Finding a new Local...Novel Brewing Co.

I love their "Barley-Quill" Icon.  The Owner/Bar Tender, Brian, almost did not believe me when I told him my two brothers are named Barley and Quill!

Got another new Brewery in Oakland!  As of June, Novel Brewing Co. 6510 San Pablo.  I first visited them July 21st.  I tried most of their beers in 3 taster waves of 4 each.  The taster flights come in nifty little book holders.  

A quick little doggie visitor.

It's a nice little tap room.

Here is the back of the Brewery, on my second visit to Novel.

My Book taster flight, table and floor.

Looking around the room...

and up at the ceiling.  

As per their name, they have shelves of Novels on the walls.

Barclays on College Ave is closing this week!

When I heard, back in May, that Barclays was closing, I made sure to visit and did this sketch.

Two kids nearby.  

A favorite tradition at Barclays: Beer Club Sunday!  Beer's half off for club members.

Some more Beer Club Sunday folks...mostly watching Soccer or, "Football".

Mike, with his brunch, and the Barclay's Beer club seal!

The last Wednesday at Barclays, July 13, 2016.  Thursday the 14th is the last real day there.

Another afternoon hanging at Barclays...

From June's 2nd Sunday Beer Club Brunch.

Drawing Marine Mammals with Ray Bandar.

The Cal Academy hosted a table of Marine Mammal skulls with noted skull collector Ray Bandar, Thursday June 9th.  I visited to draw skulls.

A Quick sketch of Ray Bandar.

Ray Bandar has been a significant contributor to the Cal Academy of Sciences for many, many years.  He is retired now, but if you are interested in his life collecting animal skulls, be sure to check out the Documentary about him and his life, "A Life With Skulls". http://www.a-life-with-skulls.com/

Risso's Dolphin.

Again, with neighboring Dolphins.

Northern Fur Seals.

I took a break from the Marine Mammals to draw this small Dog Skull from another display.

Back to the Sea!

Ray was fond of pointing out the the two Elephant Seals at the end of the table were Female and Male examples that were of the same age, despite their very different scale!

The Common Dolphin was a little sleeker, a little "more dangerous" looking.

Dolphins are all nice and good, but they are assholes too.  They commonly commit "porpoiscide" by ganging up on smaller Harbor Porpoises like this one and Murdering them, apparently for fun. 

English Bulldog skulls are horrifying! 

Sketching at the Dickens Fair!

Some quick sketches to get warmed up, including the Turkish Coffee brewing.

 Dean Gustafson, our dear friend who loves, loves, loves (!) this fair, took Lee and I for a visit on a recent Saturday, Dec 12.  We wandered the fair for about 5 hours, enjoying the shops, costumes, songs, musicians, food and drink, and especially, the corset models!

Some models at the Corset shop, and various fellows, including the Pewter sellers sign.

Corset Model and musicians.

Two Corset Models...

more...

Singers of swarthy sea shanty's!

An Antlered model, my favorite!

My last sketches of the day, again a corset model, looking lovely.

Recent Sketches of The Elderberries.

These are from a St. Patrick's day show by the Elderberries (http://elderberriesband.com/) I caught them in Alameda St. Patrick's week, at the High Street Station Cafe.  Great time out.

Skull sketchbook full!

Sunday November 16, I filled the sketchbook today!  It was an exciting day at the Academy, just a little more than an Hour to finish up the last few empty pages with skulls.

A return to the first skull I drew in the exhibit.  thye Walrus is the second skull you encounter when entering the room, just on the left of the door. The Tusks came out way too short, I did not place the drawing high enough.  

Another version, I got the length of the tusks better on this one, but I think they are still a little short.

The back view of the Giraffe skull, before adding the washes.

"Raffe" after the washes...

The Elephant skull, from behind.  The line work was done back in June, I added the washes today.

The back cover!