Alamo Square Afternoon
San Francisco’s Painted Ladies on a spring afternoon, as seen from the lawn of Alamo Square Park.
12”x16” Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper
San Francisco’s Painted Ladies on a spring afternoon, as seen from the lawn of Alamo Square Park.
12”x16” Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper
San Francisco’s Painted Ladies on a spring afternoon, as seen from the lawn of Alamo Square Park.
12”x16” Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper
Behind the Painting
I climbed the hill to Alamo Square Park on a sunny day, kicked off my shoes in the freshly cut grass, and stood to paint the view.
The afternoon started with just a few people scattered across the lawn, but pretty soon the hill was full of people, all turned toward the Painted Ladies, the towers and trees of San Francisco, the blue light of the bay beyond.
People sat with their dogs and laptops, legs crossed, some holding yoga poses, others just falling asleep. I waited for the sun to come around and cast light on the intricate eaves and balconies.
A group of college girls behind me sunbathed on picnic blankets, debating what country song best described a night of drinking. Off and on I could hear the tunes, “Hell is a dance floor,” soft on a Bluetooth speaker, Neon Moon, something by Willie Nelson, songs that sounded like the sun going down on a summer day.
People continued to pour into the park, everyone trying to soak in an eighty degree day. I finished painting sunburned and satisfied.
