(San Clemente Diary continued from this post)
JULY 27, 2015
After two days of teaching, I had a day off today. I was up early since I can’t seem to get my internal clock set to Pacific time. Patti had told me about a coffee shop up the street, so I quietly left the house at 5:30 am and found my way to Zebra House Coffee where I got a yummy pineapple-coconut gluten-free muffin and a piping hot mocha. They had six different GF muffins varieties to choose from — amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever found a GF muffin at a coffee shop in PA.
Walking through the neighborhood was so much fun because the architecture, trees, and plants are so different from what we have at home.
Just look at this adorable place I passed by….
When I got back to the house I had some free time, so I wandered around Patti’s yard, which feels a bit like a secret garden, and sat myself down in front of a fruit tree to do this sketch of a lumpy little tangerine….
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| Its homeliness only adds to its cuteness, don’t you think? |
Around 10 am Patti and I headed up the coast to a pretty spot called Crystal Cove where we sketched a bit, explored the tide pools, and had a delicious picnic lunch.
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| Patti sketching at Crystal Cove |
Sitting and watching the ocean, I’m perfectly content.
Patti snapped this picture of me right after I slipped and fell in a tide pool. 🙂
Here’s the sketch I did at Crystal Cove…
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| 9-1/2″ x 7″ Canson sketchbook, pencil and watercolor. Lettering done with metallic gel pens. |
On our way home, we visited the Montage resort in Laguna Beach, where the public is allowed access to the beach and grounds. It was a beautiful place with gorgeous landscaping and views to die for.
Even the public restrooms are beautiful!
We chilled out at the beach for awhile, watching kids romping in the surf, then trekked back up the hill, and, with one last look at the view…
we called it a day and headed home.
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| Just look at the color of that water! |
JULY 28, 2015
My day off yesterday was loads of fun (and I only got a little bit sunburnt!) but I was ready to get back to San Clemente Art Supply and meet my new students this morning.
It’s another full class, but that just makes it more fun. More creativity, more bouncing ideas off each other, more energy in the classroom.
They did an awesome job on their art supplies sketches….
Even lunchtime was fun, sitting in the sunshine, chatting about our lives.
Have you ever seen another art store with landscaping like this?
Patti and her husband, Richard, have created something special here.
JULY 29, 2015
My last day in San Clemente! I have a great group of women in this class, They’re so enthusiastic, and they dive right in to every project I assign. Sketching candy in 30 seconds, directly in pen? Some people would laugh in disbelief, but this group just laughed and did it!
Voila!
They created lots of great corner designs…
and borders…
and their artwork ranged from sweet and funny to impressive and inspirational.
I can’t stop giggling at this one…
Here they are – my super sketchers!
With hugs and promises to keep in touch, I said goodbye to my new friends, but we all agreed that I need to return again soon. They want me to teach a watercolor class next, and I’m thinking February might be a good time to head to southern California again. Hmmm, let’s think about this:
It’s a no-brainer! I’m going back to San Clemente!
After I packed up my sketchbooks and made one more shopping trip through the art supply, I walked down to the beach one last time.
I guess if you live here you might come to take it for granted, but since I live far inland, it’s a thrill for me every time I see the ocean.
I worked hard in California but was repaid many times over with wonderful students, warm and giving hosts, fantastic food, new friends, beautiful beaches, and a great big ocean thrown in for good measure.
I’m one lucky gal!
7 Comments
What a wonderful few days I have spent with you! I can almost hear the sea and smell the flowers, thank you so much for sharing.
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I follow you and don't leave comments very often but I have so enjoyed your posts on your trip to San Clemente. All the great art and photos of one of my favorite places in the world. Thanks for sharing. I just wanted you to know I so enjoy your blog.
Thanks for writing, Sharon! I really appreciate your taking the time to comment and let me know you enjoyed my "diary". It was a great trip and I enjoyed sharing it with my readers.
I love your blog and follow you daily Leslie and soooo wanted to sign up for your workshop when I saw you were coming out here, I live just 40 minutes south of San Clemente in Oceanside – but this time it just wasn't to be for me – I'm really really excited you plan to come back soon, and I will start saving now (both $s and the date when it is announced!) Thank you for sharing the great pictures in your diary!
Hi Penny,
I'm sorry you weren't able to make it to my recent workshop, but I'll probably be repeating the sketchbook journaling class next time and also offering a workshop about watercolor techniques. Stay tuned for dates later in the fall. I'm so glad you enjoy the blog – at least we can stay in touch this way for now. 🙂
Wonderful – I could really use a fresh approach to my journaling! And I will continue to keep in touch on your blog and watch for those dates! Thank you!
Leslie, thank you so much for sharing your time and talents with us! Looking forward to seeing you again this winter. :o) Also, I love the pix from your visit to our lovely little village on the beach…I never get tired of the views!