great Lakes

Out for a late night beer at Great Lakes with Zartosht, I noticed this couple in an intense conversation. I liked how their lines of action formed a triangle. I also liked how the guy was seemingly begging when he leaned in so close to her, but maybe he wasn't begging at all- probably apologizing - but then where were the flowers?

Napkins from the St. Elizabeth

after another great life drawing session - (by great I mean the model was great, the sketches can always be better) we headed to the bar for a well deserved 3 beers and sketched on some napkins.

napkin doodle

Why does it happen so often when Z and I are drawing next to each other at a bar, someone will always ask if we're having a drawing contest. If we were having a drawing contest, then obviously we'd be wearing our wristbands and racquetball goggles, a requisite to each and every drawing contest.
I just assumed everyone was aware of that.
If we're wearing our casual wear, then we're just having fun-
and trying to do better than our last drawing.

Happy Birthday to Canal Bar

A friend of a friend when I asked him why his wife never accompanied him to Canal bar, responded with something like "she works until real late- besides, she'd never go to a place like that". Oh well I thought to myself, to each their own. Fair is fair, I'd probably never frequent the places that she would hang out at.

Everyone does what's right for themselves I suppose- and I am very glad to have been a part of the regular crowd at the Canal bar for the last 3 years. I've met some fantastic people there and many have become close friends, and a few strangers have left me staring into my beer contemplating the meaning of life, after a dose of their bar stool wisdom. An equal number have jotted down movies or books I should check out, many which I have and have made an impact on me artistically and spiritually.

Tonight Canal Bar turns 4, and I'd just like to wish Lou, Tommy and the rest a big congrats, and here's to 4 more years.

One of these sketches I've already posted , and is hanging at the crooked tail cafe, the other, is a sketch I did sometime last year of Ryan Macpherson, Canal Bar's resident Opera singer. (no, really, he IS a really talented Opera singer).

Save the napkins!

So there's a good chance that Zartosht and I will be displaying some napkin drawings either late in July or early August at the Crooked Tail Cafe on 3rd Ave. I'll post up the details once they become finalized. The show is tentatively called "A night out on Smith Street"
These I found while emptying my pockets before I threw my jeans in the washing machine- not too sure about the two top ones but the bottom one was a sketch from Union Hall- a hipster girl playing Bocce.

Long tan, Iran

While I sat eating my pad thai at Long Tan, I listened to the conversation taking place next to me. One girl exclaimed " I never thought I'd ever meet an Iraaaanian", as she recounted her experience from the week before in her southern twang. This was followed by a few jokes about running- get it? I ran? ha. Then the conversation finally returned to one couple's television odyssey. I had no idea Lost was over. When did it even begin? Zartosht and Ali were on their way to drink with me. This girl was possibly going to meet Iranians numbers 2 and 3, all in one week. Wow. I didn't bother introducing them however. We left, for another bar on 5th ave where we chatted over a few pints and sketched, on the eve of a bloody revolution.
My thoughts go out to those fighting for their freedom.

Canal Bar Napkins

Just a couple more napkins from late last night. I walked over to Canal bar after a long afternoon nap, and didn't really know anyone aside from Melissa, who was tending the bar. It was fairly crowded which was nice, lots of people to draw inspiration from. I must have sketched on about 20 napkins and the same the night before.