Category: Healdsburg

Ready, Set, Sketch: Dry Creek Valley!

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Our next “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group outing will be August 10 in the Dry Creek Valley.

Some of the world’s best Zinfandels are grown and produced just west of Healdsburg in the Dry Creek Valley. The area is beautiful and there’ll be no shortage of things to draw. Bring your own drawing supplies and lunch, or purchase something tasty to eat at the Dry Creek Store.

We’ll meet out front of the Dry Creek Store, 3495 Dry Creek Road, just west of Healdsburg city limits on August 10 at 10am. See you there!

Google map: http://goo.gl/maps/CWHLi

Gabi and Me at The Flying Goat Coffee House

Gabi and me

This past week I had the pleasure of meeting ultra talented Gabi (Gabriel Campanario) and his family for the first time here in Healdsburg! We met in the downtown plaza and then walked over to Flying Goat Coffee, had drinks, and talked about everything sketchy. I had a great time getting to know Gabi and hope that someday we’ll get to sketch together in Seattle. In fact, I’m going to bet on it.

Umbrellas in the Rain

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It’s hard to believe it rained in Healdsburg this late in June, but it did. Cool temps with highs in the mid 60’s lasted for several days and it felt more like February. But this weekend we have a complete turnaround with highs forecasted above 100° and humidity 2-3 times higher than normal. I hope the grape vines are holding out through this fickle weather.

Healdsburg’s Clock Tower

Healdsburg's Clock Tower_sAbout a dozen of us Urban Sketchers gathered in Healdsburg’s square yesterday to sketch the beautiful plaza. The weather was a perfect 80° with only a slight breeze. An Earth Day celebration filled the grassy area, providing music, atmosphere, and additional drawing opportunities. I chose to sketch the plaza’s iconic clock tower on the northwest corner of the plaza. Later in the afternoon, we rejoined at Healdsburg’s Center for the Arts to share our sketches, techniques, and the day’s experiences. Thanks to all who attended!

The Paris Tasting Block of Chardonnay on the Bacigalupi Ranch

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Back in 1964 when the Bacigalupi family planted six acres of Chardonnay on their property, many people thought it was a mistake since the conventional wisdom of the time was to plant prunes, a much more lucrative fruit. But the Bacigalupis gained widespread recognition as growers in 1976 when Château Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay (made with 40% Bacigalupi fruit) won the famed Judgment of Paris tasting over many highly acclaimed French wines. This single event helped to change the world’s perception of California wines.

This watercolor sketch shows the Paris Tasting Block of Chardonnay on the Bacigalupi ranch in Healdsburg as it exists today. The family plans to keep the vineyard as long as it’s producing grapes.
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Flying Goat Coffee

Flying_Goat _Coffee_s3One of my favorite places for coffee is the Flying Goat in Healdsburg. They have great, freshly roasted coffee, engaging art on the walls, and an overall nice coffee house feel. I’ve been coming here for years to sketch out ideas, think, write, and meet up with friends. Surprisingly though, this is the first time I’ve sketched the place from the inside.

West Side Road

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While driving along West Side Road just outside of Healdsburg today, I noticed all the grape vines in the vineyards have been pruned. The vine’s thick, black trucks are all that remain, contrasting against a sea of yellow mustard. The weather was unseasonably warm so I parked roadside and sketched this scene while sitting under a tree.

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