In July 2003, I flew into the U.S.A for my first time, for a painting road trip across the States. On my arrival at LAX, I purchased an old ford from a smooth talking Hispanic used car salesman in Venice CA. I threw the easel and suitcase into the boot and headed off first to San Francisco. A few weeks and a few paintings later, it was back down along the West coast via Carmel and Big Sur to San Diego, painting a few seascapes along the way.