Close Up Poppies

Much better look at the textures in the new poppies out back. This plant is young but next year, the stalks should be 6'-8' tall and the flowers 6" across.

Jane Swavely's Espial

Fave NYC fine artist Jane Swavely has a new one woman show that opened last night at the A.I.R. Gallery. Her work has gotten remarkably strong and nuanced over the past few years and it's been great to see the progression. Espial is the act of discovery, of observation. Her current observations are as poetic as they are fierce.
If in the DUMBO area the next month, don't miss it. You can keep up with Jane and see some works in progress on her Instagram page.
Gaffer63: Purlieu
Gaffer63: Immortalized

Birthday Lemon Tree

We planted the new lemon tree out front this morning. The Femminello Santa Teresa from Italy is renowned for its high lemon oil content in the skin and ample juice. It is the main ingredient for limoncello.
We took out the huge Pride of Madeira in the front.  I transplanted that huge brute in our neighbor's backyard. 5 feet tall and 50 pounds!
The soil in our front yard is very much clay based.  So with pick axes and shovels, we dug deep and amended well the soil. Hopefully the new tree takes to its surroundings.

Matilija Poppies

The plant is very young but I guess it's taken to the back slope. The Matilija Poppy can be super finicky and the wasteland beyond the wall has what it likes.....bad soil, no water and relentless sun. If it survives the summer, we'll be planting more back there.

Guy Hamilton Has Passed

The man who sealed James Bond's lasting legacy by directing "Goldfinger" has died at 93.  He directed some of my favorite films including 3 more Bond films, Michael Caine's "Funeral in Berlin" and, as one reporter remarked this morning, the still effervescent "Evil Under the Sun"
The Guardian has his obit here

Last month saw the passing of another Bond alumni, production designer Ken Adam was 95. He gave the Bond films their distinctive look and also gave the world what Steven Spielberg has called the perfect set, the war room in "Dr. Strangelove".
The BBC has his obit here

He gave a book length interview with Christopher Frayling 10 years ago that is an excellent read and can be bought here

Banco in Situ

She Jumps!

WL has been teaching Banco to leap through a hoop.  An older brother told me he's been doing the same for years and to get some pointers.....I think the solution to happy hoop jumping is a treat afterwards.

Banco in Situ

It's so nice not having to crop out the back wall anymore.

The Back Slope

 With the new wall gate, we are becoming more interested in the steep slope at the back of the property. To help with any erosion and to add stability, we've added a Catalina Cherry tree, a Grey pine tree and some red flowered Jubilee Crown from Australia.

Morning Sun

After a few days of rain, everything out front is enjoying some sun and growing fast.

Jungle

After a quick trip to NYC, I came home to a jungle in the front yard.  A little rain and sun has everything in overdrive.

Armory

 We were working in NYC's massive armory last week. Martina was shooting for a singer/ song writer.  I am menacing her with a 4' fluorescent tube. The rooms are amazing and old there.  1880's. Some are used for offices while some remain in a deserted state.

Smoke Signs

Was working in Hollywood recently on a rebranding effort that included a lot of smoke and a lot of projections. It made for a dramatic week.

Banco In Situ