By Ellen Eason

This spring, several new businesses celebrated their debut in the Inner Sunset. 

Craving a crepe? Holy Crepe creates sweet and savory crepes at 715 Irving St. The colorful Morning Vibes Café and Deli held its grand opening in early April. Stop by its Ninth Avenue and Judah Street location for assorted coffees, smoothies, pastries, avocado toast, salads and sandwiches. 

Neighbors warmly welcomed back Chang’s Kitchen as it re-opened after being closed for more than a year due to fire damage. Sample their Szechuan and Asian-fusion cuisine at the bright renovated space or order take-out. 

There’s something new for your pet, too! Summer Puppy SF Pet Supplies opened at Irving and Funston Avenue with an array of supplies and treats.

Merchant Focus: Andy Forrest, Seismic Watercolors

Step into Seismic Watercolors at 1501 Irving St. to admire the impressionistic paintings of people and places portrayed by watercolorist Andy Forrest. Many of his paintings celebrate life in the Sunset – from street markets and parks to vistas of sweeping hillsides, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Ocean Beach and the Great Highway. 

The artist is thriving in his “second act” after more than 50 years as a structural and seismic engineer (thus the inspiration for the name Seismic Watercolors). 

“My paintings are edgy, not typical watercolors,” Forrest said. “They capture a feeling and mood about a place.” 

His preferred style is plein air landscapes, cityscapes and moments that spark his imagination, such as children feeding ducks at Blue Heron Lake or visitors buying hot dogs in the park.

Forrest began painting in the early 1970s in the West Coast transparent watercolor style, evoking the luminous qualities of the aqua medium. As an engineer, his familiarity with architecture, construction and environments shows in the interesting angles and details in his work. He opened the studio three years ago after retiring from his engineering practice.

The Inner Sunset fit the bill for the gallery’s location. 

“Irving Street’s unique personality is my cup of tea,” Forrest said. He especially likes walking in the neighborhood and hearing stories from new and longtime residents and other business owners. Participating in the Inner Sunset Art Walks has helped build awareness for his studio and the neighborhood’s vibrant creative scene.

Many Seismic Watercolors’ customers are locals. Parents often purchase original paintings and buy prints of the same artwork for their millennial children. In addition, Forrest said Ubers often pull up on the way to the airport with a passenger who wants to take home a special memory of San Francisco. 

A member of the California Watercolor Association, Forrest also does private commissions and demos for aspiring watercolor artists. His second act caps the journey of “a Brooklyn boy who graduates engineering school in ‘69, goes to Woodstock then sticks his thumb out and ends up in San Francisco.” 

Learn more about Seismic Watercolors at seisicwatercolors.com or on Instagram (@seismicwatercolors).

Central Sunset

Irving Street’s blocks between 14th and 18th avenues are bustling with fun and innovative eateries, shops, galleries and entertainment options. 

Between 14th and 15th, you will find the Game Parlour with a large selection of board games and a waffle-centric menu. Check out the Problem Library, Sage & Drifter bar, Café Le Flore and Phelps Gallery. 

In the next block, discover creative spots: Seismic Watercolors, J. Vanderweele Art and Design, and DankerMae, a space that highlights crafts and community. Try the yakitori, ramen and Japanese small plates at Izakaya Sozai. Yoma Café serves bento boxes, sushi, rice bowls and boba tea. Coming soon are delicious dumplings from Jian Bao. Also on the block are Rescom (realty and development) and Wah Mei Language Learning and Community Development, which  reside between 17th and 18th avenues. Sunset Commons, an arts and crafts space for the community, will open soon. 

About the Inner Sunset Merchants’ Association

The association is the voice of the neighborhood’s business community. It is an all-volunteer, nonprofit association committed to supporting, promoting and advocating for the needs of the local business community. It welcomes new merchants into our neighborhood and works hard to drive new business to the growing community. Learn more at innersunsetmerchants.org.

Ellen Eason is a writer and Inner Sunset resident.