Chapel

Canna

Bruce

John leaned across the table and whispered  "I don't like this waitress. She is not careful as previous one." I was surprise to hear that from him. I wasn't pay attention to waitress. However, after that I became more conscious about her. It was not busy morning in the coffee-shop but she didn't come to our table or longtime. Our coffee cups were completely empty but she didn't show up. Where was she?

Birch Trees

When I went to Japan six years ago,  I took lot of photograph of birch tree. I grow up in a cold country, specifically, the northernmost island Hokkaido, Japan. The birch tree is very common tree in Hokkaido. It's remained me my childhood.

Best Koi

Bishop Creek

Autumn Wood

We had a lively watercolor class Today.  Eight students attended. The student who has been absented the class last three weeks showed up that made me happy. I had  guests last night and we talked until midnight. I was a lack of sleep today. But as soon as I got the class I felt much better. An enthusiastic students gave me an energy.

My house guest Masa-san is artist. He had to take Korian airline to Japan this morning. He said " If I had time, I like to visit your watercolor class, but I have to go" Yes, I like that myself. Maybe next time.

A lady came to see the class. She likes watercolor and wanted see the class. I need more students. I hope she will come to the class near future.

The First Snow in Aspendale

Countdown for the Japan trip has been started. It was six years ago for the last time I visited Japan.

Stone Bridge

9/3/11/
 I wrote about hiked the Mirror Lake on second day in Yosemite. The same day at my first watercolor class, One of my students told me about very nice area further way passed the lake. Even though, I went there for three or four times I never seen the place. Because, I thought that there was nothing beyond the first part of the lake. I got so curious about this secret pond (It more likely part of Mirror Lake). I felt that I have to go there and find it. So, I tried it after breakfast and before the class. Even though, It was not really enough time. I was happy I did. It was a kind of mystical place. I took a lot of pictures. I will paint them when I go back to Los Angeles.

 Also, on the way back to art center from the lake, I saw five young people gathering on the mountain road and they were looking something in the wood. One of them, young girl came to me and took my arm and said "Look over there, Bear cub. Do you see?" I looked at the area she pointed and I saw the little bear eating something on the ground. It was kind of cute, but my concern was were is mother.

My last watercolor class was excellent. I did the good demonstration. The picture for today is my last day demonstration piece. (Stone Bridge)

Trees

9/2/11/Fri.
 Since yesterday's miserable experience, I was much wiser today. I chose a location carefully. I decided to go to the place it called "Church Bowl. It was a nice shady spot surrounded by big trees. My choice was perfect this time. Nice breeze a lot of benches even portable toilet in the location. As long as working condition is right, even a dull subject became great painting.

 I was almost sure that I don''t have any messages in my answering machine in my Los Angeles home. But I checked it anyway. Surprisingly, I had four messages. and all of them were from one of my friend. He must called me every day. That was strange that he didn't know I am here at Yosmite. I told him about this trip and he was checking his schedule book. I hope I am not in a missing person's list at a police department by now. Immediately, I called the friend and no answer. Now, I am getting nervous, I have to call him again later. Problem was I couldn't use my cell phone in Yosemite. So, all my friend couldn't contact me.

Smoky Half Dome

9/1/11/Thurs.
 I played Tai-Chi three times and took my morning walk. Also, I took a lot of photographs. When I go back to Los Angeles, I paint from these photos.
It was a tough demonstration today. Location I chose was a hot spot without shade. It was nice and shady when we started but the sun moved wrong direction and a nice shade moved wrong direction, too.  The end of the day, I was so tired. That evening I was sneezing a lot. I thought I got a cold or something. The room I was staying had an air condition and It worked very well. I thought it was too cold.  I tried to save demo piece but result was not good. I didn't like it.

Yosemite falls

8/30/11/Tue.
 It was the first day of watercolor class today. We went to in front of visitor's center and painted Yosemite falls.  I come to Yosemite park on the first week of September. In this season the Yosemite falls almost dried up and no visible water there. But this year, the falls has enough water to create  nice waterfall. At the first class, I had eight students. I had great time. And when I came back to art center I fond that one of my paintings had sold.  Good start!

8/31/11/Wed.
 Suddenly, I had twenty four students for the second class. There might be more. I lost count.
The first day's demonstration, I was feel tight. So, It wasn't came out right. However, I changed my approach to ward painting today. I did more relaxed and I painted freely. As result of that I painted very good piece. As the mutter of fact, I sold it before even display at the gallery.

Entrance to Yosemite

 Yosemite Experience 2

8/29/11/Mon.
 The next morning, I fond that my pick-up truck was towed away. I didn't know they had late night parking lot construction. I must have missed the warning sign. Unfortunately I had to pay towing fee and it hurt my wallet. Later, I saw the sign it said " do not park here between ten pm. through eight am." and it was behind the tree. What a trick. I thought that only LAPD would do that kind of dirty thing but I was wrong. LOL. But, as wise man said, a good thing always happen after the bad news. So, I would hope for that.
 It was free time today. I took a hike to Mirror Lake and Happy Isles. Yosemite had a little more water than last year in this season. I was surprised to see the water at Yosemite falls.  So, I hoped the lake might have some water, too. Usually, the lake is dried up for this season. As I hoped, I saw a little bit of water and stream trickled down in the creek from the lake. 

El Capitan

 Yosemite Experience  1

The night before I would leave to Yosemite Aline called. She is the manager of art center where I will stay for a week. She said "We had mountain fire and the high way I would take has been closed. So, I could not be there on Sunday. However, I arranged that you can get your key at the bookstore."

I left my house at 8 am.  Driving to Yosemite was easy. Even though it took six hours to get there. I have been doing this every year since 2005.  I arrived to Yosemite art center at 2:30 pm. Immediately I went to the bookstore and asked the key. A tall white bearded man in counter said "Your key supposed to be in art center. I will come with you and let you in."

Finally, I got my key and unloaded stuffs into the room from my pick-up truck. Now I am ready for a week in Yosemite. "Banzai!!!!" it means "Great!!!" in Japanese.

Oh!  I almost forgot to tell you why I went to Yosemite. I teach watercolor at Yosemite  art center for a week..