3.18.12 "Meimei"

"Meimei" was a beautiful Siamese who brought comfort and joy to my friend, Lee Caligiuri of Lake Worth, Florida, during her short life. Meimei passed last September. Lee asked me to paint this watercolor in remembrance of her kitty.

3.6.12 Calamity Layne

I was picking up Lisa at Benefit Cosmetics in Evanston recently. She wasn't finished so I started talking to Stephanie, one of the cosmeticians (?). She told me about her etsy.com shop, CalamityLayne (http://www.etsy.com/shop/CalamityLayne) where she sells "vintage threads." I told her about my gallery shop on etsy and asked it I could take her photo along with Anne Marie, the lady crafting my wife's eye brows. She said "yes" and proceeded to spruce up for the shot. The photo of the ladies turned out well but I like this shot much better.

2.29.12 Dennis Haysbert

I've had the good fortune of knowing Dennis since he became the Allstate spokesman in 2003 (my wife, Lisa, is in charge of integrated communications for Allstate--including advertising). Prior to that time, I only knew Dennis as President Palmer on "24." 

Dennis is also a long-time supporter, Clean Water Ambassador and Honorary Board member of RainCatcher, an organization that delivers clean water solutions to impoverished regions in Africa and around the world. Check out their website at raincatcher.org and lend your support, too. Water is life.

2.27.12 Tessa Edwards, Aerial Armadillo

Tessa Edwards' blog, An Aerial Armadillo (http://aerialarmadillo.blogspot.com), was the first blog that I followed. She was a painter, photographer, writer and poet, as well as a humanitarian. She was raised in Africa and spent the later part of her life in England. Her artwork is strongly influenced by the images and colors from her youth.

She battled Pulmonary Fibrosis and passed on December 27, 2010, surrounded by her family in Hampshire, England.

Although I didn't know Tessa, I have a feeling that she was an energetic, honest and joyful person.

2.26.12 Oliver & Mort

Oliver and Mort are Frank Spalitta's cats. I've know Frank since his U of Iowa days where he and my son, Christopher, became friends.

2.21.12 Kurt Miller, DVM

He's been our vet since 1992, taking care of nine of our family members during those years. Shown here with Gridley at eight weeks for his first check up.

2.20.12 My barber, Alex

This is my barber, Alex. She cuts my hair at SportsClips. She does a good job and doesn't talk much. I like that. She has four kids. The oldest is 17 and the youngest is 4. He's in daycare when Alex works. He likes daycare. So does Alex.

2.5.12 Chris Greene at Pete Miller's

Went out for a drink and some live jazz last night. Caught the Chris Greene Quartet at Pete Miller's. Chris is from Evanston. Went to the University of Indiana Jazz Studies program and has been performing around Chicago since '94. 

2.2.12 Aroids

Aroids. Drawn at the Chicago Botanic Gardens Tropical Greenhouse yesterday. They're named for their arrow-shaped leaves. The have these cool, pink spires with lots of tiny flowers on them, growing out of white petals.

2.1.12 Miles Davis

1.27.12 Ellsworth Kelly

12.26.11 Denali

This is Denali, my friend Gail's yellow Lab. I made this painting for Gail for her birthday--December 26th. You may remember Gail from my blog posting on 1.13.11. She's the fighter. She's still fighting and every birthday is a victory. Happy Birthday Gail.

11.24.11 Sarkis and Scott

At Sarkis Cafe on Gross Point Rd. in Evanston, IL. Sarkis owned it when I started going there for breakfasts when I lived in Evanston over 25 years ago. It's an old-style diner with a counter and a few booths. They claim to have the "World's Best Omlettes."With menu items like the Disaster Sausage sandwich and the Bacon Loretta (who was Loretta, anyway?) and cheesy hash browns with bottomless coffee, you won't need to eat again until dinner. Scott Jaffe is the current owner. He's very friendly and is there most all the time its open. He rarely goes on vacation. Sarkis still comes in once in awhile to "help out" and tell stories. This is a one-of-a-kind find.

10.15.11 Angus and Malachai

These two talented musicians were playing at the Baraboo Farmers' Market last weekend.

10.10.11 Gridley

9.26.11 Sharon O'Sullivan at Jackson Hole Airport

We were stuck at the Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming for four hours waiting for our plane that was diverted to Idaho for mechanical difficulties. Sharon was a good model as she was immobile for awhile, working on her iPad. This is how my Draw from Life blog got started--drawing people in an airport waiting for a flight.