People Are Better With Chocolate

The last time I sketched at Fran’s Chocolates with Urban Sketchers, I focused on two iron staircases central to the room’s vintage ambiance.  This time around, I drew people because I was participating in a #OneWeek100People2018 drawing challenge.  As of Friday morning, I only had 57 people to my credit and Friday was the last day of the challenge.  My challenge for the day was to sketch as many people as possible, up to 43, in 2 1/2 hours at Fran’s.

Through the viewing window at the back of the shop, white-capped chocolatiers sorted and packed rich looking chocolates.   

Sorting and packing

In Fran’s Chocolates main room, chic women garbed in black attire sold brightly wrapped chocolate Easter bunnies or made fresh hot chocolate to order. Their black clothing gave me an opportunity to use a black carbon water-soluble pencil.

A chocolate tasting party at a long table included a lecture on, you guessed it, chocolate. 

Tasting party

After the lecture, the party lined up at the counter to make their educated selections.  A good deal for me because 5 people lined up and 2 sales people assisted.

Time to choose

All in all, the people at Fran’s were fascinating subjects positioned in a great space.

Outdoor Living

For the Thanksgiving holiday, I travelled to Orange County, California for a family reunion.   As always, my sketching kit traveled with me.  While awaiting departure at SeaTac Airport, I caught a mesmerizing performance by an electronic cello musician.   Rich and mysterious, her music transformed an hour wait into minutes.

Electronic Cello Player at SeaTac

Once in Orange County, the sun and water took over my psyche.  As it was 91 degrees on Thanksgiving Day, we joined other families and played on the beach.  An outdoor yoga class happens at Dana Point City Park every day of the year, rain or shine.   I went along with a group not to do yoga but to sketch people doing yoga. However, I could not ignore the view from the city park.  The azure sky expanded the view of red-roofed houses tumbling toward the sea.   I sat in front of about 70 people doing yoga and did not include one of them in my sketch. Since it’s offered everyday of the year, maybe next time I’ll concentrate on the yoga moves.

Dana Point City Park

One morning we woke to cool weather and thick fog rolling in from the ocean.  We decided to go to an inland swim facility in Mission Viejo.  It was a dramatic surprise driving into sun and heat once again.  The fog bank over the beach community could be seen in the rearview mirror.

Mission Viejo Swim

On the last day, I went to Trestles Beach with the surfer in the family. Located off Interstate 5 in San Clemente, we parked our car on the side of the road and walked about a mile to the beach.  Popular with surfers, it was fun to see young and old, male and female, riding bikes with surfboards attached.  The wind was so strong my beach umbrella blew away.  I had to chase it down the beach while it flew like a kite.  Grabbing my gear after catching the umbrella, I moved further back from the beach behind a trash barrel.  A young surfer boy dropped his bike and flip-flops right in front of me and ran off into the surf.  Before I could finish the drawing, my son came in and balanced his surfboard on the trashcan. Now it's finished!

Trestles Beach

It was back to business on the flight home.

Across the aisle

Folklife Friday

This morning I put on my hat and sunglasses and walked down Queen Anne hill to Folklife Festival at Seattle Center.  The Friday Urban Sketcher group was waiting in front of the Armory Building, ready to sketch on opening day.  There weren’t many lines at the food vending trucks and most of the big stages were still quiet.  I found a couple of genial buskers on a central corner and asked if I could sketch them.  They graciously welcomed me and even asked if I had a song request.  I wanted “Leila”.  They knew the first couple of lines only, but did them well. I returned later in the evening and found they were still there, singing energetically. 

Buskers at Folklife Festival

I found another busker near the front door of the Armory.  I liked his look, sound, and the color of his clothes.  He agreed to let me sketch him.  When complete, I showed him the sketch and dropped some cash into his guitar case telling him I hoped he would collect a lot of money.  He said he didn’t do it for the money, he did it for the art.  Just like me.

The Artist

To the right of the busker sat a balloon twister. I couldn’t resist drawing his profile and balloon crown.  I call him Balloon Caesar.  Although quite busy twisting creations for a variety of customers, he was aware enough to free up a hand for my donation.  Good business person!

Balloon Caesar

My last sketch of the day was of a big folk band.  I was looking for a female performer to sketch and there she was, surrounded by musical men.  Beautiful in a black outfit, with unruly black hair and interesting tattoos, her voice was strong and resonant.  I left her as the focal point.  Everyone in the band had something unique to offer.  When the sketch was done, I walked around to the front and spent time just listening.

Big band sounds

Lots of Love

Pacific Place in downtown Seattle is full of upscale retail stores. At this morning’s sketch outing, I decided to look at their display cases for ideas since they always feature their finest merchandise.  Initially looking for red and green holiday cheer, instead I found compelling monochromatic imagery.  I’m always intrigued with the offerings of a favored jewelry store, and sure enough, arranged with thin, elegantly designed candlesticks and matching tapers ready to catch the light, their window was an eye catcher.

Designer Candlesticks

Up the escalator, a bridal shop had an exquisite wedding gown in the window.  Flowing and sparkly, I think you would feel like a princess walking up the aisle in this gown.  The crystal chandeliers added a touch of glamour to an already glamorous display.

Embroidered Wedding Gown

I must have picked up a theme, because my next sketch was all about LOVE.  Besides love and marriage, there was seasonal love in bright lights at Pacific Place.  From my perch in front of LOVE, numerous families passed me by; clearly out for the day seeing the sights, visiting Santa or gift shopping for loved ones.  With live music on a stage and holiday decor, Pacific Place was a festive haven.

Love with Lights

Time Travel

I celebrated Thanksgiving in the sprawling metropolis of Atlanta, Georgia, where new buildings and monster highways are under construction at a Seattle rate.   Escaping the frantic pace of six lane speedways, I spent most of my time in gracious households and thought provoking museums. Autumn was in full bloom with rusty, gold, yellow and brilliant red trees radiating warm light under a cool cobalt sky.  My temporary neighborhood was rolling and forested, fitted with craftsman style homes built of wood, stone, and brick.  The textural components contrasted agreeably with the bark and leaves of the towering trees.  Wide porches and white picket fences looked ideal in the rustic setting, very southern comfortable.

Village Greene

I walked the dog twice a day; she rested peacefully on the sofa afterward. 

Peggy Sue resting

The backyard of my host is her creative pallet.  In the balmy weather, I helped dig out root bound plants while leaves fell to the ground and wind rustled in the trees overhead.   So pretty was the yard from every angle, it was a joy to be immersed in nature.

Deer in the Backyard

A visit to the Atlanta History Center was well worth the trip.  Indoors, artifacts tell the story of the Civil War and other important Georgia historical events.   Outdoors, groomed pathways wind through wooded terrain dotted with historical buildings. Peopled with re-enactors, period gardens and farm animals important for survival at the turn of the century, all paths lead to the centerpiece, historic Swan House.   Built in 1928, Swan House is an Atlanta landmark. Open to the public, a walk through the restored house is an opportunity to experience classic architecture and décor of the 1920s and 1930s.

Swan House, Atlanta, Georgia

Historic buildings in downtown Marietta have survived the test of time and are still in use.  On Marietta Square, the art nouveau Strand Theatre is a bright beacon for the community.   A MONUMENT DEVOTED TO THE BEST IN MUSIC PHOTOPLAYS AND THEATRICAL ARTS is engraved in bold letters on the façade. Around the corner, the First Baptist Church, built in 1892, looks good as new.  Made of Georgia granite and marble, the design is a hybrid of Gothic and Roman architecture.

Strand Theatre, Marietta, Georgia

First Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia