Central Park Rocks the House

The little kid on the right has just been introduced to his very first water balloon. I never thought about that before. I wonder what I was like when I was given my very first water balloon. Well actually, knowing me I probably gave it a name and tucked it in next to Ollie.

You'd be amazed how perfect Central Park can be. I wanted to get over to the castle near Columbus Circle since it's one of the best places ever but I ended up spending most of the day over on the Museum mile side. I got some great kid action. Lately I've been focusing on faces. I want to start doing more full body sketches, but those kids just crawl around so quickly! I can't wait until the Fall when I can get back to life drawing. In the mean time, Central Park can really get your pencil rolling.

These girls played the way I think everyone should play. They were so busy having fun they completely lost track of time. They spent the entire morning jumping from spot to spot and changing their make believe stories again and again. The heat didn't bother them and since they were lucky enough to be in their swimsuits, neither did the rain.

Here's a creepy dad who was watching his kids. . . at least I hope they were his kids.

This was my favorite drawing of the day or perhaps the Summer. I loved watching this girl. She was a very young mom who had brought her kid to the park for the first time. She kept trying to explain how to play and telling him what other kids were like. Her son immediately took to the park but every time he fell down or ran into another little kid she'd clutch her hand over her heart.

It's Too Hot to Draw

The park is hot. I braved it on an afternoon this last week. I love getting a tan in less time than it takes to brush my hair. Most of the kids weren't slightly phased by the temperature, they were still running around like madmen. Man, I wish I were five again.

This poor kid's mother bought her this long sleeved shirt for the 4th of July. She was yelling across the park, "I didn't just buy you that shirt so you could wear it one time, girl. Who do you think you are? Vera Wang?" So yeah, Dixie's got a cousin. Welcome to the family Myra.

A Day of Swimming --- With the Fishes

This weekend I rocked it aquarium style.
Certain fish have gained a kind of celebrity status since release of Pixar's 'Finding Nemo.' This Blue Tang who had nothing whatsoever to do with the making of the movie has become hard to live with since Dory's screen debut.
It's amazing how much of people's knowledge of fish comes entirely from watching Nemo on screen. Everyone is constantly screaming 'I found Nemo.' It's amusing. Everyone who yells it out seems convinced they're an original. I refused to include my drawings of clown fish in this particular post. Afterall, Clown Fish aren't funny. Speaking of fish in movies, the guy on the right looked exactly like Steve Buscemi.
The turtles were pretty funny this time around. They usually keep to themselves. They were comfortable just hanging out in the open for once. The Iguana who I lovingly call Elizard was, as always, happy to put on a show. I like the little drawing of him in the corner of this page.
I thought it would be best to end the post with my favorite. No matter what, the fish we knighted 'Word' will always be one of the best parts of my visits to Coney Island.