Screw the $95.00 Fancypants Thumb Box, I Acquired a Free Cigar Box.

And for a moment, I almost sat down and enjoyed a smoke with the rest of the boys. Seriously, it was tempting. I like cigars, but the smoke gives me a headache now. I picked the box up at UPtowns Smoke Shop in Green Hills. Nice place, but they need ambient lighting. The overhead lighting wasn't up to snuff. (I couldn't resist.) I would recommend a few nice table lamps paired with some decadent parlor room shades to accompany the leather club chairs. If I had a smoke shop, you can bet it would be comfortably stylish and dry cleanable. But I digress. Jeeze, I'm like craving a cognac and a smoke now.

Here is my new thumb box with a work in progress. I haven't pimped the cigar box out yet, but will post pictures when I do. Don't be fooled into thinking I was painting nature from life because I wasn't. It was just a nice day to be outside. But then again, it's Southern California, the odds are good it's ALWAYS going to be a nice day to paint outside. : P






I've got a couple of even newer things coming up that I just got wind this past week. I'll post as they become more concrete. One is group exhibit this summer and the other is a studio visit which may lead to an exhibition. I've decided to convert to Optimism, so we'll see.

My storage rent increased and this morning I unexpectedly spent over an hour moving to a smaller unit. I will be holding a studio sale soon. I get nervous about the idea of that for some reason, but it's something I need to do.