My sister is visiting SF for a few days, and we will be checking out the open studios at Fort Mason (more on that later, of course). Before moving on to this weekend’s art festivities, I want to recount my only open studio visit for week one, which I almost forgot about. I was heading to dinner in the Castro and dropped in on Morris Taylor’s studio. Taylor is an octogenarian who has only been painting for about 10 years and works primarily with watercolors. I find watercolor to be a difficult medium and one that takes a long time to master, but Taylor’s work is impressive. His colors are vibrant without being heavy on the paper and his technique lends texture and detail to deceptively simple pieces.

Morris Taylor, Weller Vase with Tulips

Taylor has been quite prolific since starting to paint and lives in a home brimming with his work. A warm and gracious guide to those of us who dropped in for his open studio, Taylor offered a tour through the development of his individual style and the focus of his work – from en plein air to still life pieces . This was an excellent introduction to the open studios for 2011 demonstrating the diversity of perspectives in the San Francisco art scene. Each year I continue to marvel at how much art exists just down the street from you and me.