(Best viewed in original size)

Doesn't everyone have a bathroom altar? I guess not. But I can't imagine not having one myself. This particular altar has been 30 years in the making. It started with the plaster bas relief you see in the back. If I remember correctly, I made that in 1978 during my years in art school. Then one thing led to another. Shells, stones, my "family tree" in which I woodburned the names of my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. The green pottery vase given me by Patricia and Marciela when I left Oaxaca, Mexico in 1992. An "S" worked into a circle that a homeless woman named Sharon gave me during one of the six winters I sublet an apartment out in San Francisco. A plaque given to me by Fatima who cooked for my brother Rabih, Sulaima and the kids whom I visited in Beirut in November 2005. So many objects that have value to no one but me. All lit up by sparkling lights. Pretty magical, especially at night.

By the way, I just added this and five other images to my "Edward Hopper visits my home" gallery. CLICK HERE to see them.