Closing another chapter...

When planning this whole big move, I had anticipated having a hard time closing the Los Angeles leg of my journey. And that part came true. I had a hard time saying goodbye (at least for now) to my home of almost 20 years. (In fact I'm already considering a return visit in mid-July.) I knew from experience that my time in Milwaukee would be nice, but I had also figured that this leg of the journey would be a sort of means to an end. But I'm finding that I'm a bit melancholy saying goodbye to this chapter. I've had a great time. See a couple posts back for some of the reasons I'm having a hard time hitting the road.


I sent off my boxes yesterday. Suddenly, 424 pounds of my belongings were making their way to Astoria, NY. And the apartment here in Milwaukee suddenly felt empty. I had to go visit a few local haunts to grasp onto the memories. I'm so excited about the NYC move, but three months here in Wisconsin has seeped into my soul... with their friendly folks and vibrant arts scene and fun & funky neighborhoods... and their brats and beer and custard and cheese and... I hope to be back sooner than later.

But my new home is NYC. I'm looking forward to landing in Astoria, Queens, NY. There's a sort of a big blank slate waiting for me... except that I've been writing on this slate for years already. I have a family of dear friends waiting for me. And my work precedes me too. I've been setting up meetings and meals and drinks. And I have three friends from LA who are visiting the city in the next month or two who have already chatted with me about getting together and sharing vittles and/or evenings in the theatre. It's a big transition moving across the country, but I'm feeling an incredible peace... tinged with excitement and anticipation about the new possibilities. Here I go!

Goodbye for now Milwaukee. I'll miss you! Take care, all! Peace and love.

Video: Lots of Broadway art...

In the midst of the ongoing weekly sketches over at Squigs Knows His Lines, I set a parallel goal of creating an illustration celebrating every single show to open on Broadway in the 2009/2010 season. There were 38 of them. Six of these pieces were based on and/or culled from pieces I was commissioned to do. (I just realized that I was commissioned to draw almost 16% of new Broadway shows this year... pretty nifty!) And I drew more than that too. Here are the results in a little video that I narrated...



Certain times of the year were slow (January) and some were crazy (October & April). But I did it. I'm very happy with some of the pieces. Less happy with others. But I did it. It feels really satisfying to see them all in around three minutes. I did it! Hee hee.

And I have a distinct hunch that this won't be the last time I'll tackle this challenge. I have a feeling that my future is being shaped with every pen stroke, and I'm grateful. I thank God for my gifts and abilities and inspiration and the opportunities I've been afforded to make this all happen.

Well, that's all for now. I've got to tackle some long neglected website updates and business card layout. Whee! Take care, all! Peace and love.

Grateful for the gig...

I've done a little doodlin' on the current endeavor in Milwaukee. It features the wacky cast of Route 66: Danny Calvert, Adam Estes, Zach Robbins, and myself. I am so grateful for this gig and for so many of the benefits:

• Creative: The chance to collaborate on this fun show has been so great. It is always a wonderful thing to be afforded the chance to do (and discover) what one does well, to be encouraged and supported to do so, and to find a way to do it eight times a week. It was also a really great thing to get to know the Rep family a bit better and have the chance to learn some new things.
• Financial: I've been able to take advantage of this contract to live rent-free and sock away money for the move to NYC. I was also able to utilize the shipping and airfare clauses in the contract to get me and my stuff to my next chapter.
• Professional: There have been so many new relationships developing in my time in Milwaukee. I'm happy to be exploring artistic collaborations with both the Rep and the Ten Chimneys Foundation. And the wide-open schedule has allowed me to take on numerous art commissions and develop relationships and networking with folks across the country.
• Familial: I am SO happy that many family members were able to come see the show. First, I received a lovely visit from my brother and his family. And then, Mom, Grandma, and aunts Pam and Sandi made the trip and shared a wonderful visit.
• Physical: Getting a good cardio workout almost every day has been great for so many reasons, and the walk between the hotel and the theatre has been fab for getting into NYC walking shape.
• Adventure: I always love experiencing a new place. Now, I've been in Milwaukee previously, but it has been a wonder to experience it with a new set of folks. And one of the major highlights was singing the national anthem in front of 26,000 folks which included 90 from the Rep. I really dig Milwaukee.
• Soul: Time shared laughing, eating, drinking, playing has been an absolute joy. I treasure my time with the Rep family, the Radio Golfers, and my own show family. Making people laugh and making good music is one of the most amazing gifts. I have been blessed to get the chance to do so with a talented and fun group of folks for 70 some-odd performances over the last few months.

To all of you who joined me on this leg of the journey, thank you! Thanks to the Rep family, and even more specifically the gang at the Stackner Cabaret. Thanks to my Route 66 cast and behind-the-scenes fab folks. Thanks to Bets Malone and Michael Borth for their creative mastery. And extra special thanks must go to Roger Bean for making it all happen.

That's it for now. I've got to get some winks before a well-earned day off... which will find me doing laundry and repacking boxes before catching a movie and then heading to Racine to be hosted by our fab stage manager and amazing chef, Richelle. Take care, all! Peace and love.