143. The Cafe as Oasis.
a sneakyart drop
Dear reader,
Today’s post is a SneakyArt Drop. New readers, hello! Visit here to read more about me and my work. If you prefer to listen, here’s a recent interview I did on the Science Friction podcast on Australia’s ABC Radio National.
The Cafe as Oasis
Walking without direction in Cambie Village, I found a cafe on a residential street - a most unusual sighting1. On a hot day after a long walk, on a street corner under the generous shade of tall trees, a cafe can be an oasis.
A watering hole in the wilderness of urban life.
I got an iced tea in a tall glass. By the time I found a table on the patio, it already glistened with condensation. The day was only getting hotter. The shadow cast by the trees towering over me felt like a cool balm against my face. My chair rocked from side to side. The sidewalk sloped gently at the curb and only three legs out of four were able to rest on the ground at any given time.
But I paid no attention to this. The stage was set. SneakyArt was around me.
Dear reader, here is what I found.
Birds perched on tree tops chattered among themselves, and people sitting on benches did the same. Distant conversations floated in the languid air.
A question -
What role does the cafe play in helping us lead private lives in public spaces?
On the table beside mine sat a father with his infant son. “He draws too,” he said to me later, as they were getting up to leave. “But not as well as you.”
We laughed.
But it’s true. I am probably way better at drawing than that kid.
Other Updates
💻 There are a few seats left in my Zoom drawing workshop this month. If you want to pick up some people-drawing tricks and are excited to draw with me for two hours, grab a seat!
🎟 You can get the workshop seat for FREE if you sign up to become a SneakyArt Insider using the annual option. Email me after signing up to claim your seat.
🇳🇱 I am going to be in Amsterdam for a few weeks starting 14th Aug. Sketchers in that part of the world, say hi. I would love to meet up!
🇪🇺 I am still deciding where else I want to visit in Europe, preferably by train. Can you help?
This week, I am reading…
Dear reader, thank you for your time and attention. I am glad to have a space in your inbox.
I posted about it on Reddit and learned it is called mixed-use zoning.
Cafés have become a third space for many that are have little space of their own to host friends or might feel inadequate in hosting gatherings in their own home. It’s a neutral space that can become a “private”place. It’s also become a retreat or as you describe an oasis to indulge in affordable luxuries such as a specialty coffee or a decadent pastry.
As well, by just plugging in some earphones and connecting to public wifi, some can be all setup for their private affairs of work or pleasure in a very public setting.
I sometimes frequent Breka 24 hour bakery café early in the morning before the city wakes up to read a chapter or two of a book before heading into my Taichi practice at a nearby park.
We need more mixed use spaces where small businesses like The Mighty Oak disrupts the quiet residential neighbourhood with the small of fresh-brewed coffee and just out-of-the-oven croissants!
Nishant! I adored adored adored your Substack Grow share-out. Excited to follow along with your art and observations. The voice behind your work is really, really lovely. Thanks for the extra insights in the illustration breakout room too. Will see how my first paid-only post goes 👀