Lord Moai Says, "Bring More Mai Tais!"

I've always liked Tikis but the prospect of buying a home in which I can create my very own Tiki bar is quite exciting. If only the process of finding the home to go around my Tiki bar were easier. Until then I will drown my frustrations with Sarah, my favorite waitress at the local Trader Vic's. Another round of Mai Tais, if you please!

Tiki Drink Review: Trader Vic's Mai Tai
If you have never been to a Trader Vic's, this should be the first thing you order. It is truly the benchmark against which all the other drinks are measured. It is also a good assessment of the barman making it.

To test an artist's skill you can have a painter draw a nude figure, a singer sing the national anthem, or hear a guitarist on an acoustic guitar. A bartender should be tested with a Mai Tai. This can be the most amazing drink you have ever tasted, or the absolute worst glass of sugary slop.

A great Mai Tai is deceptively mild, and subtly sweet, it easily will win over even those who don't like "fruity drinks". When "Trader" Vic Bergeron created it in 1944, his Tahitian friend exclaimed, "Mai Tai Roa Ae!" which means "Out of this world!" Giving one of the world's greatest libations it's name. It was either that, or call it "There's a Party in My Mouth, and Everyone's Invited". Personally, I think it could have gone either way. Here's how to make your own:

The Trader Vic's Mai Tai

• 1 oz Fine Jamaican rum (try 15 or 8 year old Appleton)
• 1 oz Martinique rum (try St. James)
• 1/2 ounce Orange Curacao
• 1/2 ounce Orgeat syrup
• Juice from one fresh lime (about 3/4 ounce)
• Shake vigorously with crushed ice
  
• Add a sprig of fresh mint with the lime rind
  

It All Comes Out in the Washateria

Happy New Year to all! Maybe I should have started the year with an image that is a tad less bleak, but it's one of the few things I've been able to catch in the last few weeks. Here's to a New Year full of hope, promise, and perhaps a bit more free time!

Live from Dallas, TX

Last weekend I took a few photos of The Enemies List at their show in Dallas. It was a solid performance as always, and I was able to walk away with some great shots.
(Click on the images for a closer look)

Despair

Heading to the DMA for a Thursday night sketch session is fast becoming a pleasant weekly tradition. What isn't so pleasant is the way my scanner is currently acting. It seems the old college work horse is finally ready to be put out to pasture. I had a couple pages of sketches I was excited to share, but they will have to wait until I can figure out another scanning solution. As always, click the image for a larger view.

We're an American Band

Last Sunday I had the fun opportunity to shoot some photos of a friend's band, The Enemies List. One member was missing, but it was a good practice shooting human subjects nonetheless. TEL is certainly one of the best bands in Dallas, and you can see them for yourself December 1st at the Curtain Club.

Mental Massage

Deep breaths...Hear the ocean and feel the warm breeze wash over you. Thank you for allowing me to take away a little stress from your day.

A Catch

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta eat.

Heart of Palm

Pencils and Pubs

Last night after work I swung by the Dallas Museum of Art and did some sketching. On Thursday, the museum is open until 9PM and admission is free! My only issue is that the crowd tends to be more than a little obnoxious, with people speaking loudly on cell phones and to one another. Apparently manners and etiquette are confined to paid nights only.


This giant Polynesian chap elicited quite a few precious comments from the aforementioned classy patrons.


Following the museum I adjourned to a local pub to meet a friend for cocktails and a bite to eat. I brought in my trusty moleskine and cranked out a few more sketches of people at other tables before my friend arrived.

In one of the more interesting moments in the evening, a young lady on the patio, who had with her a fairly large dog, pulled this beast onto her lap and proceeded to give it a massive bear hug. I rushed to sketch them as the dog (a boxer/pit bull looking fellow), hung docilely from her arms during the entire display of affection.

Thug Life

Spotted this gang-star at a fairly posh local eatery with a wife-beater shirt, over-sized cubic zirconia earing, bad kanji tattoos, designer jeans...and his mom picking up the dinner tab. You stay classy Dallas, Texas.

Wingspan

Pelican spotted over the beach in Mexico.

Stop to smell los flores

Taken poolside in Mexico. Not feeling so hot today, I think I need to take a nap and dream of soothing images like this one.

Playa del Lapiz

Here are a few of sketches I did on my trip to Mexico. I also took a ton of pictures and will post some of the best as the week goes on.

I have a strange fascination with thatched roofs. I think it's because they remind me of tropical relaxation and tiki bars (my favorite).


My vacation sketches tend to be from relaxed and stationary positions. So, I tend to draw what happens to be around, like this pool fountain or a rock. But I guess you have to practice drawing boring stuff too, right?

Boca Raton

I thought I would post this sketch of Remy (from a sculpt by Greg Dykstra, featured in the Art of Ratatouille book) before I headed off to Mexico for the weekend.

Have fun at work kids!

Monster Mash

This was too cool not to post. Over at i-mockery.com you can use their Monster Sticker Name Generator (about halfway down the page) to make any message you like out of monster letter stickers circa 1974. Perfect to stick on your locker or Trapper Keeper!

I would love to see some of the talented artists around the web do their own versions of these. Mr. Vanhoozer is already well on his way with his Robot Alphabet!

Naz-Cool

Watched "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" last night and sketched one of the Nazgul's "fell beasts" (I actually had to look that up) as I watched. They were, in my opinion, the coolest design from the films.

The LOTR films aren't my favorite but they still pretty good. They have brilliant design, direction, and pretty amazing (albeit CG) action sequences, but I just struggle with any film over three hours (upwards of four in the director's cut). The only film that can pull of three hours half hours plus is Laurence of Arabia, which does it flawlessly by keeping the action going.

Here's a tip to filmmakers: Long film does not equal great art. Keep the story moving, keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Nothing But Taillights

Speeding ever closer to the weekend, and some much needed rest.

Take a Brake

No rest for the wicked, as they say. Spent the majority of the weekend working, and have a long day and night ahead. I have been drawing a bit lately, and want to post some sketches, but my trusty old scanner is not liking my new laptop. Hopefully I can take a few moments in the next couple of days to get it figured out.

Gear Up

Working non-stop again this week. I already am feeing it and we're not even halfway done. Whew!

Time is Tight

Got out on Sunday and took a few pics around Dallas. Now that I have my sweet new camera, I seem to paying more attention to details in the things around me, and hopefully this will rub off on my drawing skills.