August 31

We're sweltering in a heat wave here. It's MUCH too hot (113°F/45°C) to go sketching at midday, so instead I ventured out in the gloaming and captured the sunset skyline. Color added in Photoshop.

August 30

August 29

The Australian company, Westfield, is a big builder of shopping malls over here. There are currently two separate Westfield malls a few blocks apart in Woodland Hills that are going to be conjoined by more shops, condominiums, restaurants, and a "paseo". The plans have been public for at least seven years, but are coming closer to fruition. This building is on the in-between land slated for redevelopment; the restaurant vacated some time ago, and it'll be demolished in the next year or two. Just what LA needs ... another mega-mall.

August 28

August 27

Lauren has just spent five days -- her first solo trip -- with Grammy Diane in Albuquerque. She had a wonderful time.

August 26

Another back view. It's the easiest way to capture people without them noticing.

August 25

Big-arsed man.

August 24

August 23

From my seat in the restaurant, I could only see the legs and feet of a lady waiting for a table.

August 22

August 21

I HAVE been sketching daily, I just haven't been uploading. So here's a week's worth of catch up. To my relief, I have a day off work today, and my to-do list is a mile long. I got up at 4:30 because my mind was racing, and already (5:45 am) I've crossed three things off the list, including "blog update".

August 20

Faces at the zoo.

August 19

August 18

August 17

August 16

August 15

August 14

August 13

More faces at the bank, sketched on the only paper I could lay my hands on: deposit slips.

August 12

Today I took Lauren and a friend to the Autry Museum of the American West. This place has been on my list to visit for ... oh ... ten years. It's pretty cool, even if you're not into cowboy culture (which I'm not). I sketched these boots while the girls "rode" on a stationary saddle in front of a blue screen and watched themselves placed into a western movie chase scene. They thought it heaps of fun, and each took four turns.

When Lauren was on the phone last night inviting her friend to accompany us on this outing, she had to do some convincing. "Oh, yes, you will enjoy it," I overheard her saying. "Hashi often takes me to things like this. It may not sound like fun, but believe me, you'll have a good time. Ayla came with us to the Getty Villa, and she wasn't sure she wanted to go, but she ended up having a great time. I can promise you, you'll be glad you came."

Wow. Warmed the cockles of my heart, it did.

August 11

Evie and I went to The Getty today instead of doing our usual Walking L.A. outing. Our focus was the Edward Weston exhibition, but as always we gleaned so much pleasure and amazement from this superlative venue. We still got our exercise, walking up the hill instead of catching the tram. This Miró sculpture located in the new sculpture garden looks rather like an electric razor in my rendition.

One of the things I really appreciate about living in a large American city is the incredible range of world class art that I can view on any day, for little or no cost. Thank you, philanthropists of the past. I, for one, appreciate your vision and generosity.

August 10

OK, so I'm going through a chain link fence stage.

August 9

August 8

My soul was very heavy after harsh words were exchanged in anger at my house this morning. For my lunch break, I knew I had to go somewhere peaceful and beautiful to restore my equilibrium and sense of perspective. So I paid my first visit to the Japanese Garden built on the grounds of, and watered by, the Tillman Water Reclamation (read: "sewage treatment") Plant.

It's very very lovely there. I couldn't stay long, but I was far calmer and happier when I left, and I've decided to return often. I especially want to visit in spring, when the cherries and azaleas are in bloom.

August 7

Bird of Paradise flowers are so very graphic, aren't they?

August 6

My lunch time walk was too fast and short to allow for sketching, so tonight I took the opportunity to draw while I was waiting for Ian here. Then I laid back the car seat and napped for ten minutes. My job kicks my butt.

August 5

The crape myrtle (I always think is should be spelled "crepe") has been flowering for a month. I see it everywhere on my walks.

August 4

Last night Ian (16) was a passenger in a car driven by his 19 yr old friend, when they were struck by another car which ran a stop light at high speed. This pushed them into a head-on collision with a third car, and their airbags deployed. By the time they got out of their vehicle and looked around, the person or people in the first car had run away. It appeared as if that vehicle were stolen, because the stereo system had wires hanging out of it as if it were in the process of being removed.

Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt (thank you, Volvo and BMW), but Ian got an ambulance ride to the ER to check out his chest pains. Bruising from the seat belt and airbag was the diagnosis, and we brought our sore and sorry boy home.

August 3

Faces at the bank.

August 2

August 1