The Casino cafe Marbella

This cafe is bright and light and sells a range of bakery goods. I sit watching the mother and daughter eating lunch at the next table. I am in Marbella alone and am recalling how in a previous incarnation of this cafe years before I was locked in the toilet with my daughter. I had to shout ¡ socorro!  and eventually we were rescued by a passing gentleman. Returning to our table, which was roughly where I am sitting to paint, my partner and son were oblivious to our having been missing even though we were locked in for what felt like half and hour. The cafe then was traditional a Spanish affair, full of smokers with a casino next door and toilets with a handle that came off in your hand. I finish the painting and head straight to the toilet to see how far the refurbishment goes. They are no longer up the rickety staircase behind the kitchens. 

Man fishing by Max's beach

It's a very hot day and I decide to walk along the beach, I have passed the end of the wooden walkway and so am walking along the sand. I reach a rocky section where the sea is coming in and decide to sit on a rock. There are people sitting in a beer garden above me. I notice this man who has walked out onto a rock in his shorts with just a carrier bag and a fishing rod. He seems really content to just stand there in the way fishermen do and barely moves for the whole time I am there. While I paint several people pass and negotiate the slippery rocks. I have a short chat with a man who asks me if there is anything worth seeing beyond the rocks. Eventually the fisherman puts away his rod and leaves, he catches nothing.

And again La Cala

This is the final drawing in La Cala, after a long walk in the sun and a false start in a tourist cafe after my guests decide the Jubilados cafe is not what they are looking for due to its minimal breakfast menu. While they are enjoying the beach attractions I head back to the cafe for an intense drawing session. It seems my previous paintings have become local news and I am soon surrounded by onlookers. I discover more of the names and home towns of some of my subjects and am soon in conversation with Agustín and Manuel after they finish their game of dominoes. We swap email addresses and Manuel reminds me of my promise to paint his grand daughter. I ask how I can send it to him and he replies " bring it next year"

The Park cafe in Marbella

Early morning after a bus journey into Marbella. I head for this cafe as it's another favourite, I used to come here to the playground with my children when they were small. It hasn't changed and as I walk past the play area I am feeling a strong sense of all the previous visits with different friends and their families. This time I am alone and it feels strangely quiet. The cafe is as usual, quiet and peaceful, I recognise the waiter and feel a sense of timelessness. The man in the beige trousers is probably the owner, he matches the decor in his maroon shirt. There are regular visitors around me who exchange greetings and information about their grandchildren with the waiter. To the right of the scene and out of frame is a large family group with one small boy who seems loudly frustrated at the lack of attention he is receiving.

Back in La Cala

Am back in the cafe in La Cala where there is a sectioned off area for the pensioners to play dominoes. This is a favourite place of mine and worth the 30 minute walk along the beach. Great coffee and the men hardly move as they play.
I recognise the men  playing dominoes as I have drawn or painted them many times before. Sometimes they come and look at the paintings and pass comment. Today Manuel, back to me wearing a red T shirt, is very taken with his portrait and asks to take a photo, he wants me to paint his grand daughter. He gives me his email address and I send him some pictures. Another of the old boys remembers that I drew him last year.

Conversation in a Balham cafe

Cafe Boutique has several items of clothing for sale on rails dotted amongst the coffee, cakes and tables. The atmosphere is bright and light. I am drawing whilst sitting with Andrew by a small victorian fireplace, it is quite difficult to have a conversation without any eye contact but my eyes are focussed on capturing the constantly moving customers and baristas.

Snacking on Clapham Common

It is quite a cold day- but sunny. I am sitting close to the concreted area of the Common by the Westside drawing in characters as they cross my field of vision. It is not a busy day and those crossing through are mainly runners and dog walkers with the odd elderly person. After a while a man appears with his son and they have a kick about with a ball, the dad wears a puffa jacket and both father and son play with hands in pockets. The moment is interrupted by a local, loud voiced nanny and her charges who sit down on the bench next to me and go to some effort to make me understand that they require the entire bench for their snack activity.