Friday, January 18, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
My second go of Bikram Yoga
This morning, I took a Bikram (hot) Yoga class with my friends, Carol and Mike. Carol is an avid fan of Bikram (she's currently doing a 60-day challenge), and Mike had never been, but has been wanting to try. I did 3-4 months of Bikram classes 14 years ago when I first moved into the Castro. The studio that we went to today is just down the street from me, and is actually the exact same studio space (different owner and name) as when I had gone before.
Some info about Bikram Yoga (from Wikipedia):
Bikram Yoga, is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional hatha yoga techniques and popularized beginning in the early 1970s. Bikram Yoga sessions run for exactly 90 minutes and consist of a set series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (≈ 40.6°C) with a humidity of 40%, and is the most popular form of hot yoga (a series of yoga poses done in a heated room).
The reason I stopped doing it was because I remembered that I didn't like heat. ;)
I also didn't think much of the instructor at the time, so it was easy to stop going.
Carol has been talking to me about Bikram Yoga for quite some time. When she mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago that Mike was interested in trying a class, I told her I might be interested in joining them. (everything is more fun with friends!) She saw the Bikram Studio near my house while she was visiting, and did some research on it, and found that it was a good studio. Once she mentioned taking a class at this studio, I was in!
The new owner has had his business there for about nine years, and made many major changes to the studio. The setting is very peaceful and serene. He also changed out the heating vents with heating panels, which I think made the heat much more bearable for me. Most importantly, I really enjoyed the personality and style of the instructor/owner. I thought he did a great balance of instruction as well as explaining to the new people in class.
We all had a good time in class today, and Mike and I were both glad that we didn't pass out. (actually, we both felt pretty good the whole time, so that was never a real problem today.) I sweated like I've never sweated before, though - but in a good way. :)
I bought a $20 intro pass, which is good for unlimited visits during 7 days. We'll have guests in from out of town for the next several days, so the next chance I'll have to go is next Tuesday or Wednesday. I think I'd like to try it again.
Carol enjoyed the studio so much that she said she may come up again (it's about an hour drive for her) to take another class there. Mike enjoyed it too, and I think he'll try to come back.
Here's the website for the studio that we went to: Bikram Yoga Castro.
Mike, Trina (of the freakishly enormous head) and Carol - Before
awarded "Hottest Yoga Studio" ;)
Some info about Bikram Yoga (from Wikipedia):
Bikram Yoga, is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional hatha yoga techniques and popularized beginning in the early 1970s. Bikram Yoga sessions run for exactly 90 minutes and consist of a set series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (≈ 40.6°C) with a humidity of 40%, and is the most popular form of hot yoga (a series of yoga poses done in a heated room).
The reason I stopped doing it was because I remembered that I didn't like heat. ;)
I also didn't think much of the instructor at the time, so it was easy to stop going.
Carol has been talking to me about Bikram Yoga for quite some time. When she mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago that Mike was interested in trying a class, I told her I might be interested in joining them. (everything is more fun with friends!) She saw the Bikram Studio near my house while she was visiting, and did some research on it, and found that it was a good studio. Once she mentioned taking a class at this studio, I was in!
The new owner has had his business there for about nine years, and made many major changes to the studio. The setting is very peaceful and serene. He also changed out the heating vents with heating panels, which I think made the heat much more bearable for me. Most importantly, I really enjoyed the personality and style of the instructor/owner. I thought he did a great balance of instruction as well as explaining to the new people in class.
We all had a good time in class today, and Mike and I were both glad that we didn't pass out. (actually, we both felt pretty good the whole time, so that was never a real problem today.) I sweated like I've never sweated before, though - but in a good way. :)
I bought a $20 intro pass, which is good for unlimited visits during 7 days. We'll have guests in from out of town for the next several days, so the next chance I'll have to go is next Tuesday or Wednesday. I think I'd like to try it again.
Carol enjoyed the studio so much that she said she may come up again (it's about an hour drive for her) to take another class there. Mike enjoyed it too, and I think he'll try to come back.
Here's the website for the studio that we went to: Bikram Yoga Castro.
Mike, Trina (of the freakishly enormous head) and Carol - Before
awarded "Hottest Yoga Studio" ;)
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Week 7: Dolores Street Painting
Not quite done, but getting there!
painting after today's session
Today was my 7th session working on the Dolores Street painting with Dean. I thought I might finish today, but there are still just a few tidbits to work on next week.
I made several edits today. The biggest change is something that (hopefully) no one would notice if it weren't pointed out. We discovered that the angle of the bottom left of the building (and sidewalk) were off, so I redid the bottom half of the building.
Here's how it looked before (at the end of last week's session):
last week
The easiest way to see the change is to see how the line of the bottom of the building intersects with the parked car. You can see that I adjusted the angle of the building fairly significantly. I had to match up the color with what was already there, and did a decent job, but it also gave me to opportunity to clean up the bottom of the building as well, which was getting a little splotchy. I also elongated the two windows, on the left side of the door.
I also worked on the sky - taking out some of the clouds, and moved the large, green tree in the background. It used to get lost behind the palm tree, so I moved it to the left.
I also worked on the trunk of the front palm tree, to give it a little more depth and roundness.
I toned down the flowers in front of the building a bit so that they don't pop out as dramatically.
Finally, I added some details to the street - a skid mark, and a manhole cover. Subtle, but adds a bit more interest. Also, you can't really see this in the photo, but I added some blue from the sky to the edges of the big shadow on the street.
Next week, Dean suggested that we work on the details of the market sign (make it less literal) and work a bit on the buildings tucked away behind the two palm trees. They are a bit in no-man's land at the moment, and need a tiny bit of detail.
So, I'm almost done, but not quite!
I'm really happy with how this painting is turning out so far. It's been a great learning process.
painting after today's session
Today was my 7th session working on the Dolores Street painting with Dean. I thought I might finish today, but there are still just a few tidbits to work on next week.
I made several edits today. The biggest change is something that (hopefully) no one would notice if it weren't pointed out. We discovered that the angle of the bottom left of the building (and sidewalk) were off, so I redid the bottom half of the building.
Here's how it looked before (at the end of last week's session):
last week
The easiest way to see the change is to see how the line of the bottom of the building intersects with the parked car. You can see that I adjusted the angle of the building fairly significantly. I had to match up the color with what was already there, and did a decent job, but it also gave me to opportunity to clean up the bottom of the building as well, which was getting a little splotchy. I also elongated the two windows, on the left side of the door.
I also worked on the sky - taking out some of the clouds, and moved the large, green tree in the background. It used to get lost behind the palm tree, so I moved it to the left.
I also worked on the trunk of the front palm tree, to give it a little more depth and roundness.
I toned down the flowers in front of the building a bit so that they don't pop out as dramatically.
Finally, I added some details to the street - a skid mark, and a manhole cover. Subtle, but adds a bit more interest. Also, you can't really see this in the photo, but I added some blue from the sky to the edges of the big shadow on the street.
Next week, Dean suggested that we work on the details of the market sign (make it less literal) and work a bit on the buildings tucked away behind the two palm trees. They are a bit in no-man's land at the moment, and need a tiny bit of detail.
So, I'm almost done, but not quite!
I'm really happy with how this painting is turning out so far. It's been a great learning process.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Eggs with an Inferiority Complex
Poor eggs. I predict years of therapy.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Glassybaby Fundraiser Total
Just got word from glassybaby that our fundraiser last month raised $477.84 towards the 2013 Immediate Impact Breast Cancer Walk! What a wonderful way to start the new year! THANK YOU to all who came to my event and ordered with my promo code online!! (glassybaby is not legally able to tell me who placed orders online, so I can't thank you all individually.)
A very special Thank You to the glassybaby company, and all of the wonderful people who worked so hard to make this fundraising event a great success.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Dolores Street Painting - Almost Done!
After a 3 week break for the holidays, I continued my painting lessons with Dean today.
I'm very happy with the continued progress on my latest painting of Dolores Street at the corner of 22nd Street. We did a lot of work on it yesterday, and I think it's nearly complete. I think it'll be done by the end of my session next week.
We started on the sky and clouds by making the blue a deeper, richer color, and playing with the shapes of the clouds a bit. I also added some white/color to the clouds for more contrast.
I spent a good amount of time on the frontmost palm tree. I added more color and dimension to it, and tried to focus more on the lights and darks, and the actual shape of the palm fronds.
Dean also helped me with the second building, to the right of the grocery store. We had altered this building considerably from the original photo, and I needed add detail and color to it.
I also put in a little more detail on the lamp post, the electrical pole, and both of the stop lights.
Next week, I'll add a little more detail around the corner shop, and work a bit more on the street and shadow.
Dolores Street Painting, after Session #6
I'm very happy with the continued progress on my latest painting of Dolores Street at the corner of 22nd Street. We did a lot of work on it yesterday, and I think it's nearly complete. I think it'll be done by the end of my session next week.
We started on the sky and clouds by making the blue a deeper, richer color, and playing with the shapes of the clouds a bit. I also added some white/color to the clouds for more contrast.
I spent a good amount of time on the frontmost palm tree. I added more color and dimension to it, and tried to focus more on the lights and darks, and the actual shape of the palm fronds.
Dean also helped me with the second building, to the right of the grocery store. We had altered this building considerably from the original photo, and I needed add detail and color to it.
I also put in a little more detail on the lamp post, the electrical pole, and both of the stop lights.
Next week, I'll add a little more detail around the corner shop, and work a bit more on the street and shadow.
Dolores Street Painting, after Session #6
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Back to the Drawing Board
...or back on the Drawing Horse..
(I'm full of puns this morning!)
Last night was my first night back to figure drawing since mid-November. Between our travels to Dubai, catching a cold, then the holiday break, it's been nearly two months since I've drawn.
It was GREAT to be back! Miguel and I had a great time drawing together again. I'm so glad to be sharing this experience with him.
I felt pretty good about the session. Was feeling a little rusty at first, but got back into the swing of things eventually.
Here's to the continuation of my Renaissance Year! :)
Happy New Year!
7 minute pose
10 minute pose
20 minute pose
20 minute pose
(I'm full of puns this morning!)
Last night was my first night back to figure drawing since mid-November. Between our travels to Dubai, catching a cold, then the holiday break, it's been nearly two months since I've drawn.
It was GREAT to be back! Miguel and I had a great time drawing together again. I'm so glad to be sharing this experience with him.
I felt pretty good about the session. Was feeling a little rusty at first, but got back into the swing of things eventually.
Here's to the continuation of my Renaissance Year! :)
Happy New Year!
7 minute pose
10 minute pose
20 minute pose
20 minute pose
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
New Year's Day meals
Happy 2013!
I realized that my first blog post of each year is usually titled "New Year's Day Dinner". It's always the same thing: a photo of our annual traditional New Year's Day Dinner: Collard Greens, Black-Eyed Peas, and Carolina BBQ Pulled-Pork. (There are several interpretations that I've found for what each item represents. Some say the greens represent paper money, and the black-eyed peas represent coins. Others say that the greens represent wealth, and the black-eyed peas are for luck.)
This year, I'm mixing it up!!
I'm including a photo of our traditional New Year's Day Breakfast, too! :)
I know - I'm living on the edge.
It's a nice way to start off a new year. :)
New Year's Day Breakfast
New Year's Day Dinner
I realized that my first blog post of each year is usually titled "New Year's Day Dinner". It's always the same thing: a photo of our annual traditional New Year's Day Dinner: Collard Greens, Black-Eyed Peas, and Carolina BBQ Pulled-Pork. (There are several interpretations that I've found for what each item represents. Some say the greens represent paper money, and the black-eyed peas represent coins. Others say that the greens represent wealth, and the black-eyed peas are for luck.)
This year, I'm mixing it up!!
I'm including a photo of our traditional New Year's Day Breakfast, too! :)
I know - I'm living on the edge.
It's a nice way to start off a new year. :)
New Year's Day Breakfast
New Year's Day Dinner
Monday, December 31, 2012
2012 - My Renaissance Year
Today is the last day of 2012.
I just did a quick review of my blog from the past years, and realized that I never do an end-of-the-year recap. Not that this will be one, but I did feel the need to acknowledge the term that I've been using for 2012: "My Renaissance Year".
It sounds so much better than "My mid-life crisis".
Not that I think I've been going through a mid-life crisis (at least not in a traditional sense) but I did make a conscience effort this year to revive the art in my life, which I knew had been gone for the last several years, and was sorely missed.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions often, but when I do, I take them seriously, and try to keep them. My resolution for 2012 was to get back into painting. It took me a while to get back into it but little by little, it did happen!
It started with when I streaked my hair blue. I'd been wanting to do this for such a long time, and am so glad I finally found the gumption to do it! I really love it, and plan to keep it for a while. (this is what I originally joked as my "mid-life crisis".)
Next up in Trina's Renaissance Year was when I was invited to participate in the Trans Pacific Art Show. My dear friend, Kimi, had arranged this show, which included artists from Japan and the Bay Area. I was so honored when she asked me to join. I dusted off a few acrylic paintings that I had and included them in the show. It was a great experience, and I was so grateful to kick-off the year in an artistic venture with other artists.
During the early part of the year, I experimented with some ginko leaves and acrylic medium on small canvases. That was a good start, but I was still having a hard time sticking to my plan to "do more art".
Dick and I travelled to Italy in late April/early May, and that had a big impact on my desire to paint more. We started off in Rome where I was in awe of so much of the art - especially the sculputres, then ventured to Florence, the home of the true and actual Renaissance. We completed our trip in Venice, where I fell in love with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Within a week of coming home from Italy, I helped my friends at Adler & Co. Gallery with their booth at the SF ArtMRKT. Again, I was surrounded by amazing and inspiring art for several days.
It was at the Art MRKT that I saw our friends, Dean and Jose. I had known for several years that Dean was a very talented painter, but wasn't aware that he was also a painting teacher. After I completed my work at the Art MRKT, I checkout of Dean's website and found out that he offered private painting lessons.
...and then it all came together...
I started taking lessons from Dean the following week, and have been painting with him once a week since early June.
With his guidance, and exceptional teaching skills, I have completed 5 paintings so far, and am almost finished with another. This thrills me to no end.
Volland Raggedy Ann
Dick's Hat
Joy Glassybaby
Glassybaby #2
Sophie
Starting in early June, I also started to attend weekly figure drawing sessions at the 23rd Street Studio. I've also enjoyed this immensely, and plan to continue with this as well. I know that having weekly drawing sessions has helped me improve my rusty drawing and art skills. I've also enjoyed being able to share this experience with my friend, Miguel!
7-minute pose
I have so enjoyed *finally* getting my feet back in the art world. I'm not sure where this will all take me, but I am certainly enjoying the journey and am learning a lot from it. It also reminds me of how much joy I get from creating art. I enjoy the process so much. I love getting lost for minutes/hours at a time. It's an exhilarating feeling, and I've missed it.
My thanks to my wonderfully supportive husband who gave me a nudge early in the year to paint again. He's been so supportive through all of this, and I can't thank him enough.
Thank you for coming along on this journey with me.
2012 was a wonderful Renaissance Year for me. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
I just did a quick review of my blog from the past years, and realized that I never do an end-of-the-year recap. Not that this will be one, but I did feel the need to acknowledge the term that I've been using for 2012: "My Renaissance Year".
It sounds so much better than "My mid-life crisis".
Not that I think I've been going through a mid-life crisis (at least not in a traditional sense) but I did make a conscience effort this year to revive the art in my life, which I knew had been gone for the last several years, and was sorely missed.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions often, but when I do, I take them seriously, and try to keep them. My resolution for 2012 was to get back into painting. It took me a while to get back into it but little by little, it did happen!
It started with when I streaked my hair blue. I'd been wanting to do this for such a long time, and am so glad I finally found the gumption to do it! I really love it, and plan to keep it for a while. (this is what I originally joked as my "mid-life crisis".)
Next up in Trina's Renaissance Year was when I was invited to participate in the Trans Pacific Art Show. My dear friend, Kimi, had arranged this show, which included artists from Japan and the Bay Area. I was so honored when she asked me to join. I dusted off a few acrylic paintings that I had and included them in the show. It was a great experience, and I was so grateful to kick-off the year in an artistic venture with other artists.
During the early part of the year, I experimented with some ginko leaves and acrylic medium on small canvases. That was a good start, but I was still having a hard time sticking to my plan to "do more art".
Dick and I travelled to Italy in late April/early May, and that had a big impact on my desire to paint more. We started off in Rome where I was in awe of so much of the art - especially the sculputres, then ventured to Florence, the home of the true and actual Renaissance. We completed our trip in Venice, where I fell in love with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Within a week of coming home from Italy, I helped my friends at Adler & Co. Gallery with their booth at the SF ArtMRKT. Again, I was surrounded by amazing and inspiring art for several days.
It was at the Art MRKT that I saw our friends, Dean and Jose. I had known for several years that Dean was a very talented painter, but wasn't aware that he was also a painting teacher. After I completed my work at the Art MRKT, I checkout of Dean's website and found out that he offered private painting lessons.
...and then it all came together...
I started taking lessons from Dean the following week, and have been painting with him once a week since early June.
With his guidance, and exceptional teaching skills, I have completed 5 paintings so far, and am almost finished with another. This thrills me to no end.
Volland Raggedy Ann
Dick's Hat
Joy Glassybaby
Glassybaby #2
Sophie
Starting in early June, I also started to attend weekly figure drawing sessions at the 23rd Street Studio. I've also enjoyed this immensely, and plan to continue with this as well. I know that having weekly drawing sessions has helped me improve my rusty drawing and art skills. I've also enjoyed being able to share this experience with my friend, Miguel!
7-minute pose
I have so enjoyed *finally* getting my feet back in the art world. I'm not sure where this will all take me, but I am certainly enjoying the journey and am learning a lot from it. It also reminds me of how much joy I get from creating art. I enjoy the process so much. I love getting lost for minutes/hours at a time. It's an exhilarating feeling, and I've missed it.
My thanks to my wonderfully supportive husband who gave me a nudge early in the year to paint again. He's been so supportive through all of this, and I can't thank him enough.
Thank you for coming along on this journey with me.
2012 was a wonderful Renaissance Year for me. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Eat your heart out, Bob Evans!
And yes, we did feel the need to add extra sausage (turkey) and eggs. :)
Thursday, December 27, 2012
How we've spent our last two days
We started the second half if the second movie today around Noon. We finished that, and just started the third, and last movie. 4 more hours to go!
What a great movie trilogy, and a great way to spend vacation. :)
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
A walk around our city on Christmas Eve
The weather was beautiful and clear today, after all the heavy rains yesterday. Dick and I decided to see "The Hobbit" at the Sundance Cinema in Japantown today, and thought it would be a great day for a walk. (it's probably about 2.5-3 miles away)
I took a few photos to share some of the holiday sightings along the way.
Our old block of Eureka Street - so beautiful when the Ginko tree leaves turn golden
Cute Santa chair covers at our local seafood restaurant on Castro Street
The Castro Tree
A Sock Monkey tea party window display
a beautiful day at Alta Plaza Park - a great view of the Painted Ladies with the San Francisco Skyline behind
After the movie, we walked back home. I didn't take any more photos until we were back in the Castro.
Part of the line for the sold out performance by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus at the Castro Theater. The line was wrapped around two blocks - for two lines in both directions!
part of the line for the Castro Theater wrapping around the block
Another shot of the Castro Christmas Tree
Our neighbor's pretty window display - all lit up!
I took a few photos to share some of the holiday sightings along the way.
Our old block of Eureka Street - so beautiful when the Ginko tree leaves turn golden
Cute Santa chair covers at our local seafood restaurant on Castro Street
The Castro Tree
A Sock Monkey tea party window display
a beautiful day at Alta Plaza Park - a great view of the Painted Ladies with the San Francisco Skyline behind
After the movie, we walked back home. I didn't take any more photos until we were back in the Castro.
Part of the line for the sold out performance by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus at the Castro Theater. The line was wrapped around two blocks - for two lines in both directions!
part of the line for the Castro Theater wrapping around the block
Another shot of the Castro Christmas Tree
Our neighbor's pretty window display - all lit up!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Dicken's Christmas Fair
Today we went to The Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace! Apparently, this fair has been happening every holiday season since 1970, but we had never been!
It was GREAT fun! We were lucky, as today was the last day of the fair this year. We also lucked out that we thought to go early - around 11:00, so it wasn't too busy. We left around 3:00, and by then, it was pretty crowded.
We all had a great time, but Dick and Spencer were really in their element. They loved seeing everyone dressed up in Victorian garb, that they had to join in. We found top hats for each of them at the Haberdashery. Dick wants to be fully dressed in Victorian era dress next year. He's hooked!
The Grand Concourse when we first entered
dancing at Heziwig & Company
Pinocchio at the theater
"Gin is Sin" (there were plenty of bars and booze going around!
A candle maker
Dick and Spencer playing Darts. Dick hit the balloon and won a candy-cane for me!
Live mannequins in the windows of the corset shop
my proper gentleman
it's like being at Disneyland and buying Mouse-Ears for my kids
Father Christmas sighting!
It was GREAT fun! We were lucky, as today was the last day of the fair this year. We also lucked out that we thought to go early - around 11:00, so it wasn't too busy. We left around 3:00, and by then, it was pretty crowded.
We all had a great time, but Dick and Spencer were really in their element. They loved seeing everyone dressed up in Victorian garb, that they had to join in. We found top hats for each of them at the Haberdashery. Dick wants to be fully dressed in Victorian era dress next year. He's hooked!
The Grand Concourse when we first entered
dancing at Heziwig & Company
Pinocchio at the theater
"Gin is Sin" (there were plenty of bars and booze going around!
A candle maker
Dick and Spencer playing Darts. Dick hit the balloon and won a candy-cane for me!
Live mannequins in the windows of the corset shop
my proper gentleman
it's like being at Disneyland and buying Mouse-Ears for my kids
Father Christmas sighting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
