a sketch for the last day of January

I watched the show “Secrets of the Parthenon” on KCET/PBS

Interesting show about how the archaeologists and architects are trying to save the Parthenon from collapsing.  The building marveled to be the highest creation of mankind has gone through many many wars, looting and natural disasters.  The professionals have uncovered a lot of the secrets of how the Greeks built this.  Even back in 400BCE, they had an understanding of optical illusion.  To achieve visual straightness they compensated the physical straightness, and therefore the building has no straight lines nor right angle.  It’s curved!
I’ve been doing studies on Architectural styles.  The Greeks architectures are the first in the book.  Did some studies

Why don’t see any of the skills and craftsmanship at this level today?  Is it because time is money for the developers? is it because it’s all about profits? Is it because there is no need for a sacred/spiritual space anymore? why do we keep building ugly buildings far from inspiring? Take a look at the Disney concert hall and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.  Is it good because the architects baked in to our minds that it is good? Is it because they think that we can’t repeat what’s done in the past and have to be new and edgy and catchy?
I found out that I am not the only one longing for great architectures of the past.  I recently got this DVD which is a collaboration with chris ware and Ira Glass on demolitions of building in chicago.  The DVD came with a booklet filled with photos of Louis Sullivan and other buildings and details that are now gone.

I’ve been doing some studies from DVDs

this is the most I’ve seen here in LA.. from the streets of Pasadena

i colored this in a “showa” theme colors.  Calico cats are common and popular.

here is another recollection of an old fashion New years / winter days in Japan.  Kotatsu is the most genius invention.  It is a sit down table with a heater attached under the table with a futon over it.  You will usually see a cat or two in  it, and a bowl of tangerine, tea cups and newspapers on top.

just half day for me.  I got to China town around 9 am on the Goldline metro.  I started to sketch in the residential area.  a lot of people were walking towards the main streets.  I saw people doing tai-chi in the community parks.  Insents were in the air.

Then I met with the other LA crawlers at the main gate.  We stayed in the central plaza area to sketch.

after lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant most people had to go.  I sketched a little more by the train station.

some day i will do a real full day crawl!

This is a little late – finally getting around to this drawing.  I had this image in mind for what a New years eve in japan can be like.  Just a line sketch which I intend to color soon..

took a little walk and saw -

kitty on a tree – and the magic hour colors

Dinotopea exhibit wasn’t the only thing that was impressive at the LA central library.  They also had a photo exhibit of Julius Shulman’s work on Los Angeles – 150 of them! The building itself is historical.  There is a rotunda with Dean Cornwell murals depicting CA history -

great columns at the Tom Bradley wing -

I personally like the old library card holders -

much more including the statue of civilization and the sphinxes, chandeliers, other murals,  and architectural gems – probably worth taking the free tour.

on a rainy day..

Continuing with the Dinosaur theme, we went to see the Dinotopea exhibit at the LA central library.

wow…

quick sketch of my impression there.

And speaking of dinosaurs, check out the dino mummy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

we drove out to Cabazon to see the Dinosaurs

very windy day!

you can go inside one of them – it’s a gift shop.

The perks of living right by the Rose parade route – they start lining up the floats the night before, and we walk out to see them along with the entire neighborhood.

JPL has a cool float every year.

lots of cool dogs are out too.

My favorite this year is the Egyptian one, with details of the front part.