Both aspiring and some evidently already accomplished artists meet up occasionally in public spaces to work on individual projects in the company of others. Commercial spaces designed for (simulated or quasi-) public use, such as this bar area of a Whole Foods grocery store, sometimes end up being a suitably casual venue for sketchers. (This is perhaps the suburban version of the traditional cafe). Sketchers arrive often straight from the office, while area residents move in and out of the scene, meeting friends, having a drink, and picking up some groceries. One doesn’t usually expect it..but such a relaxed vibe runs through the place that you’d never know it was a Monday evening, let alone the biggest holiday season of the year.
Illustration: “Lining Up for Lagers and Lattes”, Watercolor and Platinum Carbon pen and ink in Stillman & Birn “Beta Series” sketchbook by Black Elephant Blog author
All in all, it ends up being a rich couple of hours inevitably making great new contacts and learning new things. This evening those who attended were heading off to various destinations–Thailand, Mexico, and California–for the holidays, so it will be two weeks before this group , or one like it, of grocery store sketchers reconvenes.
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