San Fernando Valley Artists & Creatives

⚠️Updates ⚠️
We are meeting at the front entrance of Norton Simon Museum. 5pm
Bring only your compact or portable sketchbook & pencil/pen because it’s gonna pretty BUSY!

I called to confirm : They WON’T allow us to sit on ground in the gallery so we will have to pick benches to sit on —- or standing. That’s why please make sure to meet by 5:00 pm’ !! at the entrance doors so we can enter together. ⚠️MAIN PARKING MAY BE FULL So TRY TO ARRIVE by 4:30 -4:45 to give yourself enough time for parking which may end up being on Colorado boulevard. Careful walking - USE CROSSWALKS! 🎨🖌️🎨🖌️🎨🖌️🎨 FIRST FRIDAYS ARE FREE AT NORTON SIMON!
Enjoy the longer days of spring by hopping over to Pasadena, and doing a fun sketch session with me on a Friday evening. In Vivo! A great way to practice that old hand-eye-brain coordination.

PLAN:

• Meet at the entrance by 5:00 pm.
• We enter together.
• Bring your sketchpads and pencils/pens. Anything you feel is comfortable for you for a duration of 1- 1.5 hours We may be siting on benches (I will check if they provide any folding chairs like they do for their lectures).
• We will pick a couple different paintings/works of art, to do some casual sketching. It's a great way to exercise the brain in a relaxed atmosphere.
• We will take breaks as needed and walk around, no set agenda.

If there is enough interest afterwards, we can walk over together to True Food Kitchen right on Colorado, (walkable block or so) , to grab some dinner together.

PARKING: IT can get slightly packed on these Free Fridays....So don't be surprised if the parking lot is full because this is a popular offering. However, there are parking spots all along Colorado. So, try and arrive early to navigate. ALWAYS take care with traffic, avoid J-walking! Use crosswalks, and take care with traffic.

P.S. They DON'T allow objects like umbrellas and water bottles inside the museum, and your bags will be checked at the entrance. Just so you are aware. You may have to check in an item like an umbrella or other objects deemed a potential risk. (Sketchpad/pencils are fine).

Questions ? Leave comments below...

***This event is cross-posted with LA-PARIS MEETUP Group*****

Sound like a lot in one meetup?
Well while it’s springtime, we take advantage of a (hopefully) beautiful day out as we enjoy a special IRISES SHOW, along with some cafe time and sketch/art time for those interested to join me. Tickets available at the entrance but also advised to PRE-BOOK YOUR TICKET here
https://arboretum.ticketapp.org/portal/product/1
$15 regular adult admission
(Iris Show included in your entrance fee)

What do irises make you think of ? If you said Vincent Van Gogh, you are half way right ! Many artists including French and non-French have captivated the timeless beauty of these ! Alphonse Mucha and Verneuil being some of the notable artists who immortalized these remarkable flowers in their art nouveau and art deco pieces.

The arboretum is especially vibrant this time of year with its incredible array of native and imported plant species. Roam with us as we marvel at the vast and beautiful grounds of the Arboretum and its abundant resident peacocks who roam freely (if you’re lucky they will pose and shake their feathers for you too !) 🦚🦚🦚

PLAN:

• Meet at front entrance of the Arboretum at 10:00 am to enter as a group.
• Check out the ANNUAL IRIS show (it’s a show + sale which means you can also shop for a plant if it strikes your fancy)
• Head over together to enjoy an early lunch or a snack at the Peacock Café ! 🦚☕️
• After cafe time, we explore the rest of the Arboretum together or at your leisure.
• If you brought your sketchbook/watercolors/art supplies, come hang with me a little longer as we do some casual sketching ! 🖌️🎨

You can read up on the Arboretum and all its marvelous offerings here:
https://arboretum.org/explore-2/

Our ongoing monthly meetup…
☕️☕️☕️
THIS IS A FREE MEETUP; and a small DONATION is MORE THAN welcome IF YOU FEEL MOTIVATED to support 😀 which helps defray your organizer’s fees to run these meetups.
But first....COFFEE !
☕️☕️☕️
We create a safe, fun, open space for all creatives to come and mingle, while enjoying coffee and practicing their craft. Whether you:
Knit
Paint
Sketch
Write poetry
Make lego sculptures
Jewelry, or anything else created by "uniquely you".... then you are in the right place.
This event is casually structured as follows:
☕️First 15-20 minutes
Arrive, settle in, order some food/drink.
An ice-breaker exercise to introduce yourself, share any creative goals or aspirations with us. Inspire, share tips, share about your creative process...
☕️Remainder of the time:
Practice your craft, writing, sketching, crafting, etc. etc. We break or pause to listen to a poem or check out someone's awesome sketches or a creative flow in process....

WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring something WHATEVER You want to work on.... sketch book, writing pad, anything creative you are currently working on. We make this a casual and fun coffee hang.

In case of rain, we will try to move inside.
La Rochelle has a beautiful back patio that is very conducive for creative work. And I can tell you that their coffee and baked goods are EXCELLENT! They have a full breakfast/lunch menu as well.
We look forward to meeting you soon,
☕️☕️☕️
Yours Artfully....
Mariette