RCW 20th Anniversary Mural - Aug through Nov 2026

Rhythmix Cultural Works is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2027 and the founder, Janet K., wanted to celebrate the milestone with a floor mural along the perimeter of the building. She first consulted with me to see if I knew anybody who could create this mural OR if I would be willing to take on this challenge. I've painted murals in the past, but none this size or complexity: painting on sidewalk totaling 1300 square feet, working around active residents in the live-work building, working around school programs that use the main theater, allowing community volunteers to participate in the mural, and completing the project before the 2026-2027 El Nino rain storms. This was a serious challenge...

But, I finished today, November 4, 2026, and achieved the goals set by Janet. Here are some highlights:

Floor mural design at the Main Entrance.

JoAnne was my assistant muralist on the project.

Using templates to layout the design.

Darlene helping me with the layout.

RCW Staff volunteers helping paint 

Progress on the North section.

Community volunteers on the Entrance section

Entrance before

Entrance after

Comparison to the photo rendering during design.

The Last Gear on November 4th.

Looking forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Alameda City Mayor on November 16th.

CoWaBunGA!

Mini-Masterpieces 2026 Show, Nov 6 through Dec 15, 2026

Rhythmix Cultural Works is hosting the Mini-Masterpieces Show and Holiday Sale, 2026, featuring local artists in the group Art Jam. The show is equal parts fine art exhibit and unique holiday shopping experience in Alameda. My exhibit this year showcases sketches from recent travel to Tahiti, my fascination with the night herons in Oakland, and the Cafe Sketches 2027 Calendar.

Bill's Mini-Masterpieces exhibit

Cheryl & Marisol working on her exhibit

 

JoAnne installing her exhibit

Drop by Rhythmix at 2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda, if you're looking for that unique fine art gift for your friends and family. 

CoWaBunGA

Cafe Sketches: 2027 Desk Calendar; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle - 10/26

The 2027 Cafe Sketches Desk Calendars are here, featuring cafes and restaurants in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. I have been sketching cafe/restaurant interior scenes since the early 90's while waiting to be seated. These are a compilation of my recent sketches and would make a great gift for your foodie friends and family. The sketches include:

•  The Bar at Chihuly Gardens, Seattle
• Jane Cafe on Third, San Francisco
• Trader Sam's at Disneyland Resort, Los Angeles
• Ivar's Acres of Clams, Seattle
• The Roundhouse Cafe at Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
• Equator Coffee on Fairfax, Los Angeles
• La Mar Seafood, San Francisco
• Top Pot Doughnuts, Seattle
• Bike Shed Motorcycle Club, Los Angeles
• Fanny's in the Academy Museum, Los Angeles
• Novela Bar, San Francisco
• Super Peach, Los Angeles 

Top Pot Doughnuts, Seattle

Bike Shed Motorcycle Club, Los Angeles

La Mar Seafood, San Francisco

Cafe Sketches 2027 Desk Calendar

Contact me if you would like a calendar or purchase one at the Rhythmix Cultural Works Mini-Masterpieces Show and Holiday Sale, starting November 6th, 2026.

CoWaBunGA

Sketches: Izumi Kato at RM+SFMOMA, 10/2026

SFMOMA is attracting a whole new fan base with the current exhibit RM+SFMOMA, curated by RM of the K-Pop group BTS. This exhibit is RM's art collection supplemented by SFMOMA's permanent pieces related to, or complementing, his collection. I found myself drawn to this work "Untitled" by Izumi Kato.

"Untitled" Izumi Kato, RM+SFMOMA

This is a two-piece work with an encased sculpture and adjacent 2D painting of the creature in the case. It reminds me of ancient Egyptian or Mayan sculptures but created in a modern context.

CoWaBunGA

   

Sketches: Ha Chong Hyun Retrospective at AAMSF, 10/2026

The Asian Art Museum SF is currently exhibiting Ha Chong-Hyun, a celebrated abstract artist from Korea. What inspired me was his process of pushing paint through burlap, creating patterns on both sides of the medium. Watching a video of his process, it reminded me of the physicality of painting and creating ground-breaking artwork. 

In tribute to Ha Chong-Hyun, here is my sketch that incorporates both sides of the paper in my sketchbook and a mini-process of pushing patterns from the back to the front.   

Tribute to Ha Chong-Hyun, AAMSF, 10/2026

Back side of sketch

CoWABunGA!

Sketches: Pharoahs, Nimaasted DYM - 9/2026

Nimaasted was a judge, scribe, and priest in the 5th Dynasty Old Kingdom in ancient Egypt. In a way, Nimaasted was the handsome bureaucrat that kept things going. You can see the sculpture of Nimaasted in the Treasures of the Pharaohs at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco. 

Nimaasted, 5th Dynasty Old Kingdom, Egypt

CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: Pharaohs, deYoung Museum - 9/2026

"Treasures of the Pharaohs", now exhibiting at the deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park, brings together 130 works from ancient Egypt including the U.S. debut of newly unearthed objects from the Golden City near Luxor. The works span from stone statues to common everyday tools used by ancient Egyptians. The artistry and craftsmanship of ancient peoples always fascinates me.

Mayor Senetfer and Family, 18th  Dynasty Egypt

 CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: Cizahaka, Inman, DYM - 8/2026

We were attempting to get into the DeYoung Museum for the Pharoah exhibit, but it was way too crowded and sold out. So, it was a nice day to peruse the permanent collection at the DYM. One painting that always captured my imagination was a portrait of Cizahaka by Henry Inman. The portrait depicts the handsome Cizahaka and the beauty of his dress, but I always wondered about the coloration of his skin - which to me looks a little too "red". 

Cizahaka, Henry Inman, DeYoung Museum, 8/2026

Nevertheless, the painting is beautiful and worth the visit to a crowded DeYoung Museum.

CoWaBunGA!  

Back-to-School Sale at Fog City Java, 8/2026

Walking into Fog City Java, I was hoping to see the new artist for the month of August 2026; but, the walls were bare. Amber and Bonnie explained that nobody signed up for August or September. We could not let that stand. Natalie and I put our artwork together and installed a "Back-to-School Art Show and Sale"

Bill's artwork sale

Natalie's salon style exhibit and sale

Stop in, grab a coffee and donut, take in the art, and enjoy the beach afterward.

CoWaBunGA!
 

Sketches: Animal vessels from antiquity, 7/2026

From the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Asian Art Museum (AAM), two vessels from ancient times show the relationship between artists and the animals that inspire them. These vessels could have been designed strictly to follow the functions of their use, but their makers incorporated animal forms into their design.

Crab vessel from Columbia, 1500 BCE

Rhino vessel from China, 1100 BCE

The animal kingdom has a deep influence on artists and makers since the beginning.

CoWaBunGA 

Old Oakland Summer Stroll - July 2026, Thank You

Much thanks to everyone who came out to the Old Oakland Summer Stroll last night. It was a fun party with food, custom cars, vendors, music, and art! Additional thanks to those who supported local artists and purchased an unique work of art.

Old Oakland Summer Stroll

 

The party was just getting started...

CoWaBunGA

Sketches: Messalina, Toulouse-Lautrec, LACMA - 07/2026

While visiting the new Geffen addition to LACMA, I ran into one of my favorite Impressionist painters: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Although from a wealthy family, Toulouse-Lautrec lived a relatively hard life due to his health and short stature. He haunted the underworld of Paris society, enjoying the theater, night life, and depicted those experiences in his paintings. 

Messalina, Toulouse-Lautrec, LACMA - 7/2026

Late in his life, he was inspired by the opera Messaline and painted six works of the opera. The colors are so rich and the depth of the composition puts you right on the stage.

CoWaBunGA
   

Sketches: Band, Serra, LACMA - 07/2026

Last year, I rode my motorbike to the Grand Canyon and made a stop to Sedona, Arizona, to see the red rocks. It was awe-inspiring and an unforgettable experience. So, when I revisited LACMA last weekend and saw Richard Serra's "Band," it brought me back to Sedona. 

Band, Serra, LACMA, 7/2026

To be immersed in the bands of cor-ten steel, with its "grains" of rust and rich orange/red hues, you feel like you're riding in the Sedona canyons again.

CoWaBunGA!  

Sketches: San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk, Monet - 7/2026

Amazing sunset colors within Monet's painting "San Giorgio Maggiore at dusk" - see for yourself at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk, Monet, DeYoung Museum - 7/2026

You can see how Monet's trip to Venice broke his artist block.

CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: The Riodella Salute, Monet, DYM - 7/2026

Another painting of Venice canals in the Monet and Venice exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, composed of colors and no outlines. The effect is beautiful but very difficult to sketch. 

The Riodella Salute, Monet, De Young Museum, SF - 7/2026

CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: Harkness, Answered Prayers, SFMOMA, 7/2026

This work by Hilary Harkness, "Answered Prayers," currently on exhibit at SFMOMA as part of the Modern Scandal show is mysterious and ripe for great stories. Although the painting is a tribute to Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas, it evokes classic film noir scenes.

Harkness, "Answered Prayers", SFMOMA, 7/2026

Go see for yourself at SFMOMA.

CoWaBunGA  

Old Oakland Summer Stroll: June, Thank You

Thank you to those who came out to check out the artists and vendors at the Old Oakland Summer Stroll in June, especially Penny F. who brought her family. I heard there will be fancy cars next month...

Old Oakland Summer Stroll, June

Hope to see you next month!

CoWaBunGA!
 

Old Oakland Summer Stroll: Night Herons, Gargoyles - 6/2026

As you walk through Oakland Chinatown, the Night Herons sit above the shop awnings and watch the people go about their daily lives. They are protectors of the neighborhood, like urban gargoyles...

Night Herons, Oakland Chinatown gargoyles - 6/2026

Night Herons, Oakland Chinatown Tao Yuen - 6/2026

Night Heron artworks includes stands

These artworks and others will be available this Friday at the Old Oakland Summer Stroll.

CoWaBunGA

Summer Stroll: Old Oakland, 6/26/2026

The Old Oakland Business Association is holding Summer Strolls throughout the 2026 summer. The next Stroll is this Friday, 6/26/2026, between 5:00 to 8:00 pm. I've been busy working on some new artworks inspired by our local gargoyles for this pop-up event.

Night Heron No. 1, collage, mixed media on recycled wood board, 6/2026

Each piece includes an easel for vertidal display.

Eat Rats No. 1, 6/2026

Eat Rats No. 1 on stand

Come by Old Oakland this Friday and mingle with the vendors and your neighbors in Old Oakland.

CoWaBunGA!

Sketches: Black-crowned night herons

We have our local gargoyles protecting Chinatown, keeping rodents and other birds in check: the black-crowned night herons. These guys are raptors with attitudes. 

Hunched - 6/2026

Stalking - 6/2026

Paused - 6/2026

I adore their wispy white plumes off the back of their heads, and their fiery red eyes. These guys are my spirit animal for sure.

CoWaBunGA