always an inspiration

As I return to painting at least for the time being, I'm reminded of one of my favorite contemporary artists, Johanne Corno. Movement + colors = love love love

Above - a few shots from my time here so far. I selected the perfect time to come visit zee California. I left New York around the same time last summer to travel over here, to Portland and to Costa Rica - I'm convinced I do this just to get away from the subway detours that result from the summer construction - also, admittedly cannot stand extreme humidity combined with heat waves.

I've been spending most of my time here working out of my uncle's house, but have also gotten to spend plenty of quality time with friends and family as well. Rode out to San Francisco last weekend - stayed at my cousin, Arnold's apartment in Inner Richmond and, among other things, went out to dinner at a glorious Asian fusion restaurant called Morph. They took me to an art gallery/dance party locale/concert venue called Minna where both the dj and the band's tunes were completely in line with my ideal Friday night soundtrack :) ... good times all around. Afterward, we dance danced nearby. We brunched at Namu the next day and I had a looovely kimchee breakfast burrito, followed by touring the Japanese tea gardens, shopping on Haight, topped off by Ben and Jerry's :). Spent Sunday catching up with an old friend and his brother in Golden Gate Park and grabbing dinner with my cousin. I'd have to say this was one of my best city trips aside from the time we went to Pier 39 and I got to jump on the bungee trampoline and my cousins and I got lost in the arcade.

My mother flew in for a few days this week before leaving for Australia - we all went out for Japanese and Vietnamese (Asian food is obviously our family priority) ... my uncle and cousin and I drove out to Berkeley today to paint at my aunt and uncle's house. I'm working on a sort-of landscape of their backyard for my aunt's office. Getting up early to jazzercize with my aunt and head back to Berkeley for more painting and dinner for my cousins' birthdays.

Next week, I'm planning to head to San Diego for a few days to visit my little brother, return to the Bay Area for a few days, then roadtrip north with my friend Chad to Yosemite, to see some redwoods, and visit others in Vancouver. Marathon of a West Coast trip, I must say :) But I'm loving it over here and am, again, thankful to be away from the myriad mosquitoes back in my room. Toodles! T

Just finished up 4 days in Novato, CA for work and, let me say, that town is beauuuutiful. I have hardly been outside of Union City/Fremont/Newark/Brentwood to anywhere other than the city, but I loooooved the rampant greenery in Novato. Twas just a good feeling :) Aaand we had the most splendid Indian food I have ever tasted. Good times and good days over at TS! And my mosquito bites are finally healing ...