BINGO!

Hi all! I'm typing this little entry from McMenamin's Lighthouse Brewpub in Lincoln City, OR. Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Pam are grabbing a bite elsewhere and then wandering around a bit before we all hit Chinook Winds Casino for our New Year's Eve bingo extravaganza! Tonight's theme finds us at a 1940's USO show. Should be fun. Hope I win.

As we teeter on the edge of 2007, my deeply rooted wish is for peace – in the hearts of you and I, as well as throughout the world. May 2008 bring all the amazing opportunities and successes we all can handle.

As a wee reminder, I've recently posted my latest cast sketch – the Phantom Spectacular in Las Vegas! It was a huge project. Take a peek at the grandeur! :0)

Well, that's all for now. Off to bingo! Peace and love, y'all!

Painted faces on parade...

Okay, that was a bit "musical theatre geek"y, but I'm now unveiling a new sketch - the Las Vegas cast of The Phantom of the Opera Spectacular. Check it out here. This particular piece features 45 people - one of my most populated illustrations. Kristi Holden, Christine in this production and old friend, commissioned it along with sketches of her conductors and stage management staff. It was a huge project, but it was a lot of fun, and I'm so thankful that Kristi thought of me for this.

I'm typing this wee entry from Seattle where I'm visiting my Aunt Pam and cousins. Just flew in today from Oregon where I spent Christmas with the folks and Grandma and a lovely gathering at sis Deanna & family's new place. It was a wonderful Christmas - even including snow! Now it's off to bed so I'll be well-rested to watch 'em toss fish at Pike Place. There's a birthday gathering for cousin Cori tomorrow eve, and in the in-between time who knows what adventures I may embark upon?

Peace & love, y'all!

The Closing of the Year...

Ahhh! I'm officially calling it on my work load for 2007. The holiday gigs are done and the commissioned work is at a stopping point. I'm headed for the Northwest to see the family and take a break.

I may post a bit more this year, but it'll be from a place of leisure. Yay! Take care, all! Merry Christmas and best wishes for the upcoming new year. Peace and love!

Fa la la la la!

Like I anticipated, it was a great day! I met Steve and Bets at the Arclight to see Sweeney Todd. Quick review: Loved it! [But a warning: It's really gory!] Then I had to jump on the freeway to get to the OC for caroling. I hit slow traffic almost from the second I merged on. I began to realize that although I had alloted three hours to get there I was also in the midst of Friday holiday getaway traffic. I planned my route and prayed, and I must say that I've become a pretty masterful navigator. While it doesn't always work, this time getting off on surface streets at one point got me to my call on time and even gave me time to stop for coffee. Whew!

And the gig proved to be well worth the drive. I was part of an "all sub" quartet filling in at the Summit House restaurant in Fullerton. I had worked with Greg, Julie, and Beth at various times over the years and there was a lot of experience between us. Well, we just fell into an amazing blend and rapport. We had a great time with the guests, but I think we had an even better time with each other and the music we were making – great tuning, cutoffs, dynamics, listening, and just plain fun personalities. I don't want to brag on us too much, but I think it was an ideal quartet situation. And I think guests noticed. The tips were pretty darn amazing. So yay!

Now I'm winding down and getting set for a good night's sleep before heading off to Beverly Hills to make faces all day tomorrow. So take care, all! Peace and love.

Giggin' away...

Hi all! The holiday gigs just keep rollin' along. I drew caricatures aboard a harbor cruise this evening – Hornblower's Zumbrota out of Marina Del Rey. This yacht was built in 1918 for Charles Ringling (of Ringling Bros. fame) and was named after their first big attraction, Zumbrota the Elephant. The bar still sports a brass rail supported by the trunks of two elephants. Over the years the boat was owned by such folk as Mae West and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. It served in WW2. So much history in a little vessel. The party was fun. Lovely group of people.

Now, I'm heading into my last few days of gigs before Christmas. I'll be singing in an "all sub" quartet at Fullerton's Summit House tomorrow eve – we'll see what tunes we all muster collectively. And then the weekend will bring a bunch of caricature drawing on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. It has been an enjoyable gig throughout the holiday season, and I look forward to my last few shifts.

On the freelance front, I'm done with my huge commissioned project and I'm so relieved! It turned out great! I'll post it on the website after its surprise presentation.

Well, take care, all! I've got to get some beauty rest before I catch a matinee of the Sweeney Todd movie tomorrow. Can't wait! Having taken part in a fantastic stage production of the show and seeing every version out there, I look forward to seeing this new adaptation. So it's a little Sweeney then down to the OC for some caroling. Should be a great day!

Take care all! Merry and happy! Peace and love.

Merry and Happy, Y'all!

Hi. I just felt like posting a little holiday cheer. I sang this evening with a piecemeal gang of carolers that ended up having a great blend and rapport, and we had lots of fun and festive folks to sing for including oodles of little ones. Santa was there too, reading The Night Before Christmas, and we all had cocoa. Lovely little evening.

Oh yeah... and my huge commissioned project is done and I'm getting set to ship it tomorrow. Such a fun project but SO much work. It's a huge relief to be on the tail end of the assignment.

Now I'm entering my final holiday weekend of gigs – caricatures on a boat in Marina Del Rey tomorrow, caroling at Fullerton's Summit House Friday eve, and caricatures on Beverly Drive Saturday and Sunday. I'm feeling so thankful for the abundance of work, but I look forward to jumping on that plane Monday. Off to the beautiful Pacific Northwest and the family!

And in closing, I'll explain the photographic art above and offer it to you for your holiday enjoyment. I took this at the south end of Pasadena's Christmas Tree Lane. I just stood there looking at the twinkle lights and I flailed my camera about like an idiot and this is the result. Enjoy! Ooh. Ah.

Peace and love, y'all!

Here I am...

Howdy, all! I've moved the blog here because I'm working towards streamlining the homepage. Keep an eye out here for updates about the many hats I wear as well as the occasional random rant.

In the mean time, I hope your holiday season is wonderful. Merry Christmas and I hope 2008 brings an abundance of great things for everybody.

Peace and love, y'all!