Up Close with Elephants

Elephants are awesome! I’ve always liked them from a distance, and had enough respect for their giant size to admire from afar. At over three tons, they can easily squash a human being, so you definitely want to stay on their good side! I have always wanted to get a closer look at one of…

Just Phuket

When Nantucket is under a bucket of snow, head to Phuket. (pronounced Poo-ket) The beach is sunny and hot in Thailand this time of year, and all has been beautifully rebuilt since the 2004 tsunami. We came over on the ferry from Phi Phi this afternoon. (pronounced Pee-pee). Both islands are fun, but Phi Phi…

Artist friends

I met Ismail Kadir in China in 2008 during the International Watercolor Masters Invitational. He is the best watercolorist in Malaysia, that is… when he’s home. I’ve never seen him at home though. I’m in southern Thailand now, probably a four hour drive from Ismail’s studio, and somehow couldn’t coordinate my schedule to drop in…

Thailand’s Islands

The Sea Gypsies that operate the long tail boats in the Andaman sea have made a great life for themselves, ferrying travelers between the hundreds of small dots of land in the turquoise water. Some of the islands jut straight up out of the water with sheer cliffs topped by lush jungle. They make for…

Ferries, islands and dreams

Sitting on the ferry to Ko Phi Phi I am reminded of many such water crossings I have had in my travels. Orcas Island, Wa and Ocracoke Island NC have been among my favorites. My family used to hitch a ride with the National Park Service boat to Horn Island regularly when I was a…

The best part of any adventure

Site seeing is the reason I come to a place like Cambodia. I’m looking for things that will inspire me visually. Cambodia certainly accomplished that goal and exceeded my expectations by a mile. However, the sites were only one of the best parts. I have really come to appreciate the interaction with strangers and locals…

Cambodia rocks

As much traveling as I have done, you’d think I would get tired of it, but the opposite is true. The more I travel, the more I want to travel. Wanderlust is a habit for which there is no cure. Cambodia has been great. We have explored as much as possible in just a week,…

Sunrise over Angkor

Up before the sun every day is the norm for me. I can never seem to witness too many sunrise or sunsets. Each one is a surprise, even if it comes at a predictable time. The best light occurs in early morning and around twilight. When I am exploring a new place these are the…

In my element

Three days of travel to get to the other side of the world and finally I feel like I am in my element again. Perhaps too much time in the studio makes me dream of new views, new scenery. As an artist it is so important to fill the inspiration reservoir with first-hand experience, despite…