arms were made from @Stance socks. Her legs from a favorite old sweater. She often pals around with my dog Javier Jorge Juan. One of a kind and artist made. She’s looking for a new home that gets plenty of sunshine and is populated with kindness.
Is she a fox, a cat, a marmot? She defies categorization. What she is, is FABULOUS! Sofia wears fake fur proudly. She’s shamelessly snarky. And her 23 and Me came back with very surprising results. She stands 21 inches tall and longs for a comfortable new abode. Don’t underestimate her.
They are a stuffie who loves popcorn with real butter at the movies. Hand made with love in Oakland. Made with beautiful fabrics including wool. Handmade pompoms, and limbs from Stance brand sox.
Mimi has a tassel collection. And she eats sardines on toast. She is made with fun, fine fabric and has a long pom pom tail. One of a kind. Made by hand in Oakland. Love her!
Parejas, Pairs & Couples
When the smart, lovely owner of a local woman-owned business invited me to hang my art on her shop walls, I was happy to participate. (My neighborhood of Piedmont Avenue in Oakland is so beloved to my dog Javier and me.) The series I came up for this small show is called Parejas, Couples & Pairs. All 21 pieces are multimedia on wood. Materials used include: oil paint, India ink, acrylic paint, chalk pastels, collage elements from vintage sources such as old wallpaper, books and atlases. (Only one is a real person in my life and he gave me permission!)
10×10×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
Gwyn and Gregoire share a love of geranium patio gardens in Cordoba, Spain. As a pair they are priced at $300 (for both).
10×10 Oil paint, India ink and collage on wood panel. Her partner is Pascal.
The pair are priced at $300.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
Besides wearing the coolest glasses, Nora also sports very cool underwear.
Her pair is Letter Sid. They come together for $300. Cool!
Their partner is Numbers Nora. SId was made on a wood panel with both oil and acrylic paint, India ink and wax crayon.
She met her pair Thelma over a cup of coffee and donuts. They share a love of circles, cycles and all things round.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
$300 for the pair.
She and Louise drive a little too fast.
12×12 multimedia on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
$300 for the pair.
Bing loves K-Pop, coffee and his dream service dog Alex.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
$300 for the pair.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
Alex is a good dog. Just look at her.
Tio’s specialty is cooking griot with fried plantains. He also plays the banjo very well.
10×10×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
He travels with his partner Tia for $300 both. Or with both Tia and their little niece Florentina for $425.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink, black gesso, chalk pastel and collage.
With her family $425 for all three.
His favorite author is Chekhov. Atticus agrees, but prefers Gogl.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage.
$300 for the pair.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink and collage. His name is David and he believes in the power and value of the imagination.
Atticus combs his moustache while reading Russian short story writers like Chekhov and Gogl. His partner in reading and writing is Hugo. They like to compare thoughts on everything. Takes hours.
The pair sell together for $300.
Alex is a future PHD Environmental Scientist. Don’t doubt her. Her buddy is Ben the Butterfly Boy.
12×12×1 original on wood panel. Oil paint, India ink, and collage.
Some kids love to tell us stuff. Other kids like to listen and observe. Chester is a talker.
Little Inkies
Made with anything other than a brush or an inkpen, think twigs, chopsticks, threads, wire and a wax tool for batik. These little ink drawings are so fun to make. They are mounted on wood panel and coated in cold wax.
5×5 inches. Little India ink drawings made with anything other than a pen or a brush. Think stigs, bamboo sticks, tools for anything but drawing. Done on paper, mounted on wood panel and sealed with cold wax.
6×6×1 inches. Little India ink drawings made with anything other than a pen or a brush. Think stigs, bamboo sticks, fingers and tools for anything but drawing. Done on paper, mounted on wood panel and sealed with cold wax.
5×5 inches. Little India ink drawings made with anything other than a pen or a brush. Think stigs, bamboo sticks, tools for anything but drawing. Done on paper, mounted on wood panel and sealed with cold wax.
5×5 inches. Little India ink drawings made with anything other than a pen or a brush. Think stigs, bamboo sticks, tools for anything but drawing. Done on paper, mounted on wood panel and sealed with cold wax.
6×6 inches. Little India ink drawings made with anything other than a pen or a brush. Think stigs, bamboo sticks, tools for anything but drawing. Done on paper, mounted on wood panel and sealed with cold wax.
5×7 inches. Little India ink drawings made with anything other than a pen or a brush. Think stigs, bamboo sticks, tools for anything but drawing. Done on paper, mounted on wood panel and sealed with cold wax.
Alliterative Animal Alphabet
While traveling at the end of 2024 in Indonesia, I learned about the Wallace Line, a deep-water channel which made it impossible for certain species (including some birds interestingly??) to migrate from places like Australia, Java, Bali, etc.. to the mainland of Asia and the rest of the continents. In plain-speak (which is my language), that is why animals like the cus-cus, kangaroo and kookaburra do not exist anywhere past the Wallace Line. When I got home, I was commissioned to make a series of new images for a show in Oakland. I chose an Alliterative Animal Alphabet, that includes species from all over the world and interesting facts about each creature. Enjoy
12x12 multi media collage and ink on wood panel. no need for framing, do not hang in direct sun. Aardvarks are nocturnal animals with ears like a jack rabbit, a long tail like a kangaroo, a sticky twelve-inch tongue, and sharp bear-like claws for digging into termite mounds. They chew with their stomachs. Aardvark means “Earth pig” in Afrikaans, a language of South Africa.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Bufanda means scarf in Spanish. Bison are not the same as buffalo! “True” buffalo (Cape buffalo and water buffalo) are native to Africa and Asia. Bison are found in North America and Europe. Bison have smaller horns, a large hump on their backs and they are no longer endangered.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing, Cus-cus are adorable, nocturnal marsupials who live in Australia and Indonesia. They are about the size of a squirrel and very shy.
12x12 multi media collage and ink on wood panel. no need for framing, do not hang in direct sun. Dik-dik is the smallest of the antelope family, measuring about 12 inches at the shoulder. They live in Africa, tend to be nocturnal, live in monogamous pairs, not herds. When sensing danger, the dik-dik whistles “dik-dik-dik-dik!”
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. English Bulldogs were named for the old sport of bullbaiting in England many centuries back. Their flat, wide faces helped them bite into a bull’s nose and hold on while still being able to breathe. Today’s bulldogs are gentle companions and good family pets, especially if you don’t mind snoring and a bit of drooling.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Fennec Fox is the smallest of the fox family and the National Animal of Nigeria. Due to the little fox’s amazing speed and agility, the Algerian National soccer team has been nicknamed “Les Fennecs.” Fennec fox mate for life, live in the Sahara Desert, hunt nocturnally, and grow dense fur on their foot pads to be able to walk on hot sand.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Goats were domesticated by humans about 10,000 years ago. (Long after dogs who were domesticated about 26,000 years ago.) Goats are as intelligent as dogs, and it is untrue that they will eat anything including laundry off the line. They are simply curious samplers. Both male and female goats have beards, horns, and interesting horizontal pupils.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Hippo comes from the Ancient Greek word for river horse. Hippos are the third largest land mammals behind elephants and rhinos. They range from 3,000 to 10,000 pounds. Hippos cannot swim and are too dense to float. To move in water, they push off the bottom and walk on shallow river bottoms. They can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. Hippos are threatened by habitat destruction.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Iguanas live in South and Central America and the Caribbean. The female iguana can store sperm in her body for years in case no males appear in her territory during mating season. She can then use that sperm to fertilize her own eggs to keep the species going. The iguana is not currently endangered.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Jack Russell Terriers were first bred by Reverend Jack Russell who was a fox hunter in early 19th century England. The reverend decided a white-furred working dog would make it easier to distinguish the dog from the brownish prey it was pursuing. The breed’s most important attribute is “tempered aggressiveness.” Jacks have the stamina, courage, and drive to pursue the fox, and the self-control never to draw blood. I can say it’s true about my dog Javier; he loves the hunt, but he’ll never make the kill. Unless it’s a ball.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Kookaburras live only in Australia and New Guinea and their call sounds like hysterical human laughter. Australian law protects all native birds, (even the Kookaburra who steals meat off the BBQ while laughing), thus the Kookaburra is currently not endangered.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Lemurs live wild only in Madagascar and are critically endangered from habitat destruction. Lemurs are nocturnal primates whose tails are longer than their bodies. Besides humans, lemurs are the only primates that have blue eyes. October 30 is World Lemur Day. Funnily, they run sideways.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Mandrills are the only mammal with blue pigment in its skin. They are the largest of the monkey family and live in the African rainforests where they are being hunted to extinction for bush meat.
12x12 original multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Nightingales have had the name “Night Songstress” for over 1000 years because they are known to sing at night as well as day. (Although back then people didn’t realize that the male birds were the singers.) Single males often sing at night to attract a mate. The nightingale is the national bird of Ukraine.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Owls are the only bird with eyes on the front of their head which is why they can rotate their heads 270 degrees. Owls are nocturnal hunters and eat their prey alive, later coughing up the bones, teeth, and fur in owl pellets, which are very cool to dissect.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Polar Bears are native to the top of the globe, the Arctic and are never found down at the bottom of the globe with the penguins. Polar bear skin is black, and its thick fur only appears white due to the reflection of the Arctic light. Polar bear fur is transparent and hollow. Polar bears can swim for days, but lately they have been known to drown for lack of sea ice. The polar bear is listed as a vulnerable species with about 26,000 living worldwide.
12x12 original multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. No need to frame. Quails derive their name from the Latin “quaccola” for prostitute because quail were once thought to be very amorous birds. The quail is the California state bird. And that thing on its head is called a plume or a topknot which is made of six overlapping feathers.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Roosters do not crow in the morning to welcome dawn. They crow all day for many reasons. If there is no rooster in a henhouse, the most dominant hen sometimes takes over the job of crowing. Roosters are not needed for hens to lay eggs. Only for them to hatch into baby chicks.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Sapo means toad in Spanish. Toads live on every continent, except Antarctica. Touching a toad will NOT give you warts, but it could poison you. Their skin contains toxins to protect it from predators. The common toad can live up to 40 years!
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Tigers are solitary cats who live across Asia with the biggest population being in India. Tiger cubs learn to hunt from their mothers which is why a tiger born in captivity cannot be returned to the wild. At the beginning of the 20th century, the world’s tiger population was estimated at 100,000. Sadly, today the number has declined to about 3,200 cats, and captive tigers may now outnumber wild ones. Interestingly, tigers and lions can be cross-bred in captivity and are called Tigons when the father is a Tiger, and Ligers when the father is a Lion.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Unicorn fish live in the Indo-Pacific Sea. No one knows exactly why they have a horn like a unicorn. Both males and females have them, but only males can change the color of their horn.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Vizslas are red-headed Hungarian hunting dogs. The first Vizsla in America was named Sari and she was smuggled into the country by a U.S. State Department employee after World War II along with her two puppies.
12x12 original multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. No need to frame. White wolves live in the high Arctic tundra and seem to be unafraid of people since they have little contact with us. Arctic wolves are not endangered like their cousin the grey wolf.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink on wood panel. Xalda Sheep are the oldest breed of Spanish sheep dating from over 2050 years ago. Their wool can be black, white, gray and even a little red. They are endangered.
12x12 original multi media collage and ink on wood panel. No need for framing. Yaks live high in the mountains of Tibet, are good pack animals and are happy at altitudes of 20,000 feet. They are bred for their milk, meat, fur, and hides. Yaks are sweet tempered creatures and their dried poop patties are burned in Tibetan homes for fuel.
12x12 multimedia collage and ink original on wood panel. ZORRO which means Fox in Spanish is a species of South American fox which is not a fox at all, but a wild dog. The zorro is more closely related to wolves and jackals.
Dogs I Met and Cats I Tried to Meet
Ever since I got my dog in 2015, I have been making lots of new dog friends. They are all so completely unique that I started taking their photos and drawing them. I usually record the name of the dog too. If we crossed paths in Oakland, California or Valencia, Spain, I might have drawn your dog. (I don’t always ask permission.)
Before Javi, I have always had a cat. Now I am a dog person and a cat person. My dog and I spend a lot of time trying to meet cats (and squirrels) without much luck. But we keep trying. These are some of the cats we tried to meet. And some of the cats I have loved. Artful pet commissions no longer accepted. Sorry…
Birds, Oiseaux and Pàjaros
Since launching an annual art auction for my local public schools art programs back in 2004, I have been a bird art lover. Especially owls.
Limited edition signed print. 10x10. Giclee printed in Berkeley CA.
18x24x1 on wood panel. Collage, ink and fun vintage buttons and jewels. No framing needed
LIttle original art on wood. Ready to hang. Ink and collage on hardwood upcycled from local window maker. size: 31/2x5x.75 inches
12x9 inches. India ink, hand carved rubber stamps and collage on paper. Collage materials are vintage texts and hand painted papers.
Size 10x11. Three birds in hats on collaged background that includes: vintage book pages from a Spanish dictionary, a calendar page with hand written notes and antique Spanish wallpaper on the dove's crown. Hand carved rubber stamps were carved for the bird and flowers.
ORIGINAL Mixed media collage and ink on 8x8x1.5 inch wood panel. No need for framing. Collage elements are from old books rescued from dumpsters and flea markets while traveling in Europe, Asia and home in Oakland.
10x10 on wood panel. Collage, India ink and oil based ink on original stamps.
18x24 wood panel. Multi media collage, stamping, painting and drawing with India Ink. Varnished. No need for framing.
SIze 9x13. Three French birds who live in Paris. Collage material is from a vintage book on boats, a Spanish handwriting primer, colorful tissue papers from my vast collection, and the front matter of a vintage French text book call the Book of Tomorrow. Rubber stamps of the birds and flowers are hand carved originals.
18x24 wood panel. Multi media collage, stamping, painting and drawing with India Ink. Varnished. No need for framing.
Mis Abecedarios / My Alphabets
In 2014 while my family and I were doing the social experiment of living in Valencia, Spain, I enrolled in a post graduate design course at nearby ESAT (Escuela Superior de Arte y Tecnologia). My goal was to learn Spanish language and culture outside of the language school for extranjeros, and inside the real world. The experiment worked. The students at ESAT ranged from 18 to about 40 (I was 54) and the teachers were mostly 20 years my junior. I loved it.
One particularly fun assignment was an abcedario, an alphabet. Most people chose animal themes or other familiar ideas. I thrashed around for a concept. As I used to tell my own students when I taught writing and illustration at City College San Francisco, the more personal the more universal. Don't be afraid to go deep. So I followed my own advice. I was 54 remember? What could be deeper or more personal to my experience at that moment than… menopause.
My Alphabet of Menopause was born. Next came an alphabet dedicated to my son, An Alphabet of Adolescence, which in fact has a few overlaps with my first alphabet. When my Spanish teacher got pregnant, I responded with An Infantile Alphabet. Last came An Alphabet of Dogs I Met, just out in time for Year of the Dog! But that's not all.
On TRUMP’S first 100th day in office, I launched (with trepidation) an alphabet called My Trumpabet. A is for Arrogant, B is for Bully, C is for Climatically Challenged. Because of Trump's attack on The National Endowment for the Arts, an independent federal agency that funds the creative capacity of our country, I happily donated 25% of all proceeds on sales of My Trumpabet to the NEA.
SADLY (IMO), in 2026 we are back there again with a leader I am not not proud of. And sadly, these descriptors still fit the man.
My next alphabet project is called “My Alphabet of Recovery”. Some of you will understand from the title. The rest of you will have to wait and see!
Like I said, don’t be afraid to tell your own truth.
What I love about Picasso is all the things he made in his life, not only paintings. He made ceramics, sculptures, prints, drawings, illustrations, and even wrote plays. This Picasso is made in the style of one of his self-portraits. He stands 4'-10" tall and exudes creativity. Love this guy.
Te amo, Pablito.