For M family in Irvine

同じIrvineに住む私の友人が3月末で日本に帰任することになった。彼のリクエストで彼の家族が過ごした家を描かせてもらった。南カリフォルニアらしいスパニッシュコロニアルの素敵な家だ。ここでのたくさんの温かい思い出や気持ちをこの絵を見る度に思い出してもらえると嬉しいなあ。
以下彼からのコメントです。

「2010年アメリカ赴任前に夫婦で帰国するときには何か好きな絵を1枚買って帰ろうと話していました。それは風景かも知れないし、建物かも知れない、家族でどんなアメリカ生活を過ごすのかわからないけれどその思い出が詰まった絵を1枚買って帰ろうと思っていました。あれから2年半、帰国を迎え色々と思い返したとき
家族の思い出が沢山詰まった家の絵を描いてもらいました。どんな風景よりもどんな建物よりも家族がそこにいた証として最高の記念になりました。」

A friend of mine who lives in Irvine, CA is going to back to Japan for his new assignment. I sketched his house per his request, which his family spent many ours with great memories. I am hoping his picture will remind them their great time in CA. Here is the comment from him.

"In 2010, when we moved in US, my wife and I talked that we would like to buy one picture which we like the best. It might be landscape painting, or might be building painting, anyway it should show our memory in US. 2year and half past since then, it is the time we return to Japan. After long consideration, we decided to ask Hiro to paint our house. We are totally satisfied with his painting and this must be the best evidence to show we are there. There’s no other painting like this. This became our best memory in US. Thanks Hiro!!"

CH house 2 of 2

CH house 2 of 2, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

This is C's car and his old house garage, he sold last summer. He requested me to creat a watercolor for his good memory of the house.

CH house 1 of 2

CH house 1 of 2, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

This is C's old house, he sold last summer. Very nice Cape Cod styled home. He requested me to creat a watercolor for his good memory of the house.

JW mom's house

JW mom's house, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Testimonial: (Justin W in OH)
“My parents recently moved from a registered historic home into a new home. My mother absolutely loved the historic home so I wanted to give her a memoire of it. Hiro’s work captured some of the key elements that she loved about the house. In addition, the added sentimental value of having a great friend turn the home into an art piece is priceless.”

Woodbridge South Lake in Irvine

Woodbridge　South Lake in Irvine, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Drew requested from Mr. S in the same time with his house.

Mr. S's house in Irvine

Mr. S's house in Irvine, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Draw Mr. S's house in Irvine. He requested to draw the South Lake nearby. Here is his comment.
"2枚とも私の期待を上回る出来栄えで非常に嬉しく思います。正直個人的にはサウスレイクの方に力が入っていたのですが、自宅の絵も非常に 雰囲気よく描いていただいており、2枚お願いして良かったです。" "I am very happy that both works are much nicer than I expected. Personally I wanted the one for South Lake rather than my home, however I found the one for home is also really nicely done. So it was good to request to draw both home and the lake."

Mr. M's house in Japan

Mr. M's house in Japan, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Draw Mr. M's house in Japan based on the picture provided. He is very happy with the work itself.
「無事に絵が届きました。やはり実物は素敵ですね。一つ宝物が増えました。早速、飾りたいと思います。本当にありがとうございました。」
”‘Received the work successfully. Real one looks really nice. This became one of my treasure. I will put this onto the wall immediately. Thank you so much!! ”

885 Woodside Apartment Homes

885 Woodside Apartment Homes, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

This is Luxury Apartment in Redwood City in Calidfornia. 2012, Apr.
www.885woodsidecondos.com/

Farm Lex SC

Farm Lex SC, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

This is another work for gift. A client gave this to her husband. Very pretty home in a farm in Lexington.
2012, Mar.

Lex farm 2012

Lex farm 2012, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

This is a gift for husband of a client.
Located in a great horse farm. 2012, Jan.

The Village Irvine

The Village Irvine, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Apartment named Village in Irvine, CA. The client lived the corner of the apartment. They said they really enjoyed the life in here. I was requested to creat this for thier great memory when they went back to Japan. 2012, Mar.

JP01

JP01, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Cubic House Exterior Japan
Drew exterior of the house requested b by the architect office, Five D atchitects in Japan. 2012 Jan.

JP02

JP02, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Cubic House Interior Japan
Drew Interior of the house requested by the architect office, Five D architects, in Japan. 2012 Jan.

Nichollasville 001

Nichollasville 001, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

This is another opportunity for Christmas present for her Husband. Their house is located at the end of culdesac and have very beautiful front yard. Many kinds of plants floors. She taught me the kinds of plants so I can put colors on those imagining spring time. I'm very glad to have this kind of opportunity for gifts. Of course the person requested look happy. Also I hope the person who receive the one of the kind gift would be very happy.
これはまた別のクリスマスプレゼント用。依頼人のご主人へのプレゼント。このお宅は通りの一番端に位置していてとってもきれいな前庭がある。多くの種 類の草花があって、私が春の風景をイメージして描けるように、彼女はそれぞれの名前を教えてくれた。
こうしてプレゼントに私の絵を使ってくれるのはとてもうれしい。もちろん依頼者も喜んでくれるが、世界に一つのプレゼントを受け取った人にも是非喜ん でもらいたい。

American Queen

American Queen, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

I had several opportunities for friends to draw pictures for their Christmas presents. This is one of them. American Queen is a steam boat providing a wonderful river cruise in Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers. You'll find detail here.

www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com/

今年、友人がクリスマスプレゼントとして使うために、何件かの絵の依頼があった。これはそのうちの一つ。アメリカン・クイーンというミシシッピー川系 水域で数日間のリバークルーズを提供しているいわゆる蒸気船だ。ゆったりとした川の流れを楽しむアメリカらしい休暇の過ごし方だ。詳しくは、下記ホー ムページで。
www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com/

Mr. NT's in Lex

Mr. NT's in Lex, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

I drew this for my friend, Mr. NT for his memory in Lexington, KY.

Short and Limestone

Short and Limestone, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

10/9 It was nice Sunday. There was a parade in downtown and many people got together for the event. At a corner of the event field, I set my easel and put some of my work of downtown, which became a small small outside gallery. I started sketching next to it. Many people stopped watching my sketching and talked to me. Beautiful Sunday afternoon.
10/9 いい日曜日だった。午後にはダウンタウンでパレードがあってたくさんの人々がイベントに参加していた。イベント会場の一角にこれまでに描いたダウンタウンの絵の一部をイーゼルに置いて小さな小さな野外画廊の出来上がり。その横でスケッチを始める。多くの人が立ち止まって覗き込んだり話しかけてきたり。楽しい日曜日の午後。

HR's townhouse in OH

HR's townhouse in OH, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

The townhouse is pretty and the black car is their favorite too.

From Mrs. HR
"We all family are very glad to have this nice watercolor. This is our commemorative for our life in America."
「素敵な水彩画を頂けて家族で喜んでおります。アメリカ生活の大切な記念品になりました。」

HK's house in OH

HK's house in OH, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Many big trees and big front yard make the house more attractive. Very nice approach to the entrance.

From Mrs. HK
"It's nice! Our kids could tell at a glance 'Wow, It's our house!' I wondered where to put this picture, then found a place where it look natural, but everybody who came to my house will find this without fail. I really appreciate for this. I will talk to my friends about this surely."
「素敵です！子供たちも「あ、これうちの絵だ」と一目で判りました。どこに飾ろうかなと考えた結果、さりげなく、それでいて訪れた人が絶対に見つけてくれる所にしました。本当に感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。またお友達にもさりげなく、でもしっかりと宣伝していきたいと思います。」

Y's house in OH

Y's house in OH, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

From　Mrs. Y
”It is 5 years since we've lived in the US. This is a house that holds fond memories for our family. We'll take care of this picture and show in our house. Even after we go back to Japan, I believe this picture will remind us a great memories in the U.S. Thank you very much.”
「アメリカに住んで５年、家族の思い出のつまった家です。大切に飾らせて頂きます。そして、いつか帰国することになっても、この絵をみては楽しいアメリカの思い出にひたることができると思っています。この度は本当にありがとうございました。」

I's house in OH

I's house in OH, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Mr. & Mrs. K introduce me to their friends in OH. Then I created these watercolors for them. This is one of them. The big tree in the front yard is very impressive.

From Mrs. I "Thank you very much for creating the heart warming picture of our house. It is our nice memory." 「とても心温まる絵をありがとうございました。素敵な思い出ができました。」

K's house in Lexington

K's house in Lexington, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

K family is our good friends with all my family. They moved to Lexington from Ohio and I had a chance to sketch both houses. I got a great compliment from K family.

House in Lexington
Very well depicted the features of the house in Lexington which has more classic character and wider blue sky impression than the house in Ohio, maybe because of smaller trees. Both pictures (in Lexington and Ohio) will be our great lifetime treasure with the picture of the house in Washington DC we lived. Thank you very much for the great pictures.
レキシントンの家
オハイオに比べて樹木が低いためか、青空が一面に広がる印象のレキシントンの特徴と、比較的クラシックな家の構造をしっかり描写していただいています。いずれの絵も、ワシントン時代の家の絵と共に、我が家の一生の宝物になります。すばらしい絵を描いていただき、ありがとうございます。

K's house in Ohio

K's house in Ohio, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

K family is our good friends with all my family. This house is the one they lived in Ohio. Below is a comment from Mrs. K.

House in Ohio
Very well captured the features of this house; spacious front yard and the gentle slope, also the big trees in the back yard. This reminds me of the 3 years life we got through a lot together and a lot of memories with new many friends in there.
オハイオの家
この家の特徴である、前庭の広さと緩やかな傾斜、裏庭の大きな樹木をしっかり描いていただいています。３年間、家族で苦楽を共にし、また、多くの新しい友達と楽しく過ごした思い出が込み上げてきます。

BG&W

BG&W, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/25 A corner of downtown. The signage of "Berkley-Guthrie & Watson built 1885" is on the top triangle wall. This building is located just next to Lexington History Museum. As there many historical buildings around here, this building may not be a outstanding, but I think this is also one of very well-designed historical building in downtown.
9/25 ダウンタウンの一角。「Berkley-Guthrie & Watson　built 1885」のサインが頂部の三角の壁に見える。この建物はレキシントン歴史博物館の隣にある。周りには歴史的な建物が多く、この建物自体はあまり目立ってはいないが、よくデザインされた歴史的な建物の一つだと思う。

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/25 Yesterday at Cheapside Farmer's Market, I met a lady who wanted me to sketch this church near by. As I went sketching after lunch on Sunday today, the area was already quiet after the morning service. It was sunny Sunday afternoon. I enjoyed sketching.
9/25 昨日チープサイドパークの農家市場でこの教会を描いてほしい、という女性に会った。今日、日曜日の昼食後にスケッチに出かけた。日曜礼拝の後でこのあたりは既にひっそりしていた。天気の良い日曜の午後。スケッチを楽しむ。

Dudley's Patio

Dudley's Patio, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

Per request from Dudley's restaurant owner, sketched both building and patio. The patio is on 2nd floor and it's really a nice hiding place in downtown.
レストランDudley's のオーナーのリクエストでDudley'sの建物とパティオを描く。2階にあるパティオはダウンタウンの隠れ家的な雰囲気で素敵な場所。

Dudley's restaurant

Dudley's restaurant, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

This building is originally a part of a big one in this block, but now divided and owned by several owners. Dudley's is a relatively a new restaurant in downtown opened in 2010, renovated this old building. This restaurant is contributing to the downtown's atmosphere keeping the historical facade. Further more Dudley's is providing vitality and smiles to the downtown as a great restaurant. As an citizen, I'm very proud of having this kind of restaurant in our town. In the same time as a sketcher I'm very happy to have opportunity to sketch such a beautiful building. I'm hoping the more this kind of stores, the more attractive this Lexington downtown will become.
この建物は元々この街区の大きな建物だったが、今は分割されて別々のオーナーの建物になっている。Dudley'sはこのビルを改装して昨年オープンした比較的新しいレストラン。当時の面影をそのまま大切に残してダウンタウンの雰囲気に貢献しているだけでなく、いいレストランとして人々に笑顔と活気を与えている。市民としてこうした素晴らしいレストランが街にあることを誇りに思い、またスケッチャーとして、こうした美しい建物の絵を描けることを幸せに思う。レキシントンにこうしたお店がもっと増えてレキシントンのダウンタウンがもっと魅力的になってほしい。

Courtyard Deli

Courtyard Deli, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/24 Local Farmers' Market is held every Saturday at Cheapside Park in downtown. It's fan to see the markets with many fresh vegetables and fruits and people.　The Courtyard Deli is located facing to the park. I started sketching at the corner of the park. Today, I brought a easel to put my works done around downtown. Many pedestrians seemed to be interested in and watched them. I got a request to sketch a church near by. I'm very happy to make people happy with my sketches.
9/24 土曜日の朝、チープサイドパークでは地元の農家のマーケットが開かれている。新鮮な地元の野菜や果物、そしてたくさんの人々で賑わっていて楽しい。コートヤードデリはこの公園に面していて、私はその一角に陣取ってスケッチを始める。今日はイーゼルにダウンタウンで描いた作品を載せておいた。市場に来た人たちも興味を持ってくれて覗きこんでくる。近所の教会を描いて、というリクエストもあった。絵で人に喜んでもらえるのは幸せだなあと思う。

Court Square Bldg

Court Square Bldg, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/23 Sketched Court Square Building from one block away. This building is located at the corner of main Street and Cheapside Park. This building design is very unique and one of the landmark in downtown. It rained today, then it is getting colder.

Mr. GB

GB, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/23 On the way back from Fort Smith, AR, we changed the fight at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport again. I was with my colleagues. I asked Mr. GB to be a model for my practice sketching.

AA2979-1

AA2979-1, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/21-2 ダラス空港からアーカンソー州フォートスミス行きの飛行機に乗る。8時をまわって暗くなってきた。通路を挟んだお隣さんはお休みモード。私はスケッチで忙しい。
9/21-2 Boarding into the airplane to Fort Smith, AR. It's past 8 and became dark outside. The passenger next to me, the other side of aisle, looked asleep. I'm busy on sketching.

DFW1

DFW1, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/21 私は空港、飛行機が好きだ。空港のモダンな建物と滑走路などの強い水平線。そして飛行機の曲線の美しさ。たくさんの物が混在して忙しいがその慌ただしい活気もいい。ケンタッキー州レキシントンからテキサス州ダラスフォートワース国際空港を経由してアーカンソー州へ出張。ダラスの乗り換えの待ち時間でスケッチ。夏時間でまだ明るいが9月も下旬になり、日が落ちるのが早くなってきた。
9/21 I like airport and airplane very much. Modern buildings in the airport and intensive horizontal line like airstrip and beautiful curving line of airplanes. Many activities are also lively. Traveling to Arkansas from Lexington, KY via Dallas- Fort Worth Int'l Airport in TX. Sketched during connection time. Still it was bright enough for sketching in the summer time, but it is getting dark earlier than used to.

Awesome Inc Gallery

Awesome Inc Gallery, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/19 しばらくです！先週金曜日のGallery HOPイベントのために火曜日以降、急な準備でスケッチの時間がとれませんでした。さて、そのHOPイベントのレポートです。金曜夜のイベントでその日の午後にちょこっとだけのアナウンスにもかかわらず、何人もの同僚が見に来てくれた。また、場所がダウンタウンのはずれで他のギャラリーからは遠かったが、私のスケッチを見てくれた人は面白がってくれてレキシントンの街や絵についてのフィードバックをくれた。最後に見に来てくれたお医者さんのご夫妻は、大変気に入ってくれて、彼らの診療所と家を描いてほしい、というリクエストをもらった。イエーイ！！で、昨日の日曜はそれを描きに出かけておりました。一応、個人の建物なので、許可を得てからまたここでシェアしますね！何れにしても、今回このイベントに参加するために協力してくれた方々、応援してくれた皆さんに心から感謝したい。どうもありがとう！
9/19 It's been a while since I uploaded last. For the preparation for the Gallery HOP event last Friday, I couldn't have a time for sketching. Today, I will report about the exhibition. Even with a very short notice of the event on that day, several my colleagues and their family were very kind to visit the exhibition. Also all the audience seemed to enjoy watching my sketches and gave me very lovely feedback for town and sketches even though the location was a little far from other galleries. The last visitors, a couple of doctor, was liked my works so much that they gave me a opportunity to sketch their office and house. Wow!! Then I went to sketch them yesterday. I'm going to share them here when I get a permit from them. Anyway, I really appreciate the all the people who supported me and encouraged me to do this event. Thank you very much!!

Gallery HOP

My watercolor exhibition it to be held at Awesome Inc, Art Gallery.
348 E Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507
Sep. 16, 2011    5PM - 8PM

LexArts HOP event

LexArts HOP event, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/14　今日はちょっと長いよ。 昨日、ダウンタウンでスケッチをしていると建物のオーナーのボブが話しかけてくれて、Gallery B のAnalisaに会ってこいと勧められ、彼女に会いに行き、LexArt HOPイベントのことを知った。ここレキシントンでは2,4,6,9,11月にダウンタウンの美術館やギャラリー50か所を開放してアート作品を展示し、市民にアートに親しんでもらいながらダウンタウンを活性化しよう、という活動をしている。これってすごくない？私も参加できるかもって思ったけど、今月は今週の金曜日。ってことは、四明後日。さすがにこれからギャラリーに相談してもな・・・と思ったが、いつものJamesの教え「断られてもいないのに諦めるな！」を実行しないとね！で、参加ギャラリーすべてのWebをチェックし、展示してくれそうな所すべてにEmailで「明後日のHOPイベントで私の絵を展示させてくれませんか？」とオファーした。で、今日、なんとその1つのギャラリーからOKの返事が来たんだよね！ワオ！これってすごくない？で急きょ家に帰ってギャラリーでの展示の準備に大わらわ。子供たちの手も借りて最近の作品を写真のように準備したってわけ。明日はこれを持ってギャラリーと打合せ。で明後日は初めてのギャラリーデビュー！つい1月ほど前にUrban Sketchersに参加して、みんなに励まされて毎日続けてきたら、何だか面白い展開になってきた。何か違う世界。いつも作品を見てくれて応援してくれるみんなに心から感謝しています。本当にどうもありがとう！
9/14 It's long story today. Yesterday, when I was sketching in downtown. a building owner, Bob talked to me that I should meet Ms. Analisa, owner of Gallery B in downtown. Then I went to see her and learned about the LEXARTS HOP event. It is a activity in downtown in Lexington that 50 Galleries and museums open to public for people to enjoy arts and downtown. The 3rd Fridays in Feb, Apr, Jun, Sep, and Nov are the dates for the event. That's really cool, isn't it? I thought this may be great opportunity for me too. Then in this month, this coming Friday! Oh no.... It's just a few days after today. It's too late to ask galleries to put my works in there.... But as always my mentor, James says "Don't give up before asking", then I thought, "OK, let's try". I checked all the participating galleries' web and sent offering emails to those who would be interested in my works. Then today, one gallery responded OK!! Wow!! Isn't this wonderful? I came home and started preparing for the exhibition with my kids. These are the ones I created recently. Tomorrow, I will meet the person in charge in the gallery and the day after tomorrow is the debut to the gallery! I joined the Urban Sketchers about a month ago and kept working on that with many friends' encouraging comments. Now it is becoming really interesting, I feel it's changing. I'd like to express my great thankfulness to my friends here. Thank you very much!!

Cheapside

Cheapside, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/12 チープサイドという名のレストランがある。ちょっと変な名前だがチープサイドという通りにあってなかなか雰囲気の良い店。裏にはユニークなデザインのオープンテラスがあってダウンタウンの人気スポットの一つ。
9/12 There is a restaurant named "Cheapside". It sounds a little odd, but actually it is located on Cheapside Street and it has nice atmosphere. They also have uniquely designed open terrace on back. It is one of the popular spot in downtown.

Dudley's

Dudley's, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/11 今日はダウンタウンのDudley'sで家族でブランチ。9.11のテロから10年、チープサイドパークでは追悼コンサートが開かれている。多くの人がスケッチを見て立ち止まり話かけてくれる。スケッチをしていて最高の時間だ。Dudley'sのオーナーがこの絵を気に入ってくれて改めて建物とパティオを描くことになった。ラッキー！
9/11 Had branch at Dudley's at Downtown as family. After 10 years of 9/11 disaster, memorial concert was being held. Many people stopped watching sketch and talked to me. The best time in sketching. Dudley's owner likes this sketch and got request to create ones for building and patio. Lucky!

HC teachers

HC teachers, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/9 長男の祐也の高校のOpen Houseに参加。10分で各科目の教室を回り、担当の先生から授業の方針など説明があった。数分でそれぞれスケッチ。それぞれ個性的な先生で楽しそうじゃないの。がんばりーや。
9/9 Attended Open House in Yuya, my son's high school and got brief explanations from each teacher. Sketched in a few minutes. I felt every teacher is kind of unique and lot of fan. Enjoy your school!

Morton Middle School

Morton Middle School, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/7 モートン中学校はキャシディ小学校の隣にあって裏のグラウンドは共有している謂わば一体的な運営をしている。2年前に祐也はここを卒業し、佑美は今ここに通っている。創立1834年。今年が178年目。
9/7 Morton Middle School is just next door to Cassidy Elementary School and they share some facilities and functions such as back ground. Yuya graduated here 2 years ago and Yumi is in here. Established in 1834, so this is 178th year.

Cassidy Elementary School

Cassidy　Elementary School, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/6 This is the elementary school my daughter Yumi went. It is located closed to downtown along to Tates Creek Road. I like the historical design and tower of the building.
9/6 娘の佑美が通ったキャシディ小学校。テーツクリーク道路沿いのダウンタウンの近くにある。歴史的 な外観とタワーがいいね！

Signature Club

Signature Club, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/5 テイツクリークロード沿いにランズダウンという古くて落ち着いたいい住宅街がある。Signature Clubは1958年、元々はその地域の住民のクラブとしてデベロッパーによって作られたらしい。2005年にレキシントンの事業家ロン・ターナーとトロイ・ターナーによって引き継がれている。レストラン、バー、プール、テニスコート、フィットネスセンターなどなど充実した施設がメンバーになれば利用できる。
9/5 Along to Tates Creek Road, there is sedate subdivision named Landsdown. They say Signature Club was developed originally for the homeowners for the subdivision by the developer. In 2005 Native businessman Ron and Troy Turner took over the business and has been operating. Very ample facilities including restaurant, bar, pool, tennis courts, fitness center etc.. are available for members.

Soba

Soba, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/4 今日はKさん宅に家族でうかがった。娘さんのけいこちゃんがお蕎麦を打ってふるまってくれた。けいこちゃんは技術系の大学生。学習意欲旺盛で蕎麦作りも習得中！
9/4 Our family visited Mr. K's today. His daughter Keiko kindly cooked Soba, Japanese noodle for us. She is college student learning technology. Highly motivated to study and learning how to make Soba too.

Corn Field

Corn Field, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/3 剣道のセミナーのためにインディアナ州アンダーソンに出かけた。帰り道、トウモロコシ畑と大豆畑が続く田舎道を行く。コーン畑の中に、こーんな農家の納屋とサイロが点在する。娘の杏美曰く「なんやと？」
9/3 For Kendo seminar I visited Anderson, IN. On the way home, I took country road in the corn and soybean field. There are many this kind of farms along to the country road.

Steve Brewer

Steve Brewer, a photo by Hiro Okazaki on Flickr.

9/1 I drew this last Thursday. In the Thursday Night Live at Cheapside park, I was looking for a model to practice portrait sketch, but most people are moving around, it was difficult. Then I found Steve. He is electrician and waiting for the live's ending to pull out the setting. He was kind and became my model. As it was just a few minutes, I did tell him my website, but I couldn't get his contact. If you know him, just tell him your portrait is here!
9/1 このスケッチは先週の木曜日に描いた。チープサイドパークの木曜フリーライブで人物画を練習するためにモデルを探していたが、みんな動き回っていて難しかった。でスティーブを見つけた。彼は電気屋さんでライブの撤収のために待っていた。親切にモデルに協力してくれた。 時間が数分しかなかったので、私のWebは確かに教えたんだけど、彼の連絡先を聞いていない。そこのあなた、もし、スティーブを知っていたら教えたあげてよね。君の似顔絵がここにあるよって！

Treehouse

8/31 これまでのスケッチから、我が家の裏庭のツリーハウス。2007年から今の家に住み始めた。裏庭に覆いな古い木が2本あって、幹が八方に広がって中央が空いていた。そこにツリーハウスを作ることが小学6年生になった息子とのプロジェクトになった。2007年秋に床と手すりが完成、2008年に中段のプラットフォームと階段をつけ、2009年に手すりを新しくした。今のところ屋根、壁はないが、ブランコやターザンロープも遊べるこのツリーハウスは、我が家に遊びに来る子供たちにとっての目玉アトラクションだ。

8/31 From my past sketches, Treehouse on my backyard. We started living this property at 2007. We have two big old trees on our backyard. The trunks are spreading out and there was open space in the middle. It became our family project with my son to build a treehouse in there.　The floor and handrails are completed in 2007 fall, platform in the middle and stairs are added in 2008, then handrails are newly replaced in 2009. Still we don't have walls nor roof, but this is the most popular attractions for the kids who come to our house.

RUPP ARENA & HYATT

8/30 ケンタッキー大学はバスケットボールで有名だ。ニックネームはWildcats。全米チャンプ7回はUCLAについで第2位。このチームのホームがこのRupp Arena。 かつてのコーチのAdolph Rupp氏にちなんでつけられている。23,500人を収容するこのアリーナがホームゲームではいつも満員。大学スポーツのスタープレーヤーは即ち地元のヒーローだ。

8/30 UK (University of Kentucky) is famous for college basketball. Nickname is Wildcats. 7 times NCAA champions is second to UCLA. This team's home is Rupp Arena, which was named after former coach, Adolph Rupp. The home game is always sellout for the 23,500 accommodation. Star players in college sports is the heroes in the town.

My Tools

8/29 今日は1日忙殺されてしまい外でのスケッチはできなかった。それでも毎日スケッチすることは続ける。で、私のスケッチの道具をスケッチ。こうして描いてみるとペンにはやっぱりコダワリあるなあ。ロットリングアートペンとはもう20年の付き合い。

8/29 As it was too busy to go out for sketching. However I'm keeping sketching! Then I decided to sketch my sketch tools. I found I am hang up to something write with. I'm working with rotring Art Pen for 20 years.

UK Stadium

8/28 我が家はアラムナイドライブ沿いの住宅街にある。アラムナイドライブはUK（University of Kentucky）のキャンパスへの大きな通りで当然大学にちなんで名づけられたのだろう。この通りからUKキャンパスに入ると大きなスタジアムが目に入る。UK コモンウェルススタジアムだ。UKのフットボールチームWildcatsの試合で駐車場はいっぱいになる。今週から9月入り。アメフトのシーズンインだ。

8/28 My house is located in the subdivision off Alumni Drive. Alumni Drive leads to one of the gates of UK (University of Kentucky). The name of the road was named after the college I guess. You will see big stadium when you come into the campus from this road. It is UK Commonwealth Stadium. The parking lot is occupied with so many cars for the UK Wildcats' football game. It will be September this week. American Football Season is starting.

Pazzo's

8/27 In Lexington in KY, when you say"UK", it doesn't mean United Kingdom, but University of Kentucky. This part of UK campus, close to downtown there are good cafes and many students are walking around on Saturday evening too. It is cool outside after sunset. The street is lively with their laughter.

8/27 レキシントンでUKといえばイギリス（United Kingdom）のことではなく、ケンタッキー大学（Universitｙ of Kentucky)のこと。UKのキャンパスでもダウンタウンに近にこのあたりは、カフェも多く土曜の夕方も学生たちでに賑わっている。日が落ちると外は涼しい。学生たちの笑い声で通りも明るい。

Houston International Airport, TX

8/26 テキサス州ヒューストンに日帰り出張。帰りの飛行機の窓からようやく1枚だけスケッチ。暗い機内で着色してたらスチュワーデスのおばさんがLEDで照らしてくれた。おばちゃん、ありがとう！テキサスでも1枚。ワールドスケッチャーの世界はさらに拡がる！

8/26 Day trip to Houston. Sketched only one today from the window of returning flight. Painting in the dark cabin, the flight attendant woman helped me with lighting the picture. Thanks! Then I did one in TX. The area of the World Sketcher is expanding!