Sketches: Bonaventure Hotel, LA - 3/2026

Built by John C. Portman in the late 1970's, the Bonaventure Hotel was the most spectacular high-rise building in Los Angeles. Watching this building slowly come together, I was amazed by this futuristic structure/spaceship seemingly land in the city where I lived. 

At the time, my Uncle Henry worked for the Westin Hotel chain and was able to reserve rooms for his friends and relatives. As a gift, Uncle Henry arranged a room for me (I was in middle school) and my classmates for a weekend. I think that was one of the reasons I wanted to become an architect/engineer.

Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles - 3/2026

Even today, 50 years later, the Bonaventure Hotel is stunning in the skyline.

CoWaBUnGa   

Sketches: Wakao Kei, Asian Art Museum SF - 3/2026

The New Japanese Clay exhibit at the Asian Art Museum is full of surprises when regarding ceramics. These Japanese clay artists are showing new forms, colors, and abstracting the functionality of ceramicware. One piece that caught my attention was the work by Wakao Kei:

Wakao Kei, Asian Art Museum SF, 3/2026

On the one hand, it works as a sculpture of a fallen leaf; on the other, I can also see it as a very beautiful tray holding bon bons. Either way, it was beautiful and made me pause to sketch.

Oh, this definitely needs a sketch...

CoWaBUNga!
  

Cafe Sketches: Super Peach, Los Angeles - 2/2026

Chef David Chang, the founder of Momofuku, has opened a new casual restaurant at the Westfield Century City mall: Super Peach. Super Peach is a modern Korean-American restaurant in a LA-chic setting.  

Super Peach, Los Angeles - 2/2026

The highlight of our dinner was the jjajangmyeon, served with a side of fried pork - yum. 

CoWaBunGA!    

Sketches: Watching, KAWS at SFMOMA - 2/2026

Who is being watched?

"Watching" by KAWS, SFMOMA, 2/2026

See "Watching" by KAWS at the SFMOMA, until May 3, 2026.

CoWaBUNga
 

Sketches: Accomplice, KAWS at SFMOMA - 2/2026

KAWS' sculpted figures have lots of character. You can see the guilt, shame and dejection through the posture of the figure titled "Accomplice". 

"Accomplice" by KAWS at the SFMOMA, 2/2026

Catch the "Accomplice" at SFMOMA, through May 3, 2026.

CoWaBunGA
   

Sketches: San Francisco Chinatown, Lunar New Year - 2/2026

The red lanterns create a warm glow against the buildings lining the streets in San Francisco Chinatown. During Lunar New Year, the glow adds to the festive atmosphere of the bustling shoppers and packed shops. 

San Francisco Chinatown, Lunar New Year - 2/2026

HaPpY NeW YeaR! Year of the Horse...

CoWaBunGA  

Cafe Sketches: Forge Pizza, Oakland - 2/2026

During the holidays, Forge Pizza in Oakland decorated their stunning main dining room with decorations that accentuated their dramatic ceiling. It's a little late, but I finally got around to sketching this beautiful room. Forge Pizza was originally at Jack London Square, but is now in the Rockridge neighborhood in Oakland. Their wood-fired pizzas are fantastic.

Forge Pizza Oakland, 2/2026

Don't forget to order a side of cheese curdles...

CoWaBunGA!