SKETCHCRAWL 31 - APRIL 16, 2011

Mission Dolores & Basilica St. Francis of Assisi: I started my Sketchcrawl over at the Mission (Dolores & 16th) and took the $5 tour of the buildings and the cemetery gardens. One of my favorite movies (Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo") was filmed in the cemetery here.

The Basilica was wonderful inside. Well worth the tour!

Valencia & 20th in the Mission District: I had my car so I took the opportunity to wander over to Valencia Street looking for a bite to eat. Finding shady parking spots in the Mission District is a formidable task. Here near this house on Lexington I happened upon a mural by Shoultz & Noble on the side of a typical SF building. I had to draw even a small bit of it!

The next block I was lucky to find a wonderful Mexican Rotissiere - Regalitos. The added chile verde was wonderfully hot and the tangy chicken enchiladas verde (made with homemade corn tortillas) was served with spanish rice & pinto beans and really hit the spot!

Berkeley Marina & 9th Street - April 8th, 2011

BERKELEY MARINA & 9th STREET. The day started out cool and slightly hazy but I headed down to the Berkeley Marina to join the East Bay Plein Air Painters. Sidetracked, I meandered over to Cesar Chavez Park to sketch the view over at Yerba Buena/Treasure Island and the City.
"San Francisco Skyline from Cesar Chavez Park" - each 5" x 7" watercolor sketches

Unluckily for me I had inadvertently left my headlights on and when it came time to join the EBPAP, I was waiting for the AAA truck! I amused myself while waiting watching the local kids flying their kites nearby.

After my car was charged up (by driving to have lunch at El Pollo Loco - yum!) , I headed over to 9th Street and Camelia where the East Bay Landscape Painters were gathered for their paintout. I was able to park a short distance down the street and captured this view of the Oriental Rug Company. A fun end to a adventursome day!
"Oriental Rug Company" - 12"x 18" pastel on black paper