Sunday Farmers' Market

Going to the O.N.E.generation Encino Farmers' Market at Victory and Louise on Sunday mornings has become a tradition for me this past year or so. I buy a chocolate croissant from my favorite Scottish baker, pick up a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, and stock up on produce for the week--greens, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, whatever. Sometimes I buy some homemade cheese as a treat, or one perfect artichoke, or a previously unfamiliar vegetable from the Japanese farmer, with instructions for cooking it. My last stop is always one particular flower vendor, who always has inexpensive and unusual bunches of my favorites. I put together something scented (stock, sweet william), something beautifully colored (gerbera daisies), and something showy and long-lasting (alstroemeria), and take it home to make a giant bouquet for the top of my piano, where it pleases my eye all week.

Each and every time I go to the farmers' market, I think to myself, Gee, why didn't I bring my sketchbook so I could draw all of this? Sometimes I take photos of some of the brightly colored offerings, thinking I will paint them later...but so far I haven't.

Today, I took my sketchbook, and instead of bringing my croissant and juice home, I sat in the patio area where food vendors set up around folding tables and chairs, and I sketched. It was really fun, and I can't believe I have put it off for so long. This is the reason I signed up for Sketchbook Skool--to give me a reason (or an excuse) to take the time to draw. I wanted to stay even longer than I did, but I go back to work tomorrow and things like the necessity of clean clothes and a tidier house sent me home. I did spend some extra time once I got there to watercolor my drawings.

I started this drawing from the top left down, and after I put in the lady hipster, and fatally drew the table in front of her (pen, you know, so no erasing), I realized that there wasn't enough vertical space to place her husband and baby where they belonged--so they appear to be somewhat embedded in the table instead of sitting a foot higher behind it! I do like the palm trees.

I was happier with this one--this was a view of one of the merchants from behind the scenes, since that section of the market backs up to the open area with the tables. I like the variety of people I captured, and I love drawing the wickie-ups (tent tops).

My favorite part of the morning? There is a really talented busker who works the market every Sunday--he's probably my age or older, and my theory is that he's a vet, because he has one metal leg. He plays guitar really well and sings musically, usually a variety of songs from "my" era--the '70s--including the Beatles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, etc. This morning, though, he surprised us all with a skillful acoustic rendition of "Hit Me Baby One More Time." Move over, Britney Spears!