i was waiting for my haircut a few years back, and yes, I get it cut more frequently than that!. Robert Ravnikar was very busy with his client's hairdo.

Well, I don't know why I like this old piece. Humor, silly colors. Part of a long forgotten book project. Old friend posing for the fellow getting chewed up. Watercolors. I have to say that I always gravitate towards a bit of humor.

Patterns in drawing

It is time to start sharing demo drawings from clothed figure drawing. A ten minute quickie on pattern to define form.

long ago and far away, it seems

I received an email thanking me for this painting. It was for Book of the Month Club magazine, painted before the internet era, an epic drama set in South Africa, 'The Power of One', which went on to be a mega hit.The publisher liked the BOMC cover art so much that they co-opted it for the hard cover version of the book. Boy was I happy about that! My parents are modeling, the white suit and blue dress, and my next door neighbor Zach, posed for the boy. My dad is gone and my mom just turned 80, and still models when I need someone of a 'certain age'. The owner of the painting received it from BOMC as recognition for managing the hit that they had on their hands. Nice. All that research! Western Costume shipping vintage everything. Trains, goats, train stations, that was such a gas. Just my strong cup of tea.

christmas card 2012

Merry Christmas to you all. Yes, it is the iphone shot version of 'It's a Wonderful Life', Lauren Selman directing. OK, so Frank Capra it isn't, but, the movie's sentiment rings true. We are rich in family and friends, far richer than we know, and our lives and actions do really have an impact on them, and far beyond. Let's hear it for Clarence! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you and yours.

Here are two ANCIENT Holiday illustration sketches which were found while digging around in the mountain of old art in the basement. A little Holiday cheer, still copyright protected.....

elves

old job, how old? HA! That old. Gouache. Elves. Spots from a catalog.

On our way home, we drove past the Academy of Art University 79 New Montgomery building. WOW! The Christmas display just went up and there are a bunch of my old holiday illustration pieces blown up five times bigger than painted there to set the mood. It is a school give back to the community to help set the seasonal tone in San Francisco. I am honored that they wanted to use them and delighted to see them, again, and up large. No $ changed hands, nor any rights transfers, just a loan to celebrate the Christmas Holiday spirit. They look their best all lit up at night.

red chairs in Pasadena

Here is a quick plein air sketch done in Pasadena. I found that I had pastels in the trunk, how lucky, and had a couple hours (luckier, indeed) so I had to draw this.

long time to leaving home

Recently, this painting sold. I show it for two reasons. First, a friend over for dinner saw it and was transfixed by it, which is rare and delightful when it happens. It is particularly gratifying when one of your 'kids' goes to a home where it will be loved. Second, this was the view out of my studio window on Tenth Ave. in San Francisco, and done decades ago, back after I first ran into Sargent's paintings. I remember having to wait for the right time of year and then the time of day. Paint paint paint. That is Emma Kong reading in her backyard. Nice that she popped into the picture. I never expected it to sell, after the first few years, so patience and a fondness for the image enough to keep it on display unexpectedly paid off, both on a soul level and the checkbook.

giants game three

I heard the Giants score in game three and had to take a break from inking the job I am on. Then the sixth inning came on and I got really nervous, as up by two is not by much, even with great pitching. The tension of watching is best mitigated by the release of drawing. quick cartoons!

Don and Kay's son, Max, is getting married to Dr. Kate....

halloween sketch

here is an old pencil sketch for a job where the legal objective was to draw the Werewolf without having the Lon Chaney estate sue my clients. Not sure whether this was the final or two away from the final. Lots of attorneys looking over Art Director's shoulder. Happy Halloween!

new wine, old guys

Don Baumhefner, master wine maker, shares the view, recently, of an experiment in pinot noir. He told me that, this year, he has personally hand harvested about 3/4 of a ton of grapes  as he experiments on behalf of his clients. More recently, the grapes went through the press, again by hand, and are now happily in barrels in his wine cellar. Having tasted all the batches, I heartily approve the prospects! Vino a mano.