Gibson Girl with model Marissa Gomez sketches

Another costumed session at Center Stage Gallery, featuring model Marissa Gomez as a Gibson Girl. Here are some of my sketches from the 3 hour session. Medium: markers and watercolor.

Mariachi Dancer with model Toni Czechorosky

Another costumed session at Center Stage Gallery, featuring model Toni Czechorosky, who filled in graciously as the model for the night was unable to come. Here are some of my sketches from the 3 hour session. Medium: watercolor.

Cowboy with model Andy Flaster

Another costumed session at Center Stage Gallery, featuring model Andy Flaster. Here are some of my sketches from the 3 hour session. Medium: watercolor and markers.

Tree Spirit with model Mather Louth

Another costumed session at Center Stage Gallery, featuring model Mather Louth. Here are some of my sketches from the 3 hour session.

Bowler Hat Guy with model Johnathon Cripple

After a long time, I managed to squeeze in time to do some life drawing. I went to a costumed session at Center Stage Gallery, featuring model Johnathan Cripple. Here are some of my sketches from the 3 hour session.

Rajasthani Kathputli Watercolor Sketch

Just a practice sketch, sharing some tips with my friend Rajan.

Belle and Sebastian, Spoon at the Hollywood Bowl

Thanks to my friend Melisa, I got to enjoy Belle and Sebastian and Spoon perform at the Hollywood Bowl. What a great show. I enjoyed Kristin Kontrol's opening set too, but did not get a chance to sketch. It's been a while since I sketched at a music show. It was quite dark at the Bowl, but the music was so great, I had to try and sketch something down. In the end, I don't expect great sketches. It's more the act of creating something while in that moment that brings me this high, or this feeling of absolute bliss.

Doctors and Engineers EP Release Tropico De Nopal

I went to see my friends Doctors and Engineers at their EP release show at Tropico De Nopal. These are friends I have known for years and it was so fantastic to see the fruition of much labor. People don't often realize how much it takes to put together music, record and create an event. It's a ton of after hours blood, sweat and tears to hone skills and create something incredible, somehow between all else that life throws your way. I was so glad to be there and enjoy the incredible lineup of King Kang, El Haru-Kuroi, Discostan and headliners, Doctors and Engineers. After the shit show that has been this election, it was quite amazing to be in a room that represents a cross section of what this beautiful city has to offer. It was a gathering of cultural, ethnic, linguistic, artistic diversity, with all genders, orientations and simply fantastic people doing what they can to better the world around them in those on stage and off.Many around the US don't seem to understand or care about the ramifications of what just happened. Bigotry, misogyny and a complete lack of relevant experience was rewarded with the presidency. Overwhelmingly white America sold out the rest of the country in the hopes of possibly reclaiming some tax dollars, cutting out healthcare and in many cases being able to be a bigoted piece of shit without guilt. I'm thankful for spaces like this show, because so many of all races have fought to get us all that we have, and in this beautiful, musical release, I felt like this was a window into that richness that we're going to fight to protect. If you don't see the problem, check out this link.Here are some sketches I made during the show, while peeking from behind heads, dodging elbows and trying to see in the dark.

Fuzon and Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammed Qawwal Party at Grand Performances

What an amazing show. I got to see two incredible musical acts at one of my favorite music venues in Los Angeles; Grand Performances. Thanks to all the hard work that made it possible. It truly is a treat to be in a city where you can enjoy world class musicians from around the world at free concerts, in perfect weather. Next time I need to stop down the lens. Some of the Qawwali photos are glowing a bit. As always, good practice for my puppet film; "Risalo".I drew a few sketches of Fuzon and took some photos of the performances. You can see my sketches of Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammed Qawwal Party from a few nights ago here.

Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwal Party Grand Performances Jam

Thanks to Leigh Ann Hahn and the wonderful people at Grand Performances, I got to enjoy a little musicians jam with Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwal Party, all the way from Pakistan right here at Inner City Arts. I've enjoyed their soulful music for years and got to see them a few years ago at a concert put on by the Pakistani Arts Council. It was a real treat to see them in such an intimate setting and to spend time and talk to them as well. Did I mention there was delicious Pakistani food catered at this little jam session? How could anyone pass up such an incredible opportunity on all levels.I can't thank Grand Performances enough for making opportunities like this possible. Don't miss their public performance on Sunday at Grand Performances in downtown Los Angeles!Here are a few sketches I made during the performance.

Kristeen took some photos and video with a cel phone:

You can see where friends Sheila Govindarajan and Sri joined in. Also in that last, unfinished sketch, you can see Tasneem with a saxophone on her lap and a tuba next to her.

Extemporary Elites at the Blue Whale

Went to see Extemporary Elites at the Blue Whale. Here are some sketches made during the show.

LA 4 Gaza at the Echoplex Sketches

Went out to support an event called "LA 4 Gaza" which took place at the Echoplex. Some good friends (Discostan and Radio Sombra) put it together with fantastic music to raise funds for Palestine Children's Relief Fund, who do fantastic humanitarian aid work in the region.Great to see people like Omar Offendum, Ana Tijoux, Kadhja Bonet, Awesome Tapes from Africa, NGUZUNGUZU with my favorite DJs from Discostan, Arshia and Jeremy and hosted by Nizar Wattad.Here are some sketches I drew in the dark.

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LA India Ensemble at Calarts Watercolor Sketches

I went to see my friend Neelamjit Dhillon perform along with Raginder "Violinder" Momi, Rajib Karmakar and Vineet Vyas as the LA India Ensemble at Calarts. Great show! Here are some sketches I made during the show.

The Lions at Grand Performances

I went to see the Lions (on Stone Throw Records), a really fun reggae band at Grand Performances. Here's a sketch from the show.Check out some of their music:

Angelique Kidjo at Grand Performances

I went to see Angelique Kidjo at Grand Performances. What an amazing show. The place was packed, the music was great and I managed to do some sketches during the show.

Angelique Kidjo

The band and opening act

Audience member who shared snacks with us.

beautiful sketch by my pal Eduardo Sanchez

Brittani Sonnenberg reading of Home Leave at Skylight Books

In celebration of my friend Nasia's birthday  a bunch of us met at Skylight Books for a reading by Brittani Sonnenberg from her book "Home Leave". Here is a sketch I created during the reading.

Sikh Monologues

I went to a performance called Sikh Monologues, featuring pieces based on stories of Sikhs all over the US, based on their experiences. Here are some sketches I created of the musicians opening the show.

Urdu Writer's Society Los Angeles May 2014 Mushaira Sketches

I went to the May 2014 Urdu Writer's Society Mushaira put on in conjunction with Pakistan Link. A non-profit org dedicated to promoting contemporary Urdu poetry, it was great to see so many people come out to support. The food was amazing (don't want to know where those amazing shahi tukrai were from, deep fried, heavily sugared bread goodness), and the lineup of poets was inspiring. I made these sketches of the poets sharing their poetry during the mushaira. It's fun to see what I can jot down quickly.

Kaya Press' Mehfil Massive at USC

Here are some sketches I made during the performances at Kaya Press' Mehfil Massive event at USC. Organized by Neelanjana Banerjee, with D'Lo as the host who presented DJ Bandish Projekt, Amarnath Ravva, Salman Ahmad of Junoon, Kazim Ali, Brooklyn Shanti, Robin Sukhadia aka Tablapusher, Tarfia Faizullah, Gingger Shankar, Bhanu Kapil, Mandeep Sethi, Raginder "Violinder", Crowned Kinglsy, Jordan Palmer and Tabla Vadak.

Himalayan Festival Laguna Beach

I was a vendor with rHope at the Himalayan Festival of Laguna Beach at the Pageant of the Masters. Here are a few sketches I managed, from a fun celebration of food, art, dance and music from Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and India.