resplendent chaos

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.

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.