My latest fanzine cover featuring a couple of pulp heroes, The Avenger and The Shadow.
I'm not at all happy with the background, but time ran out.
October 30, 2008
The Shadow of The Avenger
My latest fanzine cover featuring a couple of pulp heroes, The Avenger and The Shadow.
I'm not at all happy with the background, but time ran out.
And his name is...
We've settled on name for our adopted kitten, so let me introduce...
Gizmo Cheeto Crawford
The integration process with Phantom has gone very well. They started playing patty cake with each other through the cage and now that Gizmo has been released into the general population, they spend they're between nap times chasing each other.
For more photos (and some excellent illustrations), click on the following link for Akiko's blog.
Gizmo has already found some favorite spots.
Gizmo Cheeto Crawford
The integration process with Phantom has gone very well. They started playing patty cake with each other through the cage and now that Gizmo has been released into the general population, they spend they're between nap times chasing each other.
For more photos (and some excellent illustrations), click on the following link for Akiko's blog.
Gizmo has already found some favorite spots.
October 21, 2008
New addition to the family
After much discussion, Akiko and I decided to adopt another kitty.
After attending a few Kitten Rescue adoption events, we ended up falling for this 4 month old guy.
Our 4 year old cat, Phantom, is a scaredy-cat to the Nth degree so we needed a young, non-alpha kitten that wouldn't push him around.
We borrowed a large cage so the cats could see each other, but be segregated. Phantom (right) is curious, but not too sure what to think just yet.
We haven't found an appropriate name for him yet although his foster parent named him Cherrio.
Give the little guy some space and this seems to be his favorite pose.
After attending a few Kitten Rescue adoption events, we ended up falling for this 4 month old guy.
Our 4 year old cat, Phantom, is a scaredy-cat to the Nth degree so we needed a young, non-alpha kitten that wouldn't push him around.
We borrowed a large cage so the cats could see each other, but be segregated. Phantom (right) is curious, but not too sure what to think just yet.
We haven't found an appropriate name for him yet although his foster parent named him Cherrio.
Give the little guy some space and this seems to be his favorite pose.
October 16, 2008
More Cape Action
A few updates on my WIP maquette of Vartan.
After seeing the Bernini exhibit I think I may have gone a little nuts with the cape cloth folds. Let me know what you think.
After seeing the Bernini exhibit I think I may have gone a little nuts with the cape cloth folds. Let me know what you think.
October 12, 2008
Bernini
This weekend, Akiko and I saw am amazing exhibit at the Getty featuring Bernini and other Baroque portrait sculptures.
Just unbelievable how much life there is in these marble sculptures from the 17th century. Also incredible were the textures, cloth, hair, beard stubble and even fur collars.
The show also had several portrait drawings and painting.
A real treat to able to stand up close and study all these groundbreaking works of art.
Just unbelievable how much life there is in these marble sculptures from the 17th century. Also incredible were the textures, cloth, hair, beard stubble and even fur collars.
The show also had several portrait drawings and painting.
A real treat to able to stand up close and study all these groundbreaking works of art.
October 4, 2008
Japan
Although Akiko has been back several times, this was my first return visit to Japan since our honeymoon 8 years ago. From our apartment in LA to our hotel in Japan, we spent roughly 18 hours in travel time, but it was worth it as we saw some spectacular sites and had a great time.
Huge thanks go out to Akiko's parents, Mr and Mrs Hikida, who were the best hosts. Mr Hikida spent a lot of time and effort researching, planning and scheduling our excursions right down to which train to get on at which time. We would have spent half our trip in train stations figuring this stuff out if it wasn't for him. And for all the food we ate, Mrs Hikida's dishes stood head and shoulders above the rest. From shabu-shabu to traditional Japanese cuisine, it was all delicious. Thank you again.
Anyone that knows me knows that I love food an beverage gimmicks and "new" flavors. Because of this condition, I found myself constantly stopping at the never ending beverage vending machines that are EVERYWHERE in Japan. A combination of products I've never seen and my favorite coffee-drink-in-a-can (usually coffee, water, sugar and milk powder) in many different versions per machine. How could you NOT want a can of Wonda (wonderful) coffee with a tag line like: "premium coffee with a radiant-like beauty"? Plus they're small so I could try several a day. I already miss those damn machines.
Ghibli
Our goal for our first day in Japan was all about Ghibli. First we hit the MOT: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo for an exhibit featuring animation layout from studio Ghibli.
I was stunned by the sheer volume of layout artwork that was on display. Room after room filled with drawings of characters and environments from anime like Nausicaä (Akiko's favorite), Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro and many more. Wow.
Then it was back on the train to Mitaka for the Ghibli Museum. After getting off the train we decided to walk instead of taking the museum bus. On the way we were stopped by Secret Service type dudes and joined a group of people lined up along the sidewalk waiting for something. Out rolls a motorcade and on my first day in this country, I got waved at by the EMPEROR and EMPRESS OF JAPAN! How's that for stumbling into something major?
The Ghibli Museum was simply magical. Lots of fun.
The safe, clean and efficient train system of Japan is something to marvel at, but traveling through Tokyo during rush hour is an experience all its own.
Can you spot the tourist?
There he is, Mr round-eye taking pictures of poor commuters just trying to get home from work.
I'm a true american and need my 2 foot bubble around me at all times, free of any physical contact. So you can imagine being pushed, prodded and jabbed by complete strangers in an enclosed space as not being my comfort zone. I just hope what was brushing my inner thigh was someone's purse. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic too.
I was stunned by the sheer volume of layout artwork that was on display. Room after room filled with drawings of characters and environments from anime like Nausicaä (Akiko's favorite), Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro and many more. Wow.
Then it was back on the train to Mitaka for the Ghibli Museum. After getting off the train we decided to walk instead of taking the museum bus. On the way we were stopped by Secret Service type dudes and joined a group of people lined up along the sidewalk waiting for something. Out rolls a motorcade and on my first day in this country, I got waved at by the EMPEROR and EMPRESS OF JAPAN! How's that for stumbling into something major?
The Ghibli Museum was simply magical. Lots of fun.
The safe, clean and efficient train system of Japan is something to marvel at, but traveling through Tokyo during rush hour is an experience all its own.
Can you spot the tourist?
There he is, Mr round-eye taking pictures of poor commuters just trying to get home from work.
I'm a true american and need my 2 foot bubble around me at all times, free of any physical contact. So you can imagine being pushed, prodded and jabbed by complete strangers in an enclosed space as not being my comfort zone. I just hope what was brushing my inner thigh was someone's purse. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic too.
Hakone
Akiko's parents joined us as we all set out for Hakone. This is an active volcanic mountain that pre-dates Mt. Fuji. The train up the mountain is the second steepest grade in the world and the train had many switchbacks.
Part way up the mountain was the awesome Hakone Open-Air Museum. An excellent assorted collection of modern and contemporary sculptures including Rodin, Henry Moore and a Picasso Pavilion.
From there we took another steep cable car to the Hakone Ropeway.
As you can see, I wasn't kidding about this place as being active. That's sulfur steaming out of the mountainside. And that leads to one Haakone's main attractions, The Black Egg.
They take eggs and put them in the natural, mineral hot spring, sulfur water and hard boil the eggs. A chemical reaction turns the shell black, but doesn't affect the edible egg part. Tasty! (yes, that's Sumo Wrestling on the TV in the background.)
We stayed at a hotel on the mountain so I got to experience a natural hot spring spa. Soaking in the warm mineral rich tubs was definitely soothing.
On the way back the next day we visited the museum where Akiko's Mom volunteers for the geological dept. The Kanagawa Perfectural Museum of Natural History had an impressive collection of rocks, fossils, animals, bugs and more. Very cool stuff.
Part way up the mountain was the awesome Hakone Open-Air Museum. An excellent assorted collection of modern and contemporary sculptures including Rodin, Henry Moore and a Picasso Pavilion.
From there we took another steep cable car to the Hakone Ropeway.
As you can see, I wasn't kidding about this place as being active. That's sulfur steaming out of the mountainside. And that leads to one Haakone's main attractions, The Black Egg.
They take eggs and put them in the natural, mineral hot spring, sulfur water and hard boil the eggs. A chemical reaction turns the shell black, but doesn't affect the edible egg part. Tasty! (yes, that's Sumo Wrestling on the TV in the background.)
We stayed at a hotel on the mountain so I got to experience a natural hot spring spa. Soaking in the warm mineral rich tubs was definitely soothing.
On the way back the next day we visited the museum where Akiko's Mom volunteers for the geological dept. The Kanagawa Perfectural Museum of Natural History had an impressive collection of rocks, fossils, animals, bugs and more. Very cool stuff.
Kamakura
We spent a day doing quite a bit hiking around Kamakura, a town where Akiko's family lived for many years. We took a old train/trolly, Enoden train, to the Kamakura station. A nice scenic ride that traveled along the ocean part of the way. Then we set out by foot.
Yes, Japan has Starbucks. We stopped in for a snack and caffeine before our trek.
Fox Shrine, Sasuke Inari.
A statue across from a money washing shrine.
More walking led us to Kencho-ji.
Kencho-ji is the first-ranked of the five great Zen temples of Kamakura, and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. It was constructed during the regency of Hojo Tokiyori and was completed in the fifth year of the Kencho Era (1253).
These dudes (or Goblins) were part of Hanso-bo, the protecting shrine of Kencho-ji.
Yes, Japan has Starbucks. We stopped in for a snack and caffeine before our trek.
Fox Shrine, Sasuke Inari.
A statue across from a money washing shrine.
More walking led us to Kencho-ji.
Kencho-ji is the first-ranked of the five great Zen temples of Kamakura, and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. It was constructed during the regency of Hojo Tokiyori and was completed in the fifth year of the Kencho Era (1253).
These dudes (or Goblins) were part of Hanso-bo, the protecting shrine of Kencho-ji.
October 3, 2008
Enoshima
Enoshima Island
Our Hotel was right across the street from the tunnel that led to the bridge to Enoshima Island so we spent a day checking it out.
We went to the Lighthouse Observational Tower (we saw the top of Mt Fuji peaking through the clouds), several Shrines and lots of ...cats.
See, this island is known as a place to abandon cats as well as a place visit, pet and feed cats. They roam the island either keeping to themselves or meowing for attention. We walked through the residential area on the way back so Akiko could get some quality cat photos.
Nakatsunomiya
Enoshima Daishi
Nara & Kyoto
After extending our trip a few days, we were able to visit Nara and Kyoto. Akiko's Dad did an incredible job planning and scheduling so it ended up being smooth sailing the whole way through. We got on the Bullet Train and zoomed to yet a another historical spot in Japan.
Nara is not only the birthplace of Japanese civilization, but also where Akiko was born. First she hunted down the parking lot where the Hikidas' house used to be and then went made our way to the park where Akiko took her first steps.
This park that led to the Todai-ji was FILLED with tame/wild deer.
Todai-ji
The next day we joined an english speaking bus tour of Kyoto. After over a week of walking all over the place searching and seeing the sites, it was nice to just sit back, be taken to the attractions and listen to someone who knew the history of each spot.
The following are pictures from around Kyoto on our final day in Japan.
It was great getting to see Akiko's family again and we saw some amazing stuff. I'm sure we'll be back in a few years.
For Akiko's take on the trip, check out her blog here.
Nara is not only the birthplace of Japanese civilization, but also where Akiko was born. First she hunted down the parking lot where the Hikidas' house used to be and then went made our way to the park where Akiko took her first steps.
This park that led to the Todai-ji was FILLED with tame/wild deer.
Todai-ji
The next day we joined an english speaking bus tour of Kyoto. After over a week of walking all over the place searching and seeing the sites, it was nice to just sit back, be taken to the attractions and listen to someone who knew the history of each spot.
The following are pictures from around Kyoto on our final day in Japan.
It was great getting to see Akiko's family again and we saw some amazing stuff. I'm sure we'll be back in a few years.
For Akiko's take on the trip, check out her blog here.
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