Took advantage of a work trip to Anaheim to play tourist in L.A. and vicinity. Following a whirlwind of sightseeing in DTLA upon arrival (including the Jasper Johns show at The Broad), I took a day off at the end of the week to relax in Costa Mesa, shop at South Coast Plaza and see Alvin Ailey at the Segerstrom Center. Since no trip to SoCal is complete without getting sand between your toes, I went to Newport Beach on Friday morning to bask in the sun.







Before my flight home, I stopped at The Lab Anti-Mall for lunch and sketched Creme Tangerine -- a music store housed in an Airstream trailer -- while I waited for my table at Seabirds Kitchen.

Last weekend we decided on a whim to take a drive out to Yosemite National Park. Why? Because it was after spring break, before Memorial Day, and during the first weekend of Coachella. Our gamble paid off: While everyone else was competing for a glimpse of Beyonce in the desert, we had the park entrance practically to ourselves.

We brought bikes and a picnic lunch. Went to Mirror Lake and hiked the Mist Trail as far as the Vernal Falls Footbridge.

As Michael was stowing the bikes in the car, I sketched Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.

Had a leisurely paintout a few weeks ago with a few local friends. It was my turn to organize, so I chose the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden and nearby Rosicrucian Park as the venue.

Most of the roses weren't quite in bloom yet, but the garden was a lovely setting for painting and a picnic on the lawn.





My energy was flagging in the afternoon, so I only managed a quick ink sketch of the trees and succulents in the labyrinth at Rosicrucian Park.

The view from my studio, a few weekends ago. Used only a Pentel Aquash water brush and a Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketchers Box, with the colors it came with. And a Bee Paper Aquabee Super Deluxe ringbound sketchbook. Not my fave, but I made it work!



Here's another sketch, from a week later: Went up to the Fortini Trail on the other side of our park to shoot some video and dashed this off. The poppies were gorgeous!