Illustrations and studies from travel

Places inspire me. The illustrations here are all inspired by place. Whether it's a different country, or looking at the same street a different way, I like to find magic and wonder in places, and try and record that with an illustration or a study.

This first one is from Monte Sant' Angelo, a small hillside town in southern Italy. I stayed there for a few days and had the most amazing time driving and walking down this town's narrow streets. It was really inspiring seeing people go about their everyday lives in such a beautiful place. I wanted to capture the feeling I felt as an outsider, observing the locals.

The next two images inspired by a trip to The Philippines, one is of the stray dogs that roam the beaches of Palawan and the other inspired by the Jeepneys of Manilla.

Landscape painting studies done in gouache, from Devil's lake, Wisconsin:

Sometimes travel is more about the people that you meet. Some friends and I met a kind old man walking his dog in a park in Ireland. I was inspired by this man, his dog and the beautiful canopy above exhibiting a phenomenon known as "crown-shyness."

Travel is amazing, but it is a luxury. I also find so much intrigue, magic and beauty in my home, Los Angeles.