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Author Archives: alyson

Hide the pork.

Written on April 23, 2013 by alyson in food, travel, Uncategorized

Hello from Penang, Malaysia! Where street food is omnipresent, nutmeg is a juice, and the butchers hide their pork. Yep.

As in many Southeast Asian countries, butchers hack up and proudly display their meats in local wet markets. You squeeze past them down the aisle, carcasses hanging inches away from you. Unlike most Southeast Asian countries, however, the pork butchers in Malaysia are hidden away, segregated from other vendors, in a porky ghetto. That’s because unlike most of Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country. It is also a cultural mishmash of a country, more extreme than any other I’ve visited. So while there are Muslims throughout Malaysia (mostly Malay, South Indian, and Southern Thai), there are also huge populations of Chinese and other ethnic groups who, well, freaking love pork.

So walking through the wet markets, you immediately spot the lamb and beef butchers with their butcher blocks and cleavers, the chicken butchers with their cages full of live poultry waiting to meet their destiny, and the fishmongers, all with their meat proudly displayed inches from you. And no pork in sight.

Take a turn, pop over to another street, peer into a shophouse, and there it is. Delicious pink pork. In a spotlight of sunshine, but hidden away from the others.

For a more in-depth explanation and discussion of Islam, and pork, and markets, hop on over to Eating Asia.

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Into the crevasse

Written on April 3, 2013 by alyson in food, travel, travel rules

Since embarking on the self-employed track three years ago, I’ve never really had a great sense of “time” or “days” or “dates.” That feeling is amplified when you’re traveling around from city to city, and country to country. So unsurprisingly, Steve and I had no idea that we had been traveling for over a month until our friends Pete and Kimra came out to join us for part of our Japan leg.

It simultaneously feels like we’ve been gone forever, and that we just left last week. Vietnam seems like a distant memory, and we were there 12 days ago.

Long-term travel is overall exciting, but transitioning from vacation-mode to traveler/worker mode has proved challenging. When you go on vacation, you make your plans ahead of time, and simply go full-force and soak it all up. Long-term travel means remaining flexible, and making travel plans several times a week. Booking a hotel, booking a flight, booking a train, and deciding where to go next all take time. More time than we anticipated.

Which is a big reason why I haven’t been doing as much arty work as I intended …. yet. I’ve been gathering inspiration everywhere. We’re slowly trying to get into a schedule as much as possible and I hope to be posting some artwork (and other tidbits) soon.

In our first month, we’ve acquired a lot more travel rules, and one of them is to simply stay put for a while. Not only does that let us really experience a city, but we also get to relax a bit. Rushing around from city to city, packing and re-packing, taking new transportation, and figuring out a new place can get exhausting. But I’m not an idiot, and I know how fortunate we are, rushing and stress included.

So for now, we are holed up in Fukuoka, a city in Kyushu, the southern-most main island of Japan. (And a mere hop, skip, and a jump away from South Korea, so all this North Korea business is very exciting. hrmmmm.) We’re spending 10 days here, which every Japanese person we’ve spoken to thinks is hilarious. But it is a great city, with convenient shopping and INSANE food. (This is no surprise if you’re following me on Instagram. Sorry if there is drool on your iPhone). It is ground zero for ramen, specifically tonkotsu ramen — that milky white pork bone broth affair that is the King of Ramen Broths (TM pending). We have been absolutely spoiled by the food here, and I don’t think I’ll enjoy a bowl of ramen in the US in quite the same way again.

After we’ve had our fill of ramen, gyoza, and nihonshu, we’re off to Penang for further food adventures. Stay tuned.

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Padrecito

Written on March 10, 2013 by alyson in city life, my artsy stuff

Preparing for 17 weeks of travel was challenging, to say the least. As with any trip, it seems like the last week or so is the most jam-packed time, when you are frantically trying to make sure everything is ready to go and you haven’t forgotten anything important. Any sane person would put all their energy into getting prepared and use any remaining time for a bon voyage party and relaxing with friends you won’t see for months.

I, however, am not a sane person. Eight days before my departure, I commented on Padrecito bar manager David Ruiz’s Instagram post, showing the progress of the long-anticipated Mexican restaurant in Cole Valley. Padrecito is taking the place of neighborhood stalwart EOS, which closed last year. Cole Valley is my neighborhood, and I’ve been peeking into the brown paper-covered windows of the restaurant, checking on the progress for months. That one little comment turned into an email exchange, which turned into a phone call, which then turned into a quick meeting at the bar. And that’s how I found myself, less than a week before my departure, illustrating the cocktail menu of a neighborhood restaurant.

And it looks pretty bad ass, if I do say so myself.

As cool as the menu looks, imagine how delicious the cocktails are! I’m beyond bummed that I didn’t get a chance to see the restaurant in action before I left. But if you’re in San Francisco, you have no excuse. The restaurant is gorgeous, and if the food and cocktails at sister restaurant Mamacita are any indication, Padrecito is going to be delicious and packed very soon. (Sneak peek of the dinner menu is here). From what I hear, soft opening was this weekend, and looking to open for real on March 12th or so. Follow @PadrecitoSF on Twitter for updates.

So get over there, and have a cocktail for me. Bonus points to anyone who tweets a picture of their cocktail and the corresponding illustration to me at @ilovedrywell.

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travel rule: follow the smell of grilling meat

Written on March 5, 2013 by alyson in food, travel, travel rules

After a few short days in Bangkok, we have made our way to Saigon, Vietnam. We’re still getting finding our footing with this new lifestyle, but even less than a week into our journey, we’ve started developing some of our own “travel rules.”

The first came about the other night. After spending a day on a pretty great food tour, complete with breakfast pho, market meanderings, and street food galore, we were pretty exhausted. After a siesta and a shower, we were eventually ready for dinner but didn’t really want to wander too far. There was a somewhat chi-chi restaurant only blocks away, which had garnered rave reviews both on TripAdvisor and from our new favorite Vietnamese chef, Luke Nguyen. It was expensive (for Vietnam) at least, but promised cocktails and a setting in a former opium distribution center. So, we set off.

Minutes later, we walked into a long hallway, dimly lit and lined with elephant statues, with a set of stairs at the end. A sign indicated that Temple Club was on the second floor, and there was another restaurant on the third floor. As we ambled up the stairs, we heard an increasing cacophony of voices, and a delicious aroma of grilling meat. We reached the landing with our intended restaurant to find a quiet, gorgeous looking restaurant. But the smell and voices were clearly coming from farther up. What the hell…. let’s check it out.

And boy am I glad we did. Within moments, the aggressive, but lovely hostess, clad in a San Miguel dress motioned for 4 staff members to carry over a plastic table and two chairs. Before we knew what we were in for, we were seated with enormous beers in our hands. The restaurant was a Vietnamese BBQ joint, on the rooftop of the building. We were there early, around 6:30, and the place was nearly full, mostly from two enormous parties of already drunk revelers. The music was booming and we really had no idea what was going on. Our table had a hot plate-type thing in the middle, and we quickly saw that it was a grill-your-own type place. We glanced around and placed our order.

The food was ridiculous — bo lo lat (ground beef wrapped in betel leaves and caul fat), lemongrass beef, banana flower salad and our standard order of rau muong (morning glory). But the night was awesome mostly from the atmosphere. At one point it started drizzling ever so lightly, and the the giant galvanized metal roof started gliding into place after customers started yelling and pointing. The staff was so incredibly well-oiled; no one in the restuarnt waited for anything, and there was constant scurrying.

And then there was the birthday celebration. The two large party tables were celebrating someone’s birthday. There were raucous cheers every few minutes, with shots of rice wine, beer, and whiskey being downed. About halfway through our meal, the staff started handing out sparklers to the two tables. The lights turned off. Soon after, “Happy Birthday” – in English – was blaring from the speakers. Sparklers were lit.

Two cakes appeared (the birthday boy was turning 28), and then another server came by and put overturned bowls on everyone’s food,and turned off our gas burners. Ummm.. what? About 20 seconds later, all of the staff (about 30 people) ringed themselves around the party tables, and timed precisely with the conclusion of “Happy Birthday”, popped confetti poppers into the air, streaming shiny confetti on everything.

Smart move with those bowls… After a quick cheer, Gangnam Style started. Lots of dancing as you might imagine, even from the adorable 4 year old boy at the family table. Cross cultural madness.

So maybe we would have had better food at Temple Club (though I don’t know how), and definitely would have had a more relaxing evening. But for us, following the smell of grilling meats and the sound of loud happy voices proved to make a most memorable evening. Thus, a new travel rule was born.

Follow the smell of grilling meat and loud voices.

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and we’re off!

Written on February 26, 2013 by alyson in travel

If you’ve been following me on twitter, instagram, or facebook, you’ve likely noticed some references to some serious travel this year. Well, today is the day. Steve and I are on a plane, headed to Bangkok – the first stop in a four month journey.

yes. four. months.

A little crazy, but this is something that we’ve been pondering and semi-planning for for several years. In fact, we were gearing up to take this very trip in early 2011. But in 2010, Drywell Art was accidentally born, and needed my attention.

Now the little business is a toddler and can stand on its own for a bit. While we’re gone, Drywell Art is in the very capable hands of my number one fans, my parents. They’ve been shipping out art like champs, and everything in the two shops will run as usual. Please compliment them on the high level of customer service they are providing, with daily drops to the post office. They are the absolute best.

To say that this trip is a dream would be an understatement. (Bu quite honestly, the stress it has caused in getting tickets, preparing our home for a subletter, and turning over Drywell to the folks has sometimes seemed more like a nightmare.) But now that I’m safely at the airport, with seat assignment in hand and a belly full of ramen and sake, I couldn’t be more excited.

In the upcoming months, our travels will take us throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, VIetnam, Malaysia, Laos, Bali, and SIngapore, as well as Japan and then on to Europe for some Croatia, Turkey, Italy, and Belgium action. If you’re headed to any of those places, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line and we can try to meet up. Oh, and suggestions are always welcome. Let ’em rip.

And as I keep reminding myself, this isn’t a vacation, but rather a journey. As such, I’ll be a busy bee, painting with my travel watercolor set, scheming, and thinking of new ideas for Drywell Art. Oh, and eating an obscene amount of street food. If you want to follow along, I’ll be posting here on this blog, as well as on Instagram, Twitter, and Flickr. So will Steve.

And we’re off.

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Sustenance and Carly Rae Jepsen

Written on January 31, 2013 by alyson in art show, city life, my artsy stuff

I’ve kind of been riding high this week, flitting from a group art show – Mixed Meat-ia– opening at Lolinda, curated by the Bold Italic, to a friends and family pre-opening at the much-anticipated Hi Lo BBQ in the Mission (twitter can do amazing things, people). Notably, I’ve NOT been flitting to and from the Hall of Justice, because my number didn’t get called for jury duty this week. And to top it all off, on Friday, I’ll be at the opening reception for the Sustenance group show, at Rare Device.

The Sustenance show is curated by Lauren Venell, who you may know as the master-mind behind Sweet Meats — those amazing plush hams and other assorted meat products. The theme of the show celebrates the history of the space that Rare Device now inhabits on Divisadero. It has been at one time or another, the Bank of Italy, a butcher show, and an orphanage. We were given the guideline to do something that relates to the hisotry of the space or the theme of sustenance in general.

I already knew that the space had been a butcher’s shop, but as soon as I found out that it had an Italian connection, it took me all of 5 seconds to figure out what piece I was going to make.

Yeah, I listened to a lot of silly pop music during the crush of December. I’m not embarassed. And you know you like it too.

Now available as a 8.5 x 11 print!

RSVP here.

……..

SUSTENANCE: 150 Years of Feeding the Community at 600 Divisadero

Rare Device presents “Sustenance”, a new group gallery exhibition with a focus on the unique histories of 600 Divisadero and the positive effects the residents of the space have had on the community. Curated by Lauren Venell, the show features local art by Lauren Venell, Heather Hardison, Samantha Barsky, Alyson Thomas, Dan Brazelton, Tina Jett, Ally Ritchie, Andrew Venell, Karen Curtiss and Brian McHugh.

Opening Reception: Friday, February 1 from 6 – 9 PM

About “Sustenance”: 600 Divisadero Street has provided nourishment to everyone around it for over 150 years. Since 1876 this piece of pasture has housed an orphanage, a Bank of Italy, a neighborhood meat market, and now, Rare Device shop and gallery. Each of these institutions has fed the community–sometimes with food, and sometimes with more spiritual sustenance, as a place for neighbors to gather and feel at home. The community also feeds 600 Divis, much like tributaries feed a river. Generations of San Franciscans have flowed through here, sometimes stopping and spending time with the people, goods and spaces that have grown and changed here over time.

In 1876 the Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum was built on the site of 600 Divisadero, which fed dozens of children–and, after the 1906 earthquake, more than 50 other members of the local community as well. Even though the kitchen was destroyed, Superintendent Henry Mauser grilled meats over an improvised fire pit for weeks following the disaster. 50 years later 600 Divis continued that tradition by serving local residents with high-quality, low-cost meats at Divisadero Meat Market. Divisadero Meat Market stayed open under just two different owners, finally closing in 2010. Now the storefront is home to Rare Device, a welcoming spot where people can nourish their spirits and homes with meaningful, beautiful objects, or gather for community events like children’s story time.

About Lauren Venell: Lauren Venell is an independent designer and artist from San Francisco, whose products can be found in stores around the world. Her work has been published in titles by Chronicle Books, Klutz/Scholastic, and Quarry Books, and featured in several media outlets including The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Everyday with Rachel Ray and on Canal+ Television. Lauren lives and works with her husband and an ornery parrotlet named Elvis.

About Rare Device: Rare Device is a store and gallery that features functional experiments and original ideas in art, design, craft and fabrication. Owner Giselle Gyalzen constantly seeks out objects that are beautiful, evocative, well constructed and thoughtful. We are pleased to bring to our San Francisco store an ever-growing roster of local, national and international artists and designers for a truly “rare” experience.
Rare Device (raredevice.net) is located at 600 Divisadero Street, at the corner of Hayes. Store/gallery hours are Monday through Friday noon to 8pm, Saturday 11am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 6 pm.

For more information contact: Giselle Gyalzen at info@raredevice.net or 415-863-3969

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friday o’clock – turning over a new (maple) leaf

Written on January 11, 2013 by alyson in drinks, friday o'clock

2013, really? I spent the first week of 2013 ill in one form or another, kicking it off with a 40-hour migraine while in an mod beach house, followed by a cold and various stomach ailments. (really interesting stuff, right?) But that seems to be behind me now, and to say I’m really freaking excited for the upcoming year would be a vast understatement. There will be lots of travel, eating, cocktail art, and new projects.

Today I left for beautiful Cazaderos in Sonoma County for the first annual retreat for my business lady group (yeah, a new name is in the works). There will be much reflecting, planning, goal-setting, and wine-drinking in the redwoods soaking tub. In honor of the new year with this lovely group of kick ass business ladies, I’m making this as our signature cocktail for the weekend.

Turning Over a New (Maple) Leaf

This is a variation of the maple leaf cocktail, which I’ve enjoyed before but was recently reminded of it in this post by Heidi Swanson. I’ve been making them with both meyer lemon and regular old yellow lemons, and both are pretty awesome. I have a seville orange that I believe is cocktail bound as well. I tweaked the ratios a bit from Heidi’s, and added bitters. The salt addition, however, is here to stay. If you want an eye-opening discussion of sub-threshhold levels of salt, this episode of Cooking Issues is a must-listen.

2 oz bourbon (Bulleit and Buffalo Trace both work well)
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz maple syrup
few dashes bitters
smidgen of salt

Shake vigourously with ice. Serve up with lemon twist.

Makes one delicious cocktail.

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Bring on the nog.

Written on December 20, 2012 by alyson in holiday, home

: This little piggie is an ornament. Also, there’s a potato.

Whew! I handed off the last of the packages to my understanding and patient mail carrier this afternoon, and with that, Drywell Art is officially on vacation. Rosé champagne was had by all! Oh wait. That was just me.

Seriously people, thank you so so much for your support of this crazy little business. It’s so exciting for me to think of all the folks getting funny meat or booze art on Christmas morning! Thanks to everyone whose decorated their kitchen with my art, worn it proudly on their chest, or had it permanently inked on their skin.

Big things to come from Drywell Art in the new year, for sure. Hammy holidays, everyone!

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Handmade Holidays at Renegade!

Written on December 15, 2012 by alyson in craft show, holiday

Last chance, San Francisco. This weekend I will be manning my meat art table with my trusty partner Steve, and over 250 other amazing vendors. Seriously, one-stop shopping for the holidays. We’re front and center (well, slightly left of center). I’ll have all my remaining original meat art from the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ show. Hope to see you there!

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Beer Bourbon & BBQ ad infinitum

Written on December 10, 2012 by alyson in beer bourbon and bbq, meat sections, my artsy stuff, watercolor

That’s right. I’ve finally got all the new art from my Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ show transformed into schmancy print-form, right here in ye ole shop. They’ve seen the light at a few craft shows in the past week, and damn, if they aren’t popular. I think my older art is getting jealous.

Oh, and if you want to up the ante in the gift-giving department, there are still some original pieces available from me for local pick-up in San Francisco. Just shoot me an email using the “contact” button above and we’ll get you set up.