Added second day to this painting.

After a long break I tried to go back to this landscape. Despite the crazy hot weather, no AC and one lady painting staircase with intoxicating oil poly in the same room, I was able to move it further.
My building has major problem with leak in AC system, so no AC at home either, which is also extremely uncomfortable. I guess it is aftermath of hurricane Sandy. We have heavy machinery digging holes around building (just hope that it won't make building collapse). :(

Guilty pleasure.

One of our Saturday's breakfasts, iced coffee and bagels, brought up in almost pajamas from favorite local place, early morning and almost Mediterranean light. Light, playing huge part in orchestrating the whole morning adventure of eating outside, above the ocean.
I really like this paper, Fabriano Artistico, pretty thin, but so vulnerable under the ink. I used ink and Kuretake.

Sunrise and lilac.

I woke up at 4 am and watched sunrise. Friend told me if you put lilac in the hot water it makes it fresher.  I did, strange.

Looking north, Manhattan highlighted by the sun, I can almost hear music of the morning.

Quick sketches thru the weekend in Gamma sketchbook.

Dealing with Maggie's breakfast from Krooked Cafe on the Mountain is not easy, too delicious, too beautiful, too amazing on a rainy grey day. Aftermath.

Stole a minute here-there to stretch my pencil and Bijou watercolor box.

Still sketching.

Still working on this sketch.  Can't get involved with anything else much, till complete the study. Can't find my Lamy Safari after move. :( It had nice ink in.

Blue morning.

So much blue in this photo. My mood is blue too. Does it look like water is falling a little bit? Over there, where canal is, that boats are falling too, not on the same level.
 I don't draw much. And its only makes it more blue.

It was a big race in BK on Saturday, was hard to maneuver getting around by car to pick our favorite bagels.

Song I like, I have it for a long time on my Ipod, but saw it again remixed somewhere.

Koop Koop Island Blues

Underpainting.

One day on this landscape with waterfall so far. Will do trees and wetland and flowers, I guess. Here just defined composition.

Rough underpainting of pretty dramatic scene. The prep work was not good, some places naked compound, cheap primer, so paint is sucking in. Lot of work to do.

Apple dumplings.

We decide to order Apple dumplings, (whole apple baked into dough), which we didn't do for years, even we loved them and use to order pretty often in past, in good times, when we had house full of friends. People knew my name in the bakery, remembered me, laughed when I asked, pretty pretty please! They don't bake it if not ordered.  I came to pick up in the old place and they are not there anymore. So I found them in the new location, they said they are there for at list 3 years, if not more.
I still shared with friends, sent some to one friend's home, brought in for a sick friend, invited a new friend.  Not because I am too kind, but because it extend the pleasure. Fun.
Especially fun to draw it. I used ink and Kuretake pens. Could not find my fat white pencil for the powder, so used white pen.

Song to go with by Raphael Gualazzi, remixed.

42

Manhattan, no matter how many times I draw it, gives me inspiration and I am never bored there. Rhythm of buildings, rhythm of trees, people's legs, shadows from legs and street signs, rhythm of circles (green Subway balls, bus signs, street lamps) creating a symphony of city life, so interesting for artistic eye.
I used ink and Kuretake on Fabriano Artistico.

More walls.

Wall, done in one shot with pleasant angled movement.

Blue room for a little boy, it has interesting top layer of glistening glaze, shining with little dots of metallic.

Walls with texture, wavy, fabric-like feeling.

Special way of venetian plaster.

Venetian plaster wall with special pearl finish.
Unfinished drawings on my table...

April 30 is my birthday.

Usually I have tiny moments of sadness, that I got older and many people who I loved are not with me anymore, but today was very different birthday, spent in leisure and pleasure. I drew, I spent the day  talking to my friends, my fun was planned for me, I love every moment, I got amazing presents, was spoiled, loved, taken out to a wonderful restaurant. I wish every day would be my Birthday. I am very thankful to my little girl, to my wonderful daughter, who makes every day of my life the happiest.

This is upside down Makloubeh, was so delicious Mediterranean dish.

We took Künefe home, it was hot and delicious with honey and rose water syrup. And french pastries and strawberry tart.