creatures at pet store

With the days getting shorter and the evenings darker, my Tuesday sketching group has started to find indoor locations where we can do what we do.  So last night (Oct. 25) we took our sketch pads to a pet store (Petco) at the El Cerrito Plaza. Despite arriving late I got into the groove quite easily and ended up with three sketches that I actually colored at the store with paints in an formerly empty Altoids box. (I usually add color when I return home.) I'm only posting two pictures, though, because my inner critic told me to.

pumpkins at market

My sketching group returned to the Monterey Market on Oct. 18 to capture pumpkins, at least on paper.

while i wait

When I'm out and about I often find myself waiting, in a line, by number, etc. So these latest photos were sketched at the pharmacy and at the beauty parlor.

Sketching not Posting

OK, I have been a little derelict in updating this blog. Here finally is the new stuff!!!

I'm at a funeral and sketching the back of people's heads. I was attentive, but I needed to do something instead of crying.

I did this quick sketch (of trees) during my lunch break. (sigh!)

Sorry for all the mess, but I was trying to sketch while on a BART train to San Francisco (10/2/11). What a challenge, I had to work fast before my models reach their destinations.

visiting Monterey Market

I joined the sketching group at the Monterey Market last night (August 16). I only managed to do two sketches because we only had about 30 minutes to sketch. The market closed at 7 p.m. The market is in north Berkeley -- a part of Berkeley I'm starting to see more of thanks to being part of this group.

I am eating!

I had a serious appetite problem a few months back -- I barely ate and it showed. So gradually I've been hard at work finding food I like to eat and then eating it. (I often can't finish a meal on the spot, so that's why God created take-out boxes.) :) I did enjoy this breakfast at Oakland's Rolling Dunes restaurant last Friday (July 15) with friends, Anne and Carol. There was enough left for the next morning! YUM!!!

dancing in the streets

On July 10 I attended the Temescal Street Fair in Oakland's Temescal District and tried my hand at illustrating the event. An awesome group was on stage belting out soul music and at the risk of hearing loss I managed to put what I saw on paper.

still sketching

Although I haven't updated this blog recently, I am still sketching. A few of my sketches were not post-able, but I found a few that I can live with. Earlier this month I was at Jack London Square in Oakland and decided to sketch Jack's own cabin

at the pub

In late April my sketch group went to The Pub in Berkeley. This was an interesting place, the people, the furnishings, the atmosphere. I wasn't in the mood for a beer, I had so much to draw and so little time. These folks sat talking to one another this evening so I managed to sketch this scene.

Sketchcrawl in S.F.

For the first time in a long time I attended a Sketchcrawl -- the 31st. A sketchcrawl is a drawing marathon and open to anyone who wants to draw or sketch or paint in the company of others for most of the day. These "crawls" take place in cities and towns all over the world. I joined a group in San Francisco and we walked and sketched and painted our way around the Mission District.  Happily I even met up with a couple of members from the Tuesday Night Sketch Group. I brought my pens, pencils and watercolors along for the ride. I hung out for most of the day at Dolores Park. My sketchcrawl began with a quick sketch on the BART train and ended with the pencil drawing of a wonderful tree that beckoned me. I enjoy drawing trees -- they don't move around like people or animals!

wisteria in bloom

Cathy, a sketch group member, invited the group to her home in North Berkeley to draw the lovely and bountiful wisterias. A Buddha was also present among the flowers in the garden and I couldn't resist drawing him.

life on a street in Berkeley

The sketching group met in North Berkeley. I don't usually do street scenes -- obviously there is a reason for that -- so I went out of my comfort zone for this sketch. I added the watercolor at home.

crazy cat

Here are two sketches I did at Picante Restaurant. Love that cat mask!

rainy day at Sagrada

It was a stormy Saturday morning and normally would be home curled up with my computer. Instead I took myself to Sagrada, a store in the Temescal district of Oakland that sells all kinds of books, jewelry, rosaries and other items that involve spirituality, meditation and religion. The owners were nice enough to let me draw there. This is the result -- a drawing of two figures (representing the Blessed Mother Mary) sitting atop a bookcase.

Serrahna = color

This is just one display I captured at this shop in the Rockridge section of Oakland with the sketching group.

cool looking shoes

I think I picked these shoes to draw because they reminded me of my mom who simply adored shoes and she had quite a collection. I bet she would have loved the shoe rack, too.

Emeryville market

My first sketch at the public market were these two kids who surprisingly remained in one place long enough for me to sketch them!

Emeryville Public Market teens

Two teens were in deep conversation -- allowing me a quick sketch.

Return to Spenger's 2

I like drawing people in my sketches. For our return to Spenger's I caught this couple at the bar.

Return to Spenger's

I joined the sketchers earlier this month for a session at Spenger's Restaurant in Berkeley. I could go there again and again because there is so much to draw! Here is my depiction of sketch leader, Jana!

another sketch at Fat Apple's

...is more incomplete but at least I gave it a try.

sketching in El Cerrito

I rejoined the sketching group on Feb. 22 after a brief hiatus. The gathering spot was a cool place called Fat Apple's Restaurant and Bakery. I didn't eat, I bought a tall and refreshing glass of lemonade. And yes, keeping with the lemon theme, I bought a lemon bar to take home.

North Beach Pizza

North Beach Pizza is located in a former IHOP on University in Berkeley. I'm not sure how this happened but I managed to sketch three times in one night.

North Beach Pizza

I drew part of a group of diners sitting in a booth.

North Beach Pizza

The pizza looked and smelled yummy but I just wanted to draw dinner than eat it.

Brennan's bar scene

Yes, this pix does look fuzzy... but it is clear in my sketchbook. Really!

Brennan's

My next outing with the sketchers was at Brennan's at University in Berkeley. It is a cool place to relax with family or friends after work or powerwalking.

I also joined the sketchers at a quaint restaurant called La Bateau Ivre. My muse, however, stayed at home.

the bakers

These guys were very nice to allow us to stare and draw them at work. Not sure I could do that.

Yum fresh bread!

I joined the sketchers at a cool little place called the Bread Workshop. Most of us crowded at a window to watch the bakers work their magic on the other side. No, I didn't get a sample.

another sketch at Spenger's

The man knew that several women were sketching him and he was OK with that.

sketching at Spengers

This is my first outing with a local sketching group, which is affiliated with Urban Sketchers.