I painted this series of three portraits at Epoch Coffeehouse here in Austin. I painted the first of the three guys because I thought that he looked like Leonardo de Caprio. He was sitting on one of the sofas at Epoch with the other two guys. One of his friends walked behind me and saw that I was painting Sam. Sam Mickens came over and introduced himself, and said that he was in a band on tour from Seattle. The name of the band is “Dead Science“. He asked me to paint the other two band members, Jerek Bishoff and Nick Tamburro.
I went home that evening and did a google search on the band. They are way out there – they are experimenting with more than just music! I certainly appreciate their musicianship; it is very obvious that they are brilliant, accomplished players. Sort of like Zappa,Eno, Oingo-Boingo are in an argument at the precise moment that David Byrne arrives for tea. I also noticed that they have done some work with one of Austin’s homegrown musicians, Daniel Johnston.
Captured very quickly as she placed an order at Epoch Coffeehouse on NorthLoop
I painted this couple at the Spider House. They looked so in love.
Young Hepburn look-a-like studying at JP Java
Talking on the phone while gliding at Spider House
Pretty working girl drops by Little City Coffeehouse on Congress
Beautiful jocks enjoying the day at Spider House
I Stare At People 
43 Comments
Lavanna, you’re so talented! These look great- even in such a small format the expressions and technique comes through! Keep going- you’re wonderful
Lavanna,
Your work is fantastic! I want to see more!
Lisa
http://www.youdontneedadiamond.com
I agree with Sherry. These are awesome!!!
Hi, David.
Thank you for the nice comment.
~Lavanna
Hi, ydnad.
Thank you! Did you know that spells Dandy, backwards?
Thank you,
Yankee Doodle!
~Lavanna
Hi, Sherry.
Thank you for stopping by.
~Lavanna
I am so proud of you for putting your paintings where we can admire them!
All I can say is WOW: You inspire me.
Love,
Sandy
These are great! I love the cafe-culture (for me, for writing) and these capture the feel of that lifestyle.
Thanks for commenting on my blog…At some point I will include samples of my writing…Simply haven’t gotten around to it!
Hi, Lisa.
Thanks for visiting. Please let me know when you get those writing samples up.
Thank you,
~Lavanna Martin
Here I am yet again, admiring your work. I’m hooked. I love the Dead Science Portraits. I was giggling with delight because after I read that it was them and I re looked at the paintings I could instantly see them. I saw them in concert about a year and a half ago, and I am a fan of their work.
Hi, Samantha.
I am so glad that someone has seen them in concert, and can recognize them from the paintings. They were at Epoch Coffee, killing time before heading out for a gig in Houston. Really nice guys – brainiac types.
Nice work and nice web presence.
Thank you, Karen. Really nice of you to pop over.
~Lavanna
you should have painted me while i was setting up your phone!!! your really good.
Hi, Michael!
Hah! Didn’t think about it! You should go into marketing.
I am painting at coffee houses around town. Maybe I’ll catch you at Spider House or Epoch.
You’re a nice, friendly kid. You’ll do well in life. Your parents must be proud.
~Lavanna
We look forward to having you in Beaumont soon. Once you set up in Cafe Arts, you must visit the Barking Dog Coffee Lounge very close to The Art Museum of SETX. Let us know when to be there!
Hi, Ellen.
Ohhhh! So sorry that we missed each other. I didn’t know that you were expecting me, or I would have asked Katelyn (sp?) to give you a ring.
I love the Barking Dog. Maybe we can meet when I return at the end of October.
Thank you,
Lavanna
Hi! I loved your work, congrats!! I remembered my grandfather (I never met him but I ve got lots of his paintings and drawings) who also used to paint from live and from first impressions! wow!
Hi, Ger.
I really like what you are doing- very Latin Metaphyscial/Surrealistic. I would really like to see some of those paintings/drawings by your father – what a treasure!
Thank you,
~Lavanna
You do what I do only with paints and brushes. I paint my subject with words. I get the best stories from sitting in a coffee shop and watching and listening to people around me.
Hi, Nikole.
I really like your twitters, and the little bit that you have revealed about your personal life from your blog. I would love to see you write more about your day-to-day world – that really interested me. I mean, how many women out there can really handle a shotgun and hunt! That is cool!
Thanks,
~Lavanna
I like the Hepburn look-a-like, you are really a talented artist. And I’ve enjoyed your blog so far.
.~A
Hi, Aaron.
Thank you. Good luck on any of your good endeavors that you undertake.
In XT,
~Lavanna
Came across your site. Wonderful work! A real pleasant surprise and I think your paintings are full of energy and character.
Thank you,
~Lavanna
Lavanna, love your work..very exciting! Wish you lived in San Antonio…I could look for me.
Hi, Diana.
I love San Antonio. I went to college at Trinity many years ago.
I’m thinking about some road trips :).
~Lavanna
Love your stuff – and admire your ability to work so quickly. I do oil portraits as well, but it takes me HOURS. And then of course I totally miss the lovely loose look you have. Can you tell me a little about your paints / paper / brushes – what ever it is you’re able to carry discreetly into a coffeeshop and work your magic? Thanks!
Hi, Marie.
I just looked at your site, sailingphoenix.com. Wow! That is so cool that you and your husband, Jon are both into sailing and boat-building.
When I lived in Dallas and worked in the ad agencies, I wanted to buy a boat with my girlfriends, and take it down to the local inner-city lake, White Rock Lake. They thought it was silly. I still want a wooden row boat.
~Lavanna
Lavanna,
I was looking at your blog and saw the article on you in the statesman. I work for the Salado Wine Seller and we are going to be doing a Texas Wine and Rogue Art Festival and we were wondering if you would like to come and enjoy the event. There is also a Wildflower Art Show going on in town the same weekend, so there would be multiple places for you to sit and paint. If you’ve never been to Salado it is a quaint antique town. The festival is the last weekend in March, the 27th (12-5pm) and 28th (12-4pm). If you would like more information on the event you can go to http://www.saladowinefestival.com or http://www.salado.com
Hi, Emily.
Thank you so much for the invite to Salado – that is so nice of you.
I will be contacting you by email next week, to see what we can work out.
~Lavanna
Astonishingggggg the one with the working girl in black dress. Marvelous.
Hi, Camila.
I hardly ever see the same people again! I think that is weird.
~Lavanna
Your work is simply inspiring. I am mesmerized by the ghosly dreamlike images…just beautiful.
Thank you for sharing them.
-Gary
Hi, Gary.
I just went over and looked at austinecolawn.com
Wow! I love the concept of your lawncare service! I cannot tell you how invasive the electric and or gas blowers are in Central Austin.
A suggestion: you should go to the HydePark neighborhood online site, and place an ad. They have a group of advocates that are petitioning their neighbors to stop using leafblowers, and they would love to know about you. I just hired a teenager to rake up about 30 bags of leaves, and asked him not to use a leafblower. You’re on the top edge of a trend, so hang in there.
~Lavanna
Lavanna,
Love your style and idea. These are really enjoyable and the back story on your subjects just makes them great. Are any of your paintings available for sale?
Brian
Hi, Brian.
Thanks so much for being interested. I have always said “no” in the past, and I haven’t even given any of the paintings away.
I’m rethinking this.
~Lavanna
Hi, Brian.
Thanks for asking.
I sent you a personal response.
I am so excited to find your site! Fantastic work and very nice website. I would love to add a link from my site with your permission.
Jessica!
I just popped over to http://www.jessicaluciano.com/, and after looking at one figure drawing, I just knew that we have to be friends. I am soooooo psyched about you!
~Lavanna
This is awesome, I hope I run into you some day and get a sketch!
Hi, Zach.
Thank you – I see that you are an architect. Kudos.
~Lavanna
come to ozone and paint- we have plenty of interesting people coming in there