Stimson Green Mansion Sketches

We had a great time sketching at the Stimson Green Mansion.  Good thing it was indoors, not that it was raining....it was cold.  Here are the two sketches I finished.  One outside under the Porte Cochere and another one in from the front entry hall.  The detail was overwhelming and so many choices of views.

More Stimson Green

I tend to go for the practical aspects of built environments. 

Hence, the kitchen and the bathroom. 

I loved the rack and the somewhat industrial nature of the kitchen 
That's Debra over in the opposite corner. 

And the stand-alone porcelain sink in the 2nd floor bathroom.

Stimson Green staff were gracious and welcoming making for a delightful experience. 

Stimson Green Sketch Crawl

I was late getting up to the mansion and so I was able to only do a quick sketch in the living room before the group gathered to share.  The dark shadow in the corner contrasting with the sunlight coming through the window and curtains was a challenge for the eyes.  I like the challenge of representing the sunlight, but I am  not completely satisfied with the results yet. 
After everyone went on their way, I decided to stand across the street and sketch a second image of the exterior.  It was cold, but it forced me to work faster.
 Enjoyed seeing all the other sketches and hope every one gets around to posting their efforts.

Stimson-Green Mansion

Here are a couple of sketches I did yesterday. The first, done before the group met at 10 am, took about 20 minutes because it was really cold outside. The second was from the landing on the main stairway between the first and second floors, looking both upward and downward. I always enjoy these transitional spaces because of the multiple viewpoints they offer.

Stimson Green

I was not sure if we would be able to use ink and watercolor inside the mansion, so I brought graphite pencils and worked outside of my comfort zone yesterday. Turns out, ink and watercolors were fine - as you will see as more people post their sketches. Fun day and a great winter location to sketch.

Sketches of Stimson Green from Kate

These are sketches of the Stimson Green Mansion done by Kate Buike who joined us for the first time on Sunday. 

More photos of Stimson Green

Urban Sketchers listening to Cathy Wickwire talk about the Mansion

Main entry to the Mansion

Urban Sketchers at the Stimson-Green Mansion

Here is a photo of the Seattle Urban Sketchers sharing our work yesterday in the sunlit dining room of the Stimson-Green mansion. Will post a couple of sketches later today.

Bat Mitzvah

My daughter's friend's Bat Mitzvah this morning. More practice speedsketching.

Gabi and Gail on King 5 New Day Show

I agree with Mark - it was intimidating sketching on live TV! All the cameras and action made for a pretty fast sketch-probably the quickest one I've ever tried to do. I refrained from my usual post-sketch doctoring up to capture the experience so this one is "as seen on TV":)

Old Seattle Steam Plant

Sketch from the Green Room @ King 5 TV

Here's a sketch that I did while waiting in the Green Room.  The guy was Ian Henry the director of Media and PR for the Seattle Thunderbirds.  They did a segment on a Celebrity Hockey Game that was happening as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald house.

Drawing with Candy!

Yale Symposium Explores Drawing in the Digital Age | News | Architectural Record

Interesting article on Hand Drawing and Architecture.
Yale Symposium Explores Drawing in the Digital Age | News | Architectural Record

Sketching on the set of New Day (TV)

I was shocked at how nervous I got when an assistant producer announced that they would be filming what ever we had sketched during the show (as an ending to Gabi's interview about his new book). How funny that the normal activity of sketching became almost impossible because my hand was shaking so much. I literally couldn't write words. What a basket case.....

Looking back, the whole experience was a lot of fun (thanks Gabi) and I did get in my 1.5 seconds of fame!

New Day

The taping of the show was an interesting process to watch.  

It was quite a challenge to come up with something to present.

Noon time @ Westlake

Last Wednesday while we had a short sun break, I sketched at Westlake Park during my lunch time.

Urban Sketchers Seattle has a facebook page! "Like" us and get automatic updates. Pass it on to friends and family.

Sunday February 26th Sketchcrawl

Next Sunday February 26th we will meet at the Stimson Green Mansion from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for a sketch crawl at this historic landmark.  1204 Minor Avenue, Seattle, WA.  Hope to see you there.

May's Restaurant and Lounge

May's Restaurant and Lounge on 45th in Wallingford takes you away to Thailand.   Great Thai food and atmosphere.  The best authentic Phad Tai in Seattle (according to our waiter!)

Acapulco

An armed guard asked me to leave ("Propiedad Privada!"). After I begged him to give me one hour ("Con su permission, por favor, solomente una hora...") he let me draw, but wouldn't allow any reference photos for adding color later.

The Grand Mayan Hotel.

Acapulco: Where old VWs go to die.

Part of the kids' area.

Long Beach, CA.

2nd Ave., Long Beach, CA. as seen through the window of Sweet Jill's Donut Shop.

Junked cars.

Another view of 2nd Ave through a Starbucks window.

El Burrito Jr.

Yes, 2nd Ave again.

IIDA Leaders Breakfast 2012 Honors Frank Ching

Local Urban Sketcher Frank Ching is to be honored with  Speaker Mountaineer Ed Viesturs at the
IIDA Leaders Breakfast 2012 Thursday, March 1
Four Seasons Hotel
99 Union Street, Seattle,
Door Open 7:00 am
Event Starts promptly at 8:00 am

More info & tickets:
http://www.iida-northernpacific.org/

The Northern Pacific Chapter of International Interior Design Association is honoring, University of Washington Professor Emeritus Frank Ching, at Leaders Breakfast.  Keynote speaker Ed Viesturs, has successfully reaching the summits of all of the world’s fourteen 8000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen. 2005, the year he completed this astounding accomplishment Viesturs was awarded National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year.

Frank Ching is being honored as one of our regional leaders who have not only taught for the last 35 years, but authored books on architectural and design that are in the library of every Interior Designer and Architect. His books have been published in sixteen languages and Professor Ching has received numerous awards including the AIA Institute Honor for Collaborative Achievement.

Leaders Breakfast was established by IIDA to provide an event to honor leaders in the local design community with an inspiring speaker and provide a forum where IIDA Members and their clients could see, hear and network with peers.   Congratulations Frank!  Anyone interested in going please check ticket information link and go to events.

Lunch time sketches in Seattle

Coliseum Theater at 5th and Pike

Elliott Bay from the Market

Recently I have gone out at lunch to try and sketch a view of something near my office.

The one hour lunch is a challenge to eat and create an image within the time limits.   The exercise of getting to the essense of the composition without getting stuck in the details is good practice in what are you really seeing.   I like it better when the clock is off!

Dinner @ Monsoon

Monsoon Restaurant, Capital Hill, Seattle, WA

Had an early Valentine's dinner at Monsoon Restaurant on Saturday.  Great Vietnamese Cuisine.  Here's a view from our seat as we were having coffee and Coconut Creme Brulee!

Tacoma

I went up to Tacoma last weekend and ran into a Leonard Pellteir protest. It was all so exciting I went again today and tried my hand at a few of the downtown buildings. They are unbearably ornate. 

Asian Art Museum

I missed the camaraderi of the last sketchcrawl at Volunteer Park, sadly, could not get off my hill with all the snow. But, I had a lovely day there last weekend with Beth. Got to see those great exhibits before they are gone, we enjoyed sunshine and lunch outdoors sketching.

Still waters

Susan Miller and I were able to spend a warm, reflective afternoon at Fishermen's terminal this week. Having spent many a shivering hour there before, this was a rare treat.