Too wet to draw outside, Donna and I bussed to Belltown and drew inside Bedlam Coffee.

An ugly drawing of a beautiful lady.

 Bedlam has been a favorite place to draw for years.

Donna's parents came to visit from Connecticut and stayed at the Residence Inn on South Lake Union. I drew the view from their balcony as we watched the sun set.

The second of Gage Academy's "Teaser Classes" where an entire 5-week class is previewed in one session. Whipped out my fastest demo yet. Not as nuanced and subtle as I prefer, but I got it done. Sort of. A great group of students made it fun.

The Gage Academy where I teach is offering one-night "teaser" classes, where students pay only $75 and get a whirl-wind preview of what would normally be a five-week class. After introductions, reviewing materials and setting up our still-lifes, I had a very short time to whip out a demo. Students loved the no-nonsense, let's get to it approach. And I get to do it again tomorrow in color.

Although I inevitably reach the same the conclusion, I replay this inner monologue several times a week:

I need to carve out more time for drawing, but where? I've given up the guitar and sold the piano. I haven't auditioned for a play since 2008. I gave away my TV 5 years ago. I don't go to the movies (they're all for teenagers, anyway). I quit my full-time job and teach the bare minimum I need to pay my rent and eat. When I scale back the yoga I turn stiff and cranky. I could drive more instead of walking everywhere, but then I turn fat and cranky (and driving is a drag). I could only shower every OTHER day, but I don't think Donna would appreciate that. I could cut back on playtime with my super-sexy girlfriend, but then we'd BOTH turn cranky, so f that. Where does that leave me? Right where I am, and I go back to work.

I've been asked to teach 5 classes a day of middle school art this week. A soon as I finish this short substitute teaching gig I'll get back to my (almost) daily drawing routine.

I have three more pages of my personal narrative comic book project thing drawn and ready for painting. Please enter your email below left so you'll know when new drawings come on line.

Steve