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Wednesday, March 2, 2016

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!

49 comments:

  1. Great work, Lynn. I especially like your Mrs. Obama drawing. Very good likeness.

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  2. Wonderful sketches! Hugs, Valerie

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  3. I envy your ability to capture people with your sketches!

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    1. Thank you Peggy. It's just practice, practice, practice.

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  4. These are so cool! Wonderful sketching and happy PPF!

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  5. Love seeing little moments from your day / week, thanks for sharing, and happy PPF!

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  6. Much great to see and read today.
    Happy PPF ♥

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  7. Lovely to see all your different sketches. Your Mrs. Obama has a good likeness, not at all difficult to see who it is.

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  8. so many wonderful sketches! I love how you use your drawing skills to document daily life. Happy PPF!

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  9. I enjoyed seeing all of your work and your commentary on today's world. It is interesting to watch all of the changes. I love your portrait of Mrs. Obama someone I admire very much.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed your time here Ginny. Come again.

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  10. RIP Patty. Love your people sketches as always Lynn!

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  11. As always documenting today with art. Wonderful.

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  12. What a fun jaunt through your world this week Lynn...love all the commentary... I do think you are recording this era just wonderfully! I look back on photos from the 60's and 70s and so much has changed...it's a joy to have a visual of how things used to be!! Love Michelle as well...many Canadians do!! You captured her beautifully!

    Hugs Giggles

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  13. A great creative week again... I swear you are the most consistently creative person I "know"... inspiring

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    1. Thanks Tracey, however, I can't imagine that I draw more than you do. But it's not a competition is it? It's just me having the time and putting in the effort as it gives me such joy. Wishing you a creative week as well.

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  14. wow! You are good and have captured exactly what we see around us! This is my first week with Paint Party Friday. It's really worth the time to visit and see what others are doing. Keep up the good work! You should draw/write for a newspaper!! :)

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    1. What a delightful compliment! I will hold it close to my heart! I hope you continue to visit on PPF and become a regular follower of my blog.

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  15. My goodness how wonderful! I love coming to your page! Loving all your drawings and sketches. My art teacher in grade 7 told me my painting was horrible because the girl I painted her head was bigger then her body. I thought my painting was the best thing ever. She upset me a lot because I grew up watching my father paint and Painting felt close to my heart. I never stopped because of her. She was just miserable. lol I'm mentioning this because you mentioned that "Which teacher said draw big heads on small bodies..." Anyhow, its sad that all people do is look at their phones and gadgets. Its sad and I hope that doesn't become detrimental to humanity and the way we communicate to each other and the way we react and act toward each other as humans. Have a beautiful weekend!

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    1. Thank you for sharing your childhood memory with me today. I am so happy that you did not let that teacher's terrible remark mar your desire to keep drawing. I was compared by teachers to my older brother who drew well in school and I did not measure up to him in their eyes. Of course I left art behind. But am glad I Have picked it up again in my later years! As I love doing what I do now. I feel the same as you about the gadgets, however, on the same note, I am thrilled to have my computer and the internet as it brings me to YOU!!! How else would we be having this conversation? Sending hugs for a happy and creative weekend.

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  16. I totally enjoyed every drawing, but I especially loved the ones with your notes. And I adore what you wrote about your husband's eyes crinkling when he sees your artwork. How perfectly sweet. Your artwork and interpretation of the folks you see is inspiring and fun!

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    1. Thanks for your sweet words and careful observations of my art and words! Smiling!

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  17. Your drawings and explanations always fascinate me. Looking into a 'history' mirror. You are so right. I never take my phone out sitting at lunch/just having coffee. To me I do not think a human could get any ruder and they need to be brought to task for it or at least addressed. But if they don't want to actually 'live' in this world or connect with another human . . . their choice for missing what I consider the Best of Life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings, Janet PPF (How do I connect with you on FB?)

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    1. Thanks for your thoughts and observations Janet. Always welcomed. As for Facebook I guess you can search for Lynn Cohen or Lynn CoMo and friend me.

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Thanks for leaving your comments as I love hearing from you. Your words of encouragement are why I continue to draw!