Last month, Papa’s Pizza of Cloverdale, CA moved to a new location on the corner of Cloverdale Blvd and First St. The new cafe is beautifully decorated with stone walls and wood paneling. Adding to the fun, they’ve tapped many new microbrews such as Knee Deep Brewing’s Breaking Bud, The Waldos’ Special Ale, and Mojo Chocolate Milk Stout.They also have a nice selection of wine by the glass. But best of all, the pizza still tastes great, just like it always has.
This nondescript, rundown old building, has been the home of Papa’s Pizza Café since 1988. You’d never know they make terrific pizza. But tomorrow, March 21, they’re moving to a new location, about a block away in Downtown Cloverdale, CA. I sketched this yesterday before the sign was taken down.
Most of you know me as a sketch artist, illustrator, and writer. But what you may not know is that I’m also a printmaker. If you live in the area, stop by my print show happening in Sebastopol on March 26. I’ll be showing my etchings, drypoint, and woodcut prints. There’ll also be several other printmakers showing their works. I’ll have signed copies of my new book, Impressions Of Wine Country available too!
Today was rainy and cold but I still managed to squeak out one sketch while sitting out front of Acre Coffee in Petaluma. Despite what the carved pediment designates, this building is now used as a history museum.
I don’t think there’s a better way to break in a brand new sketchbook than going out and listening to some Jazz. Once a month the Cloverdale Arts Alliance presents The Jazz Club. Tonight was Chris Amberger and Friends playing classic and chamber jazz with intricate solos and duets. Members of the group have played with Tom Dorsey, Richie Havens Show, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Glen Miller Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, BB King, and Ray Charles. What a great evening of art and jazz.
My alarm was set for 3:45 am for the Hot Air Balloon Classic, but I awoke on my own, one hour earlier. Dawn Patrol begins promptly at 5:00 am and I wanted to be sure to make it on time.
After entering the gates of Keiser Park, I passed through the concession tents, the aromas of coffee and grilling pancakes warming the cool morning air.
When I walked onto the field, several trucks pulled into position and parked. Balloons were unloaded from trailers and with a flurry of activity, unrolled across the grass. Compressors then filled the balloons until they rose up like sleeping giants. With four balloons now standing side by side, Dawn Patrol began. Hissing flames lit the brightly colored fabrics in a spectacular array of colors and soon after the balloons ascended into the morning sunrise.
Geyserville is an unincorporated community just north of Healdsburg, CA. Its main drag, Geyserville Ave, is lined with shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms, making it an ideal place for sketch artists and wine tasters alike. After meeting for coffee at Geyserville Mud, followed by a couple of hours sketching, our group dropped into Diavola Restaurant. Here we enjoyed Neapolitan style pizza, a variety of seasonal salads, and cold drinks to round out a great day of sketching on a hot spring afternoon.