Santa Barbara Rainbow April 30, 2011

Now I know where to find that Pot of Gold; within my rich imagination.

Towering Cumulus April 26, 2011

Nature presents herself in awe inspiring ways, even here in Santa Barbara.


Photo: Haley Van Stein

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Passes April 24, 2011

Happy Easter. Miracles Abound.

I wanted to acknowledge the passing of the Avatar, Sri Sathya Sai Baba on this Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Though I am a Christian, baptized in Jerusalem in 1985, I studied in India with Sai Baba in 1991.

Putting me to work as an artist, collaborating with 35 or so artists from around the world, in the Sai Museum dedicated to all the world's religions, Baba would visit us sometimes twice a day to witness and oversee our progress on the Jewish Exhibit. It took Weeks to create this installation strictly from materials found at the Ashram at Puttaparthi.

On one of the many visits to the hall where we were happily creating. he saw me sketching out the design for the Mural of the Sinai Desert. I was using the colors all based on what I saw decorating Baba's house, (the Mandir.) While sketching, I looked down to my left to see the bottom of Baba's orange robe. He'd walked up to me quietly and said, "Happy Happy Happy...do you like those colors?" I looked up to him and said, "Yes Baba- I LOVE these colors, Thank you!" Baba looked down into my eyes and said, "You come to me and I will give you all the colors you ever imagined." I thanked him again. He patted me on the head, turned and walked back into the Poonachandra Hall to visit the other artists.

There are many more stories I will share in the days ahead based on my hovering in proximity with Baba, his miracles and personal dialog which have remained dormant in my psychi and journal.

Baba, like the rainbow, physically transitions in and out of the world as Holy Men and Women have throughout history.

I am grateful to have caught a glimpse of the divine.

Photo: Sai Baba, Image on a plaque he gave to me after the art project was completed.

Poetic Palmistry, Santa Barbara April 22, 2011

Sunset, glowing on palm tree;
very common site to see.
Rare to catch the Spring Moon rise;
hovering in blue-violet skies.


--Van Stein

Carpinteria Seascape April 21, 2011

Painting demonstration for my Plein air painting class: "Light and Shadow in Art".

It was a beautiful Fall day, the Sun Glistening on the water; who can ask for anything more?

Surf''s-up at the Jelly Bowl
Carpinteria.
11x14 oil/canvas 2011
Collection of the Artist

Teaching Day, April 20, 2011

Eighteen Years I've been teaching Art through the Santa Barbara City College Continuing Education Program. I am now teaching a class in Color Exploration, in Carpinteria, in the Carpinteria Veterans Hall. It's a lot of Fun!

50 years ago I use to run around in this Veterans Hall as a toddler. Now I have a class FULL of eager-to-learn adults; the oldest member being 102 years of age! This is great! I view it as I now have a teacher who is 102 years old!!

Every student brings me something to learn or remember about myself or craft, and one is never too old to learn.

The greatest teacher is the greatest student.

Santa Barbara Vista, April 19, 2011

The Tea Fire which swept through the Foothills behind Santa Barbara cleared a lot of trees and shrubs (not to mention houses) out of the way...making way for glorious vistas and a swelling of California Poppies and various wildflowers.

It is a green spring, which is a good thing.

Santa Barbara Vista (class Demo)
9x12 oil/panel 2011

Collection of the Artist