Chicago: Trip #1

I called this album 'Trip #1' because I liked the city so much that I plan to visit again. Marco was a great host for giving me a place to stay and showing me around the city. I squeezed in quality time with friendly faces (Doug, Charlie, Bonnie, Min) during my brief weekend there. Here's the gallery.

 

Brown Strokes On White Canvas

I was given the unique opportunity to showcase a couple of my paintings at the 'Brown Strokes On White Canvas' art exhibit at the Philippine Embassy in DC this week. The opening reception was on Tuesday, June 1st and the gallery will be open June 2 to June 8 in the Carlos P. Romulo Hall at the embassy. The paintings I chose for this exhibit includes one I just finished at the end of May called "Elephant, Distinguished By His Shattered Tusk" (12x24) and "Containment" (12x36), a painting from last year. My green and yellow "Self Portrait II" is also featured in the Brown Strokes souvenir program. If you're around that part of DC with nothing to do, feel free to check out the exhibit! For more information, visit the Brown Strokes blog. I'm sure the blog will be updated to include some pictures from the event in the near future. And, as always, you can see  some of my other paintings here.

Puch Meteor Project

I've finally completed another bicycle rebuilding project! The frame, fork, and seatpost are from an older Puch meteor bike that I got for $7.50 off a craigslist guy in Staunton (original pictured below). I scrapped almost everything, paintined it all white, and turned it into a fixie.

Parts List:
Eighthinch Amelia wheelset with flipflop hub and 16T cog
Eighthinch Crankset with 44T chainring, white
Clark's cable housing kit
Vintage handlebars and dual-position brake levers
XLC Alloy Dual sided (platform and SPD) clipless pedals
Origin 8 Red road saddle

I've already made some modifications after this picture was made. I've switched the 23c tires that came with the Amelia wheelset for some Vittoria Radonneur Cross tires to favor more urban riding. I've also added a red Origin8 42T chainring behind the white chainring (so now I'm at 42x16 teeth).

Now if only someone can teach me how to do a bike stand and a skid stop...

Click the oversized thumbnail for more photos!