Daphne Hill, my long time painting partner, and I have a business together painting collaborative works. We've been working together as Hill&Stump for about 7 years. We paint florals and plants, some inspired by Southern California. Daphne has recently moved back to her childhood hometown in Tennessee to care for family there. So now we're going to work remotely, and get together a few times a year to finish paintings and do shows.

Above are some new starts (only the first pass) inspired by the Mohave Desert. We had a show at Bunny Gunner/Taylor Junction a few years ago, and we painted some Joshua Trees and Ocotillo, but those have all sold. A good sign! Hoping to do a show in the fall in 29 Palms. Below are sold paintings...

The weather was lovely, mid-80s at the hottest, on hopefully what will be our last weekend without water. All I can do at this point is trash pick up--the entire front fence is now cleaned. (I have a thing about a house's front yard being presentable. Not that it matters in this rangy property, but still. I have a thing.) Big excitement was uncovering a scorpion the size of a small lobster. Too bad you can't grill 'em.

T and Kid.02 were more creative: they made a "wind break" for the ramada out of found wood and signs. Don't know how long it will last, but repairs will be creative. And I woke up on Mother's Day to this lovely greeting off the front porch, where I drink my coffee and watch for road runners every morning...