2011 Guest Chef on the Waterfront

It's that time of year again! I just finished up the artwork for the 2011 Farestart's Guest Chef on the Waterfront. I can't believe that it is the 7th year that I have been honored to do the artwork for this event! (The eighth if you include the Guest Chef Under the Stars event — it's predecessor!) This is such a great event — I think its the best summer event in Seattle.

Over 70 of the best chefs, wineries, breweries and purveyors of fine foods in the Puget Sound region participate by providing tastings of their favorite dishes and best products. No one leaves this event hungry! And, it always so difficult to decide what is the best of the best! I'm glad that I don't have to judge the dishes.

It is also really nice to see such support from the Seattle community for such a fantastic organization. FareStart provides job training, in the food industry, for disadvantaged individuals. Giving people who are in a difficult period of their lives job skills and confidence to change their life. During these economic times, I'm sure many of us can relate to what it means to need a job and to find yourself in need of a way to make a change in your life. I know I can! FareStart was also recognized by the James Beard Association this year by being named the 2011 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award honoree.

If you are in the Seattle area this summer, this is an event not to miss! You can purchase tickets online at Farestart.org Tickets go on sale May 1st.

Postcard Design

Baltimore Museum of Art: Photography Exhibit

I went to the BMA this past weekend and saw an excellent photography exhibit called Seeing Now: Photography Since 1960. Among my favorite photographs in the exhibit were several from a series called Women are Beautiful by photographer Gary Winogrand.

Another great series of photographs that I especially liked, was a series of water towers by Bernd & Hilla Becher. I had my sketchbook with me and quickly drew each tower. It was a great exercise for me; forcing my eye to really slow down and "see" the photographs. It also reminded me of a water tower I use to pass when I lived in Utrecht, Netherlands. Here are my interpretation of some of the towers. I love industrial buildings and breaking them down into their most basic geometric forms.