To be a Queen

On a cloudy Thursday evening I stood outside this shop fantasizing about what I might look like dressed as an Indian queen. I was courageous enough to step inside for only a moment and was treated to a feast of color. I am still considering an outfit. Do I dare? Hmmmm. --Vivian Aldridge

Oakland's Beer Baron Bar and Kitchen

We had a great time at Oakland's Beer Baron Thursday night, sketching this friendly, gorgeous place. The sketch above was actually about 3 weeks  before outside in the afternoon when I was checking it out and enjoying a treat.  The sketch below was indoors last night.  I wish I could have better captured the barrel staves adorning the ceiling and the graphic artwork on the wall. Guess I'll have to go back! 

Serrahna

A favorite holiday tradition is to visit Serrahna in the Rockridge area of Oakland. I stepped out of the cold dark night into a warm boutique displaying a brilliant array of textiles, accessories, and other handicrafts from India. Thank you Andrea for the work you do collaborating with communities to revitalize their art and for allowing us to sketch after hours.

Best Laid Plans

Sometimes things don't work out, but something better comes of it. We were planning on sketching a restaurant in Oakland before they changed hands. By the time we got there it had already closed. So we went to Plan B and sketched the other businesses in the neighborhood. The evening turned out just fine, good subjects to sketch and good company to sketch with.

Cole Hardware in Oakland

Longtime (since 1920) San Francisco store, Cole Hardware, just opened a new branch in the Rockridge section of North Oakland in January of 2015.  They want to be part of the neighborhood--with the motto, "Cole. Hardware for the soul."   After drawing the seasonal array of pumpkins outside on a balmy October evening, I got captivated by the glove display inside.

Some More Serrahna Sketches

The Serrahna boutique, in Oakland's Rockridge District, showcases the unique clothes crafted from the stunning fabrics of Indian. The boutique was created in 2002 by Andrea Serrahna who also designs the clothes. Andrea works with artisans and tailors to bring them to life in her store. This collaboration helps sustain the crafts people and their textile arts and skills. We appreciate Andrea's invitation to sketch and enjoyed her warm hospitality.  Please see the cards and website listed below to learn about Serrahna. 

Serrahna Boutique

More from our evening at Serrahna, full of colorful apparel made from traditional Indian fabrics, as well as accessories  (jewelry, scarves, hats, etc).  The owner, Andrea, who designs the clothing, was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study textiles in India as an artist at large.

Bowl of small scarves

Parasol and jewelry display

More Diesel Bookstore

Independent bookstores are such a vanishing treasure.  Luckily, in the Bay Area we still have some great ones, including Diesel in Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood, which offers live readings, hosts book groups, and has a well-lit, welcoming space.

Mohammed sketching

An all-yellow display--with reindeer

Perry drawing

Some titles in the kids' section and a bear

Diesel Bookstore, Oakland, California

Diesel Books, dip pen and ink and watercolor, 8x5in.

We enjoyed our sketching night in Rockridge in a good independent bookstore. The neighborhood has everything that makes life in a city so attractive, lots of people walking, restaurants, cafes, and a great bookstore.