Colectivo Coffee, Milwaukee Lakefront, 6/17/14 evening

It was a bit challenging getting there as the lakefront ramp was closed and rush hour traffic was very backed up. I ended up driving down Prospect Ave then taking LaFayette to lakefront. Bicyclist was doing the same speed or faster than me. I parked in McKinely Marina parking lot. Always lots of parking there. Weather was very fine so there were lots of people. Sunny, slight breeze, just approaching 80 F.

I walked across the street to Pat who was sitting on a stool on the grass. So I sat down next to her. We were in the shade but not under a tree. The lakefront is east of the city above and considerably lower. I had worn a long sleeve shirt and pants but bugs were not an issue until right around dusk when the flies started biting Pat's ankles. Pat used water soluble pencils. Nylah came back with a cup of coffee and sat it on the thick decorative wooden post. Nylah used watercolors. So did I. I had chosen watercolors when we decided to paint here because I thought we might end up sitting at the tables in the midst of people. Pastel is a little bit intrusive because I like to tap the board hard to remove excess dust. So I like some room around me when I'm working with it.

Al, Cathy, and Roger showed up. I believe they went and sat somewhere possibly at a table to paint their watercolors. Al was surprised how noisy it was. He likes to listen to his tunes. Rush hour traffic was very heavy and noisy. After they got done, Al came and told me Bonnie was here and said "Hi." So I went over to the table in front where she was sitting. She was working on a pastel of her friend. She had brought 4 friends and they worked in watercolors. One just came for the company as she was painting abstracts with a prange watercolor kit. I think she felt intimidated with painting in public.

Only a 2 people came up and commented to us. One was an artist from a small town near Orlando, Florida that has the biggest and oldest art festival? Florida has a lot of artists.

I used my prange watercolors, with a good brush this time, and my sketchbook. I usually bring a small, flat, plastic, screw top container for the water and a cloth rag. It all fits in my purse, is light, and easy to carry. I think the sketch turned out ok. I am still learning watercolors.

I took the streets home. Traffic was heavy so ended up driving past MSOE before I was able to cut over to Wisconsin Avenue. Going downtown is a little stressful. So many people and so much traffic!