w/ head?

Posted on October 8, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

This evening, while sipping a beer at the 17th St. Public House, I began this drawing. Even though I was half-way through that tasty brew, I added a foamy head on top.

Now, as I post this from home, I’m reminded of a story that always makes me chuckle. Many years ago and in a country south of the equator a small group of us guys would gather at a little bar at the end of the day to blow off steam and just be in our twenties. The short, elderly woman who ran the joint and spoke English as a foreign language would always greet us at our table with a big smile and a wide tray loaded with bottled beer and glasses. As she poured the beer into our glasses, she’d asked each one of us – face to face – if we wanted our beer with head.

We always said yes. We laughed alright, but never in her face.

A&M Market Merced

Posted on August 10, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

I pass this little corner market at the corner of K and 23rd, not to mention the nearby train station and the old Ford pickup truck, on my way to and from the 17th Street Pub.

Technical: I snapped a photo of this using my iPhone, viewed it in iPhoto on my external monitor, hand held my iPad and began sketching free hand in Paper 53 and finished it in Procreate. Good practice.

Miller: Pub Steward and Diviner

Posted on August 6, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

It happens now and then. I walk into the 17th Street Public House. Miller is behind the bar. At this point I say, “What am I having?” And, as if she were reading my palm, she diagnoses my brew disposition by handing me a sample of something that pretty much always hits the spot; and that’s what I go with.

However, earlier this evening things were slightly different. Miller was busy with other thirsty patrons, and I got the 1st of two beers for the evening from another therapist/barkeeper.

About thirty minutes later, while I was sketching the image below – an owl in connection with something in wood I’m currently working on – I hear Miller talking to another patron about a certain beer on tap. My curiosity is triggered. I inquire, and Miller says, “I’ll give you a sample, if you draw a picture of me.” Now, I’m not from the Depression Era, but I am somehow accustomed to doing almost anything for beer, even a sample of beer. So, knowing that I need all the sketching practice I can get in general and at least as much Procreate practice in particular, I sip the sample of what I eventually order next, accept that it is, indeed, Miller Time, and I start working on this:

Remember what I said about the owl?

Saturday Afternoon Pub

Posted on July 27, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

My layers got out of control. I ended up just going with the Procreate flow, backwash is more like it.
It started when Annyth and I made a relatively unexpected stop at the 17th Street Public House for a porter, no make that two for each of us after squeezing in a couple of delivered tacos from J&R Tacos at halftime. Yea, it became an outing.
And there I was staring at a cool Dogfish Head tap head, which I photographed, brought home, and started playing with. Part of that photo remains in today’s image, but that particular portion – and the drawing itself – kept resizing themselves within their layers. At any rate, here’s where I decided to draw the line and scream kaput!

After Board Meeting Brew

Posted on June 26, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

Foursquare tells me I’ve been here 15 times. Where? 17th Street Public House. This time, another Black IPA. Rogue’s Dad’s Little Helper Black IPA.

Improvisational Blueprint

Posted on May 28, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

No live music here at the 17th Street Public House, but this image occurred to me nonetheless…#greenflashblackIPAthemore.

Old Ford @ K & 26th in Merced, CA

Posted on May 20, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

This beauty catches my eye every time I ride or drive by. I couldn’t resist the urge to photograph it last night on the way to the 17th Street Public House so that I could render it today.

Anyone know what year it might be? (thanks for the clue Jim; it’s a 1950.)

Another Look at 17th Street Public House in Merced, CA

Posted on April 17, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

Yesterday afternoon I rode my bike down to the 17th Street Public House and had two beers, a Payback Porter by Speakeasy Ales & Lagers and a Belgian Style Double IPA Homework Series Batch No. 2. from Ballast Point (I think, at least that’s what the sticky note said). Delicious and potent both!

On the way out I took an iPhone photo of the exterior and rendered this rough drawing in Paper 53 from it earlier today in two sittings.

[Note: Due to technical difficulties, I’ve deleted and reposted this. Sorry for any inconvenience or confusion.]

Another Tap Handle

Posted on April 4, 2014 by portfoliolongo.com

I started this drawing last night while sipping the featured subject but got carried away with a conversation at the bar. Two pints later and it was time to go. So I finished it off this morning with the help of a photo and plenty of dramatic license, as usual. Besides the beers, the woodwork itself at the 17th Street Public House is eye catching.