Hadley’s Date Shake, it was on our list of destination foods. Some people travel to destination cities or resorts- but Christine and I were traveling to food.
In the 9 days I spent with Christine traveling from California, through Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Texas I ate my way across multiple continents. Meals included: Persian, Korean, Chinese, Punjabi, Puerto Rican, and Mexican. (I am sure I have missed a couple.) If you have never wrestled with goat on the bone swimming in biryani while balancing your styrofoam plate on the dashboard, then you have never really road-tripped.
This morning as I sipped on my homemade Chai Date Smoothie I fondly recalled that heavenly date shake that kicked off our traveling culinary adventure. Hadley’s appeared on the map shortly after we departed Burbank while my stomach was still full of leftover Chinese dumplings and pastries I scavenged from the refrigerator. And despite the fact Hadley’s is a “fruit stand”, they were clearly famous for their date shake! The tiny flecks of nature’s sweet goodness suspended in thick creamy vanilla ice cream. There is no ice cream in my smoothie. I have sacrificed the frozen creaminess in consideration of my ever expanding middle-aged waistline and cholesterol count.
It’s mid-September and I feel as though I am just now climbing out of the food-induduced coma only to discover that the world has moved on and my clothes no longer fit. So, I dusted off the stationary bike and said a quick prayer of thanks for Spandex-infused denim and yoga tights.
In the Studio
I LOVE learning, watching others, trying to replicate their techniques, their strokes, their accomplishments. So, I have been focusing on some in-depth tutorials. I spend hours watching and re-watching slowed down videos with my paintbrush in hand. Then I take those lessons to my personal projects.
Gargoyle on the Moon AKA “Night Watchman” is one of those projects. The original painting is approximately 7” square. I actually painted it twice! I digitally adjusted the second version for greeting cards. The first version (seen below) contains much more detail and gold mica dust. I have made a few prints available and the original is for sale. Contact me if you are interested.
I am leaning into ink as October approaches and I plan to participate in the annual Inktober Challenge. I hope you will follow along on social media.
