Huey update.

So our dear Huey, a newly-diagnosed diabetic who was suffering a bout of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), is actually finally getting better... he went into the vet hospital on Wednesday night and was looking very, very bad for a while there – completely lethargic, to the point of not opening his eyes or moving, really, when we visited him. But he's made quite a turnaround in the past 24 hours, and is even eating solid food as of tonight. Yay! There's still progress to be made in stabilizing his blood sugar levels, but things are looking up. Needless to say, we're relieved. Here he is in healthier times, helping out Emmy with some cleaning (much to Emmy's surprise):

And here he is, reaching out to Emmy, unannounced. Hey.

P.S. Despite appearances to the contrary, Huey does not spend 100% of his time harassing Emmy. Only 80%. He's just full of lovin'.

Lungevity.

Oh by the way, I just donated a painting to a silent auction, part of a fundraising gala event for the Lungevity Foundation, a non-profit funding lung cancer research and support for patients. More information can be found at this link.

Voilà, here's the painting I donated:

bayside, oil on panel, 16"x20", by me, Diane Feissel.

High anxiety.

Two stressful things going on right now - a still unsold condo and a very sick cat. Sigh.

Art recommendation - San Francisco.

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, you'll want to check out a show opening this weekend at Studio Gallery in San Francisco. Two friends of mine (and superb artists) Sadie Valeri and Chris Leib are showing work as part of a group figurative show on exhibit from May 13 - June 7. The opening reception is this coming Sunday, May 17, from 2-6pm - the gallery is located at 1815 Polk Street in SF, between Washington and Jackson Streets. Go check it out!

Below are pieces that Sadie and Chris will have in the show:

Winged Victory by Sadie Valeri - chalk and charcoal on toned paper, 19"x25".

Kitsch Baby by Chris Leib – pencil on paper, 10"x12".

Studio Gallery is a great place, focusing on San Francisco Bay Area-based artists. I used to show there myself back when we still lived in the Bay Area. The owners are great people, and well worth supporting by stopping by (and maybe picking up some local art!)

Still reminiscin'.

Sigh. This time last year I was spending my last day in Paris... and I haven't been back since. I'm suffering some serious withdrawal symptoms.

If you want to mope and reminisce along with me, click here, or enjoy the following photos from my last morning in Paris:

Very punny poster

Me hanging out in Susan and Linda's apartment in Montmartre

Isn't this cool? They painted over the windows on this house in the 12th, near the Gare de Lyon. Awesome. I'd like to try this at home. Sigh. Paris.

Art on BART.

Reading this article reminds me that once we're back living in the San Francisco Bay Area again – and likely living in Oakland again – I would like to resume work on this blog I started a couple of years ago, when I used to commute via BART either to work or to my studio in San Francisco. On the (increasingly rare!) occasion when a seat was available and conditions were right, I was able to sketch my fellow passengers. Stealthfully, like an art ninja. Haha. No really, I don't think most people noticed. Or any. Here's an example:Please check back at ole www.bartsketches.blogspot.com in the next couple of months, I swear I'll be back. Back in action. Yeah!!

It's a draw.

Finally went to the long pose drawing session over at Artspace this morning, now that it's the last session until the fall (drat!). I should get in the swing of going to the Tuesday night drawing sessions there, even if they don't have terribly long poses - it's been entirely too long since I've drawn, and especially from life. Sigh. Here's what I came up with - unfortunately, I still felt like I was battling the same old drawing demons, though I had a *minor* mental breakthrough on some level which I hope works its way into my drawings soon...I also headed over to the Bain Project to check it out, and also over to Rebus Works - lots of good stuff there, including the Casey Porn/David Eichenberger show "Epic Battle." Good stuff, Raleigh art scene. I will miss you. Sniff.