Seattle Central Library

Another fun sketching meetup at the Central Library.  I was drawn (no pun intended) to this transparent greenish yellow escalator as soon as I walked in the building. 

This unique artwork is cut into the wall along the escalator.  Images of faces are projected onto the ball shapes behind the wall.

After sharing our work near the coffee shop, I went across the street to see if I could get the main mass and volume of this building figured out.  Not sure I quite got it - but since there are not too many right angles in the building - who will know?

I really enjoyed Gabi's presentation.  It is inspiring to meet up with such a great group of people each month!

Downtown Seattle Public Library

3rd Floor of the Downtown Seattle Public Library at today's sketchcrawl. A challenge to draw but full of cool colors and interesting stuff. I originally drew a sketcher who was sitting up against the bookshelf in front of the escalator but seemed out of place when finished so I replaced her with a chair:). Interesting to be in the library before it opened to see the huge blast of people who came in at the noon hour. I had no idea the place was so popular on a Sunday and a packed house for Gabi's excellent presentation!

Gabi at Seattle Public Library

There was a great turn-out today for Gabi's lecture on his book. I have really enjoyed flipping through this book and reading tips from the artists. He really engaged the audience with the anecdotes from his international posse of sketchers. Congratulations Gabi!

Ballard Market

A couple of sketches from the Ballard Market from last Sunday.

Ballard Bank

Ballard Bicycles

  

A Visit to SAM and Gauguin

Last week I finally got into see the Gauguin Exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum.  It is a great exhibit to see, not only for the works of Gauguin, but also the large collection of wonderful Polynesian artifacts that give a context to his art.  The whole story is fascinating to follow as you work through the show.  Gauguin expected paradise and the reality was something much different.  He didn't follow the sketchers manifesto though because he painted what he thought it should be, not what was there.

I sketched all in pencil while at the museum and then hurried home to add the color while it was still fresh in my mind.  There is still time to see it this weekend if you haven't had a chance yet.

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is once again overflowing with tulips and other spring flowers. I haven't been using a lot of color in my sketches lately, but this vibrant flower stall inspired me to get out my watercolors.

Here are some sketches from the Seattle Urban Sketchers Sketchcrawl at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Space Needle.  It was a fantastic day for sketching!

Other Sketches from Seattle Center

These are sketches is from Carter Woollen  and Chris Kopet who came  on Saturday.  Carter was coming for the first time and was able to find two other sketchers from our group. Hopefully both will be able to make it on Sunday for our next sketchcrawl to meet the rest of our group.

Pencil and Watercolor Sketch Seattle Center by Carter Woollen

Space Needle Watercolor by Chris Kopet

Thanks for sharing your works Carter and Chris.

Century 21 Exposition

Worldwide Sketch Crawl No. 35 at Seattle Center

50th Anniversary of Seattle's Century 21 Exposition

Space Needle

Key Arena & International Fountain

James Fitzgerald's "Fountain of the Northwest"

Santo Domingo 2012 Urban Sketchers Symposium

Still space available for this great workshop.  Enjoy sunny Santa Domingo and wonderful workshop speakers.

Workshop dates are July 12-14, 2012.

April Sketchcrawl and Library Talk booksigning with Gabi Campanario

Sunday April 29th @ Seattle Central Library: 

Sketch and also hear Gabi Campanario talk about his new book "The Art of Urban Sketching"
We will meet up at 10:30 am for the sketchcrawl at the Seattle Library.  Meet at the 4th Avenue entrance near the fountain.  Outdoor sketching until the doors open at 12:00 p.m. then indoors for another half an an hour before Gabi's Lecture starts at 1:00.  Sketch while he talks too!

International Sketchcrawl: Seattle Center 50 year celebration

Seven of us showed up at the 50 year celebration of the Seattle World's Fair at Seattle Center. It was very festive and a kazillion people. We sketched to the tunes of Elvis, Chuck Berry, the Beatles, and the Monkeys - to name a few. Very fun and some really nice sketches. I'll post mine later this week. 

Here is Kate Buike's sketch of the Chihully gardens:

Here's my (Jane W) sketches from the day:

 A classic pink caddy to go with the Elvis tunes.

 A juxtaposition of two different views while basking in the sun outside Starbucks.

Under the Needle. You can't see the crowds in the background. But you can see Kate sketching in the left. I ran into my old boss, Ralph Munro while sitting there. A number of other officials were gathering to go up for a luncheon. 

Seattle Center

I went to a kick off Celebration for the Habitat home of the future that will be built on site at Seattle Center, then taken apart and relocated on a habitat site.  While I was there I did get to sketch.
Here are two sketches one inside the EMP and one outside.  Can't wait to see what others did yesterday.

Interiors of the EMP

EMP entry looking toward the Space Needle

35th WW Sketchcrawl

I was at the Bellevue Invitational Track Meet for the 35th WW sketchcrawl.  It was a great sunny day and a wonderful opportunity to see my son run in the 1 mile event.  He set his own personal record of completing 1 mile in 5 min 17 sec.  Here are the sketches from the day.

Bellevue High Plaza

Bellevue Invitational Track Meet

Pho Cyclo Restaurant

LaConnor, evening

April Sketchcrawls

Just a heads up about this months sketchcrawls see below:  I will post maps later.

Saturday April 21st 35th WW Sketchcrawl:

Those of you who can make this sketchcrawl we will meet at 10:00 a.m. by the base of the Space Needle at the Seattle Center.

Sunday April 29th @ Seattle Central Library: 

Sketch and also hear Gabi Campanario talk about his new book "The Art of Urban Sketching"
We will meet up at 10:30 am for the sketchcrawl at the Seattle Library.  Meet at the 4th Avenue entrance near the fountain.  Outdoor sketching until the doors open at 12:00 p.m. then indoors for another half an an hour before Gabi's Lecture starts at 1:00.  Sketch while he talks too! 

Richland and Santa Barbara

I've been on a search for sunshine lately. . . 

was in Richland this weekend for a 90th bd party. 

Took a break and went down to the river bank to catch 

a lovely warmish Sunday morning. 

In late March I visited my sister, Beth, in Santa Barbara: 

La Superica was a taqueria on Milipas -- Scruptious!

 Our Lady of Mount Carmel near downtown SB. Charming chapel with folk art decor and lovely garden and courtyard. 

Paradise cafe. We sat under a heat lamp and watched the rain form a river in the street. 

So much for the search for sun. 

Santa Barbara City Hall. Wish I'd taken the time to hike the stairs to the tower for the 360 degree view.

All in all a lovely visit and I'm eager to return to SoCa soon.  

More from Mexico

Downtown 

Easter carnival

Abierto las 24 horas

More Jury Time Sketches

 I

From inside City Hall looking across 4th Ave to the big hole.

 I ended up being on a longer case, so was able to spend time on my lunch break doing more sketches.

The weather also improved which allowed me to sit outside most days.

Dan Seng joined me one lunch and we sketched

 the Dragon Gate to the International District.

Dan also showed me the renovated waiting hall

 at the Union Train Station. A great space to return with more time.

 I came back the next day because the weather was damp again.

The North Tower at Century Link Field

A 10 minute sketch in the morning

of  the Henry Moore sculpture in front of the

old Seafirst Tower.  A delivery truck was blocking part of my view.

Between deliberations on my final day,

 I sat in the plaza of City Hall and sketched the space above 4th Ave looking south.

 The King County Administration Building and the KC Courthouse

 flank the street and are a real contrast in styles (only the prisoner secure sky bridge connects the two).