Redwood Empire Ice Arena

Snoopy Home Ice

Each year I kick off the winter holidays with a visit to Charles M. Schulz’s Redwood Empire Ice Arena. The festive atmosphere is enhanced with holiday decorations, seasonal music, and bundled-up ice skaters, all of which bring back childhood memories and provides a unique opportunity to sketch. But once my fingers get too cold to paint, I head into the Warm Puppy café for a cup of hot chocolate and park myself next to the table where Schulz himself use to sit every day before working on his beloved comic strip, Peanuts.

A Day at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Skate Rink

schultz museum _s

One of my favorite Illustrators/Cartoonists is Charles M. Schulz. I learned months back that the Schulz Museum, normally closed on Tuesdays during the slower part of the year, would be open on Tuesday November 26th in observance of Schulz’s birthday. I joined the celebration that morning with a sketch of the museum in Santa Rosa. The current exhibit, entitled “Starry, Starry, Night,” was a joy, and it warmed my heart to see a grouping of comics featuring the lovable Peanuts characters pondering the universe.

Redwood Ice Rink_s

Schulz’s Redwood Empire Ice Arena, situated across the street, opened 28 April, 1969 with a grand opening ceremony starring Peggy Fleming and the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The building mimics an Alpine village with faithful reproductions of Swiss chalet facades and giant redwood trees that tower over the property. I bundled up and enjoyed the chilly temperatures while sketching the skaters. Their perpetual motion as the music thumped was mesmerizing but difficult to capture on paper. I’d like to return sometime soon and give it another try. The chilly temperature was a nice contrast to the abnormally warm weather we’ve been having this late in November and was a reminder that the Christmas holidays are fast approaching.

schultz table Warm Pupy Cafe_s

Unbeknownst to most who visited Snoopy’s Home Ice, Charles M. Schulz (Sparky) was often seen in its Warm Puppy Café, watching skaters zip across the rink. An avid hockey player himself, Schulz built the arena in 1969 as a multi-use facility. At the time, the only ice arena in Santa Rosa had recently closed and he felt that a comfortable gathering spot was important for the community.

Each day before answering correspondence or working on his comic strip, Sparky would start his morning at the Warm Puppy Cafe having an English muffin with grape jelly and a cup of coffee. There he watched skaters practice their patch and freestyle exercises before returning to his studio a few steps down the street. He often returned to the café midday for a tuna salad sandwich and to engage in conversation with friends and the general public.

Today, a table near the front door of the café is reserved in Sparky’s honor. Pictures of Schulz and Peanuts comic strips can be seen through the table’s glass top. Jean Schulz keeps her late husband’s table fresh with seasonal flower arrangements and a balloon for his birthday. It’s a perfect tribute to Sparky; reserving the table where he collected his thoughts and undoubtedly captured ideas for his beloved comic strip.

 

Ready, Set, Sketch: Graton!

Come join us tomorrow, Saturday November 30th in Graton for the next “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group outing!

We’ll meet at 10am in front of Willow Wood Market Cafe (http://goo.gl/maps/ZoWxa), then disperse to sketch around the area. We’ll meet back at 1pm to share our sketches.

All you need is something to draw on and something to draw with (it’s also nice to have a chair to sit on!). The event is free.

Here’s a Google map link: http://goo.gl/maps/ZoWxa

Hope to see you there!

South A Street Santa Rosa

South A Street SR_sLooking for a little creative lift? Look no farther than South A Street (SOFA) in Santa Rosa. This quirky, burgeoning arts and culture district is home to a number of art galleries, artist studios, bakeries, and artisan restaurants. Check out Spinster Sisters for brunch and have a Croque Monsieur or Rancho Gordo Bean Tostadas. Then head over to Undercover Baking Agency for a sweet treat and americano coffee. Art galleries round out the afternoon with local artists satisfying most art lover’s appetite.

Ready, Set, Sketch: Dry Creek Valley!

Dry-Creek-Valley-sign_s

Our next “Ready, Set, Sketch!” group outing will be August 10 in the Dry Creek Valley.

Some of the world’s best Zinfandels are grown and produced just west of Healdsburg in the Dry Creek Valley. The area is beautiful and there’ll be no shortage of things to draw. Bring your own drawing supplies and lunch, or purchase something tasty to eat at the Dry Creek Store.

We’ll meet out front of the Dry Creek Store, 3495 Dry Creek Road, just west of Healdsburg city limits on August 10 at 10am. See you there!

Google map: http://goo.gl/maps/CWHLi