Cowboy in Brooklyn

Fat people and cowboys. Two things when I see, my heart skips a beat and I must reach for the nearest pen and sketchbook/napkin/post-it note and draw them. In fact, I'm going to dedicate the rest of this month to doing just so. Man alive, what If I come across a FAT COWBOY???, oh man.........

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.

Dr. Sketchy's napkins

billed as the "world's sexiest geek", Justine Joli was the model at last weekend's Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School here in NY. It was crowded, I couldn't see the stage and most of her body was obstructed by cardboard cut outs of 80's video game icons. It was dark, I could barely see where my pen was meeting the paper or napkin, and the guy behind me kept using my chair as an easel. I think I'll head back once it starts to snow again. Until then I'd rather draw in peace and quiet, in a park somewhere or in the corner of a sleazy dive bar.

Peeing Toast

I have nothing to say about this little animation other than it made some people smile, isn't that all one can ask for?

Union Square

As I looked around the room where I sleep on my futon at night, I found that the clutter was mostly made of sketchbooks, comics, novels and dvd’s. I also noticed two pairs of shoes near my desk, but I had no idea how they got there. As I thumbed through an old sketchbook, I stared at each drawing. It’s as if they all were a portal of sorts, a gateway to a time and place, stirring up sounds, smells and emotions of a summer past.

sketchbook: Toasties Union sq- summer 2008
Post-Its: R train, Jun 10 , 09

Lit Bar

The other night Bryan, Zartosht and I were out after work. We began at the usual Toasties, and after that wandered on down to Lit Bar on Second Ave. We ordered our whiskeys and sat down on the bench adjacent to where everyone stood. I looked over at Bryan as he opened his sketchbook with a grin on his face, and Zee doing the same, but with an even bigger smile. I then took a sip of my whiskey and went to take a leak.

PBR

I was out for a little stroll this evening when I looked into my wallet. 3 dollars and a bunch of receipts were there. As I cruised towards Canal Bar I decided to stop in for a quick one, where I ordered a beer and sketched it onto a napkin.

Prospect Park Sketch

I don't think I've posted this sketch of the carousel in Prospect park yet, It was done last August, over by the entrance to the zoo. Sometimes I walk into the park with every intention of getting to the zoo but it's as if sometimes it's there, and other times it isn't. When I can't find it, I don't try to push it, I take it as a sign, like a voice saying, "Phil, you're not supposed to draw animals today".

yet another memory sketch

I saw this guy the other day on my way to my Brooklyn studio space. He didn't look that confused but I thought pushing his expression would make a more convincing drawing.

Memory Sketch from Thursday

I was eating breakfast at the South Slope Diner on 4th and Union this morning. Are they still called that? They keep changing their name...New College, South slope, It's something else now, but I stop at 2 name changes. Root Hill , if you change your name again I'm still calling you Root Hill ( they used to be Brooklyn Bean). Do I change my name every few months? Should I start introducing myself as PJ or Felipe? Aaaaanyway..... I digress. This lady was crossing the street with her daughter, It was windy and not really raining that hard. what's with the umbrella?

Memory sketch

I've been taking Stephen Silver's character design class over at schoolism.com, and it's been a very rewarding experience thus far. One of the exercises he stresses is memory sketching. This gentleman I saw on the corner of 3rd avenue the other morning. Man Alive was he ever thin, I walked passed him and was so caught up in the shape of his head and hat that I didn't bother drawing in the rest of his body. This is a lot of fun to do and I suggest it to any artist to practice and have fun with.

A napkin with Wilbur on it

Wilbur, on a napkin, on his first shift late Tuesday night last week. He'll be tending bar on Sundays at Canal Bar. Sundays are one of my favorite evenings to have a couple of cold ones and draw in my sketchbook at the bar, well, that and Tuesdays. Tuesdays are pretty damn fine as well. See you this Sunday at Canal Bar, and perhaps on Tuesday also.

Gowanus Yacht Club Napkins

After a great Memorial Day bbq at the Canal Bar on 3rd avenue, Josh, Wilbur and I walked up to Smith street with some Coconuts, left over from Friday's Carrol Street bbq. Thanks to the undercover cops for NOT giving us public drinking tickets/fines/jail time.

As we sat there and drank our black label beer, Zee and I started to sketch, as Josh and Wilbur cracked away at the remaining coconuts.

This girl sat very still and was an easy subject for both of us to sketch.

This is a great drawing by Zee. As the girl and her friends left we showed her the drawings and she seemed to really like them. She was visiting from Beirut(Lebanon) and hopefully she has a good stay in Brooklyn.

More Yacht Club Napkins