Descanso Gardens visit

I didn't know this until Sunny told me, but Descanso Gardens had its annual Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend.

I have actually never seen cherry blossoms blooming in person before. How ironic this garden is so close to where a family friend lived for years.

They have ten different types of cherry blossoms in the garden. It was interesting to see all the people dolled up to take photos (I even saw someone decked out in a kimono).

Even though the festival part is over this weekend, the cherry blossoms probably aren't going to disappear in two days.

Other than the cherry blossoms, the garden is really a lovely place to just take a walk and explore. They have tons of different flowers growing and little rivers and lakes around. There's even a mini-train that goes around the garden if you want to sit and take in the sights. Even though I knew there were a ton of people walking around, the garden still felt tranquil and quiet.

Sometimes it felt like I was in a scene of a Ghibli film.

I hope I can go back because they have a garden devoted to roses, but unfortunately it's the wrong season. Based on the setup though, it's really a sight to see.

There was this little building in the middle of the rose garden, I'm not entirely sure why... the groundskeeper's house?

There are additional photos on my Instagram because my camera decided it wanted to die even though I charged it... mysterious.

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's...

I did a mini portrait series a little while ago of each band member of the Sex Pistols. Well, the final lineup before they imploded and broke up.

I used to listen to the Sex Pistols more when I was in high school. I was digging back into my "music library," and it's been interesting to find out which bands have split, which individuals have continued making music, which bands have stuck together and how their musical style has changed.

Each 8 x 10" watercolor paper.

Graphite + digital.

Not totally successful, but I will say I was referencing one of their original images created by Jamie Reid for promotion of their single 'God Save the Queen.'

In the end, I opted to not write text on it and keep the pencil's value instead of darkening it up. Keeping with the inspiration, I also decided not to color the figures, even though I put it on watercolor paper. That's the importance of planning ahead and not making a decision at nearly the end, kids.

"Numina" opening.

I went to Corey Helford Gallery's opening of Amy Sol's solo "Numina," which consisted of 10 new acrylic paintings along with sketches. Tom Bagshaw's works were also on display in the upstairs loft, so it was double the treat for me.

I didn't take photos of everything, but I was determined to get a picture of some of the pieces I really liked:

I like the new dark backgrounds being incorporated into the paintings:

I think this piece is so lovely; I'm glad I was able to get a little print of it ♡

Some of Tom Bagshaw's pieces:

It was really exciting and inspiring to see the paintings in person :]

Laluzapalooza

Today is the opening for La Luz de Jesus' annual group show that has been renamed "LALUZAPALOOZA" this year. It's an honor to have been included again this year, especially when I read that there were over 9,000 submissions to sort through. Yikes!

I'm excited that they took two of my pieces from my triptych series, "Bind" and "Balance."

I'm also really happy to say that dear friend Sunny Gu has been accepted into the show as well. Thank you to everyone at La Luz :]

Here's a link to the online roster of artists in the group show, but I hope you can stop by in the gallery space and see the amazing pieces in person. Pieces like the sculptures are best experienced for yourself.

Opening: Friday, March 2; 8pm - 11pm

(show runs from March 2 - April 1)

La Luz de Jesus

4633 Hollywood Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

What I Wore... Yesterday

I am apparently cursed to never quite get it right: when I dress for cold weather, it's pleasant; when I dress for hot weather, it ends up being quite chilly. This outfit falls into the former category:

Weather reports indicated that it was going to be probably the coldest day of the week, so I chose a more bundled up option. Despite the fact that it's a short dress, it's made out of this kind of wooly material, so it's actually quite warm. And it has that snood collar and long sleeves layered under the (faux) leather jacket. It probably also helped that I was inside most of the time when the sun went down.