Return to Children's Fairyland

Children's Fairyland is a magical place for all.  A visit transports you from the everyday to other times and other stories, some familiar and some new.  I treasure my time at Fairyland. Thank you C.J. Hirschfield, Executive Director and Shannon Taylor, Director of Art and Restoration for having us and for all that you do.

Hands and Hearts at Lake Merritt

What a gorgeous day for a gathering of thousands around Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland, standing in solidarity against possible consequences of a Trump presidency.  I came down on a crowded BART car in a group with longtime Berkeley pals, book group members, neighbors and fellow urban sketchers then walked in the sunshine to the lake shore where we ran into other friends from all over the Bay Area.  Lots of families with signs like "Stronger Together" and "Love + Action--Not Hate" and one young woman holding high a banner saying "I Am Your Muslim Sister."  So renewing and heartwarming to see my community step up.

I sketched on an 8x39" accordian watercolor sheet, given to me by my Paris Sketcher friend, Helene Lemeunier.  It was difficult to scan as one piece, so here are the separate folds from left to right.

Hands and Hearts Around Lake Merritt

I also participated in the Hands Around Lake Merritt yesterday. Thousands came to hold hands around the 3.4 mile heart-shaped lake in Oakland. Folks sang protest songs from the 60's and more contemporary chants during the peaceful demonstration for equality, equity, diversity and peace. Please see the sketches from the others who were there.

Hands Around Lake Merritt

Nearly 10,000 people interlocked hands around the entire perimeter of Lake Merritt yesterday to protest Trump and hate crimes. The path around the lake in downtown Oakland is almost 4 miles long and in many places people were standing two or three deep. It was a very peaceful and hopeful afternoon event. Of the many signs I saw,  two of my favorites: MAKE AMERICA THINK AGAIN and SERIOUSLY AMERICA? SERIOUSLY? – Cathy McAuliffe

View from the Lake Merritt Cascades

The Bellevue-Staten Building from the Cascade Steps
Part of the way up the 206 steps!

Cascade Steppers & Jump Roper (note: I tried to sketch some of the action in the figure to the left). Please see previous posts and history of the steps.

Exercisers on the Cleveland Cascades

Here are a few more of the active people running and walking up and down the steps near Lake Merritt in Oakland, including one departing artist (Judith).  See Cathy's informative post below for the history of the area.

Going Back to Fairyland

Pinocchio

Thanks to C.J. Hirschfield (Executive Director) and Shannon Taylor (Director of Art & Restoration) for welcoming us back to Fairyland. Some of us are returning after childhood visits. (See previous posts). Some, like myself, are transported back to classic nursery stories come to life. After a few minutes, I am not working to get the picture "right"; I am playing with my sketchbook, pen and watercolors. Fairyland is a sketcher's dream. Fairyland is also a jewel among the treasures of Lake Merritt for everyone to visit (with a kid) and enjoy!

 The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland

Fairly Adult in Fairyland

Me three! Another view of The Lucky Dragon and a crooked house and Oswald the Bubble Elf. Second drawing is looking back toward the entrance with a sketcher under a tree. I first came to Fairyland when I was 4 years old and remember being very impressed with the water-fountain lion, who was much taller than I. He doesn't look so big any more (but he's a lot more colorful!). I hope to go back and sketch him next time.

The McElroy Fountain, Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt, Oakland

I frequently pass by the lovingly restored McElroy Fountain on Perkins and Grand on my way to walk around Lake Merritt, vowing to return to paint it. It took a visit by an artist friend up from LA to get me out to do a little sketching last Saturday and get back to the fountain. We timed ourselves: 1 1/2 hour painting.  

The elegant fountain, built in 1911, was dedicated to John E. McElroy, a four time city attorney after his death. In preparation for its 100 years anniversary, a group of volunteers cleaned and repaired the fountain. Volunteer efforts, partnering with the City's, continue to maintain this landmark.

Please see http://oaklandwiki.org/McElroy_Fountain for more information.

The Happy Dragon of Children's Fairyland

This happy dragon greeted me at Children's Fairyland located near the shore of Lake Merritt in Oakland. It was my first time at this this wonderful theme park for kids. Thanks to C.J. Hirschfield, Executive Director, and Shannon Taylor, Director of Art and Restoration, we were able to come out, explore, and sketch! Please enjoy the other sketches of Children's Fairyland previously posted on this blog.

Lake Chalet Plumbing, Milk and Rocks

Lake Chalet (and Plumbing) on Lake Merritt, Oakland. Ink & watercolor, 5×7.5″

What attracted me to draw this scene wasn't the lovely Lake Chalet building; it was the multiple plumbing features on the grass that slopes down to the restaurant from the sidewalk where I sat to draw. And of course the antique street lights that circle the lake.

Milk Carton at Picante, ink & watercolor, 5×5″

 I struggled trying to draw these two milk cartons so issued a challenge to the other sketchers at my table to draw them too. We all had a different view of the cartons set in the middle of the table so it was fun to see the variety of approaches and points of view.

Drawing Rocks Practice on Sculpture at Oakland Museum, ink & watercolor, 5x7x5″

After a workshop on drawing rocks (part of John Muir Laws' Bay Area Nature Journal Club) Susan and I walked down to the Oakland Museum's sculpture garden, looking for rocks to practice on. The only rock-like object we could find was this clay sculpture.

Sketchcrawl July 12-14, 2013

Warming up at Picante's.

Ferry Building SF

Lake Merritt Draws!

Sketchcrawl - Bay Area

A wonderful weekend of sketching on both sides of the bay.

Saturday in San Francisco:

. . .  and Sunday in Oakland:

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.

Lakeside Garden Center

The sound of the waterfall is a tranquil accompaniment to sketch-making.