doughnuts and rain

The LA County Fire at 2pm from the Alameda Entrance of Disney.

Blossoms/allergies

Three blossomy entries to weather sketchbook. I am attending an intense photoshop workshop in Hollywood this weekend and have no time for REAL ART! I don't even have time to hide my clips on the sketchbook photos.
Plus, I have horrid allergies to: IN PARTICULAR- all the non-native Chinese Elm trees around town! Cut them down! Plant native trees!!! This IS the time to visit LA and Hollywood in particular though. Driving with the top down at night and smelling the jasmine and orange/lemon blossoms.

Man about to be married

this is a study for a painting called "Man about to be married II". I painted another "man about to be married" 20 years ago and I only have the slide available. It was a large oil painting similar to "Man with gas can" which I painted around the same time. Oil on canvas 70 x 84" (in two panels). The study (30x22") is stabilo aquarellable on strathmore plate bristol. I plan to do either an oil of this, or a large watercolor. Thank you to TB (an actor- but really was about to get married) for posing.

some cucumbers and sugar swivels

This is the new weather sketchbook which I made out of an old book cover and 90 lb. arches hot press paper. Not an ideal sketchbook paper-wise. It's good if I paint/draw on only one side.
There's nothing like an IN-N-OUT burger every couple of weeks.. ..... The sugar sticks came with some lattes in pasadena. I love these. They are a nice invention and a fancy way to start an overcast morning.

Driving past Point Dume

This is the last page of the 5x5" Hand Book Journal Co. sketchbook that is my "weather sketchbook". It is a quick road sketch while traveling the PCH. The photo below is the sketchbook on top of a hand made sketchbook made from an old book cover and filled with Arches 90lb. HP paper. It is the new weather sketchbook. The paper is too thin to be much more than a weather sketchbook. As I'm posting this, a breeze is coming right through three citrus trees that are blossoming and carrying an incredible scent. I'll have to post more later.

Asian air pollution

It looks like I may have to postpone my "cars splashing water" series since it doesn't rain in Los Angeles. I will get to return to my firefighter series however as soon as more assholes throw their cigarette butts out their SUV windows. I really don't understand how anyone can do that. Like my bumper sticker says, "HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS". Our beaches and streets are not ashtrays. I have one more page in this particular sketchbook (5 x 5" hand book journal) that I may or may not fill.
8 march is a quick sketch of some sweet-potatoe fries served with blue cheese and a sprig of rosemary. It's very delicious with a pale ale.

Holly Golightly's dress

This little-couple-of-inches of newpaper was the only good news in the whole front section of yesterday's paper. Money from the dress (which I drew laying on the ground like most of my figures) will be building 15 schools in India.
I took this picture of a magnolia yesterday at The Huntington where I gathered alot of painting reference. Today I went back to Pasadena to the Pasadena Museum of CA art where I saw a fantastic watercolor show in the back gallery. Definately recommend it.

Another handsome mandolin player

I went to the Huntington thursday. Again, just another beautiful day in paradise. I love this statue.

Last days of February

Even though the weather report is for showers, these past two days are incredibly beautiful. Wonderfully chilly and bright "Colorado" skys. Eggplant and Jacaranda pods.