My drawin' hand is getting a workout.

First off, I need to give a shout out to a few folks. My friend Meloney sold out the M-Bar Monday and treated everyone to a fantastic evening of jazz. It was really great to witness a friend doing exactly what she was meant to do. Also, Roller and Michelle picked me up at the airport on the final evening of their visit from Chicago, and we got to catch up a bit which was great. It was a whirlwind evening. And finally, I must acknowledge how happy I was to watch all the Inauguration coverage on Tuesday, and how thrilled I am to witness the dawn of Barack Obama's presidency. So much excitement! Now I've settled into a week that, while not any less busy, is at least something I can accomplish while sitting at my desk with a good cup o' joe...


While I watched the inauguration I was also madly finishing up an illustration commission. It hasn't been unveiled yet so I can't post it. But to tide you over, here's something recent to look at. The illustrations I've posted above are the first three pieces I've done for a publication called Footlights Curtain Call, a monthly "Playbill" type magazine that serves as the program for many of LA's theatres. From left: January's piece featuring Terence McFarland (executive director of LA Stage Alliance) as the Ovation Award statuette; last November's illustration featuring artistic director Les Hanson, costumer Shon LeBlanc, and producer/p.r. genius David Elzer on the "front lines" of LA theatre; and next month's graphic heralding love month in the theatre. The actors in that one aren't meant to look like specific folks, but ended up looking a lot like David Engel and Teri Bibb who I drew years ago in MTG's Passion.


I've also just finished up a big illustration for a new adventure upon which I am embarking. (Why I've just had a grammar attack I'm not totally sure. Anyway...) While I was in Seattle, I visited with my brilliant friend David Quinn who just pulled a really amazing idea out of mid-air... I'll soon be launching a Facebook page that will feature a weekly illustration celebrating a person, moment, and/or timely event in the theatre. Posting a weekly visual observation on Facebook can get my work in front of tons of folks... and it only costs me time and effort. Can't believe I haven't thought of it before. Thanks Quinn! So, I've chosen to debut with a piece featuring the shows that closed over the month of January. The economy has forced an inordinate number of Broadway shows to shutter after the holidays and while this is devastating to many individuals (and the industry in general), I want to celebrate the amazing work that brought joy to so many. So the 13 shows featured in the sketch are: All My Sons, Boeing Boeing, Dividing the Estate, Grease, Gypsy, Hairspray, Spamalot, Spring Awakening, 13, Young Frankenstein, and the holiday engagements of Liza at the Palace, Slava's Snowshow, and White Christmas. Once I've set up the Facebook page, I'll post the link here to everyone can join up.

So that's all for now. Best wishes to all of you for whatever's next. Peace and love.

Farewell to the Pacific NW (for now)...

I've had such a great time visiting the family and chillin' out. My time on the coast was just fantastic – just the right mix of adventures and relaxation. I'm so thankful for the family's place in Waldport. Such a fantastic retreat! I feel like I stocked up on rest AND got some work done. Nice! After heading back over the Coast range on Wednesday, Mom and I visited sis Deanna and her family which was fun and full of energy.


Then we hit the road on Thursday for Seattle to eat. Well, that's what it felt like. With Aunt Pam and cousin Cori and little Weston, we ate incredibly well all over the city. I'm now on a fast to recover from all the goodness. And in an attempt to curb the appetite with something a wee bit grody, we visited the infamous wall of gum near Pike Place Market. Here's a pic of Mom, Pam and I at the wall. Notice the word "JOY" spelled out in what I'm guessing is neon apple. It took a lot of coersion to get them near it. All kidding aside, the visit was so lovely and I'm so thankful to Aunt Pam for hosting us – and to her dog Bella for changing her attitude towards me. I also had a great visit with repeat offender client and brilliant friend Quinn, AND caught some live music with Cori in Ballard. Good trip.


We returned to the folks' homestead yesterday and had a lovely evening of Taco Time and SNL's Presidential Bash. And now after another visit with Grandma and a shuttle ride, I'm sitting in the Portland airport awaiting my flight home. I'll hit the ground running when I land in Burbank. Brotha-from-anotha-motha Roller and his lady Michelle will pick me up on their last night visiting LA (before heading back to Chicago). If all goes according to plan, I'll catch part of my dear friend Mel's debut solo jazz show before rejoining Roller and gang at Father's Office. The whole whirlwind evening sounds crazy and fun, and I can't wait to get on with it.


And even though it sounds like a late evening will be in order, I've gotta be up at seven tomorrow morning for the start of Inauguration Day coverage. I'm so excited!! So in addition to a change of direction in America (and HOPEfully a brighter new day), on a smaller scale, I'm responsible to usher in a new chapter in my illustration endeavors. I have to chain myself to the drawing board over the next week or two – a big caricature commission, some adjustments on previous work, and two huge personal projects that may well change my future. We'll see. Nose to the grindstone... that's me. Here we go! Wishes of peace and love are going out to you all. Take care, and love your neighbor.