Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore, Berkeley

Post author By Jana Bouc
Post date February 25, 2008
14 Comments on Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore, Berkeley

Ink & Watercolor in Strathmore drawing sketchbook, 6×8″ (Larger)

After my dentist appointment today I took a walk up to College Avenue in the Elmwood district of Berkeley, foraging for lunch. I chose Ferrari’s Deli where I had a delicious grilled “Perugia” sandwich (roasted pork sirloin, black truffle butter and Asiago cheese on toasted ciabatta bread). I sat a sidewalk table to eat, with a view of Mrs. Dalloway’s bookstore across the street. Then I got out my sketchbook and started drawing, sad that I’d left my watercolors in my car, half a mile away.

I took a couple photos (fearing I wouldn’t remember all the colors, like the orange reflection of Ferrari’s awning appearing in Mrs. Dalloway’s windows) and then added the watercolor at home tonight. The paper in this sketchbook is not designed for wet media but works fine if you don’t overwork it. I like it because it’s just the right size, the paper is nice, especially for drawing, and quite inexpensive.

Tags Berkeley, Pen and Ink

14 replies on “Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore, Berkeley”

Your sketches are always playful, therefore enjoyable. More fun than stiff architecturally perfect drawings. Your drawings make me want to visit and eat the food.

Perfection is often very dull.

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I want to come spend the day and go to these wonderful places!!! You depict such a quaintness in your Berkley paintings! So fun!

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Beautiful sketch. Lovely colors.

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Charming – and a wonderful tribute to an independent bookseller. I wish I could spend all of my book dollars in stores like this one.
Shirley

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Jana,
I love this piece…such freedom and wonderful use of color. Has the owner of the business see this? I’m sure she would be delighted.

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What a delightful sketch!

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These building sketches have so much feeling in them. They convey so much more than a photograph possibly can. LOVE IT!!!! The colors are so bright and rich too.

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Delicious…I swear my mouth is watering from all those JUICY colours!!!

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Jana, these last two sketches are delightful! So much color and energy.

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I love the last two paintings / sketches. Such beautiful color and observations! You’re very fortunate to live in such a great place. 🙂

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Yes, what a lovely painting of a book shop. Very inviting but would Virginia approve? Somehow she didn’t seem to be into warm colours. I really didn’t warm to her books except they sound very good when read over the radio. Of course she was so so so right about the notion that every woman needs a room of her own.
w.

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