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!

Gil Abides!

Buffalo Gil presides over the bar at Club Mallard, an Albany institution which has been serving customers since 1945!
Carrie McClish’s sketch (above) captured the place and Justin so well.  I focused on Gil being sketched by Carrie and Micaela (below). Thanks for the hospitality Justin!

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!

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 

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

The story behind it

As it turns out, we just have to make up the story sometimes — Who were the "Demanders"? Is Arrow 77 an ale? Was the glamourous woman in the photo a heartthrob of the day? Who was Cato anyway?? We may never know the answers to those questions, but here's my sketch of some of the memorabilia at Cato's Ale House anyway.

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!

Children's Fairyland - Where Fairy Tales Come True

"There Once Was a Woman..."


Children's Fairyland on the shores of Lake Merritt, Oakland, has been has been enchanting children and adults since 1950. Thank you Executive Director C.J. Hirschfield and Art and Restoration Director Shannon Taylor for welcoming our sketching and keeping Fairyland so charming.

Pinocchio

3 August Public Night at Fieldwork from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

I'm looking forward to returning to Fieldwork Brewing located at 1160 6th Street in Berkeley. There are brewing vats (see my sketch above) and lots of people socializing, dining, playing board games and enjoying the brews.  We will have two tables reserved for us. Hope you can join us!

Sketching at the Bay Bridge

From earlier this month. I love going back here to sketch.