This is the fourth year in a row that we took advantage of seniors (50+) getting in free to Happy Hollow Zoo for Senior Safari to sketch the animals. With this much practice, we should be getting the hang of sketching animals who are constantly on the move, but it is still quite the challenge. Even if difficult, it is fun to try, and one learns a lot by spending time with an animal. For example, it took a quite a while to notice how the giant anteater walks on his knuckles while tucking his long sharp claws into his palms.
The weather was delightful with sun and a pleasant temperature. We seniors had the park to ourselves from 9-10 AM, then families with young children arrived at the regular opening time. After a full morning of sketching and painting, some of our artists enjoyed a ride on the “Keep–Around Carousel”, featuring endangered species.
For information about Happy Hollow Zoo visit
https://happyhollow.org/
Here is a giant anteater video provided by the San Diego Zoo. It is worth waiting through the beginning 15 second advertisement to see the close ups of the anteater’s very long tongue and long sharp claws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Lo2XnakbY
Upcoming Paintsites: See the SCVWS
website or the August and September Newsletters for details:
- Thursday, August 29, Villa Montalvo, Saratoga
- Thursday, Sept 5, Emerald Lake Country Club, Emerald Hills
- Thursday, Sept 12, Rosicrucian Museum Park, San Jose
- Thursday, Sept 19, Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park
- Saturday, Sept 21, Edenvale Gardens Regional Park / Hayes Mansion, San Jose
- Thursday, Sept 26, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
Artists and their artwork:
Many more animals were sketched and painted than are shown here.
 |
| Iris's magnificent scarlet macaw |
 |
| Iris holding her painting |
 |
Lauren's scarlet macaw and
blue and gold macaw
|
 |
| Elaine |
 |
| Elaine's page of red ruffed lemur sketches |
 |
Elaine says the goats in the petting area
were very interested in the senior with his walker.
|
 |
| Thursday paintsite co-coordinator Marilyn |
 |
| Marilyn's sketch of the giant anteater |
The "Keep-Around Carousel" was very popular, both for riding and for painting.
 |
| Brad on the shark and Ed on the black rhinoceros |
 |
Helen peeking around the giraffe's ears
and Jan C. riding on the swan
|
 |
| Brad's painting of "Keep-Around Carousel" |
 |
| Iris and Helen |
 |
| There are lots of people in Helen's "Keep-Around Carousel" painting |
 |
| Jan C. |
 |
| Jan C's painting of "Keep-Around Carousel" |
 |
| Elaine's painting of "Keep-Around Carousel" |
 |
| Toni |
 |
Toni's painting of a magnificent tree in front of
the "Keep-Around Carousel"
|
 |
| Toni's detail of tree |
There are other interesting scenes to paint at Happy Hollow Zoo:
 |
| Broncha |
 |
| Broncha's painting of the "Crooked House" |
 |
Sham and Indira found a comfortable bench on a hill
overlooking the picnic area
|
 |
| Sham's painting looking down on the umbrellas in the picnic area |
 |
| Indira's painting looking down on the umbrellas in the picnic area |
Lunch and sharing at the Jaguar Picnic Area
 |
| One group of artists |
 |
| Another group of artists |
 |
| Thank you Thursday paintsite co-coordinator emeritus Brad for leading the sharing of our artwork |
