Thanksdoodle #10

Part of this little daily blog project is to acknowledge & thank some of the many amazing and inspiring people in my life.  This evening, I made a last minute stop at Designer Con in Pasadena to catch a few friends exhibiting their wares.  I had the pleasure of catching up with my friends Linda "Panda" Hong and Nate Mitchell at their Squid Kids Ink booth – and we even doodled together over dinner tonight :)

Upper right sketch by Linda "Panda" Hong.  Lower right sketch by Nate Mitchell.

Spending time with them and seeing how they've forged their own creative paths made me realize how lucky I am to not only have amazing friends – but to be around such inspiration as well.  So thanks, Linda & Nate!

Thanksdoodle #9

Thankful to have the lovely and ridiculously talented  Carrie Liao as an amazing friend in my life...today is her birthday, so dedicating this post to her.  Thanks for everything & happy birthday, gurlll!

(Carrie in her infamous french fry outfit, alongside her cute kitty)

Thanksdoodle #8

It's Friday!  Thankful the weekend is pretty much already here :D

Thanksdoodle #7

I'm looking forward to a concert tonight...which got me thinking about music in general – and how it can play a huge (and often meaningful) part in our lives.  So thank goodness for music...I know it's helped me get through some ups & downs in life...not to mention countless hours of LA traffic :P

(As some of my friends know, I don't retain song lyrics well for some reason...so unless there's a karaoke screen involved, the depiction above is somewhat accurate.)

Thanksdoodle #6

Thankful for simple pleasures in life...on my way home tonight, I stopped at Priscilla's Coffee in Burbank for a cup of their raspberry hot cocoa (so good, especially now that the weather is getting cooler).  Did a little doodle while I was there.
Nice, relaxing way to cap off a busy day...so yay for these little moments...and extra yay for extra whipped cream.

Thanksdoodle #5

Thankful to have a super best friend with whom we can get through the good & not-so-good times...this one is dedicated to my bestie Kendra :)

Thanksdoodle #4

I have my moments where I may complain about work...but when it comes down to it, I'm very thankful to have a job in which I can wake up & draw for a living.

I've enjoyed drawing ever since I was a toddler...so to be fortunate enough to have this kind of career (and to have the support of family & friends throughout the years) is a pretty wonderful thing.

Thanksdoodles #1, #2, and #3

I've done my share of taking things for granted over the years...so now that the month of Thanksgiving is upon us, I figure I should take some time to list some things I'm thankful for.  I'm going to try and do a quick little "Thanksdoodle" each day for the rest of the month.  Since I missed the first few days of November...here are three to catch up:

#1.  I'll start with something obvious...thanks to my parents!  I can't even begin to describe how much they've done for me...even in my brattiest moments.  They were actually in town recently & I had the pleasure of celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary with them.  Congratulations, Mom & Dad!

#2.  Thanks for health!  I got hit with a nasty cold early last week...each time that happens, I realize the value & importance of good health.

#3.  Here's another obvious one...but always thankful for a roof over my head.  Sometimes it's the little things that are the big things in life, right?  In fact, I feel like raising the roof...for roofs!



Okay...that's it for now...thanks for visiting!

Catching up with The Drawing Club (9/19/13 Charlie Chaplin theme), a sketch dump, and a children's book project...

I've been terrible at updating this blog...but yes, I'm alive :P   Rather than let another seven months (!) go by, here is a catchup post to get it rolling again...

Most of the sketches below have already been posted on social media sites like Instagram & Facebook, but I thought they could have a permanent spot here too.

Here are some ink sketches from the 9/19/13 session of The Drawing Club, which featured John Mackey as Charlie Chaplin.

And here is a dump of sketches from the last few months – from the most recent SketchCrawl, a trip to the Pacific Northwest, pub outings, and just random doodles...

Last but not least, I've been helping to illustrate a children's book titled "A Little Goes a Long Way" by author Ashley Mills Monaghan.  More info & updates can be found at: www.alittlegoesalongwaybook.com
We're nearing the final stages, but below is a peek of the characters.

Thanks for visiting!

Some recent sketches...

Hello!  Just rounding up some recent people sketches...

(taken with Instagram)

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!  Or "chúc mừng năm mới" as I would say to my family :)  Hope the Year of the Snake is a joyous & prosperous one, and full of new beginnings.

Some sketches from this month...

Hello!  Just thought I'd round up some sketches from this month...

(taken with Instagram)

Thanks for visiting :)

Happy New Year! Just a brief catch-up post...

Happy New Year, everyone!  I certainly plan on posting more this year, but thought I'd share a few things from the end of 2012 in the meantime.  Here are some holidoodles (holiday doodles), which were given to some of my friends:

(taken with Instagram)

And here are a few sketches done at a recent visit to Congregation Ale House in Pasadena:

(taken with Instagram)

Looking forward to a great year.  Thanks for visiting!

"Little Do They Know" (December 2012) - Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays, everyone!  Below is this year's "Little Do They Know" holiday card.  Here's the outside of the card...

And here's the inside...

Wishing my family & friends a wonderful holiday season...I've learned so much over the recent years, met so many great people & I feel very thankful for all of the ongoing support, encouragement, and inspiration.

PS.  Love you, Mom & Dad :) So happy to spend Christmas with you, Ong Ba, and the rest of our family this year.

Piece for "Retroholic Art Show" (12/7/12)

If you're out & about in the LA area tonight, perhaps you might want to check out the Retroholic Art Show taking place in Westchester, CA from 4pm - 10pm.  I'm happy to be participating alongside many friends & artists...below is my piece:

"Hot Cocoa Party" (original framed 9" x 12" watercolor, pencil, gouache)
Price:  $125

Here is some additional info:

Retroholic Art Show
Friday, December 7th from 4pm - 10pm
6249 87th St.
Westchester, CA 90045

Thanks to my friends Elena & Sarah at Honey Tree / Honey Haus for inviting & curating.  This is just a one-night cash & carry show...so hope to see you there & thanks for the support!