Raspberries!!

Okay... I'm not usually one who will attend celebrity appearances unless it's to see them do what they typically do, BUT I had heard that Carol Channing was to be dropping by the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center this evening for a chat and maybe a bit of singin' from her new CD which mostly includes hymns and gospel tunes. The juxtaposition and proximity made it irresistible. And she's just so precious. And such a legend. I joined my friend Deejay Gray and we reveled in the experience.


I'm not typically an autograph guy. I'm not even good about getting subjects to sign things I've drawn. It just isn't normally important to me. But I stuck around and got Ms. Channing to sign my CD booklet. She was so lovely, and then I distracted her while she wrote my "XX"s and "OO"s. So I got a couple "X"s and a squiggle of sorts. And when Deejay told her "You're the reason I got into theatre." Carol said, "All right." Hmmmm.

Here are a few clips from the musical part of the event. (Not sure if I was supposed to do this, but it'll be fun while it lasts.) Ms. Channing is lending her support to the important cause of keeping arts education alive in the schools. If you want to follow her efforts (and I hope you do), check out her website: carolchanning.org

Well, that's it for now. Much more to come. I'm going to bed now... the first night in a while that I've planned to get eight hours of zzzzzzzzz.

My friend Nils.

A dear friend made his transition a week ago. Dear friend to many, actor, musician, husband, father, cool cat Nils Anderson is feeling no pain after a five year battle with cancer. I found out as I turned on my phone while taxiing to my gate at NYC's JFK airport last Saturday. He left a multitude of us with hearts aching for one more hug but full of his unique presence and the understated but sincere joy that he offered us all. His presence is still felt substantially through his daughter Amy and his son Eric and his wife Leslie. I will also personally remember him each time I develop an onstage character (and/or affix a fake moustache), see an upright bass, or hear a cool scat solo.


I remember closing night of a production of The Secret Garden in Vista, CA. Eric was hanging with us backstage as Nils and I got out of costume. Nils always had a secret with every character he played... something that informed his character work, but that he kept to himself until closing. He asked Eric and I if we wanted to know his secret as he had assessed the role of crusty Ben the Gardener. He removed his shoe, and taped to the sole of his sock were pennies and pebbles which gave him a very convincing limp onstage. I was enthralled, but the laugh that came out of E told me just how much the trade passed from father to son. It was a great glimpse into that family. I too am grateful for a father who is willing to pass on his stories to his kids. Not everyone is so lucky.


The day after Nils passed, Eric was in NYC fulfilling the culmination of a lot of dream-filled work... work that Nilsie lived to hear about. The Freakers Ball (an evening of the musings of Shel Silverstein) became so much more than just a groovy evening. It was a celebration of the heart of Nils carried on through E. For me it became more like "The Freakers Bawl." I was a mess and I was so honored to be present. Nilsie was in the room.


Today, a few friends were walking through Central Park. A little jazz combo was playing. One of us said, "I love an upright bass." It was a few hours later when we realized that we all thought of Nils at that same moment. As it should be.

Rest well, Nilsie. We miss you, but you're still with us in so many wonderful ways. Heaven is a much cooler place right now.

A west coast escape...

I picked a great week to be out of NYC since the temps shot into the triple digits. The weather was temperate and mild on the west coast. I first flew to Portland, OR and met up with my bro and his family. We drove out to the coast where we surprised Grandma and joined more family. It was a great visit. There was TOO MUCH FOOD and it was all great!


It was the Fourth of July. The photos above (L to R): The front door of the Warwick beach house near Waldport, my brother Jordan playing tag with his son Jack (taken through the traditional window art), some random folks standing behind us as we watched the LaDeDa Parade in Yachats, a taster tray from Rogue Brewers on the Bay, the family watching as my bro and I set off fireworks in the driveway, Yaquina Head Lighthouse, and the family in the midst of taking the family photo.


Here's more (from L to R): Me at Heceta Head Lighthouse, Grandma, still at Heceta Head, Mom and my bro's family at the entrance to the Enchanted Forest, me and my lemon teeth at the Chowder Bowl, nephew Jack and "Abraham Lincoln", and Jack getting a shooting gallery lesson.


Then I headed down to Southern California to visit friends and to get some R & R time on the North San Diego coastline. The photos (from L to R): the meditation gardens at the Self Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, a couple shots of me at Swami's Beach below the gardens, Stone World Bistro & Gardens, Randy's Donuts which was just down the street from the car rental place.

It was a great visit. I got to see so much of my family and eat a LOT. (Did I mention that?) And in Cali, I got to see a lot of friends and chill out a bit. I look forward to a return. In the meantime, things are picking up here in NYC. I've landed a few commissions in addition to the weekly piece on Broadway.com. AND I just had a couple of exciting meetings that will be leading to some fantastic developments. (I'll post when things are more firm.) I'm drawing a lot and enjoying it very much.

And this weekend I'll be in Milwaukee, witnessing the final presentation of the 2010 Ten Chimneys Fellowship. It should be stunning! Can't wait!

Well, that's a lot, but I've been storing up. Take care, all! Peace and love.

Shakespeare in the Park...

I took part in an NYC tradition the other day. I got up early and waited on line for free tickets to see one of the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park offerings. After waiting for about three and a half hours, I had a couple tickets to The Winter's Tale. I then went on with my day and returned in the evening...



Roller and I got there in time to grab a beverage and climb to our seats. The play was great and very well-done. Such beautiful design – such wonderful stage pictures – and the cast was really amazing. But most of all, I kept thinking about how I was in the middle of a huge city, in the middle of an astonishing park, experiencing live theatre. Really cool. I took a couple photos on the sly. Above is the stage at intermission. You can see Belvedere Castle there in the background. The other picture is during the second act.

What an amazing institution this is! Before it's done for the summer, I want to return to see Al Pacino in The Merchant of Venice. I hear one has to be a bit more of an early bird to get tickets for that one.

Well, that's all for now! Back to work. Peace and love, all!

Catching up again...

I've been caught up in the whirlwind once again. There is just so much to do. And when there isn't much to do, there is so much to see. I'm swamped! But there are some things I'd like to show you from wanderings I've had lately.



Here's me at Belvedere Castle, and then overlooking the Delacorte Theatre where I hope to catch some Shakespeare In the Park soon. And at the recently restored Bethesda Fountain. Central Park is such a gift. What a pleasure it is to spend a day just wandering. So much to see! So many adventures! This evening I was so happy to get caught up in the fireflies that emerged at dusk in the park. West coasters don't get this much, so it's pretty magical when it happens. Here's a little glimpse...



Well, I've got to get to bed. Take care, all! Peace and love.

Making good on delinquency...

Oh wow, have I been tardy with a post lately! Honestly... I've been busy. Okay, maybe I haven't been busy enough to warrant the kind of procrastination that yields wonderful rambling posts, but I really have been swamped with various nifty jobs and gigs.

The biggest of the bunch has been the first of my weekly contributions to the Broadway.com website. This first piece found me awake for 26 hours straight. Check out a wee video accounting of the day here...



Today found me wandering around Hell's Kitchen, SoHo, the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, and up 40 blocks of Seventh Avenue. Along the way, I gathered lunch, dinner, a couple beers, one of the most amazing donuts I've ever had, art supplies, new ear buds for my iPhone, and tons of photos. And I saw a really amazing movie... Micmacs (by the same team that brought us City of Lost Children and Amelie). What a day!

Tomorrow will find me water-taxiing to Governor's Island with my good friend Lisa for the aforementioned Brewfest. Beer tastings from 100 different craft brewers. Food and live music and an amazingly interesting setting. Should be a great afternoon.

Life is full here in NYC. There's a lot of fun to be had and thankfully the fun includes my work. I'm here to get the art out there. 'Nuff said. And I'm happy to say that the plan is working out. And the plan rolls on!

Best wishes to you all in all that's next. Peace and love.

Dropping in for a quick post...

I haven't been the best at updating this thing lately. Whoops. But I'm still finding that balance between working on all the project in the works AND gallivanting around the city, meeting up with friends and sitting in Broadway theatres. (I'm making progress, though.)

Today, I took some "me" time after updating the websites to wander the neighborhood. I found a decent little sushi place and located where I'll be buying my next burger... and grabbed some groceries. Part of this excursion was during a lovely little summer rainfall. The pavement smelled like that freshly rained-on smell.



This past weekend found my friend Ralph in the city. He spent his time in the city gathering friends to see shows and share meals. It was so nice to see him and connect with others that are part of his gang o' pals. There he is at O'Flaherty's with a NYer by way of San Diego, Spencer. And there's me at dinner with Ralph and Moriah at Joe Allen. The wall decor is mostly posters from flop shows which is incredibly fun. I'm posing in front of a couple of my favorite flops' window cards.


Speaking of window cards, I don't think you've made it as a poster illustrator in this big city until someone has defaced your work. Here's my (gap-toothed) Danny Kaye (well... Brian who plays him) on 46th Street.

Life is full here in NYC. I'm diggin' the new adventure. And of course now I'm fading. Sleep! Tomorrow will bring more sketch work and then a bite with my pal Greg. June is here. Can you believe it?? Well, I gotta catch some winks. Take care. Peace and love.