New York and Back!

The previous week was a vacation for my school, so I packed up some art supplies, clothes, my camera, and flew off to NY for the week! Stayed in Joey's dorm and visited all my friends out there.

Here's a preview of the sketch book pages I completed in NY.

I didn't spend much time in my sketch book because I was too busy drawing newspaper illustrations for my school [to be posted later] and adventuring around the burrows.

I can't wait to be there next year! Brooklyn feels like the perfect fit for me, I was practically giddy just walking the streets and visiting my future school.

All of the artsy photos I took are trapped on my camera until I get the time to process them all - but they'll be up within a week.

Harvey Milk

Every time the name Harvey Milk comes up, and it doesn't happen often, my friends and classmates appear clueless or befuddled. The assassination of Milk, the first openly gay elected official, and mayor George Moscone should be a story widely known. Especially because they were murdered in our own City Hall by another politician Dan White. This story is finally receiving attention, getting its' spot light from Hollywood.The majority of "Milk" is being filmed in San Francisco. To house this movie, the Castro has gone under a complete makeover; now resembling Castro street of 1978. They have put up fake store fronts and redecorated cafes and such.

support of this film, my friends and I signed up to be extras for recreating the candle light

march following that black day in November when the shootings occurred, and a protest after White got off with an easy sentence.

-- Decked out in our 70s styles --

Monday night's filming began with an energized riot, running from Castro, down Market to City Hall. For a sec, In all the excitement I lost sense of my priorities, putting emphasis on getting screen time with the actors.

-- Emile Hirsch, giving a scripted speech to all the protesters --

-- James Franco, playing Harvey Milk [Sean Penn's] love interest --

The following Friday put me back in the right mindset though. The solemn silent march reminded me of why I was participating, not to hang out with actors, but rather to honor Harvey Milk and to be a participant in recreating history. [although, being on a "Hollywood" set was an awesome benefit!] The candle light march was emotional experience for me, marching alongside elders who actually participated in the real event back in 78.

In recent Milk news, I met Dustin Lance Black, the writer and producer of the film. I didn't really believe the guy at the time because he was so young. Nice guy - He invited me to be an extra in more scenes of H.M., im excited to work with him.

-- The cars were so awesome! --