AN ILLUSTRATION OF OUR HOME

"All Over Coffee" is a one-panel cartoon that regularly appears in the San Francisco Chronicle. The artist, Paul Madonna, goes out of his way to find unique San Francisco sights, and then draws these with ink and adds a quirky story. This is his impression of the Nightingale House, our happy home for almost nine years. We love how he's captured the quality of light in this part of the City, as well as the details of the house.


DIA DE MUERTOS 2006

For a second consecutive year, with the help of some friends, we created an altar to honor our beloved dead for Dia de Muertos. Ryan truly outdid himself: using Mark's office furniture, he created a bright upper world and a dark lower world. The upper world was built into the wall, with multiple levels, alcoves, and warm lighting. The lower world, presided over by Siva, was something of a graveyard, with points of blue light to simulate stars. Be sure to check out Ryan's ofrenda for his grandmother: a picture of the two of them form a sail on a boat, which is depicted as out to sea, made from a combination of papers, flowers, and dried cocoons. The last picture is a separate altar Mark made in honor of his beloved cat Casy. Enjoy the slideshow!


DIA DE MUERTOS 2005

In October 2005, we welcomed about fifty dear friends to our home to celebrate Dia de Muertos—as well as two milestones: a fortieth birthday for Mark and heart surgery for Ryan (so far, so good). Following tradition, we collectively created an altar honoring our beloved dead. It took up the better part of a wall, and by the end of the night it was covered with images and overflowing with ofrendas (flowers, liquor, food, and other things that our dear departed might find useful). Enjoy the slideshow!


HOUSE ART

Our house is filled with beautiful things made by friends and family. In fact, we're running out of space. But we're pleased to be able to share them in this virtual gallery.

Homenaje by Ryan Mortensen (découpage, 2005)
Ryan made this for Mark on the occasion of Mark's 40th birthday. It honors Mark's two grandmothers. At the center is an image of Nuestra Señora (Tonantzín) made largely with Thai papers. The stars behind her include Mark's astrological sign (Libra), with each grandma's face forming part of what would be the scale. Below is a picture of Mark at La Villa, where he has just lit a candle in honor of them. Flanking this are tiger icons (in the East, the tiger signifies the presence of the goddess). There are also butterflies, flowers, and a dozen other details that you have to see in person to appreciate.

Two Birds by Maggie Munki (oil on canvas, 2005)
Maggie made this for Ryan and Mark on the occasion of Mark's 40th birthday and Ryan's heart surgery. It's a miniature, measuring about 4 inches by 4 inches. Maggie also makes exquisite jewelry--she is currently designing and making wedding rings for Mark and Ryan--and her creations can be purchased here.

Swans (watercolor on canvas, c. 1941)
Garden Gate (oil on canvas, c. 2002)
Shorescape I (oil on canvas, c. 2001)
Shorescape II (oil on canvas, c. 2003)
Golden Gate Bridge (oil on canvas, c. 1998)
Lighthouse (oil on canvas, c. 2000)
All by Agnes S. Hernandez, Mark's mother. She took up painting in retirement. Lately, her taste in color has been running towards the wonderfully exuberant (best illustrated in Shorescape II).

Pepper Tree by Richard Baker (oil on masonite, c. 1960)
Created by Ryan's grandfather.

Sun Over Sea by Jim Hernandez (photo, c. 1991)
A gift from Mark's brother.

Heart Chart by Michael Johnston (pencil on paper, c. 1996)
Mark met Michael while on a gig in Houston. Michael gave Mark this piece as a memento of that memorable trip.

Hanuman by Collette Crutcher (piñata, 2004)
At a benefit auction, Mark bid on and won an original piñata by Collette Crutcher. Mark asked Collette to make a fanciful monkey: something that incorporated Meso-American symbology. This is the lovely result. Although the motifs are of the New World, Mark and Ryan have named the piece after the Hindu god. For another view, click here.

Nightingale House by Anon. (sketch in cement, 1970)
Our home for several years, an in-law apartment on the lower floor of the Nightingale House, had a wood floor for decades. Over time, this rotted away; at one point, a tree even grew up from the ground underneath through a hole in the floor and thrived in the main room. Eventually, the wood floor was replaced with poured concrete, except in the area around the tree which was allowed to thrive. Finally, though, the tree had to be removed, and the hole was covered over with cement. Before it dried, one of the occupants made this sketch—an impressive rendering of the Nightingale House. The lower right hand corner of the sketch includes the words: "Love Peace Now Here."

And still to come, once we figure out how to take good pictures of them, are:

Nightingale House by Matthew Benedict (gouache on wood, 2003)
Mark has had the great pleasure of hosting his friend Matthew when he visits from New York. On one such visit, Matthew took several pictures of the Nightingale House, which inspired this piece. For more information about Matthew's work, visit his gallery's website.

Four Insects and Ganesh by Jo Hanson (found objects, c. 1970-80)
Jo was our selfless, enlightened, and beloved landlady for many years. In addition, she was widely admired as an artist, working primarily in the medium of found objects. After she passed, we were fortunate to receive these pieces from her family.