Laguna Beach Full Moon Drum Circle July 2017 at Aliso Creek State Beach

 
I love this monthly event, as it closely resembles the spirit at Burning Man like few other local events I've found. I get fully into, the spirit, often dressing up in my Burning Man clothes, occasionally drawing on my face with a burnt cork, and always sporting my hand-painted palm frond masks, so to hide my true identity. We all wear masks, do we not? Not to belabor the point, but yeah, we do. Mine happens to be made from a palm frond.

Here I am in my hippy gear: shower curtain pants, blue cape, Cambodian shirt. Beating the rhythm out of an oatmeal can with a piece of bamboo.

Come join us. Every full moon. On the beach at Aliso Creek in Laguna Beach, CA.

Rock Towers on the Beach: Photos

I was inspired by this artist on Main Beach who created stacks of balancing rock towers among the bare rocks exposed by the receding of the sands in winter. I only caught his first name, Larry, but I got that he was a local artist, and I'll likely see him again.

His towers were lovingly created, as you can see from the first set of pictures.  The stones were painstakingly chosen for their symbolic or unique shapes.  How he managed to create the archway, I do not know.

The artist, Larry, at work.

Now come the towers I created. A lot less elegant, and with no obvious symbolic meaning, but nonetheless, organic, spontaneous art, from the heart, using the natural resources available.

Low Tide, Laguna Beach's Main Beach

Sometimes the tide pulls the water back enough to reveal the treasure trove of polished stones, glass and seashells.  Captured this array on the last such occasion.

Meter Beat

This meter for gas or water or whatever, was jamming out a beat in a back alley in Laguna Beach, for me to hear and appreciate.  A competent DJ could take this and drop in some bass and a melody.  

Vision Sketch: Alien picture frame

 

Barely just started on this one.  Another vision sketch, to become a vision painting, perhaps starting with a page-sized watercolor, and then stepping up to a large-sized acrylic painting.  Just the elaborate, alien architecture of a picture frame for now, to contain an idyllic pastoral mountain scene, but I may have said too much.  The image will speak for itself, once completed.  For a drawing with this much detail, documenting progress in stages is wise, kind of like saving a backup, in case the computer goes kerflooey.  Anyway, enjoy.

 

I'm out drawing on Main Beach, Laguna Beach, California every weekend, at the south end of the boardwalk by the kids' playground, just south of the historic lifeguard tower.  Look for me in the afternoons and evenings, and get your caricature drawn, free of charge!




 

Albino Pigeon: Photos.

Ever seen an albino pigeon?  Now you have.  On Main Beach, Laguna Beach, California.

I made friends with this albino pigeon.

With other pigeons for comparison.

Caricatures on the beach on a sunny May day.

Drew a slew of caricatures last weekend.  Fun times!

Life in Laguna Beach: Caricatures, Sunsets

Been drawing caricatures on the beach again.  And snapping away at the sunset.  Checkit.

First Caricatures of the Season

First Caricatures of the Season, down on Main Beach, Laguna Beach.  Come see me any weekend when the weather is nice, by the historic lifeguard tower.  I will draw you for free, and you keep the drawing.  Tips are grudgingly accepted.  

A beautiful sunset.

Kabuki-Style Palm Frond Mask, at the Drum Circle

I made a new palm frond mask.  This one is attached to a hat so I can wear it hands-free, although I have yet to drill a few eyeholes.  In Japanese Kabuki style, but with no particular character being referenced.  

Anyone can pick up young girls, with just a shaman outfit and a palm frond mask! Try it!

Hangin' with my homies at the drum cizzircle!

Kabuki Palm Frond Mask
Acrylic & watercolor
2015

Sketchbook Page 32: Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, California

A beautiful spot not far from my apartment, Heisler Park, has manicured lawns interspersed with floral gardens and native desert plant life: yucca, aloe, agave, etc.  It is gorgeous and home to many species of birds, to which Laguna Beach offers sanctuary.  This is a popular spot where Myrtle Street meets Cliff Drive, with these four landmark palm trees.

Heisler Park Palm Trees
pencil
2014

Just two shamans hanging out downtown.

Yep.  Sometimes I wear my Burning Man clothes out on the town in the "default world".  This time I happened to run into a statue of an old shaman from ancient times, in front of Weiland's gallery in Laguna Beach.  Back in the day, this kindly old figure would slide down the single entrance and exit to the teepee-like homes of tribal villagers, which doubled as the chimney of the snowed-in dwellings.  He would come with a sack of goodies to give away.  What were the goodies?  Amanita Muscaria mushrooms, aka Fly Agaric.  These would grow in the winter and give the cooped-up villagers some much needed entertainment.  Reindeer are known to consume the same mushrooms, and thus "fly."  Santa's outfit, with its trademark red hat with white puffball is designed to resemble the caps of the Fly Agaric mushrooms, which are red with white puffballs.  

Yes, that's right, I'm hugging a large doll.  That's how I roll.

Later, Christians co-opted this folk hero and made him a saint, whose omnipresent watchful eye judges all, as worthy, or not, to receive cheaply-made toys made by children in other countries.

Incidentally, the first theme camp at Burning Man was Christmas Camp, whose host would dress as Santa, set up a tree with decorations, and do the whole bit.

The holidays have passed and I'm glad!

Caricature Drawing on Main Beach, Laguna Beach, California: Photos.

I draw caricatures on Laguna Beach's Main Beach boardwalk and elsewhere during the good weather of the Summer.  Crowds of tourists flock to the beach, and I offer my service free of charge, giving away personalized mementos to all visitors who are willing to ask and/or wait in line.  I do accept tips, which many takers are all too happy to give.  As a rule, I get taken care of pretty well, and no one has to go without a caricature for lack of money.  When I think of it, I snap off a shot of a particularly good caricature and its subject.  

the free radical

You can hire me for your parties and events, to draw flattering caricatures of your guests.  In the Orange County area, but willing to travel if the price is right.  Call: 949 436 3689. Ask for Dave.