Sketch Walk in Wellington

Mobile Fishmonger

The Fishmonger truck at the Saturday fruit and vege market in Newtown, Wellington.

Death Ray Records

I bought The B52's Comsic Thing album in this little record shop in Wilson Street, Newtown.  I am starting a record collection, as I recently bought a second-hand turntable on TradeMe.  A friend gave me her families old record collection which had been stored away in her parents attic for years, sixty odd records, so that is a good start.  Anyway I like this little shop.

Saturday Morning Fruit and Vege Shopping

On Saturday mornings I like to go to the weekly fruit and vegetable market in the Newtown Primary School grounds, not far from my house.  Market gardeners from the region set up and sell their produce.  There is also street food, baking and clothes stalls but it's mainly fruit and vege.  I prefer to get my fruit and vege there rather than the supermarket as the produce is fresher, and cheaper too.

On a sunny day it's very pleasant, people shopping, chatting and eating, and buskers busking.  It's a great place to sketch, there are lots of people and places to sit and observe.  Yesterday another keen sketcher/painter Helen stopped and introduced herself which was nice.

The Godfather Barbers and Moon Bar

Last Friday I had my haircut after work at The Godfather Barbers in Dixon Street.  It was busy so I had to wait, which was good as it gave me time to do this sketch.  I like it there, they are friendly and do good haircuts, and I like the barber chairs.

Later on in the evening I was at Moon Bar in Newtown. We weren't planning on going there, but it was pouring with rain when we got off the bus and it's near the bus stop so we stopped in for a while before walking home.  A band was playing, I think there name is Ready Set.  I liked them.

Fish Fins

This is Fish Fins fish and chip shop and fishmonger in Newtown.  It's on Riddiford Street at the busy Constable street corner.  It's not my favorite fish and chip shop but it's pretty good.  The same family have been running it since I first started going there about 15 years ago and probably longer.

Drawing in Newtown with Mr James

A few days before Christmas I met up with fellow sketcher Mr James in Newtown to do some sketching.  Here is Mr James in action.

Making the most of the available seat, we sat at a busy bus stop in Riddiford Street and drew these old buildings across the road.

We finished up at Monterey, a little bar.  They have tables and chairs on the footpath which are ideally situated for people-watching, drinking beer in the sun and of course drawing.

People in Newtown

Some people I drew in Newtown on a cold Saturday morning a few months ago.  Experimenting with brown paper and coloured pencils.

Two Churches in Newtown

I like the style of St Thomas's church, with its concrete block construction. Built in the 1960's or 1970's I guess. It's next to McDonalds in Riddiford Street.

and not far away the Mansfield Street Gospel Hall has plenty of character too.

Newtown Festival Street Fair 2014

I went to the Newtown Festival Street Fair last month.  The weather was perfect and it was huge, with over 75,000 people.  There was a great line-up of live entertainment with several stages and many stalls and street food vendors.

Two members of the energetic Balkanistas playing on the main stage.  They are a large collective (over 20 musicians) that play Eastern European gypsy music.  Loved these guys.

Folk/indie/pop band My Chameleon going their stuff. These guys were great too.

Tiny smoothie caravan on one of the side streets.