Courtyard Cafe

Here I am back in a medical establishment yet again! This hospital had a cafe with an unexpectedly pleasant outdoor courtyard. One large wall was covered by huge tropical plants. An balmy, sunny 24 degrees, my sketchbook, a hot lemongrass drink and an apple muffin filled in the 3 hours very peacefully.  It felt like a real treat! 

Brought to an end by the phone call...time to pick up the patient. 

I've come to like drawing people. I wonder what their story was on that day, waiting in a hospital. 

#Tombow marker pens, #Stillman&Birn Zeta Sketchbook, 7.5”x 7.5”. 

Caftans and Circuses

The past week has taken me (with my sketchbook) to a hospital cafe and a medical clinic, waiting while my spouse is seen to for a cataract procedure. What would I do without a sketching hobby! 

Here's a lady wearing a striking striped caftan with a headscarf in the rather small and quiet hospital cafe. 

It turned out a much more stimulating experience than expected when a mandarin-only speaking man asked to share my table. With my primary school mandarin and the translation app on his phone, we managed to strike up a long conversation and exchanged life stories! I was impressed he knew mine was a sketch and he taught me the mandarin term for it (su4 miao2). He was very happy to have me sketch him too! Urban Sketchers just keep on having good experiences. Art does bring people together!

Here's people in the waiting room of an eye clinic while my spouse had a checkup after his successful procedure a couple of days ago. 

Is that a circus I see in the distance out of the window!? Yes indeed! It is the Circus Royale Australia near the Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. As I learn, it is an Australian owned and operated circus that travels around Australia. Currently closed on a belated Christmas break they will soon be back performing!

Marker pens, #Stillman&Birn Zeta Sketchbook, 7.5”x 7.5”, #HandbookJournal 5.5" x 5.5".

Christian's Meeting House

The former Christian’s Meeting House in the outer suburb of Berwick, Melbourne was built for the Church of Christ in 1886. It was sold to City of Casey in 1975 and is now privately owned. Unfortunately I found little else about it. 

I did this sketch of the heritage building after a sketchmeet with friends when my spouse stopped for coffee opposite it. An enjoyable sketch using just a marker.

Marker pen, #Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 7.5”x 7.5”.

Berwick Arcade in 2025

The Berwick Arcade has always been an interesting short cut between streets. Unfortunately due to Covid, the big trees in planters were removed, the popular Touch of Dutch cafe and several shops closed and it became a hollow shell. 

I'm pleased to say, now, with a new cafe called Shack with its cheery tables outside and newly planted trees, the arcade is coming back to life! Fella Hamilton the ladies clothing store with its window mannequins is one business which has stood the test of time.

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 7.5”x 7.5”.