I left my heart...

...in San Francisco, I saw so many beautiful Victorian homes (a la Full House and Mrs. Doubtfire).  In the 70s around Haight-Ashbury, hippies painted their houses in crazy colours because..they were hippies, I guess.  Although less psychedelic, lots of homes are still painted in non-traditional colours. These 'Painted Ladies' are really gorgeous, the colours bring out the ornate detail in the architecture. Nice!

Painted Lady

Flying high

Squirrels, eagles, deer, skunks.. I have seen lots of native creatures during my travels so far.  I'm not sure if the skunk counts, it was roadkill.  But it still smelt.  Anyway, my favourite has been playful hummingbirds.  These things are so tiny, so fast and oh so pretty. This is an ink drawing that I tried to make as delicate as they are! 

Hummingbird

From a moving train

I drew this on the 30 hour train trip between San Luis Obispo and Seattle.  I saw lots of incredible views, from deer frolicking on rolling green hills to snow covered pines.  I was also lucky enough to catch this sweet image - a glimpse of a father and his little baby waving at the passing train through a window.  I hope they are every bit as wholesome as I have imagined them!

There goes the train...

Dining in Hollywood

I loved this restaurant my Uncle and Aunt took me to on Hollywood Boulevard.  Musso and Frank Grill was one of the first restaurants in the area and remains almost exactly the same as it was when it opened in 1919. The menu is the same, the decor is the same, and I think some of the staff are the same. It's dark, mahogany-filled and makes you feel like you're in The Godfather. Here's a quick sketch of the bar.

Bartender at work

Family History

I've spent the last couple of days with my Uncle and Aunt in LA.  With them as guides I've been discovering my family history, I've seen the house where my Uncle and my Dad grew up, their schools and the neighborhood.  A highlight was the Alex Theatre in Glendale, a gorgeous Art Deco place which is where my grandparents met in the 1930s! I was inspired to draw this, which is perhaps my grandparents after a date. Is it creepy to imagine your granparents on a date?  Hmm.

Alex Theatre

"I've always loved U...nited Airlines"

Hey, ever tried to sleep on a plane?  Ever noticed that the space for your body is...like, too small? This may explain this sketch I did on the plane on the way from Australia to the USA. Its a long, uncomfortable flight.

Uncomfortable Bunnies