This little sketch was done outside the #BrewHilde coffee shop down the road from us, when we went out for a walk and breakfast on my wife’s birthday morning. I’ve sketched here many times before, but this time these plants caught my eye – they are commonly knows as elephant-ear plants but the scientific name is Colocasia.
Sat-6-Jul-2024
Here is the sketch I did at Starbucks (at “The Rise” in Makati), while waiting for my wife who was applying for a Spanish Schengen visa. The big mural on the wall attracted my eye (there was one behind me too). It’s by a Filipino artist called JP Pining, who is described on Facebook as having “an eye for bold graphics and eclectic candy colours”. Someone sat in front of me so I had to guess at the colour in one part…I only found out later I could see the artwork on line.
Thu-4-Jul-2024
On Sunday 12th May, my wife and I cycled to Market Market!, to do a bit of shopping…plus it was my wife’s first “urban cycle” – meaning the first time for years for her to brave the traffic on a bicycle in Metro Manila. We cycled the long way round, so that we could avoid steep hills and narrow crowded roads. Once we got there we had breakfast in #SeattlesBest. I added the colour to this when at home.
Sun-12-May-2024
On #LabourDay my wife and I went for a cycle ride near SM MOA (Mall of Asia). We thought the cycle loop there included cycling along Manila Bay, but were told not to cycle along the very wide pathway, with all the nice little places to eat (including even the Bikers Café), and instead use the road where there is just a white line between you and careless drivers. There are even bike racks regularly spaced along the path…and nearby signs saying ‘push your bike’. This sketch was done in Starbucks where we escaped the heat for a while.
Wed-1-May-2024
After the Stabilo Boss launching event (on Sunday 21 April), we hung out for a while at the SM North EDSA mall – which I didn’t realise is so huge! We wandered around the ‘Sky Garden’ trying to find a haven of peace that wasn’t too crowded and ended up at Starbucks. Outside another noisy event was going on, so I sketched the crowds .
Sat-20-Apr-2024
This sketch was done at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf coffee shop just down the road from where we live. First it was empty and I was thinking this branch may go out of business soon (because it’s in an out-of-the-way spot), then the shop filled up with a group of people coming back (or going to) from some kind of fitness session. Inside the coffee shop the colours are very muted, so I focussed on the view outside.
Sat-30-Mar-2024
Sun-3-Apri-2016