San Francisco, Hyde Street Pier, Shanti Songs; Coffee House People and Devices

Going to San Francisco, which is just an hour by car from where we live, is a treat, a day out for us. My husband is a grandson of a Tall Ship Captain and he loves to walk on Hyde Street Pier where we see and board the Tall Sailing Ships there. I sat and drew a bit of the Balcutha, while he went aboard the Eureka. (If you are a friend of mine on Facebook you can see Photos I took that day of us on the Hercules Tug Boat)

He'd heard that for Black History Month they were having a Black Sea Shanti Sing of Songs from the Caribbean. So we timed it so we could join that group; and my husband the VERY GOOD SINGER in our family, sang along. I drew the rangers leading the group, and the couple sitting and singing in front of me.

The following day we went to the local coffee house where I willed the folks to maintain their positions so I could draw them; and here they did! Whew, I am not always so lucky.

I loved watching and capturing this young woman hold here beautiful long hair out of her eyes so she could read her book.

This time I was less fortunate in the position holding department. This guy had his hand in his pocket of his shorts and crossed legs. I drew the hand in pocket first, then he uncrossed his legs and it was all down hill from there. But oh well, not the end of the world.

These women were alone, and not as close as they got in my drawing to one another. I think my words tugged them together some.

I love it when I turn my people into a cartoon, show it to my husband sitting next to me and see the smile wrinkles in the corner of his eyes take flight!

I think my drawing is often a commentary on Life in this Century! I mean in 1960 when I first started going to coffee houses, when Espresso Machines were something in Italy or just a NEW THING in California, people sat hunched over tables with tiny white porcelain cups of very strong espresso and TALKED to EACH OTHER. There were no DEVICES to look at instead. Some read books. One guy I knew wrote poetry.
But today, it's laptops, iPads and phones. And rarely do folks actually have a conversation. Well some do, but even those are often paused to check ones phone.

See what I mean? She's studying. I have looked at her books. I think she'll be a nurse or a doctor when she's done; He's actually part of a larger group of people, four sitting in lower seats and he is engaging in conversation with them; BUT LOOK, he is gripping his phone too, just in case!!!!

And these people are a mixture; the guy in the upper left is joined by a woman, (not shown) who eats oatmeal while he drinks coffee and they do talk; They were too far away for me to tell if they had "devices" too; the guy below him is alone and is on a phone and a laptop (not shown); the two women are sitting next to each other, but I didn't draw that, and they were deep in conversation for quite a while. Again, I do not remember them retreating to devices. So it's a mix, but the devices are much more prevalent. Often you will see three or four people sitting at a table together talking, AND each has a phone on the table in front of them, again, just in case. It think it's the new Security Blanket.

On Wednesday I only had one client in the late afternoon. So around eleven we went downtown to the Bakery. It was full of folks just waiting to be drawn. A woman came by the window by our table from the outside eating area and gave me a huge thumbs up and smile for my drawing activity. A real boost for drawing in public. It's nice to get noticed in such a positive way!  I hope this is also a boost for all of you thinking of drawing in public but not yet ventured out.

This couple was sitting outside my window on the patio. Hands and arms a gesturing for all they were worth!

And then I had a moment of nostalgia when I saw these ladies enjoying each others company over their snacks. I was reminded of all the times I went there with my best friend from childhood, Patty. We were friends for 73 years. I do miss her.

I've started drawing for Every Day in March. The first prompt was Women in History. Michele Obama will go down in history for being a stellar First Lady! I admire her values and the work she has done for our country, and for the way she stands by her man, our President, Barack Obama.
I also enjoy watching how they have fun together!


I hope you enjoyed your visit here this week. I appreciate your coming by and love your comments. They really do keep me drawing!

Wishing you a Creative Week!