Media Update

Just a note on some of our recent press. Mike was recently featured and interviewed in "The Visual Arts Journal" about his fantasy art along with a few other fantasy artists. This is the link to his interview and a slide show of the featured work...
http://www.sva.edu/journal/beautifuldystopia.html



This painting is of the monsters from the old testament called "Rahab". Mike illustrated a series of these for Tablet Magazine. The article is called "A Very Hebrew Halloween." Halloween is over, but the slide show and article are still up at...
http://www.tabletmag.com/life-and-religion/19459/a-very-hebrew-halloween/

My comic "The Horribles" was featured in "Robin Falls Kids Magazine". To see it go to...
http://www.robinfalls.com/TmagRFK.html

Anyway more interviews coming up later, but that's it for now. Happy Veterns Day! Hope you find a good parade near you! (Unless of course you are outside of the United States, in which case "Happy Wednesday!")

Drawing in the sun

As you can see, progress continues on the mural. We taped up string into a grid on Monday so we'd able to transfer the drawing accurately.



We did this with the sun bearing down on the wall. We kept having to go into the shade to think straight and make sure the math was right.



Then today it was on to the drawing. We decided to use charcoal.



I discovered exactly how many times I touch my face in an hour, (it left a big black mark from the charcoal on my hands). Of course many people on staff, teachers and kids were coming over to talk to us, so it was a great feeling when I finally got to a mirror!





Here's the finished drawing.... Now we just have to paint it! No problem.

The Wonders by the Water

Today we headed over to the trolley station and went downtown to the waterfront.



Waiting for the train...



It's a short ride, and it was really nice not to be driving.





We walked towards the water and rested a minute by this incredible mermaid.



We lurked around near the cruise ships, just in case, for some crazy reason a group of five ticketed passengers got cold feet and decide to give a charming and deserving family (like us) their boarding passes! (It could happen :P)



Enjoying the view...



There was a sculpture exhibit called "Urban Trees" along the water.



This was called "The Octoscope". It's a giant kaleidoscope with a metal octopus holding it. I love how it swallows your face!





By the "Giant Spinning Popocorn Scuplture"



Phoebe by the submarine...



Naomi by the submarine...





Saying "Hi" to a horse.



This was a more interactive sculpture...



One bird on an arm.



Three birds on two arms.



Two birds on two arms. One bird on one head!



Rock balancing... This was very cool!



"Look, he's trying to fly a giant kite! I'm running over to get tangled up in it! " After all three kids ran over the poor guy gave up!



Naomi, the magician's assistant!





I think we'll definitely head down to the waterfront again sometime!

Wall Washing

We headed up to the school today to test some drawing materials on the wall, and measure it. We also needed to wash the wall so we don't paint on top of a lot of dirt. If we had any hopes of quietly painting this in the corner without attracting much attention, those were completely dashed this afternoon. Kids were filing past asking excited questions, and aids and other staff members were also very curious. It looks like this painting will be a bit of a spectacle.
Anyway here we are washing. Mike is taller so he got the sponge mop...





Here I am shredding a sponge on the stucco...

Back to painting on walls!

Well, it looks like we are finally moving forward with the mural!! As you can see from this photo I've gridded the drawing so we can transfer it. My criminal background check has cleared, (though Mike's is taking a bit longer...This happened with his passport too...hmmmm). Anyway we both passed the TB test, and their check cleared so it's a go! YAY!

Today is Guy Fawkes Day in the UK, so "Happy Guy Fawkes Day"! After discussing this at dinner last night we all came to the conclusion that we really need a holiday in this counrty that involves setting things on fire! Then again that's probably not such a good idea here in California. Too many people are already trying to burn this place down.

Halloween at the mall

Halloween began for us 3 weeks ago, with the pumpkin carving event across the street at Michael's Arts and Crafts. We each had a craft pumpkin to decorate. Which looks just like the real thing, except it has no gooey stuff inside and will last I guess till the earth cracks open and finally swallows Southern California.



Then it was arts and crafts at the Lake Shore Learning Store around the corner. After that we went to the "Halloween Spooktacular" at Barnes and Noble at the other mall across the street. And finally, on Halloween day Michael's had a Halloween craft and treat bucket handout we attended.

Life surrounded by 5 malls is like living in a commercial. No, we did not trick-or-treat there (I'm embarrassed to say, I thought about it though). We went to a "real" neighborhood with friends and did manage to attend some great events at the kids schools. Anyway, with Halloween over it's time for the big show... Christmas!

Sugar Skulls

Today we drove out to Del Mar to decorate some sugar skulls for "El Dia De Los Meurtos" ( or "Day of the Dead"). We had hoped to make down to Mexico for the November 1st festival but it looks like Halloween has us running in circles as it is.
This is an undecorated skull. It's a solid piece of sugar and pretty heavy!



Here's Naomi adding frosting.



Phoebe carefully adding sparkles.



Chloe with her finished skull.



All three finished skulls. Apparently they eat them in Mexico (makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it!). Ours are "just decorations". As you can see we have more visiting toys. The one on the left is a yak from Canada.



After the workshop we took a walk to the oceanside park. The kids instantly ran to the trees!









Then blew off some excess energy by rolling around!





It's a beautiful park... We'll be back again soon!