BASEBALL HEAVEN!!

I'll take inspiration where I can get it. This fall it came in the form of my beloved SF Giants baseball team going all the way to the World Series - and winning it! In addition to thoroughly enjoying watching the playoffs and Series I attended the Victory Parade down Market Street in San Francisco with my daughter, sister, brother and some other friends. It was especially sweet to experience the celebration with my siblings. As kids we used to get packed up in the family station wagon and make the trek to San Francisco to watch games at Candlestick. We'd stay after to try and get autographs from our heroes - Willie McCovey, Bobby Bonds (with his kids en tow including Barry), Juan Marichal and Tito Fuentes. My brother even emulated the high leg kick of Marichal when he pitched in his Little League games. I was too young to remember the '62 Series but experienced their futile attempts to win the World Series in 1989 and "oh so close but no cigar" in 2002. The unofficial motto of the team this year was "Torture" - because of the ups and downs and close one-run games. It all came together in the end.

I've posted a couple of shirt designs in my Cafe Press store that express the happiness and pride I have towards my Giants. Here's a preview and a link to my Cafe Press store:

http://www.cafepress.com/NakFineArts

Bike Jersey design

On October 16, 2010 I participated in the BORP (Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program) Revolution. The REV is an organized bike ride in Somona County and is the main fundraiser for this Berkeley non-profit. BORP executive director Kaia Burkett asked me to design this year's bike jersey. I was hesitant at first not having done a bike jersey before but took on the challenge. I was pretty happy with the way they turned out. I ended up also designing the accompanying t-shirts that went to all participants and volunteers. (bike jerseys were awarded to riders raising $750 or more) In addition to designing the jersey & t-shirt I rode the 50-mile course and raised over $2500 for BORP.

Click here to find out more about BORP.

TEEN ANGEL

My daughter went from being a "tween" to a "teen" this year. I did this design as a card for her to commemorate the occasion. She's a good kid, all "-ANGEL."

Click here to see this design on a t-shirt in my Cafe Press store.

Fast Food/Slow Food

This piece is called "Fast Food/Slow Food." It was created specifically for a silent auction at my daughter's middle school. The auction takes place on April 10th. If you'd like to place a bid you can email me. I believe the minimum bid is $75 (a bargain!).

Dawn's notes:

• Ray Kroc - founder of McDonald's
• Alice Waters - owner of Chez Panise in Berkeley and proponent of organic, locally grown, deliciously prepared food
• It's good to have an understanding of where your food comes from and how it is grown
• We should enjoy and have an appreciation of what we are eating

New Illustration

I was quite happy with the way this illo turned out. It calls out some of the intricate detail of the entrance to the music building on the Mills College (Oakland, CA) campus.

Kitty Gets Artwork for Christmas

Our Cat Cho-Cho received some artwork from Santa this year. . .

Note: When Cho-Cho misbehaves we blame it on her evil twin "Chi-Chi."