The Future

In the future, we'll all have jet-packs...and be able to sketch on tiny hand-held electronic devices. Well folks, the future is here! I've been using Autodesk's Sketchbook Mobile on my iPod Touch for some time now but I've never been able to get more than a few scribbles out on it before giving up in frustration, due mostly to the fact that it's really hard to draw with my finger on a tiny touch screen, even with zoom capability. So along comes the Pogo Sketch stylus, and now I'm back in business baby! The Pogo isn't perfect, the drawing end is a spongy plastic mesh about the size of a pencil eraser, which isn't the pin point accuracy I've been wishing for, but it beats the hell out of finger painting.

"Handle Head" here isn't much to behold, it's just a first clumsy attempt to use this stylus with the software, but I'm encouraged already at the possibilities. I don't always bring my traditional sketch pads out with me every day, but my iPod goes everywhere I go, so if I can get decent sketches using the new stylus, well this changes everything. Maybe I'll have to look into an iPad now! We'll see. Stay tuned.

The Fond Farewell

I first saw the Bossa Nova duo Nikki DeCaires with Kiko Freitas at Eggan's on N.W. Market in Ballard this year, and I've tried to make as many of their shows as possible since. They're a great duo although on many nights, like this one, there was also a full band. The good news is their show at the historic The Sorrento Hotel (The Fireside Room) was great, the bad news: this was Kiko's last show in America for awhile since he's gone back to Brazil to be with his girlfriend. Her gain is our loss. The Sorrento was a blast to draw (check out Sebastian Hyde's piece below) with lots of old world charm. Fortunately two of us got sketches of Kiko too, since we sadly won't have that opportunity any longer. The room itself is a bit too cozy for me to suggest another Sketch Pistols there, but it was fun while it lasted, seeing as we were surrounded by tourists and Transvestites (don't ask me why as to the latter, I have no idea). We can still stalk Nikki & Co. another time as a group since she will fortunately not be saying her long goodbye for now.
(Click on images for larger version). Kiko & Nikki and the Sorrento Hotel Fireside Room ceiling by Sebastian Hyde, Kiko alone by Dave Adams.

Sounds & Silence

Below is the instant video replay of the August 27 visit to Smarty Pants & Jules Maes Saloon!



And here's some of the sketches we did, mine first then Paul's
(click on images for larger versions)

Dead Reckoning

This ghoul resides on the back wall at Die Bierstube in Seattle's Roosevelt district, a sister establishment to Greenwood's Prost and a favorite of Sketch Pistols. The beer selection is a bit better than Prost, and it's much roomier than it's pint-sized cousin (no pun intended). A shout out to amazing bartenders Lisa and Mike, who took a keen interest in my scribbling, I think they've convinced me to re-visit Die Bierstube soon with a larger group, and maybe some moisturizer for mummy.

Will someone please get this guy a glass of water?

Go West Young Man

New! Video summary! This time on the Beverage Place Pub in West Seattle.

Beer # 1 From Dave, Beer #2 From Seb

Handle With Care

Thanks to Kyle, the barkeep at Duck Island Ale House, for setting the bare knuckle brawler on the bar for me, it's one of the more interesting tap handles they have hanging from the ceiling: a rare specialty brew from Anheuser-Busch! I guess even they can get creative once and awhile. On the right is a tap featuring the mascot of The Dray on 65th, which is named after the nests formed from bark and twigs that grey squirrels live in, and it's cozy wood walls kind of feel like a nest I guess but fortunately they specialize in great beer instead of acorns.

Parked at the Pub

Phinney's Park Pub is a local watering hole that caters to a nice mixed crowd of 20-somethings and a few older and less glamorous barflies, like myself. It's notable for the live music they cram in the tiny corner of the lounge area and the often above average beer selection, which accompanies a full bar. Pool tables on the other side of the place always seem packed with rowdy drunks given to emitting ear-splitting "WHOOOOO's". Since it's usually busy in the evenings I can rarely find an open table for the drawing & painting (with the exception being the watercolor below, right) so sometimes I've resorted to the bar itself where I ended up attracting too much attention while drawing the taps, with multiple portraiture requests from regulars. It's nice to be appreciated but when tipsy frat boys demand characatures of their dates, it's time to leave the parking place at Park Pub.

Left:The multiple taps at Park Pub. Right: A barfly chills with a brew