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.

Favorite Places Vol. 2

It took a while to get here, but yes, there is snow on the ground.

Here's the second in my "Favorite Places" series for the year. It's the art supply store at the Greens of Lyndhurst. It kind of looks very cute and quaint, but it is in just a shopping center anchored by an Applebees'. But, it is a good art supply store.

Mall Christmas Decorations

More from our Beachwood Mall sketchcrawl last Sunday. I saved this one for today, because today is Russian Christmas (Merry Christmas!!). Last night, many women used a mirror and candles to make the image of their future husband appear.

Favorite Places Vol. 1

New year, new focus. Sometimes, I have a hard time thinking of somewhere to go and draw. Not this year! This year, when I'm at a loss of what to draw around the city, I'm just going to go to one of my favorite places and draw it.

This morning, I thought of Koko Bakery on Payne Ave. It's a great spot for an inexpensive snack or lunch, and the people there are always so friendly.

Beachwood Mall Clock

Met up with Noreen, Karen, and Mina to draw at Beachwood Mall on Sunday afternoon. We sat in the center court and all drew what intersted us. I took over an hour to render this clock, and then Mina rendered it more accurately in about 10 minutes. Oh, well, it's all fun! :D

Mr. Kringles Inventionasium

I took my lil sis (my little sister through BigBro/BigSis) to the Mr. Kringle's Inventionasium. We went on the last night that it was open. I'm not sure I conveyed how fun it looked inside, and the floor certainly wasn't as sloopy as it appears in the picture (though it did have a weird feeling under your feet).

The characters were a lot of fun, and there were a lot of colorfully decorated Christmas trees to look at.

It was too young for her, but she will definitely try anything (except for a haunted house, which I leared the hard way in October). And, we got to shop a little in their gift shop, which she's always game for.

This set-up is at Tower City, which is the building you see at the opening of A Christmas Story, and you see when Ralphie is staring into the window at all of the toys. It's nice that there's still something Christmasy in there, though I'm not sure what will happen to this attraction when the casino opens next year.

When I took my father to see Tower City a few years ago, he said that the people who had the old Higbee's window should permanently set up the window display from the movie. I totally agree. It would be awful fun to see that all year long.

Repetitive Circle Pattern

I usually use the LubeStop on Mayfield in Mayfield Heights for my oil changes. I like them because they always act like I'm an old friend that has stopped by to visit them, and they always make such a fuss. They also don't try to get me to do a lot of extra stuff on my car in order to just make a sale.

This time I went to the Firestone (Lee Road in Shaker Heights) that helped me out the day before Thanksgiving, after my usual Firestone (I've used for 6 years) in the Cedar/Fairmount area refused and then got sarcastic with me. I really recommend the Shaker Heights location. They're quick. They give very accurate estimates of how long things will take, and they don't try to push work on you that your car doesn't need.

My little wait at the Firestone gave me time to draw about a third of their wall of tires. It was great circle practice to say the least.

Marie's Restaurant

At home today, still feeling a bit flu-like after sleeping almost the entire day away yesterday. Thought I would post this from last week, was a fun sketch because this building has such varied and interesting textures.

I have some more to post, but seriously, I just want to go and lay down some more.

Seoul Hot Pot

Not too many days left where outdoor sketching can be done in Cleveland. As you see in the journaling above, we've already had out first snow. It obviously wasn't a bad snowfall, but there were a few lawns that had a good blanket of snow.

So, for anyone who hasn't been to AsiaTown in Cleveland, you should go. There are so many great restaurants. Seoul Hot Pot has a good reputation, and I do plan to go. I love Koko's Bakery across the street and Li Wah further west on Payne.