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.