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Where I've been...

The Build up of stress proved too much to deal with.
So I took up an offer to visit my best friend from
undergrad and her family at a lovely house in the forest.
What followed was a very much needed respite from my
present existence. Five days of trees, water, sun and
cooking from scratch. Throw in some lovely babies with
an affinity for hand bells and about four dozen cookies
and you get some idea of this lil' slice-o-heaven.

I will be doing my best to return next year. And am
kicking myself for being too busy the past few years
to go. Stupid work.

I also learned some life lessons from a one year old.
They are as follows:

1. Say no often and mean it. Even if you want to say yes.
2. Guard your property with a vengance.
3. If your 'no' is not well received, scream until it is.

And now some pictures.

Less than ex-static process

Hi there, those of you out
there,somewhere. Possibly.

Not been posting lately
as there has not been
anything really post-worthy
happening 'round these parts.

I do have a few pics from wandering though:

The Alexander McQueen 14th Street Window.
Tuesday I will be going as a guest to the
preview of the McQueen Retrospective at
the Met. That will be a post worthy event.


My Mid-century finds on stage at Benefactors at Theatre Row.


Scenic painting for Tomorrow Morning at The York Theatre.
Making Home Depot grade plywood look like Laminate is
an undertaking I'd rather not relive. Ever. looked good though.
That and standing atop 20 foot ladders painting inch wide, inch
gapped planks of slatted lumber.




The Monsters chandelier and The Townhouses stairwell.


Spring comes at last to Madison Park


A Steinway Grand on stage at an Alesio Bax recital at Lincoln Center.


Africa or Midtown? Flashbacks at the Annex Flea Market in Chelsea.
Yes, Chelsea.


Vintage delivery Bicycles at Sea Breeze Seafood Market in Hells Kitchen.


The Music Inn in the West Village.
Imagine a small room, two small
rooms really, filled floor to ceiling
with all the fine equipment used to
create ambient world music. Beautiful.
Also there were two guys downstairs in
the workshop making violins when the
owner took me down to hunt for the
single tone chime I was looking for.

nearly forgotten drawings from Paris...

from a memory sparked by Mark's reminder that photos aren't always the only option.

Its been a minute....I know.

I was unemployed for so long (2 and a half months)
and then suddenly I have three jobs, all wanting
my time. I'm doing a properties scavenger hunt for
Benefactors which opens way too soon at Theatre Row.
I'm scheduled to do some scenic painting at the York
Theatre soon, though what I have no idea.
And perhaps best of all, I am in concept design stage
for what looks to be a fantastic, demanding, arduous
and breathtaking spectacle whose name I cannot release
yet. I very much want to take a home office pic and
post it but I'm certain that is a no no. For now.
I will say that is loaded with fur and sequins and
there is hardly a straight bit of tailoring save for
a tuxedo. That is until I figure out how to adapt it
to our needs. Mink crinoline anyone?

Some things that have been on my mind recently:

1. What are you?
I get asked this constantly, and usually in a seeming
non-threatening way. However, asking this question to a
person of mixed heritage usually makes us feel like you
are asking us to qualify ourselves. I am a person first
and foremost leave it at that.

2. Theory and Practice:
To truly excel at art, just like sports or law, you
have to work at it tirelessly and daily. Talent may be
something we are born with but it requires upkeep or it
becomes stagnant and rots a little. A few of my friends
are having this issue having taken jobs out of school that
don't really call for drawing or painting capabilities, just
long hours that leave them unable to make any work due to
exhaustion or apathy (her word, not mine.)

3. The end of an era:
What a sad end to the tenure of John Galliano.

4. Asshole Magnet:
That would be me, Ladies and Gentlemen. I managed to
fall for the fleecy exterior of yet another wolf in sheeps
clothing. I believe the deciding factor was on the third date
when he tells me, after I voice a few concerns of mine that he
might be a player and how I don't need that,
"It will sound arrogant, but I've been avoiding calls from
a twenty-one year old boy tonight. I've been ignoring him
to be with you." Am I missing something? Was this meant to
somehow reassuring or complimentary? Where HAVE all the good
men gone? I need some gaurds, all my friends are too busy
with decent relationships to make sure I don't fall in the well.

Some pictures:

At The Demolition Depot in Harlem.
Four floors of the accumulated insides
of Manhattan Mansions Past.



Atop some two by fours rests an enormous oval miracle.



Rain outside the theatre, sideways. At night.

The Menu @ Julius NYC.


This man will get you drunk. Beware.



mon lit. il me manques.