Plein Air Sketch: Alberto's Crystal Cafe Downtown Big Spring TX

9x10.25 ink sketch using new Lamy pen which I didn't realize had blue ink that was not waterproof.  After Thanksgiving dinner, I drove downtown and drew this townscape plein aire in about 30 minutes, focusing on the cafe and leaving back buildings unpainted.
A prominent landmark for decades, this TexMex restaurant is now closed and relocated to north Hiway 87.  Our family ate here weekly while we were in school and many years following.  Note the pigeons on its roof.  Across the street is The Chalet, a resale shop that benefits the state hospital.  Now there is a large ugly weed growing in front of Alberto's on the sidewalk, a silent salute to one of Big Spring's finest and most colorful buildings.  This work has been posted to Urban Sketchers of Texas Facebook page.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.