detroit pizza

Waiting for my pizza, and that's the actual logo on the middle of the page. It was an attempt to make it look like it was stamped or transparency-like. =)

Rusty

One thing that really caught my attention is this newer commercial building I was at, have a rusty look to it... It is pretty interesting how architecture design it. It is uncommon to have actual iron beam as a pillar and rustic metal tiles just above the store's sign.

Postal Art

Sending something extra special to my 94 years old Grandmother back in Florida, putting lots of love into this envelope! =)
I like this kind of idea doing this, showing my work on the outside to brighten the day of hardworking postal employees across the nation!

Say Ahh...

The last pages of my moleskine, I have a bunch of used stamps and I wanted to make it as a bit of a collage as a keepsake.
Better than throwing it away or store it somewhere where you will forget about it!

Barnes and Noble

Did this quickie at my local Barnes & Nobles bookstore..

concession

Did this sketch on a blank receipt paper while I was at work when it was a slow day..
Best view in large.

Crouching Triceratop-Dragon vs Flying Wicked Witch

Crouching Triceratop-Dragon vs Flying Wicked Witch

Don't ask me how I came up with a Hybrid-Triceratop-Chinese-Dragon chasing after a charred-face Wicked Witch....

Vancouver's SkyTrain

I know trains doesn't sit long enough for me to sketch it quick. So, I just had to take a photo of it and sketch it out later. This was my first tube ride ever and happen to be in Vancouver. I never even been to NYC or their subways, I always wanted to... Along with Tokyo and London.

I really need to get into a habit to update my sketches in order, most of my sketches have been posted randomly.. And I forget about it until when I go back to look through my sketchbook..

smashburger

There is this new restaurant just opened up about 2 month ago (sometime around June) near where I live. The name of this place makes me wonder if the burgers are really smashed up. I was close enough with my theory, the 100% juicy Angus beef patty were all smashed up while cooking on the grill to savour the flavour... This is one of the best burger I have ever tried! I order a burger called "Sin City Smashburger," contains Egg bun, fried egg, applewood bacon, and shredded fried onion. This place really take the cake for the best local burgers in town!

Heat go away

I've been neglecting doing some daily sketches like I suppose to be doing and unable to make plans on account of, I just can't seem to wake myself up. I am always tired and I can't think of a single thing that I would like to do. Maybe it's because of the heat? The heat out here drain me so much, every time I see the bright sun I just want to curl up and sleep until it goes away. Sigh, I can't wait to get out of here and move to a cooler weather someday...

Anyway, this is a sketch of the Strip's backside. Trash everywhere. Debris caught on the fence and sits there in the dust untouched for years, only God's know what how long. This is the true side of Las Vegas, something you would never see in books, movies, and ads.

Volcano Grille

I was at a friend of mine restaurant called Volcano Grille, he and his buddy are owner of the store. They were trained teppanyaki cooker from numerous Japanese steakhouses in the past. They opened their own store to make the same healthy food at a cheaper price for all of us to enjoyed without spending more than $20 at an actual steakhouse.

This sketch is dedicated to them and their store.

A+ Nails, F+ book

I was at the mall few days ago in the food court. I saw this opened window Nails Spa, which you can see what's going on in the pedicure store. One thing that grabs it attention is a large lady reading a book while a pedicurist working on her feet.
Oh, and the title of the book is the real thing..

Playball!

This sketch was from last night's baseball game. Las Vegas 51s vs Salt Lake Bees. The 51s are Toronto Blue Jays' farm team and Salt Lake Bees = Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels.
I might have an opportunity, since there was two ladies sitting directly behind me and my friend, watching how I sketched out the game. They are interested for me to do something for them, I guess I should sketch more out in public often! I just didn't think it would attract "customers" like that...
Well, funny thing is... I didn't get to see what was going on during the game.. At least the 51s won the game. =)

Telus World of Science

chip, cookie

Above: I find it funny to see people driving around an old car trying to make it smells like NEW with a "New Car freshener" (the classic tree air freshener hanging on the mirror).

Below: Newer building out here started to look tacky and unappealing nowadays.. I don't know which is worse... A cookie-cutter stucco building with modern architect...Or.... Cookie-cutter stucco building with a boring look?

Probably both...

Waiting...

A lot of unemployees are waiting in line for the job fair at one of the Casino conference centre. I'm sure you know that the State of Nevada now have the highest unemployment rate (14.2%) topping over #1's Michigan, which isn't cool...

I was sitting in a chair sketching out the people who were dressed for on-floor interview and trying to make a good impression to get the job.
Although, I'm not too sure about the guy in a white shirt with odd-looking cornrows sticking out in different directions...

Video Slots

I was at a local Las Vegas' casino outside of the Strip, called Texas Station Casino. While waiting for my mother finish playing her machine, I decided to do a watercolour sketch of the video slots nearby...

GM Place

General Motors Place, Home of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks Hockey Club.

Oil change

Been awhile. I have been pretty busy lately for the past week (job switchover, Awards Show, friends in town, etc..)

Just a simple sketch of the auto shop while waiting for my oil change for my car..

Blocky Building that look like... Toy Blocks..

Thought I take a little break from uploading my British Columbia trip sketches (still have a lot to share with you guys).. Maybe a bit of change of "scenery" for you.. Here is a taste of boring Nevada's urban landscape..

This is one of an older sketch I did before my trip in late May.. This was done around early May, I think..

Historic Gastown

Large view is at best, if you want to read about the descriptions..

Above is the statue of Gassy Jack, the Founding Father of Gastown.. Not a very appealing statue though... Weird looking, like Gassy Jack is on high or something.. lol

Below is the Gastown Steam Clock, World's first steam clock..

To the right is an old Byrnes Block building near the Gassy Jack statue on the corner of Water St. and Carrall St.

Robson and Granville St.

Corner of two popular streets in Vancouver, Robson St. and Granville St.

Chaotic Powerlines

A sketch of one of the Vancouver's cleanest alley way covered in wooden poles and chaotic power lines. Along with colourful garbage dumpsters. Hmm... I think there's too much negative space..?

Vancouver's specialty Hot Dog stands

Hot Doggonit! If you ever get to visit Vancouver.. You must tryout their specialty hot dogs. It is the best hot dog I have ever eaten, better than the Nathan's franchise here in the US. Although, their better specialty is the "Japadog" stand... Which I should have tried and I didn't find out about it after I have returned back to the states. =(

Downtown Vancouver

One of the areal sketch of Vancouver from the Vancouver Lookout's (Harbour Centre) Observatory deck. The view is amazing and I could stay up here and look at this all day.. I think this sketch is the south end of Vancouver, not too far from West End, English Bay, and Yaletown..

Vancouver Lookout

It was worth checking out the Harbour Centre aka: Vancouver Lookout. Only $11 you can visit the top deck from opening to closing during the day. It was quite a breathtaking view of metro Vancouver and it greater area in 360 degree view. It was a bit of overcast day and during a clear day you could see Vancouver Island and its BC's capital, Victoria.

Delta Vancouver Suites

I thought I would like to make a little interesting travelling spread that gives you an idea how I got around to Vancouver Island and Vancouver.
Also, best to view in large.

Hello Beautiful Vancouver!

Helloooo Vancouver! Home of the 2010 Winter Olympic and home of the Canadian's true sport Hockey Gold Medalist winners. I am really in awe, there is so many way to describe about this city: Beautiful, clean, modern, breathtaking, greens, glassy, icy, and so on. Vancouver is a city that have everything in environmental: Mountains, rivers, islands, ocean, beaches, sky, snow, rain, lifestyle, parks, etc..
Top part of the sketch: Is the famous Olympic Cauldron that was lit by the Hockey Great One named Wayne Gretzky. It is a honour to see this cauldron in person and it would have been better if it was lit.. Currently the Cauldron is in renovation to make it as a permanent fixture and it will be lit for the 2nd time (since the Olympic Weeks) during Canada Day which is July 1st, 2010.

On the way to Horseshoe Bay

On my way to visit Vancouver from taking a bigger BC Ferries' ferry ride. It was so cold and windy (like I'm sticking my head out of the airplane or car window) on the top deck and I could hardly feel my fingers when I was sketching this.. Not that great, but it is hard to have the patient to sketch while trying to enjoy the once a lifetime ride and the view.

Thetis Island

Sketch of the Thetis Island from the BC Ferries' docking bay and a ticket stub. The Island is about 4 miles long and 3 miles wide, I could have walked all over if it wasn't so hilly. It is a quiet, quaint looking little island. There's a Baptist School right on the shore as you can see in the sketch, the school is used during the spring and summer weeks. There was something so magical about this island, the bald eagles were everywhere, red belly hummingbirds, and a family of Canadian Geese along with the little gooslings. I would love to explore more, but it is best to bring a car for this trip, if only wasn't hilly..

A taste of Marinier Life

Did this sketch while waiting for the arrival of the BC Ferries' ferry ride to Thetis Island. It was cold and sea spray was blowing on me and a bit on my sketch as you can see it. This is a small docking area in Chemainus for boats and yacht. I love the harbour life, so much different than being in the Gambling Wasteland. I am really considering moving to the Pacific Northwest in the future. There is so much life up there that feel more like home to me, I am used to the green environment (born and raise in Florida) and the fresh air.

Ticket Booth

A "BC Ferries" ferry ride to Kuper and Thetis Islands ticket booth.
This is where I pay for my ferry ride to the Kuper Island (Home of the Penelakut Indian tribe) and Thetis Island from Chemainus, Vancouver Island.

Backyard

The backyard of my friends' place where I was staying at.. And one of their dogs in the sketch.. I think a brush pen doesn't work well for sketching a Pomeranian..

Duncan, BC

Downtown Duncan, BC. aka "The Totem Poles City"
Duncan is not too far from Chemainus and totem poles were scatter all over in town that were build by the First Nations back in 1985. A lot of the pole have marking that tells it own story, myth, and history from the past. The First Nations are very spiritual which I'm sure you know that. The totem poles I have sketch here are by the Duncan Street Train Station next to a small museum.
Below the poles, is a very cool-looking Edwardian style of the City Hall with a clock tower. I'm not sure how old this building is.. The City Hall is just right next to a new building (around 70s) which is the Royal Canadian Legion. Those Legions are everywhere from large city to tiny towns.

First Nation

A little information about the Pacific Northwest's First Nations.

Barnacle Barney's

One of the huge perk about the Pacific Northwest is the freshest seafood ever. That was one thing I missed so much about when I have relocated in the middle of the desert from Florida with lack of fresh and cheaper seafood!
On Vancouver Island's best specialty is the good ole Fish n' Chips, hence the name of the providence: British Columbia. Anyway, you can see an Inukshuk beside the image of my delicious Battered Halibut, Coleslaw, and French Fries with gravy (a Canadian thing). Drew an Inukshuk from a photo beside where I was sitting while waiting for my food.
What's an Inukshuk?
Its a First Nations thing, you will see the rock sculpture almost everywhere in Canada. The word inuksuk means "something which acts for or performs the function of a person." The inuksuk may have been used for navigation, as a point of reference, a marker for hunting grounds, or as a food cache. The Inupiat in northern Alaska used inuksuit to assist in the herding of caribou into contained areas for slaughter. Inuksuit vary in shape and size, with deep roots in the Inuit culture.

Also, the water I have used with my watercolour is directly from the Island's salt water.

Kin Beach Park - Chemainus, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

A sketch of a local beach near the town of Chemainus. It is a beautiful beach during a low tide, you can see the mountains and the greens along with the boats docking in the middle of the water. It was a relaxing place to be, right after this half finished sketch.. I fell asleep right on the breakwater.

In flight sketch to Victoria

My flight ticket glued to the airplane sketching spread. Drank my first international beer (doesn't exist in the States, and not recommended while you are 4000 feet above ground)... It was pretty good.

Passports Part II

Passports Part II
Here the completed pages of each passports. I highly recommend viewing it in larger quality. The Canadian passport was a pain in the donkey to sketch. So much details on their crest and sometime I get lost from focusing on it too much. lol.

Waiting for my flight

I just got back from my amazing trip from Canada! I had a fantastic time over there and feeling the withdrawal big time! Why does Vegas have to be sooo dull?! Gah...
Here is a spread of the Gate B8-B15 bay of the McCarran International Airport (aka LAS), just before departing to Victoria, BC. Yes, they even have casinos in the middle of the circular chamber surrounding by seats and Gates.

Passport

Last sketch for this week.. I won't have much time to do more before I leave to Canada this Sunday. Hello to Final exam and final project...

As the sketch trip begins, here is my Passport.. As you can see I reserved a spot on the next page for the Canadian Passport. Hopefully, I would like to borrow from a friend of mine to fill in the page. =)

I will be gone for a week to Vancouver Island, British Columbia and it home of the Province capital, Victoria. I'm sure hope to record many sketches as possible for you all to enjoy. Till then... Au revoir USA!

The place is swirling

It sure have been a while since my last sketch.. I have been pretty busy for the past 2 weeks, and finally relocated to a new place..

Anyway, there is a new yogurt place near my place. Frozen yogurts business have been demanding, and I find it a bit too overrated to be in such high demands. Although, this place I went to was very pleasing. This yogurt place called "U-Swirl," and the place is really swirling... Even you can see the swirls on this sketch..

As of this month, I am going to be pretty busy and exciting at the same time.. This week, I will be focusing trying to finish up my school semester, dealing with final exams and projects.. Then by the weekends, I will be packing to visit Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada for a week. I can't wait..

Kolob Canyons

I took a day trip to get away from the boring dustbowl of Nevada, about 2 weeks ago...
I was in awe with this picturesque landscape...For some reason it remind me of China with those steep buttes, except this one is red.. The sky was very foggy and cloudy, I thought it was going to rain.. Instead, it was snowing! I was like SNOW??! It just weird, I wasn't expecting snow starting to hit in such an average elevation area. It was a mixture of rain and slushy snow when I driving into it. The weather was totally different than Nevada which is just 120 miles away! It was 20-30 degrees colder, and unusual for Spring Season, even closing into the month of May...
Snow is a rare sight for me (Florida native) and makes me feel like a little kid when I see those lovely white flakes. I didn't have a jacket or sweater with me...lol. It was cold, not freezing though.. The snow was pouring and for a moment I thought it was hail... I never seen snowflakes that are the size of peas bouncing off the hood and windscreen of my car.. It was different. I can hear it falling like someone dropping bunch of round leads on top of my car.

Kolob Canyons Observation point.. The Canyons is part of the Zion National Park and just 20 miles south of Cedar City, Utah.

This sketch was done with ballpoint pen, soft pastel, and sprayed with matte fixture to keep the pastel from smearing.

Waiting... Waiting.... And Waiting....

I am not a fan of waiting in line at the US Post Office, especially during Saturday.. I was waiting in line to receive my package and a change of address slip for my relocation..

Will be missed

Sketching my Apartment complex just before moving out.. I’m going to miss this place, I really love the area and the layout of my flat.. The complex is really close to the mountain base on the west side of Las Vegas near Red Rock. I’m not really too keen about relocating either…

stairs and shadow

A sketch of the staircase of where I work at.

Why won't this disgusting Taco chain die?

I just don't understand why this Roberto's Taco Shop is popular.. All of their food are pure fake.. From fake chips, canned meats, canned veggies, tortilla, beans, fake nacho-like cheese (probably cheez-whizz), salsa, etc... I tried it once and would never buy a dime from them again! It was nasty and just bad as Taco Bell! Yes, it may be cheap.. But, Godly unhealthiest food ever!

Did this before heading to school, on Thursday.

Odd-insect

Same location as the previous sketch

I saw this odd-looking little insect crawling on my grey watercolour pencil, while laying on the grass.. It look like something that would come from a fiction!

I don't know what it is, but the bug sure is interesting looking! Black and orange pattern with spikes on it little back.. Oh, that an actual size of the bug. Which will give you an idea how tiny it is..

In Valor, There's Hope...

I saw this statue at the Metro Police Park, just right behind one of their main headquarter in the Northwest area of the suburban Las Vegas. The whole park is dedicated to the fallen law enforcement who have served in Las Vegas since the late 1890s. The statue is pretty interesting, showing a metal sculpture of our typical American Mascot.. The Bald Eagle. The Eagle is holding a shield (or a police badge?) with an interesting wrap-around of the American Flag. Also, there is a three triangular torch pillars with rustic flames (Olympics anyone?).
Done in ballpoint pen, watercolour pencil, and waterbrush