The Window at Molly b’s

Molly b always has an amazing window, but it was exceptional this month. I was able to quickly sketch a selective portion of it on March 6 while running errands. I added more paint and the sticker when I got home.

Sketching the Showroom at Eastern Classics in Berkeley

This store is a portal to Asian furniture and other well crafted items, antiques  and contemporary goods. 

Papel Picado at Picante’s

Sketching Mr. Enrique Martinez creating his papel picado art  is  both a  pleasure and a challenge!  The powerful figures and designs on delicate, but resilient paper are so compelling. I kept on adding  color and deepening the lines, but I couldn't adequately represent how beautiful this art is! You can visit for yourself at 1328 6th St., Berkeley at Picante’s Restaurant. Mr. Martinez’s open door studio is next door. Please see other sketchers posts on this blog and our FB page.

The Art of Enrique Martinez: Papel Picado

Origami in Oakland!

Origami fascinates me on how a flat piece of paper can be made into a three dimensional form!
My one dimensional rendering doesn’t capture the creative folds and facets of the art at Taro’s  Origami Studio.
Thanks for hosting us Jennifer!

Chilly Night, Chill Place

Our July public sketching night was held at the hospitable Ocean View Brew Works, on San Pablo Ave., Albany. We had such a good time, sketching, sipping, and meeting new sketchers.  I need to come back to learn more about the brewing process (to sketch the equipment better). Thank you Veronica and Melina for welcoming us! 

Sketching Away at Way Station Brew

Today the Way Station is a relaxed coffee, tea, scone and other treats place with this striking coffee roaster.

Bierhaus

• We really enjoyed sketching and stamping at Bierhaus!

Beautiful Blooming Bonsai

Many of the plants were in full bloom when we visited the enchanting Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt. Thank you to the gardeners, hosts and the City of Oakland for creating and sustaining this amazing place and encouraging our sketching!

Sketching Sunny Spices On a Grey Day

I had such a wonderful time on a rainy morning while sketching the colorful spices at the Oaktown Spice Shop (OSS) in Oakland with our group. The jars, bottles, mannequin, and accessories were delightful! Thank you so much OSS for having us over!

A Tip O’ The Hat to The Tip Top Bike Shop

Tip Top Bike Shop’s owner Dave Way welcomed us sketchers to his Temescal shop to sketch. He talked about  how Oakland is bike friendly. He and his staff work with a large diverse group. Most of their clients have daily commuter bikes. They also support weekend bicyclists. 

This is the door display of colorful caps to top it off.

Doing Fieldwork

We had so much fun last night sketching at Fieldwork Brewing Company, Berkeley. I am fascinated by the equipment, but there is so much more to sketch and enjoy! Thank you Fieldwork for creating such a warm, hospitable place to get together and for welcoming us.  #fieldworkbrewingco 

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.

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! 

Sketching Girl Meets Dirt

Girl Meets Dirt produces amazing heritage preserves, "inspired by the long history of orchard keeping on Orcas Island"  in Washington State. I visited the island kitchen and their booth at the local farmer's market.. The organic, locally sourced fruit is combined with other ingredients, then cooked by hand on copper pans before it is bottled for sale in the kitchen, in the farmer's market and on-line. I can personally testify to the high quality of the jams. I end up purchasing enough for the rest of the year until I return. Thanks for having me over to sketch Girl Meets Dirt!

San Francisco Bay Area Sketches From Here and There

From old Oakland,  Pt. Reyes, to the rooftops of San Francisco, there are so many beautiful urban and natural landscapes! 

Pt. Reyes

From a rooftop garden in San Francisco

Marigolds for Los Muertos

At Whole Foods, Albany, Berkeley.

Return to Orcas by Sonia Tamez

I've been going back to Orcas Island, WA for about twenty years. The ferry carries me away from the urban tempos to a slower heartbeat. Thank you Moran State Park, San Juan Land Trust, Warm Valley Farm, Warm Valley Orchard, Girl Meets Dirt, and others who welcomed me to sketch and paint. Here are some of my sketches from my stay.
Ferry view below.

Moran State Park above.

East Sound hydrant.

Warm Valley Farm apple tree and strutting turkeys below.

The Warm Valley Orchard Truck carries an amazing variety of goods for the body and soul.  

I love Warm Valley Orchard's sheep and they love munching grape leaves (Thanks M).

Girl Meets Dirt transforms the bounty of Orcas orchards into jams and other  delicious items. Preserving Orcas  heritage fruit, one jar at a time! Thanks for letting me sketch there!

Maker's Common: A Cool Place for Dining and Sketching on a Hot Summer's Night

Great people and food at Berkeley's Maker's Common. Thank you for the hospitality!

A Life Well Composed: Remembering Ceiny Carney

I miss Ceiny, a member of our urban sketching chapter, who passed away recently. I'll always remember her compassion, her sense of social justice, and her enthusiasm for sketching the world around her. She could-and did-sketch it all!

These are Ceiny's sketches. Please see other posts about her life, her work and our memories on this blog  and related Facebook Page.