resplendent chaos

Fox Peas, Yapping Guardians of The Dark Crater

 
The elusive Fox Pea Vine can be found deep inside the dark lush forests of the Stickney crater located on the surface of Phobos, one of two moons orbiting Mars.  Of all the craters dotting the landscape of desolate and cold Phobos, only the Stickney contains life.  At this time, it is unknown why this particular crater holds life while others do not, but astrobiologists theorize it's because the Stickney crater lies near a mysterious monolith (once spotted by astronaut Buzz Aldrin) that beams a certain frequency necessary for the creation of life.  Why do you think so many of humankind's attempts at Mars exploration has failed? Because the Fox Peas chased them away. Medium: Watercolor and colored pencil on paper.

Three Kings in a City Park

One day after work, I headed toward the Union Square area of San Francisco for a little prime people watching.  A large park with a cafe, art shows, free outdoor concerts and plenty of seating areas to hang out, Union Square attracts a wide variety of people.  You can be sure to spot a diversity of international tourists, exchange students, street preachers, homeless people, crazy drunks, well-dressed office workers, elderly twins, and annoying hipsters all congregating and watching each other pass by. On this particular day, I spotted 3 interesting looking men sitting in close proximity of each other. They all had faces etched with stories to tell and yet each sat in silence as though not aware of the other.  I was aware of them though.  They needed to be documented, so I went to work.  Medium:  Ink in moleskine, digital paint.

Las Vegas Chronicles: Mesmerized To Stupor By The Shiny Spinning Sparkles

This is the last Las Vegas Chronicles drawing until I get back to Sin City again later this year. All I have to say about this one is that it's representative of the majority of people I've seen sitting in front of slot machines and video poker. I walk through the casino floors and am always struck by how bored and uninterested everyone looks as they sit expressionless in front of the glow of the spinning numbers for hours on end. They'll be slumped in their seats and practically drooling, moving their body only to insert more money, order another drink from the disgruntled waitress, or to fire up another cigarette. It's as though they've been absorbed by the Borg.  I can't stay in there too long or else I get the fear. Medium: ink and graphite in moleskine.

 

Las Vegas Chronicles: Cigarette & Booze Infused Leopard Print

She wandered her way down the strip eagerly searching for a place to sit. Although 80 degrees in the blinding Las Vegas sun, she wore an oversized plush leopard print coat that had seen better days. As she hustled past and sat across from me, my nostrils were filled with the dusty aroma of cheap hairspray, stale booze, and even staler cigarette smoke. Clouds of dust swirled around her like Pigpen as she let out a sigh of relief to rest her weary feet.  She sensed I was watching her, looked directly at me and said, "I wish they'd do something about this damn weather."  Not missing a beat, I replied, "yeah, I wish they'd turn it down a notch or two."  She nodded in agreement and began frantically looking for matches.  I told her I liked her coat and she straightened up, ran her hand across her hair to smooth the strays, smiled broadly and said thank you.  I could tell she loved that coat more than anything and it probably made her feel elegant - even in the desert heat.  After a few second, she slumped again and after finding her matches, she struck several before finally lighting up and inhaling deeply.  Medium: graphite on paper, digital color.

I'll Paint Your Portrait If You Paint Mine: Bob Lizarraga

My pal Bob Lizarraga and I decided to have a little fun and paint devil portraits of each other.  Bob is a very talented artist and character designer based in Los Angeles, and that's him above. He's lives for Halloween and Tiki culture, so I placed him in front of an erupting Hawaiian volcano, gave him a mini-me Tiki Imp sidekick and placed a strong rum cocktail in his hand.  Medium: graphite on paper, digital paint.

This is Bob's portrait of me holding my sweet, but corrupt pet goat while sitting on my newly upholstered velvet skull throne. I really do have pointed elf ears in real life, so Bob captured me well.  See more of Bob's spooky wonderful work over at his brand new blog.

 

Take a Walk With Me: Coastal Forest After The Rain

 

 

 

Unlike the rest of the country, we aren't feeling the cold snap here in San Francisco. Sure, it's 50 degrees out there and that's downright freezing to wimps like me, but not enough to keep me away from a muddy walk in the forest. 

Las Vegas Chronicles: Big Elvis is a Sin City Classic

Sin City is known for its dazzling array of shows and entertainers, but nothing comes closer to a true Las Vegas experience than watching the spectacle known as Big Elvis.  Sure, you could buy pricey tickets to a best-selling show consisting of a bunch of mute blue freaks who frenetically conjure discord while throwing rubber balls at each other in a fancy arena, but why not just save the money and head over to good ole Bill's Gamblin' Hall and Casino to catch a free Big Elvis show?  The "Gamblin Hall" is worn and grizzled, yet still retains an appealing 70's era faded glory...much like its patrons. Grab a seat at one of the tables at the front of the stage and order a few cheap cocktails from the harried waitress while you wait for Big Elvis to make his grand entrance.  Once he bursts out onto stage and waddles over to his goliath-sized throne in his bedazzled jumpsuit, you'll be speechless.  The night I was there, an older lady got up on stage and started dancing alone as Big Elvis played guitar and crooned.  She moved in slow motion twirls and jerky maneuvers during his entire performance. I'm not sure if she was part of his act, but she ought to be. Big Elvis is not only big horizontally, he goes way up high vertically too.  They aren't kidding when they say BIG! Medium: ink and graphite in moleskine.

Las Vegas Chronicles: Smoke Clouds Form Over Video Poker

One thing you'll notice as you walk through the acres of slot machines in every casino is the swirling bits of cigarette smoke hanging ghostlike over the heads of most the players.  They stare expressionless like zombies at the strobing bright lights, ringing bells and rotating cartoon icons flashing before their glazed eyes as they bleed money and wait patiently for the elusive win. I saw this lady (above) sucking butts for HOURS in front of the video poker machine. She didn't win anything, but she sure filled the casino ashtrays to capacity. She never once looked up to notice me sketching her just a few seats away even though I was coughing and gagging under her swirling cloud of death smoke. Medium: Ink in moleskine.

Merry Holiday!

I would like to wish you a very joyful and peaceful holiday season and a VERY happy and healthy 2010. I'd also like to extend my appreciation to those who read my blog. Your encouragement, wit and inspiration has been the best gift I've had all throughout the year - thank you!

Yep, I've been making weird holiday cards all day...

How Much is the Passed Out Stripper in the Window?

Window Display No. 1: Location: Shoe Fetish Store, Sutter Street, San Francisco. A lucite-heeled stripper wearing silver lame was in process of drunkenly decorating her dalmation just moments before passing out and slumping onto the fireplace mantel on Christmas morn. The impact of the fall caused ornaments to scatter all over the floor. 

 

Window Display No. 2: Location: Pawn Shop and Wig Store in seedy area of Market Street, San Francisco. A rapidly spinning disco ball and flashing strobe lights danced hypnotically across heavy silver chain jewelry, cheap knock-off watches, and screaming mannequin heads adorned with various shoddy wigs. While taking the photo, a man ran out from behind the counter and screamed "You want picture? Then give me 10 dollars!" After a moment or two, his face melted into a smile and he said he was just kidding.

Window Display No. 3 and 4: Location: Expensive Fine Jewelry Store, San Francisco. Pricey baubles are hidden amongst intricate art studio tableaux populated by artistic female marionettes posed in front of their paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. All photos snagged with iPhone camera.