Last month our Ready, Set Sketch group met in the town of Sonoma, CA. This is my unfinished sketch from that day looking east on the downtown plaza.
Jack London State Park Lunches
Hope to see everyone at Jack London State park tomorrow for sketching! I recommend bringing a lunch since there’s not likely to be food at the park.
Ready, Set, Sketch: Jack London State Park
The next “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group outing is Saturday May 10, 2014. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Jack London State Park near Glen Ellen, CA.
There is a $10 fee per vehicle so it’s best to buddy up. Park in the UPPER LOT, if possible, and we’ll all meet at the entrance. I’ve never visited this park before but I know there are plenty of great drawing opportunities. All you need is something to draw on and something to draw with (it’s also nice to have a chair to sit on).
For more information about the park and what it offers: http://jacklondonpark.com/jack-london-directions.html
Each month we meet at a different location around Sonoma County the second Saturday of each month. Last month in the town of Sonoma, eight sketchers took part, each with various levels of sketching abilities, and we all had a great time. So what are you waiting for? Come on out and join us!
Petaluma’s Iron Front Building and Classic Coca-Cola Sign
Back in the last century, it was believed that buildings made with cast iron fronts were more fire resistant. It turns out to not be true, but the practice proliferated anyway. This building is one of several along Western Avenue referred to as Iron Front Row. The classic Coca-Cola sign painted on the back of the building features a young chicken since Petaluma was once known as the “Egg Capital of the World.”
I had a great time out sketching with the “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group. We had a total of 12 people in attendance. Thanks to everyone who came out.
Ready, Set, Sketch: Petaluma!
Come join us SATURDAY March 8, 2014. 10am-1pm in Petaluma, CA for the next “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group outing!
We’ll meet at 10am at Bovine Bakery (23 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, CA 94952) and then disperse around town to sketch. We’ll meet back at the same place at 1pm to share our sketches.
The town of Petaluma has an endless supply of sketching opportunities, restaurants, coffee shops, and books stores.
All you need is something to draw on and something to draw with (it’s also nice to have a chair to sit on!). The event is free.
Hope to see you there!
***NEW***
Starting this month, we’ll be meeting regulary on the second Saturday of each month (Different venue each time). So mark your calendars and come on out and sketch!
The Raven Theater and Ravenous Cafe
Few things are more entertaining than seeing a live performance at a local theater followed by a cozy dinner. With television and the internet dominating today’s casual entertainment crowd, it’s a real pleasure to get out among the living and experience true 3D without the glasses.
The Raven Performing Arts Theater supports performances ranging from Classical (Philharmonia Healdsburg ), jazz (Healdsburg Jazz Festival), blues (Charlie Musselwhite), rock (Big Brother and the Holding Company), and variety shows such as Healdsburg’s home grown “Mr. Healdsburg” pageant. The Raven Players, Healdsburg’s resident theater group, also perform here, mounting ambitious and successful productions like Cats, Miss Saigon, and Chicago.
Performances like these are sure to work up an appetite, and next-door’s Ravenous Cafe is the perfect stop before or after a show. Seating up to 22 guests, this intimate spot features a menu that changes daily but often includes the ever popular crab cakes, fish tacos, and the famous Ravenous Burger.
Ready, Set, Sketch: Healdsburg!
Come join us SATURDAY Jan 25, 2014. 10am-1pm in Healdsburg for the next “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group outing!
It also happens to be the 42nd Annual World Wide Sketchcrawl day!
We’ll meet at 10am at the gazebo in the downtown plaza then disperse to sketch around the area. We’ll meet back at 1pm to share our sketches.
The town of Healdsburg has an endless supply of sketching opportunities, restaurants, coffee shops, and books stores.
All you need is something to draw on and something to draw with (it’s also nice to have a chair to sit on!). The event is free.
Here’s a Google map link: http://goo.gl/maps/dHOSq
I’ll also be giving away one FREE copy of my book, The Artist on the Road: Impressions of Greece to one lucky person in attendence.
Hope to see you there!
Town of Bodega
Bodega and Bodega Bay are often confused as the same place but are actually two separate towns divided by several miles of curvy roads. Part of the confusion stems from both places being represented as one coastal town in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, “The Birds.” The old Potter Schoolhouse used in the movie is the second building from the left.
The church next door also appeared in the film and was built by Spanish and Portuguese shipbuilders back in 1859, who dedicated it to St. Teresa of Avila. A California Historical Landmark, the church is the oldest in continuous use in Sonoma County.
Ready, Set, Sketch: Bodega!
Come join us SUNDAY Jan 5, 2014. 10am-1pm in Bodega for the next “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group outing!
We’ll meet at 10am in front of the Bodega Post Office then disperse to sketch around the area. We’ll meet back at 1pm to share our sketches.
The town of Bodega offers many sketching opportunities including the old school house that was used in the movie The Birds, the St. Teresa of Avila Church, and just out of town, The Bodega Calvary Cemetery. There are also several interesting shops, barns, and roadways that would make good sketching opportunities.
All you need is something to draw on and something to draw with (it’s also nice to have a chair to sit on!). The event is free.
Here’s a Google map link: http://goo.gl/maps/g9ssa,
Hope to see you there!
A Day at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Skate Rink
One of my favorite Illustrators/Cartoonists is Charles M. Schulz. I learned months back that the Schulz Museum, normally closed on Tuesdays during the slower part of the year, would be open on Tuesday November 26th in observance of Schulz’s birthday. I joined the celebration that morning with a sketch of the museum in Santa Rosa. The current exhibit, entitled “Starry, Starry, Night,” was a joy, and it warmed my heart to see a grouping of comics featuring the lovable Peanuts characters pondering the universe.
Schulz’s Redwood Empire Ice Arena, situated across the street, opened 28 April, 1969 with a grand opening ceremony starring Peggy Fleming and the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The building mimics an Alpine village with faithful reproductions of Swiss chalet facades and giant redwood trees that tower over the property. I bundled up and enjoyed the chilly temperatures while sketching the skaters. Their perpetual motion as the music thumped was mesmerizing but difficult to capture on paper. I’d like to return sometime soon and give it another try. The chilly temperature was a nice contrast to the abnormally warm weather we’ve been having this late in November and was a reminder that the Christmas holidays are fast approaching.
Located in the same building as the ice skating rink, the Warm Puppy Cafe affords a panoramic view of the ice skaters and is the spot where Charles Schulz regularly ate breakfast and lunch. His table sits between the front door and the fireplace with a reserved sign and flowers honoring his memory.