Flux View

 The bitter cold sent my friend, Suzala and I indoors to sketch. We didn't join the NYC Urban Sketchers because it was just too cold to travel in on the train and subway. Instead we met at Flex Coffee in Farmingdale. We've sketched there before. It was an easy commute, warm, there were models, and coffee was available. I started with my cup of capuccino and the sketch grew from there as I added one table, one person, or one detail at a time until the space was filled. It was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

Southdown Coffee, Patchogue

A rainy day lately was a good occasion to look for a coffee shop for indoor sketching. I found a new spot for coffee in Patchogue, Southdown Coffee. I had been to a few other locations and enjoyed them. This one did not disappoint...delicious coffee, lots of space, nice decor, and a great staff. I'm sure I will go back.

Flux Coffee #2

 I met my friend, Suzala at Flux Coffee in Farmingdale recently. It has good coffee, a nice staff and they are very welcoming. This is the second time we have met there, and have noticed that there are often other artists there working on sketches of their own. There is also artwork displayed on the walls for sale.

The last time I was facing the coffee counter, but this time I was facing the outside view. There were a few people working at the table in front of the window, but I also loved the view of the building across the street.

Coffee Anyone?

There are several coffee shops in Bellport and Bellport General is one of them. I haven't tried their coffee and I haven't been inside...yet. 

Cool Beans

Last Friday was a very cold day here in NY. I knew if I went out I would have to find an indoor location to sketch. There are a few fairly new coffee places that have opened. Although Cool Beans in West Sayville has been opened about 2 years, I hadn't stopped there yet. This was my chance! Patrick, the owner was very friendly and outgoing...charming the customers who came in. Unfortunately Cool Beans doesn't have a great location and really has very little foot traffic because it is outside the main shopping area of Sayville. It is next to the post office but that apparently doesn't bring in much business. It is a shame because the coffee was good and it was a fun place to sketch. A newer coffee shop just opened in Sayville where a Starbucks used to be, and Starbucks is opening a drive-thru location in Sayville instead. That doesn't bode well for Cool Beans. 

Before I left I showed Patrick the sketch and he couldn't believe I did it while I was sitting there. He was so happy and bought it from me. I wish him luck and I will have to stop by again...maybe I will sketch the other end of the counter. lol

The Bean in Patchogue

 Last Friday our weather wasn't so great. We had a rainy, chilly day but I really wanted to go out and sketch. It was raining too hard to sit somewhere and paint from the car. I tried to come up with an indoor location where I would have a view that I hadn't been to recently. Thank goodness for coffee shops. Unfortunately we don't have too many nearby. I decided to go to The Bean in Patchogue. I hadn't been there in a while. The only problem is you have to park in a parking lot behind the building and walk around, so I was a bit wet when I got there. But the staff was very welcoming, there was a dry empty table with a view, and good coffee too (much better than Starbucks). I was happy!

Brewport Coffee House

There is a fairly new coffee house in Bellport that I hadn't been in until last week when I went there for an art reception. I sketched it the next day from the outside and hope to sketch it from the inside soon.

 

Cafe Americano

This is my finale for #30x30DirectWatercolor. It was done from a photo I took in Venice last year in one of those "Italian" coffee shops where there is a display of loads of yummy pastries and cookies but then no place to sit. Italians usually have their expresso standing up at a very narrow counter. That does not make for comfortable sketching in my opinion. I loved the colorful cup and saucer...almost as much as I loved my Cafe Americano and the pastry.

The Bean

We had a damp, rainy morning on Thursday and I needed to go out sketching somewhere. I called one of my friends and we met at a new coffee shop in Patchogue called The Bean. It has become very popular and was fairly crowded. We had a hard time finding a place to sit and sketch.