Mexican Entry

I've sketched at the Mexican restaurant, Viva La Vida in Oakdale several times. I like the contrasts of color in their architecture and decorative elements. This was done for the 30 x 30 Direct Watercolor Challenge.

 

Burito Mariachi

Several Mexican themed restaurants have opened in and around Patchogue, like Burito Mariachi. I haven't tried this one yet, but it was bright enough to catch my attention. 

Funchos

 Every once in a while when I'm in Riverhead for something I stop at Funchos for a taco lunch. They don't actually have 100% inside dining. Most of the tables are in a covered area with sides that roll down to protect you from the elements when it is cold or rainy. It is open all year long with fun decorations and plants. I posted this sketch on Creativespark.art and a friend commented that he remembered the words "arriba, abajo" from a drinking toast. When I was in Spain many, many years ago traveling in my 20s with my sister we learned the toast when we were out drinking with the other young people.

Arriba (to the heavens)

Abajo (to the earth)

Al centro (to the heart)

Al dentro (to the inside)...

and so you would toast with your drink.

Funchos

I headed out to Riverhead the other day. It was a fairly nice day, but not quite warm enough to sit outside and sketch. I headed over to Funchos, a Mexican restaurant that has a big outdoor seating area and a part of the restaurant that can be covered up in colder weather. I parked so I had a view of some of the fun signs that were outside. I'll have to go back and sketch it again when the outside seating area is open. They decorate it even more and sometimes have live music. I did go inside and have a delicious burrito for lunch.

Here is a closeup of one of the signs.