Joshua Tree Mermaid Parade

Art and culture historian Ed Fuentes asked me to write about Aaron Sheppard’s inaugural mermaid parade in Joshua Tree, California. Prior to living the desert, he thrived as an artist in New York City. One of the highlights of living in the Big Apple was the ability to experience the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island. If you are not familiar with this event, it is by far one of the most expressive, joyous and outlandish public events that attracts people from all over the globe.

Sheppard is a visual and performance artist. His work may be enjoyed in numerous private and public collections. Not one too long for something that once was, he decided to create a version of Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade in Joshua Tree. Thus, Bearded and Shucked was born. In fact, Sheppard’s mermaid creation from this inaugural parade now resides as part of The Barrick Museum’s permanent collection.

Here is a link to the article I wrote, including photographs I took: ARTISTS GUIDE MERMAIDS THROUGH THE DESERT. I hope anyone reading this might consider participating in Bearded and Shucked. It has become a fun annual event.

The Sounds of Boat Life

There is something magical about living on a sailboat. From the water hitting the hull to the rigging reverberating in the wind, the rhythmic sounds create a sweet harmony that is melodic and meditative. Immersing myself within this melodic meditation allowed me to surrender my focus and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that would crowd my mind. This process enhanced my physical and emotional well-being. Pure bliss!

Bo, Van Bo

Bo, Van Bo was a character and larger than life.

I met Bo when I lived on my sailboat in Sausalito. I would see him when I would walk my dogs at Dunphy Park. He was usually painting or playing music. As I slowly got to know him, it was always a pleasure to see him as he would always have stories to tell. Over the years, I discovered that he danced with Anna Halprin. He was a massage therapist at the Esalen Institute. He played for the San Francisco 49ers. He acted in adult films with Alex de Renzy and others iconic filmmakers of the 70s. At first, I thought he was simply telling tall tales; however, I would eventually catch flickers of truth in each story shared.

Bo was an anomaly in Sausalito. He was a free spirit with a dazzling quick wit. He was also flamboyant, black and homeless by choice. Dunphy Park was Bo’s defecto home and art studio. To provide insight to the City of Sausalito, the majority of residents are known to be wealthy, white and considerably conventional. They enjoyed stunning picturesque views of Richardson Bay from their hillside multimillion dollar homes. It would not be a stretch to say that Bo did not enhance their impressive view. In fact, you could always spot Bo in the center of his own artistic frenzy. Paintings would be assembled aimlessly on the ground for the passerby to see and possibly buy. Reclaimed materials and discarded objects orbited around him while waiting their turn to be transformed into colorful works of art. If he was not singing and playing on his portable piano, his instrument would be in arms reach next to his paints and brushes. Bo knew he was the ire of the hoity-toity establishment; however, he did not care. He was simply living his life and living that life out loud.

His audaciousness was mesmerizing and it was fascinating to see how his personality imbued into his art. His paintings of sailboats surrounded by the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge were energetic, imaginative and playful. I would buy small pieces for my sailboat when something caught my eye. Bo and I became unlikely friends. I respected his way in the world. He had my number should he ever need assistance. He never called.

When I first moved onto my sailboat, I was working on my graduate degrees. For several years, I was living in synch with the tides of Richardson Bay. I enjoyed the endless hiking trails of Marin County with my dogs. I loved the ability to travel to Big Sur, Napa or Tahoe on a whim. It was truly a blissful existence. Once my degrees were completed, I made the decision to move to Las Vegas to work on an art project. I left my Bay Area lifestyle to acclimate to land and desert. I had been working on the art project for several months when I get a phone call from Bo one day. He says, “Doctor, come get me. I’m on Las Vegas Boulevard at The Flamingo.” Bo had traveled by bus from Sausalito to Las Vegas with a one-way ticket to visit me. I was dumbfounded by his call.

When I pulled up in my car, he was all smiles. As he had no luggage, the first thing we did was drive to a store to buy him clothes. While we drove about town, he shared his hilarious observations of people on The Strip as he had arrived the night before. The second item on the agenda was to take him back to my place so he could clean-up. There was no salvaging his clothes. Those suckers were placed in a trash bag, sealed tight and headed for the dump. I cooked him dinner and proceeded to ask: Why was he in Las Vegas and how long would he be visiting? His response was that I had invited him to visit before I left Sausalito. I recalled the invite; however, I never expected him to leave Sausalito. It was evident that he was overjoyed with happiness that he had reached his destination. With knowledge garnered and not knowing what to expect from his visit, I ushered him to a guest room.

My house served as the unofficial-official headquarters during the construction phase of the art project. Tons of people were coming and going from the house as the project unfolded. People would meet Bo and soon discovered that he was a painter without a studio. Miraculously, all the tools for him to paint began to appear at the house. He began receiving art commissions. He was invigorated to paint. He devoured my library of art books. As a result, he produced some spectacular artworks during this time, including an amazing self-portrait series. In Las Vegas, he became “Van Bo.”

Bo stayed one month and painted the entire time. I enjoyed his visit and I believe the visit inspired him greatly. I shipped his entire body of artwork from Las Vegas to Sausalito. Bo - the homeless scoundrel became Bo - the established lowbrow artist. He went on to cultivate a multitude of collectors and patrons with his art and personality. Despite all of his success, he chose to remain homeless. I was aware of many overtures by people who offered him boats or places to live as a permanent residence, but his preference was not to have one.

During one of my visits back to the Sausalito, I discovered that Bo’s popularity had grown exponentially. Van Bo’s art was now featured in galleries, as well as gracing the walls of buildings and storefront windows in town. I came across this vibrant mural in the darkness of night. It was located by Harbor Drive and Road 3. It is not the best photo, but this particular photograph fills my heart with so much joy. Despite having minimal light, Bo’s distinct style was unmistakable. It was yet another unexpected moment with Bo. I felt as though I had run into my old friend and, in many respects, I had.

To this day, I am reminded of Bo’s authenticity and charisma when I see his art. I am fortunate to appreciate his art every day. Godspeed, Van Bo! May our spirits meet again in the great beyond.

Self Portrait (2008), Acrylic on Board, Bo Van Bo

Sausalito Daze

This image is rather dark; however, I absolutely love the shadow play from the setting sun.

I took this image when I was exiting the ferry in Sausalito. When I lived in Sausalito, everything caught my eye and I had my camera ready to to capture it all.

San Francisco | Bay Bridge

Whenever I stayed in San Francisco, this would be my view from the home of my dear friend, Linda Donnelly-Reid. Her home was ideally located near SOMA, the Financial District, BART, The Ferry Building and the most incredible light show by light artist Leo Villareal.

Starting at dusk, I would spend hours watching The Bay Lights, a site-specific monumental light sculpture and generative art installation on the Bay Bridge. The installation includes 25,000 individual white LEDs along 1.8 miles (2.9 km) of the cables on the north side of the suspension span of the bridge between Yerba Buena Island and San Francisco.

I never got tired of this view day or night. Watching sailboats and shipping tankers cruise by during the day and Villareal’s light show at night was urban living at its finest.

San Francisco | Public Transit

One of the best things about living in the San Francisco Bay Area is public transit. Even though I lived in Sausalito, I really did not need to have car. I could take a bus, carpool or ferry to and from the city. If I needed to visit the East Bay or go to SFO to catch a plane, I could take a train. The public transit system in San Francisco is amazing. And, I especially enjoyed riding the historic cable cars.

There are 27 cable cars in rotation when the system is operating. There are two kind of cars: single-ended cars that serve the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines and the double-ended cars that serve the California Street line.

To this day, I think it is so much fun to ride them, see where they go and enjoy the people that ride them.

Richardson Bay | Sailing

My sailboat, Barbelina, was rigged for solo sailing; however, I never ventured out by myself. As I was new to the sport, I didn’t feel that I had the skills to tackle Richardson Bay by lonesome. With the Bay’s cross-currents, the sudden wind changes and the huge tankers zipping by, it was simply more fun to sail with skilled friends. I lived minimally on the boat, but had all the necessary creature comforts to make living aboard bliss. The boat was always ready to sail within 15 minutes, day or night.

One day, I’ll live on a boat again. I am picturing myself living on a Dutch barged moored outside of Paris. Of course, it will be ready to go within 15 minutes should I decided to explore the many canals and rivers of Europe.

San Francisco | Sausalito Ferry

One of the most endearing aspects of living on a sailboat in Sausalito was taking the Sausalito Ferry to and from work. Each morning, I would enjoy a beautiful ride to the San Francisco Ferry Building and then take BART to my final destination. Occasionally, transportation would come to a halt due to high winds and rough seas; however, for the most part, it was an easy-peasy, fun way to commute. Every Friday on the way home, I would stop by Cowgirl Creamery to buy L'Amuse gouda. I would also stop at the Acme Bread Company to purchase a fresh baked olive loaf. When it was time to board the ferry home, I would find myself a window seat that would face the Golden Gate Bridge. While crossing Richardson Bay, I would enjoy the most spectacular views. It was also such a treat!

Golden Gate Ferry is a commuter ferry service operated by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District in the Bay Area of Northern California. Regular service is run to the Ferry Building in San Francisco from Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon in Marin County, with additional service from Larkspur to Oracle Park for San Francisco Giants games. The ferry service is funded primarily by passenger fares and Golden Gate Bridge tolls. San Francisco Bay Ferry is a public transit passenger ferry service in the San Francisco Bay, administered by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA). San Francisco Bay Ferry is a different system from Golden Gate Ferry.

Ferrys are an incredible way to travel around the Bay Area. As they are continually expanding routes and schedules, I highly recommend using this form of transportation to get around. Of course, I highly recommend allowing plenty of time to enjoy all the merchants at The Ferry Building.

Rodeo Beach | Sunsets

Windswept, exhilarating and covered with unique red and green pebbles, Rodeo Beach is sheltered by cliffs and bounded by a lagoon. No matter the time of day, this sweet spot in the Marin Headlands always provides magnificent photo opportunities. I captured this shot at sunset when I was walking my dogs and enjoying the people around me.

Two military forts once guarded these shores. Fort Barry and Fort Cronkhite, whose structures now serve as National Park Service facilities, were once nerve centers of Marin Headlands military activities long ago.

This beach and surrounding cliffs are amazing to explore and it is easy to lose track of time because there is just so much to see and do.

Marin Headlands | Rodeo Beach

When I lived on my sailboat with my two dogs, the three of us would venture to Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands to start our day.

Rodeo Beach is located in Marin County, two miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge and is part of the the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The beach is characterized by a spit of around 50 meters width at the mouth of a long embayment, known as Rodeo Lagoon; and, for much of the year, the lagoon is cut off from the ocean, making the beach spit a baymouth bar. Part of the beach is sheltered by cliffs and is known for its dark, pebbly sand. Regardless of the season, it is a magnificent place to be.

As the beach is dog friendly, it is a fantastic place to let dogs run free.

Sausalito | Sunsets

Sunsets in Sausalito are sublime. Each evening, I would sit on the back of my sailboat and enjoy a variety of colors as the sun would set over Mount Tamalpais and Richardson Bay.

My sailboat was located at Sausalito Shipyard and Marina. I was fortunate to have a slip on North Dock which meant I had an unobstructed view of my surroundings. With no boats immediately behind me, my location provided the most magnificent views of Richardson Bay, the hills of Sausalito and the shoreline of Tiburon.

I cherished this spot greatly and I sometimes find myself back there in my dreams at night.

Sausalito | Sunrises

Sunrises in Sausalito are spectacular. I captured this moment from the dock of my marina one morning as I was taking my dogs for a walk. Visions like this were a frequent occurrence. Was always a joy to open the hatch to see what Mother Nature had conjured up for me each day.

I absolutely adore how Pelican Harbour Marina looks in this photograph. Sausalito is full of marinas. Here are some of the official marinas and how many slips are found in each one of them: Blue Water Yacht Harbor, 74-slip marina; Clipper Yacht Harbor: the largest harbor in Sausalito with 700-slip marina; Pelican Harbour, 90-slip marina; Richardson Bay, 220-slip marina; Sausalito Shipyard, 100-slip marina; and, Schoonmaker Point, 161-slip marina. There are also several government and private locations to dock as well.

As the waters of Richardson Bay are fiercely protected, each marina must adhere to the 10% Liveaboard Rule. For example, Pelican Harbour has 90-slips. Only 9-slips are allocated a liveaboard status. There are a few marinas that are exceptions to this rule. For instance, Sausalito Shipyard is technically classified as a shipyard and not a marina. It is a former WWII Shipyard that produced Liberty Ships and other vessels for the war effort. For this reason, they have 100% liveaboard status. There are liveaboard communities such as Galilee Harbor and Gates 5 that caters to houseboats, barges, ferry and converted yachts.

Should you ever find yourself in Sausalito, I highly recommend a leisurely walk at sunrise. It is a guaranteed way to start your day right. Moreover, all of these waterfront communities are located within a one-mile of each other. You will be enchanted by the beauty and vibrancy of the area.

Sausalito | Richardson Bay

For many years, I called Sausalito my home. I lived on a 36’ sailboat that was docked at a marina on Richardson Bay. It was high-end camping and I loved every moment of it.

When you live on a boat, you are in synch with nature. There really isn’t anything like it. Of course, Richardson Bay is a special place.

Richardson Bay is one of the most pristine estuaries on the Pacific Coast with extensive eelgrass areas and sizable undisturbed intertidal habitats. It supports an extensive array of animal and plant life. Being a highly dense mecca for a variety of boats, the waters are subject to a "no discharge" rule to protect the elaborate and fragile ecosystems present, including a complex fishery and marine mammals.

This photo features my friend’s art studio moored in the middle of the Bay at dusk. His creations are inspired by the magic of his environment. I highly recommend that you visit his portfolio. I especially encourage that you collect his art.

San Francisco | Transamerica Pyramid

The TransAmerica Pyramid is an architectural beauty and a sight to behold. I used to work in the Financial District and I would often meander to Chinatown and North Beach. Not ever did I not look up, day or night, and not appreciate the wonderment of the building against a majestic sky.

The Transamerica Pyramid is located at at 600 Montgomery Street between Clay and Washington Streets in the Financial District. It is a 48-story futurist building and the second-tallest skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline. The building was designed by architect William Periera and completed in 1972.

The building is a four-sided pyramid with a structural height of 853 feet. The top 212 feet (65 m) of the building is the spire. There are four cameras pointed in the four cardinal directions at the top of this spire forming the "Transamerica Virtual Observation Deck." The building's façade is covered in crushed quartz, giving the building its light color. The top of the Transamerica Pyramid is covered with aluminum panels. For Christmas, Independence Day and the anniversary of 9/11, the top of the pyramid is lit at night and is called the “Crown Jewel.