Burning Man 2008 p. 3

Two guys wandered into Center Camp around two in the afternoon. It was absolutely incredible! They were dressed in a fully articulated camel costume with the muscle groups (particularly around the legs) fully defined via soft sculpture techniques. The camel was able to bend its neck to lower its head, open its mouth, flick its ears and in general, move like a camel. It reminded me of the articulated puppet costumes from the stage version of 'The Lion King'.

When the guys in the camel costume made their Center Camp entrance, people initially stopped what they were doing and applauded. The effect was stunning. Then they went about their Center Camp business somewhat. You can see how great the camel moves in the YouTube links below. I imagine I am somewhere in the Center Camp video but can't find myself.

Burning Man 2008 p. 2

So one day I settled down at Center Camp (the goings-on of which reminds me a little of the Cantina scene in the original 'Star Wars') to sketch and paint, when I see one of the funniest things that day - two nude guys just walking and talking and having a cup of coffee, each one bearing a sign; the younger guy's sign reading 'Before' and the older guy, "After'. I laughed out loud.

Burning Man 2008 p. 1

Keeping a sketch journal at Burning Man can be a challenge. The heat will dry up your fountain pen in a New york minute so using a felt tip pen (permanent ink if doing a watercolor) is mandatory. I used a Penstix no. 3013-EEF 0.3mm that I purchased at Blick Art Materials on Van Ness in SF. Plus with the occasional dust storm, the gypsum can gum your watercolor pans.

The sketch is of the man. The theme for this year was the American Dream. The design shows the man on top of an obelisk which displayed images of flags of different nations. Participants were encouraged to climb the interior staircase and survey the different views of Black Rock City. I think the man stood over 80 feet high from head to the bottom of the obelisk.

Cruise: MS Amsterdam (Holland America)

Recently, in conjunction with my work, my wife and I found ourselves on the MS Amsterdam (Holland America) on our way to Victoria and Vancouver, BC. While onboard, I sketched this woman who was hammering away on her keyboard in the ship's library. Fountain pen and ink, hand•book artist sketch journal (toothy surface).

MTV Guy: Pen and Ink

I often have my sketchbook open when I watch TV. In this case, I was watching some MTV program and this one guy with a big nose and slumpy posture caught my attention. Fountain pen and ink, moleskine sketchbook.

New Sketch Blog

In this blog, I'll publish select pages from my sketchbooks from time to time. Feel free to comment, I appreciate the feedback.