Picture of the Week #57 "It's a Wrap Ho Ho Ho

Picture of the Week #57 "It's a Wrap, Ho Ho Ho." Los Angeles, California 2006 Signed and Stamped

Even though I had a magnificent Holiday I am almost glad it's over. I am anxious to get back to work. Especially since I received a new Camera for Xmas that I am itching to use. I found this image I had taken a few years ago and thought it was appropriate for the season.

Picture of the Week #56 "Epiphany of Beauty"

Picture of the Week #56 "Epiphany of Beauty" Vatican City, Italy 2009 Signed and Stamped

Before my Audience with Pope Benedict XVI to hear his "Address to Artists" in the Sistine Chapel, I waited just outside in this most majestic room of sheer beauty and overwhelming power and grace as two lone Swiss Guards watched the invited artists file in. I found it peculiar that there was only one video camera on a tripod in the corner with two cameramen, but they did not film us, the invited artists. Nor anyone else for that matter. Perhaps I am so used to Hollywood and cameras being shoved in your face at the opening of a shopping bag. But here, at this historic event, no cameras were rolling as we entered. Just the opposite. So, I took it upon myself to record everything that was going on as best as I could. After all this was the first time since the Renaissance that a Pope hosted artists in the Sistine Chapel. As I humbly told my Publicist, Jack Scanlan, years ago the Pope invited Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael, and now he was inviting me. He said, I can work with that.

Picture of the Week #55 "Pieta"

Picture of the Week #55 "Pieta" Vatican City, Italy 2009 Signed and Stamped

It is impossible to go to Rome and the Vatican and not see the ever powerful St. Peters Basilica for the umteenth time. After my Audience with Pope Benedict in the Sistine Chapel on Saturday, (See Picture of the Week #51, #52 & #53) I returned to drop off a present for His Holiness the following Monday. Only, the office was closed. How could I not see another of Michaelangelo's remarkable work, the "Pieta" when I was so close. This time I thought I had to enter St. Peter's like all the other tourists on a very long line. Luckily I had my Vatican Pass from my invited tour with me. I placed it around my neck and was quickly ushered in where I immediately began taking pictures. Even with the light very low, I was able to see the emotionally breathtaking "Pieta". The next day I left Pope Benedict my present of two photographs. It was gratefully accepted by the Pontifical Council for Culture for the Vatican. Now I can say I am in the permanent Collection of the Vatican.

Picture of the Week #54 "Sitting by the Great Pyramid"

Picture of the Week #54 "Sitting by the Great Pyramid" Giza, Egypt 1989 Signed and Stamped

Traveling around the world after my art show in Tokyo Japan, one of the "had to" stops was of course the great Pyramids in Giza. I remember when I was being driven to my Hotel, the Mina House Oberoi, I saw the Pyramids out the car window. I was flabbergasted. Then, when the bell hop opened my shutters there were the Pyramids right across the street. I had always thought that they were out in the middle of the desert. I immediately grabbed my cameras and headed out. Instantly, I was accosted by beggars and street urchins asking for me to give them money or to hire them as my guide. I chose one young, maybe 14 year old, with his own camel and off we went. One of the views I vividly remember was how majestic and humbling these man made wonders are. That's when I saw this couple sitting like specs against the monumental side of the Great Pyramid. You can't help but wonder how they built it.