Bonkers on the Big Island

December 31, 2023June 1, 2025 | Susan

When we go to Hilo, we don’t care if the weather’s wet because the view from our friend Suzanne’s house is incredible and we’re happy to just watch the surfers all day long. This trip, I was obsessed with capturing it.

Sure, we went snorkeling (which was fantastic) and even watched manta rays devour plankton (more on this later) but my focus was, and has continued to be, capturing the magic of Honoli’i. I wanted to create and blow up patterns and textures.

I started three paintings plein air and finished them using the photo above as reference.

I started another one very much like it, which I brought home and proceeded to work on further.

The first two are very similar and I didn’t achieve what I wanted so I continued pushing a more stylized version.

Honoli’i the third. 14″x11″ I overdid the clouds, I think.

But I still wasn’t totally happy with the results. I decided to further simplify in an ink drawing, adding aquarelle pencils.

Honoli’i the fourth. 10″x8″ I’m the body boarder next to the building.

This piece is much smaller than the rest and I endeavored to further push the stylization. I’m still learning how I want to paint scenes like this. Each situation is different and even though I’m having fun, it can be uncomfortable. Actually, it’s frustrating. The good news is that the opportunities are infinite.

I wasn’t as obsessed with the smaller paintings I created at Richardson Beach Park, where we watched a turtle nibble on seaweed for a half hour. The snorkeling was pretty great there too.

I painted two plein air pieces. It’s much easier and quicker to paint on a small piece of paper.

I spent a lot of time thinking about how to paint water and used acrylic white on the above test. But finally realized that my stye isn’t photo realistic anyway so I can do it however I want to. It would still be good to know some techniques but for now, I’m okay with messing around.

One day, we enjoyed the sublime beauty of Hapuna Wailea for snorkeling and sunset.

The critters in the water were splendiferous.

There were a bunch of these urchins, which I call Rusty Pencil uni.

And the sunset was brilliant.

After the beach, we drove to Keauhou, south of Kona, for a night snorkel with manta rays. The tour operators motor a short way into the harbor, set out long, thin rafts outfitted with lights shining down into the water and handles on the perimeter. Participants swim out and hang onto handles in the Super Hero Pose (with a noodle under our feet) to stay flat. Since the plankton is attracted to lights, the rays glided RIGHT UNDER US, like inches away (rather startling). They eat 20 pounds of plankton a day.

They reminded me of whales–they’re so HUGE

They came at us with these cavernous maws. There were around ten of the creatures, some of which were 12′ tip to tip. Yeah, it was exciting and unnerving.

The trip back over the saddle road was a kick, as we were fortunate to find this radio show on KHPR1, Blues from the Basement, which kept us rockin’ for the challenging drive. Thanks Jon Alan!

Just a few more doodles.

And mahalo Suzanne, Gabriella, Alex and Keaton for a sublime, sweet visit. A hui hou! Seia tatou toe feiloai!

The Yosemite Landscape

December 5, 2023June 1, 2025 | Susan

Last June, I learned a new style of capturing landscapes in Yosemite Valley (what better place?). My teacher was the fabulous Oregon painter, Lindsey Fox who was teaching the week-long retreat.

Every day was jam packed with lessons as we trekked to different locations in the Valley. While I was learning new techniques, my family was gallivanting in the same natural playground. I’d scored a camping permit so we could all enjoy the majesty that is Yosemite.

After the record breaking rains of 2022-2023 Winter, the Merced was raging. We could hear the river’s roar by day and feel the vibration when we lay in our sleeping bags at night.

We woke up at 4 am to make it to Tunnel View for sunrise. It was COLD but worth it.

Half Dome at sunset. Colored Pencil drawing

Needless to say, I get jazzed just thinking about Yosemite and I am at my happiest making art there.

San Francisco at its best

October 7, 2022June 1, 2025 | Susan

It’s Tuesday and I’m still lit up from spending Friday and Saturday at San Francisco’s biggest music party, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, a free festival hosted by the late, great Warren Hellman estate.

All the characters come out of the woodwork for this three day festival.

Watching Asleep at the Wheel at the Banjo Stage from the picnic tables

She was rocking the fringe tunic and flower child look

We love this wonderful free festival in Golden Gate Park. I’m always impressed with how well organized it is, from the stages to the graphics to the mobile app; it’s top notch. Over the years, we’ve developed a drill—arrive early while it’s still uncrowded and comprised almost exclusively of old futs like us. I always feel buoyant then as I anticipate the promise of the day’s events.

Friday’s lineup mostly featured bands that were new to us but I’d prepped by previewing them online. Jake Blount’s group played at the friendliest locale, the Bandwagon: an RV outfitted to serve as a stage. The group was smokin’ hot and I experienced the first of many perfect moments as someone blew bubbles through the audience, shrouded in fog.

Jake Blount’s band at the Bandwagon Stage. He’s from Providence, Rhode Island. Yes, those are matching pastel jumpsuits.

Saturday started with another perfect moment as we arrived; Jerry Harrison’s roadies performed their sound check by playing one of the songs from Remain in Light. They executed the piece extremely well and before I knew it, I was dancing at the foot of that stage.

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I further entertained myself by sketching some of the characters and styles at the festival. This guy with the eyebrows…

Other perfect moments

Randomly running into friends

Talking with the dad of Drive-by Truckers’ bassist from Alabama, who was happy to remark that the festival was so “wholesome.” Indeed, babies, toddlers and dogs roamed freely. This year seemed to be devoid of assholes and drunks.

Jim Lauderdale sports a hot blue suit with matching cowboy boots

Traveling light with our backrests to discover new acts; being delighted by Rayne Gellert and Kieran Kane who were great and funny and gob smacked by the appreciation of the audience.

Their music was great and Kieran Kane was very funny

Hearing Elvis Costello clear as a bell from way up the top of the ridge, above the din of concert-going talkers (the many conversations)

Couldn’t see Elvis but could hear him perfectly

A little girl’s unicorn bubble machine showering me in hundreds of small bubbles

And THE highlight dancing madly with those young San Francisco pixies and leprechauns to the electrifying music of Talking Heads and the Remain in Light album, played by Jerry, Adrian Belew and their funky African rhythm band.

We’ll be back again next year. Thank you, Warren Hellman and family for throwing us this kick-ass party each year. You bring so much joy to the City that you loved. XOXOXO

At home in the islands…

February 1, 2022June 1, 2025 | Susan

My previous post was from the first couple days of our six week sojourn in Hawaii. Here are more photos and sketches. Our first stop: the Big Island.

Hawai’i

We stayed on the Hilo side of the Island. One night, thunder boomed and the rain came down in buckets. Otherwise, we were blessed with fine weather.

I was determined to body board at Honoli’i but terrified at the same time. After a couple of days, I became more comfortable there and caught some sweet rides.

The walk around Honoli’i
included waterfalls, bridges and some beautiful flowers.

So happy to be with my dear friend Suzanne

We drove up to Volcanoes to see the latest lava flow. This included a short hike with chairs and a picnic at sunset. There was a bit of a crowd but it wasn’t hard to see the fountaining lava.

I don’t know exactly how I managed it, but I lost a slipper/flip flop, fin sock and water shoe all within one 24 hour period.

It’s a talent, I know.

Suzanne hosted a holiday party and invited her hui of kids and parents from their school in Hilo.

Bananagrams were a big hit!

Our last Big Island day, we lolled around in the tide pools near South Point, waves pounding the rocky shore. We had such a nice time there, we stayed a bit too long and had to board our plane without the luxury of showering beforehand.

Plein air sketch of Mitch and Suzanne lounging in the tide pools of Kawa,

Oahu

View of Lanikai, the Mokuluas and Waimanalo from pillbox hike

We spent the next month in Kailua and Waikiki. I had thought that December and January would be cool and rainy. To my surprise and delight, this year it was neither (with the exception of a few days around New Year’s). We were more social than we’d been for the last two years; catching up with old friends, hiking, mostly enjoying meals together outdoors.

Lanikai pillbox hike with Pager and Grodens

Here we are on the Pillbox hike. Kailua and Koolaus in the background

I discovered a SWEET, flat walkway about a block from our Home Exchange. The Kawainui Marsh trail goes along the wetlands and provides an unobstructed view of the Koolaus, Olomana and the hills between Kailua and Kaneohe.

Kawainui Marsh and the mountains, from the marsh walkway

On a previous trip to Oahu, parked at a trailhead, our rental car was broken into, the window smashed and our gear in the trunk stolen. I didn’t want to risk that again so we parked in easier access/less obvious spots. I had no argument paying $10 to park at a golf course to get access to the Old Pali Road trail.

Between the raindrops near the Pali lookout

We spent New Year’s Eve in Wahiawa with our friends the Osorios. The pouring rain didn’t put a damper on the fireworks, which we watched from their covered lanai.

For the first time in years, we stayed up until midnight!

The Pu’uma’eli’eli hike isn’t difficult, it’s just a steep, gunky, muddy trail which made it hard after all.

The view at the top is worth it, though. We hit the peak on a glassy day.

Kaneohe Bay and Mokoli’i (Chinaman’s Hat)

Waikiki has changed radically in the last 20 years from an Asian flavored honky tonk city to a mini Rodeo Drive, with stores like Louis Vuitton and Harry Winston.

I prefer the Kapiolani Park side for its proximity to restaurants and markets on Kapahulu, the less crowded beaches, little waves at the wall and even some snorkeling. Mitch saw an octopus right there where everyone was walking all over the reef.

Diamond Head: majestic and golden in the late afternoon light from Kapiolani Park

What to do after a day at the beach? sketch the scene from our condo. I loved our (obstructed) view of Diamond Head and Kaimuki, especially in the late afternoon sunlight.

The northwest end of Oahu is Ka’ena Point. You can get there by hiking from the West/Makaha side of the Island or from the North Shore.

As we drove up toward the coast, I could clearly see waves breaking from miles away–they were humongous that day. We met our friends Azeema and Kuhio at the northern trailhead. It was clear and we started out at 7:30 am to beat the heat. By the time we reached the tip, the sun had risen above the mountains and it was HOT. We had our lunches in the shade of some rocks. The hike out was kind of brutal but worth it!

That’s the pointed tip where north and west meet.

Kaua’i

Our last week was what we’d dubbed the “wild card” because we hadn’t made any reservations for that time. I had been hesitant to commit to Kaua’i because it’s always so wet in the winter.

But not this time.

We stayed with our friend Tracey in Wailua and enjoyed a week of sweet visits with good friends and spectacular weather!

At Waimea Canyon lookout. Mitch, Susan, Tracey and Louise

One day, we tripped up to Koke’e. I can’t remember the last time that I was there in the bright sunshine. Wow!

When I lived on Kaua’i, I would hike to Kalalau whenever I had a three day weekend. I came to know the place and the trail well and I still love and dream of it (though I haven’t been down there for ~15 years). It was such a pleasure to hike the rim and get fantastic views of the valley.

A quick stop at Anahola Granola headquarters in Hanapepe. This photo sent as an Aloha to the founder, our friend Becky who is healing from a badly broken leg.

Louise said that her halau’s weekly get-togethers kept her sane over the last two years of Covid. We were honored to join them for some songs. Mitch played along with his guitar. I sketched.

Our last day was also glorious. We snorkeled at Anini Beach with my old friend Robin, who runs Reef Guardians.

And we ended up at Hanalei Bay, which never ceases to astound me with its expansive glory.

This photo is just a shadow of the beauty of Hanalei. It was dark and the light wasn’t right. But you get the idea.

Aloha, Hawai’i. A hui hou!

Trip to Gualala on the Mendocino Coast

October 28, 2020June 1, 2025 | Susan

Through the fires of this year, we’ve occasionally considered moving from the Golden State. However, our trip to the coast reminded me how incredibly beautiful it is here in California.

Fish Rock Watch Tower at the Mendocino Stone Zone, Gualala, CA.

The weather was glorious and clear. We saw whale spouts out in the water, shooting stars in the clear night sky and ate fabulous food.

Pencil drawing of the Fish Rock Watch Tower

We were treated to a tour of the Mendocino Stone Zone, a place where host Peter Mullins brings in stonemasons from Scotland, Ireland, France and New England to create art within his property in the hills. Peter is a font of knowledge about stone and informed us of a seam of basalt in Windsor, not far from where we live.

Who knew that there were basalt columns in Windsor?

We stayed at Roseman Creek Ranch, which provided a fantastic, huge kitchen. We paid a little extra for the big wood oven to be fired up so we could make pizza and other yummies. What a treat it all was!

We stayed at the beautiful Roseman Creek Ranch.

Lee and Judy made a delicious dinner in the wood fired oven

So many implements in the kitchen. Fresh flowers from the greenhouse as well.

More Sketches of 2017

May 24, 2017June 1, 2025 | Susan

A few new sketches from Spring of this year.

March and April were busy. I went to the town hall to hear my Congressman Jared Huffman answer questions. I made calls to Georgia voters for Jon Ossoff in Georgia, marched for 45 to reveal his taxes, went to a climate rally and a Mill Valley Community Action Network (MVCAN) meeting. Sketches were created.

Down in the Baja

Año Nuevo State Park.

We saw a few of the famous Elephant Seals. They’re pretty funny looking. We learned that the Grizzly Bear and the Elephant Seal have a common ancestor. Pups are “weaners.” Elephant Seals spend most of their time way out at sea (3000 miles) They came to Año Nuevo Beach in California, to shed their skins and later, to give birth.

AnoNuevo

And we hosted a birthday party at our house for our friend Seth.

Seth

One Week 100 People 2017

April 2, 2017June 1, 2025 | Susan

I have become a big fan of Instagram. Through that app, I’ve found wonderful sketchers, illustrators and artists and I’ve been sharing my work (@susanstanger5995—when I picked the handle, I didn’t know you were supposed to pick something more descriptive—I’m still learning). In early March, I learned about a challenge to sketch 100 people in a week. You might have noticed that I love to draw people so this was a no brainer for me. But it wasn’t easy. It was really 100 people in 5 days and by the end of the week, I was pretty much burnt out on drawing people.

On the other hand (so to speak), my drawing became more facile and quicker. I also started using other media, like a sharpie pen and colored pencils. One day, I banged out several sketches that way in just half an hour. Really quick and half from memory as my subjects moved through and out of eyeshot.

I posted on Instagram every day but the drawings were out of order and sometimes incomplete. I knew that eventually I would post them here so I could show them all in order (somewhat—though it seems that I’m missing a couple) and write more details about what I was doing, if I wanted to. So, here they are, my sketches of 100 people…

These first few sketches were done at the Mill valley Community Action Network meeting

These first sketches were done during a meeting of the Mill Valley CAN (Community Action Network) meeting. A group that is doing fantastic political action!

The ferry is a wonderful place to sketch people because they seldom see me drawing them. Most are reading something, as this sketch shows.

Here’s where I start doing those really quick sketches with the Sharpie pen and colored pencils. These were created in the lobby of the building where I work, 201 Mission St. on the corner of Beale in SF.

Back on the Ferry

A few of my colleagues:

More quick sketches with a sharpie. I sketched first and colored in later.

Finally doing a few just with paint. It was really fun and interesting to mix it up and do things a little differently.

At the Water protectors rally in San Francisco

Voila!

Art day at Robin’s and Pier 39

February 20, 2017June 1, 2025 | Susan

This is the place that Robin called the “Murder Shed” because it’s a dilapidated shed behind her house that looks creepy in the night. But there’s also this tree that’s blooming with red and pink flowers right in front. I thought it was beautiful and cool!

The next day, I went with my folks to Pier 39 for “Tulipmania” which was basically no more than a marketing campaign and several planters full of tulips. I was more taken by the seals/sea lions. They are pretty funny.

El Sketch Fabuloso

February 17, 2017June 1, 2025 | Susan

I miss my wonderful former colleague, Dominique. She’s a talented illustrator and we used to go out to sketch in the financial district of San Francisco at lunchtime on Wednesdays. She’s freelancing now but I’m trying to keep the tradition going on my own.

coittower This week, I did a quick sketch of Coit Tower (minus the traffic, trolley lines and streetlamps) from the Embarcadero.

Suzine II

Sketches, musings, and other stuff from my perspective. I’d love to hear from you (because I don’t know if anyone ever sees this) so please let me know if you’re out there.

Sketch diary