Keeping your faith, baby!

Whatever it may be, the ritual is always moving and awe inspiring.

At the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong,
the smell of incense sweetened the air and the smoke created a haze of humbleness as scores of people thronged to make their offerings.

Oddly enough, I did not go unnoticed, and as I was drawing, became embarassingly, somewhat of an attraction myself.
I am, along with my journal images, part of the photo diary of many visitors, posing first with the husbands and then with the wives. Go figure.

Hong Kong People

There were so very many street scenes to record in Hong Kong-but it is also a city of fashion and fashionable people, too. Here are some quickies....

The Language of Pride

What transcends the inability to speak the same language?
Is it a shared look? A smile? Sometimes, I find it is a drawing-
In all of the little streets that I twisted and turned onto, filled with vegetables and vendors, steaming pots of soup, sparkling Christmas decorations, and glistening ducks, the language of pride came through.
When I paused for a minute or two to draw, our connections were made.
I felt like I had spoken to everyone who I drew, though I had not uttered
a word!

When Drawing Gets Religion

Today I took my class to St. Patrick's Cathedral to draw.
The mild air and warm rain belied the December date. It was only inside that the massive crowds and the festive wreaths
told us that it was near to Christmas.
We spoke, my class and I, about the conflict of drawing while there were those around us who came to the cathedral to worship.
The flash of the cameras around us emphasized our thoughts, but quietly and respectfully we drew-and listened.
I was really proud of what they drew today. I stole a little time of my own-probably not the optimum choice of words for the venue, but such as it is- here is my day's work.

Hong Kong KRAZY!

Oh, I know that it has been forever since I posted.
I just returned from a cool project that I received a grant for at FIT,
where I teach Illustration.
I traveled to Hong Kong and China as a documentary artist,
along with a group of graduate students who are involved in
global fashion management.
It is a draftsman's paradise-just fantastic- and my head is still reeling-
much to scan and to say- all to come along.

DO IT!

The Obama Wave

There is no doubt that drawing is what I love to do best. But, it is not all that I do- and often, it is my reportage that has led me to other, unexpected, fantastic opportunities.
I was invited to be one of 75 artists to exhibit in an exhibition that complements the Democratic National Convention.
The exhibit, at Manifest Hope Gallery, is open this week.
I am honored and excited to be a part of this exciting time in this way.
When we were asked to think beyond the portrait of the candidate, I knew exactly what picture I wanted to make-
In this scenario, it is about the wave of voters that are getting involved for the first time. It was my obsession with drawing people in my sketchbook that allowed me to put it together.

Free Models

The ocean never disappoints- and it would be enough to relax and reflect
with the crash of the waves providing the soundtrack.
But, who could ignore the always incredible opportunity to draw????

The Fun Ship Sailed

I am back from the first cruise of my life-maybe the last one, too!
I am still trying to figure out why anyone might call this way of travel a vacation-
you are literally living, eating and playing with 3000 people for five days.
Now, those of you who know me probably will realize that I am quite happy, thank you, to spend loads of time solo.
But, I did go on this trip with my mom- for lots of different reasons- and we had a grand time together-though when it came time for the towel folding into a swan demo, I made my way to the casino.
I broke away from my usual, favorite spiral sketchbook format because I did not know what to expect.
I brought along a precious little book that my friend Cheryl Phelps gave to me. I was waiting for just the right time to use it- and this was it- it has a very smooth surface, my pen just glides over it, which made all the rockin' and rollin' of the waves not to matter too much!
Here is a little sampling of the Fun Ship...