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.

Downtown Big Spring TX, 211 Main St.

 

5.5x8.5 ink and watercolor done this afternoon plein air in our historic downtown. Parking across Main Street I sketched this old corner brick building with Micron 01 pen on Masters sketchbook. The store next door does not have a red awning but it seemed to balance the red sign of The Chalet seen to the left which is on 2nd Street. Two other signs were on the antiques building, The Record Shop, and Militaria, but those were left out as they did not add anything to the composition.  Neither did the sandstorm add anything!  I've joined Urban Sketchers of Texas so today's work will be posted on their Facebook page.  Stay tuned for more from our quaint town in Big Spring, TX!
Image is COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.