The Mini-Masterpieces show has been extended to the end of January 2023. The show is at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda California.
I've refreshed my little corner with some small paintings for the show's extension.
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| Engineering and construction paintings, flower paintings |
CoWaBunGa
After visiting the Diego Rivera exhibit at the SFMOMA for the third time, I was tempted to sketch in his style. What is so great about Diego Rivera's artwork is the depth of color that he infused into his paintings. Here are a few of my sketches, in homage to Diego Rivera:
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| Allegory of California, Diego Rivera, 1930 |
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| Edsel Ford, Diego Rivera, 1932 |
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| Billionaire's Folly, Rivera-like, Jeng 2022 |
Ramen and motorcycles?!? What's happening here, why are my two favorite things here in the same place and time? I thought at first this was a bit too clever for its own good, but after trying the Tonkotsu Ramen, I was convinced. This is a real ramen shop and the silver-flaked, 70's motorcycle helmet display wall just adds to the ambiance.
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| Roji Ramen, on Piedmont Ave in Oakland, 12/2022 |
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| Tonkotsu ramen with chasiu |
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| Agadashi tofu appetizer |
On Piedmont Avenue, there is a little restaurant tucked into a wedge floor plan. This location has been turned over many times, previously a hamburger diner during the pandemic. The recent update to this venue is Charm Thai Bistro and it lives up to its namesake. The decor is modern, tasteful, and beautifully lit.
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| Charm Thai Bistro, 12/2022 |
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| Seafood Curry and Vegetarian Pad Se Ew |
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| Spicy Basil Wings |
One of the classic dim sum restaurants on the San Francisco peninsula is Hong Kong Flower Lounge in Millbrae, California. When I worked in Millbrae on the SFO BART Extension, my coworkers and I would sometimes enjoy dim sum here when we celebrated a big milestone in the design and construction of the BART system. We recently visited while we were in Millbrae and it's just as good as before.
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| Hong Kong Flower Lounge, 08/2022 |
CoWaBunGA
Sometimes, you just have that craving for a good oyster on a half shell or in an oyster po'boy. If you're in San Francisco's Ferry Building, you can stop by the Hog Island Oyster Company and get your oyster fix. The fun part about stopping here is that you can sit at the counter and watch the chefs shuck oysters right in front of you - they're very skillful.
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| Hog Island Oyster Co, 10/2022 |
CowABunGA
We heard about Yojimbo when my art friends complained about all the leftovers they had to carry home whenever they ate at Yojimbo. Well, they also said the food was great for the value. Later on, the Art Jam members established a special relationship with Yojimbo when Darv donated a cache of Miyazaki art pieces as part of Art Jam's art challenges.
Yojimbo recently opened another location on Santa Clara in Alameda. The new location is quite dramatic and has much more room for the owner's artwork and animation collection. I was adventurous and decided to have the Chef's choice sushi, Darlene chose the "make-your-own" Bento Box with grilled salmon and spicy tuna roll. Delicious!
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| Yojimbo, upper dining area, 10/2022 |
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| Sushi, Chef's choice |
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| Make your own Bento Box, grilled salmon and spicy tuna roll |
Cafe de la Presse is a French bistro on the border of San Francisco Chinatown. We've walked by this SF institution often on our way to Chinatown, but finally stopped in for breakfast in October. The atmosphere really brought us back to our time in Paris' little bistros and the coffee was fantastic.
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| Cafe de la Presse, SF, 10/2022 |
They have a fancy bar where you can take your meals or grab a high-top table by the window. Of course, you can always sit at the booths if you're having an intimate meal with a friend...
CoWaBunGA
Mini-Masterpieces are back! After a three year hiatus, the artists of Art Jam return to Rhythmix Cultural Works (RCW) to show our latest work for the holidays. Join us, starting November 5, in enjoying local art and celebrating the holidays at RCW. For more information about the show and sale, visit the RCW website: https://www.rhythmix.org/events/mini-masterpieces-2022/
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| Bill Jeng's exhibit |
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| At the reception finding food. |
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| At the reception talking to other artists. |
The Lion Dance series of works will debut at Rhythmix Cultural Works' Mini-Masterpieces show in November. Information about the Mini-Masterpieces show is here: https://www.rhythmix.org/events/mini-masterpieces-2022/
Hope you can be there.
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| Detail from Lion Dance 02 |
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| Detail of Lion Dance 02 |
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| Lion Dance 02 emerging |
There is a great exhibit of Diego Rivera artworks, including murals in the U.S. and San Francisco. I was drawn to his smaller canvas paintings such as these two works:
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| Tortilla Maker, Diego Rivera, SFMOMA |
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| Self Portrait, Diego Rivera, SFMOMA |
Check out the Diego Rivera exhibit at SFMOMA if you're in the City.
Ramen is no longer relegated to packaged, dried noodles with flavor packets. It is very upscale and worthy of a date night visit. One of my favorites is Marufuku in Japantown San Francisco. Their specialty is the Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen; thin slurp-worthy noodles in pork-based broth with slices of roast pork and a whole soft-boiled egg.
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| Marufuku SF, 09/26/2022 |
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| Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen |
CowABunGA
The Cook and Her Farmer has been a long-time favorite of mine since they opened in Swan's Market. My favorite dish is the oyster po'boy, and their salads are very good too. Some of my friends say the grilled cheese sandwich is the best in the Bay Area.
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| "The Cook and Her Farmer", 9/2022 |
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| Kale salad, oyster po'boy, garlic fries, Mexican lager, and iced tea |
Additional color to the lion, the dancer, and details of the fringe.
On 4th Street in Berkeley, California, Iyasare is nestled amongst the shops and diners that attract crowds during Bay Area weekends. We've walked by Iyasare many times on our way to the Gardener or the Apple Store and always wanted to stop in for lunch or dinner. We finally stopped last week.
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| Iyasare, Berkeley CA |
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| Dinner meal |
Understory restaurant is on our way home from downtown Oakland and we were always curious about their cuisine. A few weeks ago, we read about several Bay Area restaurants that won James Beard awards for dining, and Understory was one of the winners. We found out that they are a collective of chefs that celebrate the diverse cultures and cuisines in Oakland. We had to try it.
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| Understory, on 8th Street in Oakland, CA |
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| Elote corn, Thai salad, and Caribbean oxtail |
Back in the 90's, I used to bring my sketchbook whenever we dined at a nice restaurant. It helped me occupy the time while we waited for our table (this was before smart phones). The sketches became a collection that I called "Cafe Sketches" and I was able develop a show around the collection.
I'm revisiting this activity with a slight addition - I'll include photos of my meal. For the first edition, please enjoy Paradiso, located in San Leandro California. The meal at this restaurant, linguini with manila clams and a Hefeweizen; dessert - tiramisu
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| Paradiso, San Leandro, CA |
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| Dessert - Tiramisu |
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| Entree - Linguini with Manila clams, Hefe |
Filling in colors and blocking out shapes.
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| Lion Dance No. 2, in-progress |
Thank goodness that some of our fine dining restaurants survived the pandemic. We were lucky enough to enjoy two really, really good venues in the last two months.
In San Francisco, my sister-in-law managed to get reservations to Mr. Jiu's, a modern take on the classic Chinese American restaurant in Chinatown. It was delicious.
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| Mr. Jiu's, San Francisco |
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| Jaleo, Chicago |
Continuing the sketching exercises, I completed a few on my recent trip to Chicago and Milwaukee.
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| "Madame Cezanne in red armchair" |
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| Detail from "Five Bathers" by Cezanne |
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| Busts from Tavern Club, circa 1937 |
Lots of inspiration from Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.
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| Motor Diner in the H-D Museum |
Sketching lots this month; from trip to LA visiting the Museums, and at home at the Guo Pei exhibit at the Legion of Honor. Here are some highlights:
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| Fanny's Restaurant at the Academy Museum, LA |
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| Hauser and Wirth Art Gallery, Arts District, LA |
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| 1932 Ford in Ironman, Petersen Museum, LA |
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| Guo Pei exhibit, Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco |
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| East Palace collection, Guo Pei, SF exhibit |
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| Legends collection, Guo Pei, SF exhibit |
