Thursday, August 20, 2009

No Longer Unemployed

That's right, Jon got a job.  This past Monday I interviewed for a server position at Boulettes Larder, an awesome restaurant in the Ferry Building.  I clicked with Lori Regis, the pastry chef/co-owner, and have been working everyday since.  Boulettes is a small, open-kitchen restaurant dedicated to eating seasonal and local produce, meats and seafood.  The executive chef, Amaryll Schwertner, who has worked with Alice Waters, creates a new menu everyday, showcasing what the farmer harvested the day before.  Of course I'd love to be in the kitchen, this one especially, but at least I'm with this restauant, and I'm actually enjoying being a server.

On Tuesday, I shadowed one the head servers.  On Wednesday, I got a few of my own tables and pretty much freaked out the whole time.  Today, I had my own section and rocked it!  I'm sure it was the crowd today, but it was nice encouragement to have had a great first day of actual serving.  What's even more great though, is not constantly searching craigslist every hour and wondering how long the savings is going to last.  So to sum it up, I finally feel secure in San Francisco and can start working on personal goals.  

(I just wanted to say THANKS to everyone that had to put up with hearing me complain about not having a job.  It seriously took over my happiness for a bit)


Thursday, August 13, 2009

Night and Art


I would say this is an update, but not much has changed since my last post.  I'm still searching for a job.  I got pretty close to two, but one ended with a "we just can't train you right now," and the other turned out to be a money scam.  I've got a few cool options out there right now that I'm hoping will pan out, so if you've got some extra luck lying around, throw it over my way!

So, apart from job searching, I've been spending more time with my art.  I'm doing a bunch of research for a new body of work that is still in the concept phase.  Also, since I've been in SF, I've been wanting to take some night time photos.  Casey and I went out and here are some of the good ones.  

One thing about this city is that you can always find cool stuff on the side of the street.  Here's an old lounge seat?  I really dig pictures of people using indoor furniture outdoors, so I had to get this one. 

Typical moving car pic, but what I like about this one is that the lights of the car are in focus and the street is out of focus.  (its easier to see when you click on the picture)

This reminded me of a giant refrigerator filled with wine.  Quite a selection I must say.  

One of my favorite things about night is that time of night where everything seems frozen, suspended in time where everyone is deep in their own minds.  This photo reminds me of that stillness. 

I've also been doing some drawings and painting.  Its weird how I forget how much I love doing this until I pick it up again.

It seems like forever since I've done a photorealistic drawing.  I'm starting to feel really comfortable with working fast.  

This is the view from my window.  I painted on a cardboard box I found (yes, on the side of the street).  Free materials!  I think it's still a work in progress.  Maybe some cars, a bit more fog and more detail on the store.  Later!

One morning I was flipping through a magazine and a photo of this guy caught my attention.  I just had to paint him, so for the next two hours I sat and made this.  I'm pretty stoked with how it came out.