Journal entry for November 30, 2001

Today's summary: L.A. trip, Day Four. Pasadena with Diana, and the gallery opening!

Diana's been feeling ill all week, and I've been busy, so I haven't actually seen much of her. Even so, today I got to go out with her and she gave me a tour of Pasadena's famous architecture. Most notably we visited several houses designed by the brothers Greene and Greene, from the Arts and Crafts (anti-Victorian, pre-Art Deco, 1900-1910ish) era. The houses were all very Asian in feel, with exposed beams, muted stain on the wood, upturned corners on the roofs. The "clinker brick" walls and steps all had a very organic look to them, especially when mixed with stone. I took some of my own photos, but here's websites about the Gamble House, an HGTV report, and an article about restoration.

We also saw the grandstand for the Rose Bowl Parade, Colorado Street Bridge, City Hall, a Frank Lloyd Wright house... lots and lots of great architecture. I really appreciated the tour and Diana knows her stuff -- she's involved with a local historic building preservation group.

We went down to the Arroyo and took a walk through the woods there, and back along the arroyo. The waterway was turned into a fenced off concrete channel by the WPA years ago, so it's not incredibly scenic itself, but the area is still nice. I took a photo of Diana and Beau, and after some experimentation I managed to set the timer correctly to take a picture of the three of us.

Back to Diana's place, got dressed up, and then headed off to Rezon8 Studios for the...

Gallery opening party

Finally. This is the main reason I came out to L.A... Of course very few people were there right away, but there's a local street festival every Friday, and soon people began to trickle in from that. There were others from the gallery mailing list... I'd guesstimate that maybe 150-200 people showed up over the course of the evening. There was a live band, catering with mysterious and exotic-seeming (Californian) food.

Everybody was very chatty and I got to talk to many of the artists there, making note of any leads or suggestions they made. I also got to talk to visitors and artists about my own work; I purposely loitered nearby my sculpture for most of the night, to introduce myself, or so Nanci and Janet could point me out. Apparently a cafe owner down the street is a friend of theirs, and he is hoping to show some of my work there after this show is done in 3 months. Maybe if there are pieces that don't sell, I can make arrangements to shuffle them down the street to him, along with some new work.

One of the artists I met was named Mark (Marc? gotta check my notes for the full name). He makes lots of oversized, lascivious paintings of peppers and sunflowers dribbling seeds/pollen on themselves. I loved seeing his work! What's more, he has shown at the parent gallery of Sculpture to Wear (the one I already visited the other day in Santa Monica at Bergamot Station), and he had a lot of helpful suggestions -- like say, applying there, which I was already planning to do. He also suggested that I name-drop him when I write my official contact letter for Sculpture to Wear. How convenient, eh?

A totally different man named Mark (Marc?) is a regular patron of the gallery, and he bought my killer bees, Homicida apis. I got to talk to him for a bit, which was a real pleasure. I'm always happy knowing they go to good artloving homes!

Later on in the night, the people remaining were playing pool in Rezon8's funky little lounge area, and playing drums / jamming with a saxophone.

Another plus -- I got to see my old internet friend Steve, who drove all the way there from San Diego to visit. That was SO sweet and I was really glad to see him. My cousin Nick and Gabrielle dropped in too, and I got to meet her, and talk to them both for a while. It really meant a lot to me to see all of them.

So overall, it was great. A great opportunity to show my work and discuss it with others, a great opportunity to make contacts and hand out business cards (I must've given away a half-inch pile of them!). Also of course, a nice chance to see some friends/relatives.

Speaking of seeing people, Laurie and I have both been so busy all week. I had been talking to her about maybe meeting up tomorrow... but that doesn't seem likely, not unless I completely cancel the trip to Six Flags. And I've been waiting and WAITING for that as the conclusion of my trip. Hmm. Well, I can still send her the slides she wants in the mail, I think. It's less than ideal, but I really need this as a fun final reward for all my preparation and running around this whole week.

Guess I'm getting up early again, to hit the amusement park. Muaahah!