AT&T Ball Park Opera

Rigoletto at the Park! You can see earlier (and more timely) posts by Cathy and Jana.

The Actual Cafe Welcomes All

I love the Actual Cafe.  It is truly a community gathering place for all.

Dia de los muertos celebration

Some of the alters had a layer of sand in which people were drawing patterns and placing flowers and pieces of art. There was a lot going on with huge circles of dancers which moved from one end of the celebration to another. The dancers were very fast-moving so I just caught a tiny bit of the action.

Saul's Deli

Fun evening eating and sketching with Cathy.  I was going to draw my dinner plate, but I was too hungry, so I drew the pickles instead.

Low Rider Car Show at Dia de los Muertos

1948 Chevy Fleetline, drawn in ink on site, painted at home (5×8″)

At the Dia de Los Muertos celebration in East Oakland families came to celebrate and honor their loved ones who had passed. They displayed elaborate, beautiful altars filled with marigolds, fruit, religious imagery and mementos of loved ones.

I was thrilled to find a low rider car show away from the loud music and crowds where I could set up my stool and sketch.

He said he likes to draw cartoons; I  tried to get him to draw the car with me but he declined

There were the booths filled with flowers and decorated sugar skulls and skeleton-themed art of all kinds. here was music, Aztec dancing, drumming and more.

Sugar skulls, skeleton dolls and a view from above

Trying to sketch the Aztec dancers

Lots more sketches and photos from the day on my blog, JanasJournal

Tennessee Beach, Marin Headlands

Marin Headlands is a paradise for hikes and it's so close to the city. It's a gorgeous coast line.

Tennessee Beach, Pen and ink and watercolor, 9x12in

Downtown San Francisco

Every now and then I spend a day drawing in the city. It's a bit challenging to sit  alone at a corner during the lunch hour when everybody goes to get something to eat, but in general I choose a difficult view and focus so much on drawing that I don't notice what goes on around me. There is always a nice comment from someone passing by.

Sacramento and Front, Pen and ink and watercolors, 9x12in

China Town Gate, Pen and ink and watercolors, 9x12

Cathaoula Coffee, Richmond, CA

Catahoula Coffee Roaster & Barista

While I was having my car smog-checked I walked down the street to Catahoula Coffee in Richmond. The coffee was great and their coffee roaster was an inspiring challenge to draw. I only had a grey, black, yellow and red marker with me but added a bit of watercolor on top of the ink when I got home. That's a burlap bag on the wavey-shaped counter beside the barista who read a soccer magazine when business was slow.

Night Scene in Downtown Berkeley

Dowtown Berkeley from PiQ Cafe

Half Price Books from PiQ Cafe, Pen and ink and watercolors, 9x12in

PiQ turned out to be a great place to draw. I choose the corner of Half Price Books. The old S.H.Kress and Company building is beautiful and there are several other renderings of it that will appear from the group.

Sketching in Ft. Bragg

Debate Night

 So inspiring to watch the debate amidst the Albany Community and to hear the thoughtful questions and comments from George Lakoff and the crowd afterwards.

The Second Presidential Debate!
Kudos to the Albany  Library for hosting this community event. Even though I never saw her, I was sketching with Micaela. Please see her earlier post.

The post debate discussion let by Prof George Lakoff was engaging, insightful and thought provoking.

The 2nd Presidential Debate at the Albany Library

A community room at the library filled with community-minded people who care—the best! This debate was moderated by Candy Crowley, who did seem that - moderate. Commentator George Lakoff discussed the debate and took questions from the crowd.

Taco Bike

Taco Bike, ink & watercolor, 6x8"

The Taco Bike guys were serving up delicious $2.00 tacos from their bike-mounted food cart at Lake Merritt's Children's Fairyland. I thought it was a nice twist on the food truck movement, since they're not burning gas driving a huge van to serve expensive, trendy food.

Lake Merritt Japanese Garden, ink & watercolor, 6x8"

After hanging out and sketching at noisy, vibrant Fairyland I retreated to Lake Merritt's botanical garden for a little peace and quiet. More about the day on my blog JanasJournal.com.

One more from Halloween City

Judith's sketch of Halloween City Makeup Selection

Only $6.99 and you can be wild and wickedly gorgeous (though maybe not as gorgeous as Judith Heller's sketch would lead you to believe). Judith is a regular member of the group who has been shy about posting her groovy art but hopefully you'll be seeing more of it soon.

And if you haven't seen the other Halloween City sketches from a fun night sketching there, please scroll down and see the other 6 posts.

Mendocino

 I spent a week painting and sketching in Mendocino this summer. Beautiful subjects everywhere!

 Mendocino Art Center

 Cypress Point

Garden in Albion

Sketchcrawl SF 10/13/12

My friend Corinne and I were part of the 37th Worldwide Sketchcrawl in S.F. last Saturday 10/13/12, centering on the Alternative Press Exposition (run by the ComicCon people) at the Concourse Exhibition Center at 8th and Brannan.  We began at around 11 a.m. and ended the day at 4:30, sharing sketchbooks with some Academy of Art students and a visiting artist from France.

Started in front of the exhibition hall with just a few other sketchers.

Creative displays of all kinds of products

Many were for children. . . or the child within us.

My first try at representing cellophane in watercolor.

This was a VERY popular booth.

Bought this seasonal hairclip as a holiday souvenir.

Saturday Market, Pt. Reyes Station

These are the last weekends of the Saturday market in the parking lot of Toby's Barn. I sat at the entrance of the Community Garden, a great place to relax, eat good food and enjoy the music.

Community Garden, Pt.Reyes Station, pen ink and watercolors, 9x12

Halloween City: A Great Place to Sketch (and Shop)

The spooky and the softer side of Halloween. Ink & watercolor 8x5"

We had so much fun sketching Tuesday night at Halloween City in Albany's former Petsmart store. The manager was very welcoming to us as we spread out around the large store full of costumes, props, masks and wonderful displays of ghoulish life-sized characters who talk and laugh insanely.

"Skulls Anyone?" ink & watercolor, 8x5"

My favorite was this butler who I liked enough to make a second attempt at capturing his face and rotten teeth. Please be sure and scroll down to see my sketch buddies' wonderful posts below that really capture the whole place with humor and verve.

Saying Good-by to the Kayaks of Summer

The kayaks were stored away when I sketched them late last summer. And I am (finally) posting so I can pack away my summer sketchbook.