Sweet Moses

Went early this morning before there would be a lot of cars parked along Detroit Avenue that would block my view.  Also, to avoid temptation from the incredible ice cream inside Sweet Moses.

Sweet Moses has been open about 5 years at this point.  I've gone several times, and each time it was a fond memory because of the food and the friends.  One of the first visits I'd made was with my sketching buddies after we'd sketched the Garden Walk on Clinton.  We all got ice cream cones and sat outside eating. 

Jay Avenue

International Children's Theater Festival and ANTS

Playhouse Square hosted the International Children's Theater Festival on Mothere's Day where they had plenty of activities for families.  It was our second sketch outing for the spring, and luckily, both days we'd scored beautiful weather, just a slight chill in the breeze. 

The Ants performed the top of the hour, moving breadcrumbs.  They little kids had to figure out how to help the Ants move the crumbs and how to set them up.  The Ants never spoke, and just made clicking noises.  One of the other sketchers noticed that the people in the costumes must have really studied ants, because they moved their heads in a manner that made them very convincing. 

It was good to get out with the sketchers for a good sunny day and catch some sun.  It was the first time we actually needed sunscreen.  And, people laugh, but my car always has a snow shovel and sunscreen in it.  Because, well, you never know!

Women's International Air & Space Museum

Joined the sketchers at the International Women's Air & Space Museum on Saturday, February 27, 2016.  First sketch outing I'd made it to in a very long time.  (Sadly, since August last year).  This is located at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland.

This was a great location with some airplanes inside and outside on the airfield to sketch, statutes, flight outfits, and even space food (space macaroni and cheese was probably the least appetizing food I'd ever seen in my life).

Definitely planning on making a lot more outings this year.  I just have to work at planning my time well.

August Sketch Outing

Went out with my sketching group on Sunday, August 30th, 2015 to sketch Franklin Castle on the near west side of Cleveland.  After a quick sketch on that location, I walked down a few blocks to a house I saw on a corner with giant sunflowers.  This was a nice and quiet location with some decent shade.  Although there were threats of rain and thunderstorms, during our outing we were pretty rain free.  It had only started to sprinkle as we were all packing up.

Gypsy Bean

 

Wow, it has been a very long time since I've posted on here, so I got some catching up to do.  Here's a sketch I did a couple of weeks back when I met a sketching buddy on Detroit Ave at a coffee shop to sketch.  It was threatening to rain, so we sketched inside.  Of course, it never actually rained until we were heading home. Well, that's what happens with sketching, right?

Garden Walk Cleveland 2013

Sketched out on Clinton Ave. for the Garden Walk Cleveland 2013.  Houses are chosen that have wonderful gardens to be featured on the walk, and people from all over visit private and public gardens.  This house was wonderful, and the owner said that she was quite crafty.  You could tell.  She had paper stars hanging out front, wreaths, and a nice board in the back that explained what all was in her vegetable patch. 

West 25th and Meyer

Not far from where I live now on the near west side is this great warehouse with a terrific water tower on top.  I've driven by it for years, and I've always wanted to sketch it.  And, as I've learned in the past, never put these things off, because things get torn down with no notice or can burn down.

Historic Kirtland Village

Joined other sketchers for a great morning out in some mild weather at the Historic Kirtland Village/Urban Sketchers Cleveland sketchcrawl on Saturday morning.  The village was founded by Mormons almost 200 years ago, and more recently, they have restored the buildings and offer tours of the grounds.  I was surprised how many people were touring around.  There were probably 6 or 7 tour groups that passed by, the later in the morning, the larger the groups were.

While I was drawing the yellow how (called the "Red Store"), two groundskeepers pulled up in their golf cart and asked me to draw them into the sketch. 

The wood building with the funnels in front was to process "hot ash" which they used to fertizlier and their ceramics.  To the left of it was a mill with a wheel.  There wasn't any water flowing, so I think the wheel ran on an electric motor for effect. 

Fanciest Foot Locker Ever

Didn't realize that I hadn't posted this from early April.  I spent a lot of time at Tower City for the film festival in late March.  What amazes me about Tower City is that there are contemporary retailers in these old-school shops.  This Foot Locker has to be the most elaborate and fancy in their whole chain.  It has brass all over the storefront and doors. 

I had time the last morning of the film festival to sketch this.  I'd gone in around 8am for the volunteers' breakfast and special movie screening.  The little sign above the theater of the volunteer screening, instead of the movie title, simply said, "Volun-Tears."  Very funny :-)

House on Clinton Avenue

I spotted this little street out of the corner of my eye one day while driving on West 28th. I had no idea that Clinton Ave. had a portion of its street over this far east. I'd only been on it near the West 60s, and it seemed to end in a dead-end over there.

Well, this portion is really amazing. Giant houses, all colorfully restored. I hate to draw attention to this little quiet strip, but it's worth a pass-through. I had intended to draw the pink house on the one corner, but I couldn't see it well from my car. I'll save it for a summer sketch when I can set up on the opposite corner on my stool. It's a nice, shady street, so it'll be great for summer sketching.

Haab's Bakery

Very sorry that this is no longer open for business. The entire building just puts you in the mood to have some great pretzels or bread. It does seem like someone is keeping the building up so that it doesn't fall into disrepair. Since it's been closed for about 10 years, it would be in far worse shape if no one was paying it any attention.

Favorite Places Vol. 6

I know that it's brand new, opened less than a month, but I have to say that the Aquarium is one of my new Favorite Places. It was very crowded, since everyone is going for their first visit, but it's worth a little patience in order to see all of the wonderful fish and exhibits.

The aquarium isn't perfect yet; anyone who has ever started a fish tank at home knows some of the problems that you can encounter. Just, their problems are obviously on a much larger scale. I bought a membership, because I do imagine going and sketching the actual fish tanks one day. You know, when the traffic slows down, which I don't imagine it will until some time in the fall.

Tokar Florist

I was probably pushing the limits of outdoor drawing on Sunday. It was one of those days where the sun was totally misleading on how cold it could be in the shade. Yet, if you sat in the sun, you couldn't really see.

This is an interesting building. At first look, you may think that nothing is going on inside. But, if you pass it often enough, you will notice that someone is changing the windows. It took me a little bit to find out what exactly it was. I eventually just googled the address and Tokar Florist came up. Now, that makes total sense, because there are always great displays in the window showcasing table settings, party decorations, and flowers.

Favorite Places Vol. 5

Another of my favorite places. This is their new location, but I've been shopping with them for years. They are the only ones in the area who seem to really know about aquariums. Their fish always live. The people there know their stuff and are more than willing to help out.

Kirby Ave Warehouse

I you also draw on location, you'll know what I'm talking about. But, sometimes you see something as you're driving, and you just know that there's something about it that is interesting enough to draw. I might not have given the full effect of this, but I just liked how this looked, and I wanted to draw it.

I've been passing it on my way to route 90 for the 6 years that I've lived in East Cleveland. And, I finally decided to draw it.

Hard Rock Cafe Cleveland

This was one of those days where it took a lot to get me started on a drawing. I sat in the food court for a while, trying to draw a ship out on the river, but I just couldn't get it right. I erased the whole thing several times before I decided to move. I moved up two levels to draw the Hard Rock Cafe sign outside on Huron Rd. This clicked a little more.

I had dropped my Little Sister (from BigBro/BigSis) at the offices of the Cleveland International Film Festival, and even though I had more than enough time to go home and come back, I thought this was a good opportunity to draw in Tower City. I also took a break for lunch and to browse 2 shops on East 4th.

Favorite Places Vol. 3

This was the second attempt at drawing Sur La Table at Eton in Woodmere. My first attempt was very far out of scale. But, here it is. These cars look nothing like the cars that were actually parked there, but I like how they turned out all wonky and caddywompus. :D

This is one of my favorite places to shop. And, those of you who know me, also know why I love this spot. ;-)

Wonder Bar

Stairs are hard, but you know what is harder? Fire escapes. This definitely got me some practice at stairs and perspective.

I do love Cleveland's East 4th area a lot. I really want to move there this summer. But, I heard from one of the downtown organizations that there are waiting lists to get into some of these buildings. I really will only have about 2 months to find a new place, and I might miss out on moving there. So, keep your fingers crossed for me.

Penzey's Spices

I had time before work this mroning, and I was at a loss for something to draw. So, I decided to draw something in my kitchen. This is my spice ledge, it's triple-deep. As you can see, I love going to Penzey's Spices.