Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Sketchcrawl # 11 - Sausalito, Ca.

I have to commend everyone that contributed to making Sketchcrawl a world-wide success last weekend. I can't imagine coordinating a sketchcrawl event on my own. So I offered Enrico some help by putting together a map with an agenda, ferry schedule, contact numbers, and landmarks. I figured the coffee landmarks may come in handy since I'm always looking for some caffine halfway through the day.

12:30PM - I got to the Sausalito Ferry terminal on time, but looks like a few people have gotten there just a bit earlier. Two of them were animators from the Acadamy of Arts and two of them happened to be Vern (aka:2danimator) and Don Kilpatrick. I remember running into Vern's blog and reading about a sketch group he's part of...So I invited him to join us for Sketchcrawl 9. I still recall Enrico mentioning that a Vern fellow was there looking for me...but I just couldn't find him. So two sketchcrawls later, I finally meet the guy.

12:40PM - The "Sonoma" Ferry just docked, but I was just kidding when I said that every one of those people walking off the ferry was here for Sketchcrawl, because it sure felt like it...with a record setting attendance of 88+ participants.

We were all on our way so I started handing the maps out like hot-cakes. I though I had printed out too many maps, but looks like it was just enough.

12:50PM - The pack of crawler found the fountain with no problem. There were people sitting against, on the edge, and in front of the fountain sketching away. So I started off with a sketch of Oliver. He had this huge watercolor travel palette with a velcro film canister to hold his water.

1:20PM - There were these set of elephants at the entrance of the fountain that read "Plaza Vina del Mar". I spent a good amount of time sketching this one...but my brush pen felt like it was running out. Argggg!

2:00PM - I proceeded to the area near the water, that looks towards the city....and found a handul of sketchcrawlers sketching away. All the shaded areas were taken, so I just found a spot at the bottom of the stairs. I saw this interesting post with a seagull on top, not realizing later...that everyone else drew the same thing. Hahaha. It's nice to see everyone's approach to the same object.

I filled the top of the page with a couple of boats in front of Angel Island and found this huge boat near the Yacht Harbor.

If you remember seeing the sidewalk entertainer with a parrot...there was a framed glove with the signature of Marcel Marceau. Not sure why that caught my attention?

3:00PM - Here's Enrico sketching other crawlers. Check out his watercolor skills.

3:30PM - I wanted to draw these group of people on segways, but I was craving for an iced espresso. So I stopped by Cafe Trieste and drew a potted flower instead.

4:00PM - Everyone was scattered by this time, so I decided to explore the boats off Humbolt Ave. Instead, I came across this awesome camouflage jeep. I started laying down the colors and this guy walked up to me asking if I knew anything about this jeep? Of course, I say "no". So he totally schooled me and mentioned that it belonged to one of the boat owners behind us. It was a replica of a 1950's German Jeep. I was surprised the darn thing still runs? It looked like prop that belongs on the backlot of Universal Studios.

4:30PM - I catch up with everyone at Dunphy Park and run into John Hoffman. We chat for a bit and exchange sketchbooks.

5:15PM - I head back to the Ferry Terminal to see if anyone is catching the last ferry back into San Francisco. I don't see anyone so I decide to sqeeze in one more sketch for the day. I find a set of stairs facing the ferry, but this seagull on a rock catches my attention.

5:40PM - I recognized Kevin (aka:Funky Bat) jumping in line with 3 other sketchcrawlers. I stop on by to chat and exchange sketchbooks. Our conversation was cut short because the ferry started boarding.

6:00PM - I run into a couple of crawlers that actually met us here in Sausalito. Kelly works here, but Jim drove up all the way from Los Angeles. They got a late start, but glad they could make it out.

I met soooo many people on Saturday, but I forgot most of your names, so please drop me an email or leave a comment. I'd like to see your sketches for the day. Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Monet or Titanic?

We were hoping to visit the Monet in Normandy Gallery on the last weekend is was here in San Francisco, but there was a big disappointing sign waiting for us at the front entrance..."SOLD OUT". We missed the gallery back in Seattle and now we missed it again...Bummer. Well, we always wanted to see the Titanic Exhibit at the Sony Metreon...so we decided to drive across the city to check it out.

I'm really glad we decided to visit this exhibit . Not only were there so many artifacts, photos and video clips...they even took the time to replicate several rooms and open areas of the Titanic - Just amazing!

I wish I could have snapped some photos to share, but no photography was allowed. I guess that gave me a chance to mess around with this new pen I purchased in Japan Town.


We ended the day by visiting Beard Papa's. If you haven't checked this place out, you gotta go...right now.....try thier cream-puff! Just be prepared to stand in line for 10-15 minutes. Service is fast, it's just the people in front of you that are buying 2 dozen boxes. Hahahaha.

Monday, September 18, 2006

A sketch from the St. Vincent's Church off the Redwood Highway. I did more exploring than sketching on this trip.

St. Vincent's, an Italian Renaissance Mission-style church, was constructed in 1855 and is designated a California historical landmark. The state's oldest home for dependent children, the school began as an orphanage during the Gold Rush. St. Vincent's now provides residential care to boys ages seven to 17 with serious emotional and educational problems.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Here's a couple of mixed sketches from Sausalito, Novato, Mill Valley and San Rafael. The leaf on the left side was a little rememberance when I found a long hidden stairway filled with bamboo in Mill Valley.

Monday, September 11, 2006

San Francisco, Ca. - Part II

Here's a few mixed sketches from the Golden Gate Park Carousel in San Francisco and from a cafe in front of the Sausalito Ferry (which may be the next San Francisco SketchCrawl location - TBA). It's amazing that this Carousel has been around since 1940.

The winds started to pick up but I was able to sketch this nifty looking popcorn machine.

Here's a sketch I did while my car was getting its' oil changed. I roamed around and came across a bakery with tons of bread at the front window. Too bad they closed early...sure, smelled good.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Gerald's Sketch Cards

Click HERE! Related Posts with Thumbnails