A quick 20 minute sketch today while out with my sketch group “Ready, Set, Sketch!”
Tiny House Village and Interview with Jay Shafer
Check out today’s Press Democrat Newspaper for my interview and story with Jay Shafer and the Tiny House Village!
Zazu Kitchen
The Zazu Kitchen, located in the Barlow section of Sebastopol, is an authentic farm to table restaurant. They grow much of their own produce and put together the menu after hunting through the gardens to see what’s ripe. A great place for lunch or dinner.
Pauline’s Vineyard
Vince Tofanelli and I walked his mother’s vineyard this morning while he told me wistful stories of growing up. Afterward, I sat for a couple of hours sketching the property located in Calistoga (north end of the Napa Valley). The mustard was in full bloom and with the help of the warm sun, the air smelled sweet.
Winter Mustard
With the help of December rains, mustard is in full bloom all across Sonoma County. After three years of putting off painting this scene, today I finally took the time to sketch it with my good friend Phil McDonel.
Mo’s Bike
While getting a coffee at Plank in Cloverdale this morning, I spotted this classic, blue bike parked next to a white picket fence. I couldn’t resist parking myself for the next couple of hours capturing it in my sketchbook.
Just as I finished the painting, I man in a cool black hat claimed his bike. After discussing my sketch, he acknowledged he too was an artist and used to teach Design at the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. Turns out he created the cover for Taj Mahal’s Mo’ Roots album back in 1974.
Winter Solstice, Boulder Colorado
Back in the winter of 1976, I sketched this backyard tree while falling snow hid the towering Rocky Mountains behind it. From the warmth of a nearby fireplace, I spent most of a morning trying to capture the leafless tree’s limbs exactly as I saw them. At 12 years old, I had never spent so much time drawing a single subject, nor did I know that the process of drawing from life would be a life long pursuit.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Bar and Craft Bags
Last summer I was asked by Ghirardelli Chocolate Company to sketch Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. The final drawing (after some edits from the original location drawing) is now printed on the 5 pound chocolate bar and their point of purchase craft bags!