A Celebration of Seattle's Asian Community

As I was drawing this view of the people gathered in Hing Hay Park this past Sunday for the Lunar New Year celebration, Mayor Ed Murray reminded us of how a mob rounded up the Chinese in this neighborhood and tried to force them out of Seattle in 1886, and how the Japanese were forced to "relocate" in 1942 (after President Roosevelt had signed Executive Order 9066). I was glad to hear Mayor Murray assert that Seattle would remain committed to welcoming refugees and immigrants in need, a view reaffirmed by the Seattle City Council last night.

Lunar New Year Crowd

I picked the last place on King St. where I could sit in the middle of the street and not worry about cars crossing the intersection.  I wanted to get a long view of the crowds milling about and waiting to get into all the wonderful restaurants along the street, queuing up to the food vendors, and watching the festivities in the park.  The best thing about sitting in the street is that I had lots of people to talk with as they came up to see what I was doing.  The kids are always shy at first until you ask them if they like to draw too, then they like to tell you about their own drawings.  

For my second sketch, I wanted to go down and paint the Historic Chinatown Gate since it was down at the end of my first sketch.  It was good to put the King Street Station Tower in both views as a point of reference also. 

Lunar New Year at Hing Hay Park

 I had a great time smelling all of the great food and hearing the fire crackers.   I looked all over and couldn't find a single Fire Rooster to sketch so I settled for a dragon.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Today's outing was planned to coincide with the Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at International District Chinatown. The day started quite nice with a little bit of sunshine. We met up at Hing Hay Park just as the celebration kicked off with firecrackers and the famous lion dance. One of my goals was to catch and sketch the dancers, but I just couldn't get a good view amidst all the people who got there before me. After a few failed attempts, I decided to walk around the block and came across the Chong Wa Benevolent Association's building. I figured a quick sketch of the roof and brick details would be a good warm up to start the day.

Chong Wa Benevolent Association, ID Chinatown, Seattle

The weather started to turn as the sun disappeared behind thick cloud. Throngs of people started to fill the streets. I stood in the middle of King Street looking west to capture the festivities. As you can see, sketching to me is much less about accuracy or precision, and more about capturing the essence of time and place. 

S King St Looking West, ID Chinatown, Seattle

I went back to Hing Hay Park and sketched the scene around the pavilion and the main stage. At this point it got fairly chilly and my fingers started to get numb. I finished a quick one and joined fellow sketchers to warm up and share sketches at a nearby coffee shop. Gong Xi Fa Cai from Urban Sketchers Seattle family!

Hing Hay Park, ID Chinatown, Seattle

New Year in the ID

The Seattle Times reported that the International District's (ID) celebration of the Lunar New Year was held a week later due to the Women's March on 1/21, the day after inauguration. So it was held yesterday and today.  Today we met to sketch our reportage on the festivities.

As I often do, I arrived early.  I'd already sketched the China gate a couple years ago.  Today I sketched one of many dragons that adorn the utility polls in the district.


The crowds were already forming and the dragon dance had started when it was time to meet up.  So we moved on down the sidewalk to be out of the way for our little meeting held before we dispersed to sketch.

I used my reciprocal MOHAI membership to gain entrance to the Wing Luke museum.  I'd never been there and today might not have been the best choice.  However, it was warm, quiet and not as crowded as I thought it might be.  This bit of recreated street scene appealed to me.  At the end wall were three potted trees in which little colored tags were tied. The card next to the basket of tags said, "Give New Year Blessings" by writing the person's name with a special wish on the paper tag, then tie it with string to a branch.


We walked a couple blocks away from the crowds to share our sketches out of the now brooding weather, under the awning of an office building on the transportation plaza.

Chilly Lunar New Year

1/29/17 Hing Hay Park

In my experience with Urban Sketchers Seattle, we always get the highest sketch outing participation on warm summer days (surprise, surprise). Looking at the turnout today, you would have thought it was July instead of Lunar New Year! It’s obvious that a little cold and wind don’t damper the enthusiasm of sketchers, especially on the Chinatown-International District’s most festive weekend of the year. (It was especially cool that several new sketchers showed up after hearing about the outing at the “10x10” event yesterday.)

1/29/17 Chinatown Gate and King Street Station

Shortly before the scheduled lion dance, I tried to get close enough to Hing Hay Park’s pavilion to catch the action, but I couldn’t see a thing through the throngs of people who had gotten there before me. Giving up, I walked across the street to sketch the pavilion. Although I couldn’t see the traditional lion dancers, I could hear the drums and firecrackers, so it still felt festive. Halfway through the sketch, two decorative lions on poles and a burst of confetti suddenly appeared high above the crowd, so I quickly put them in. Meanwhile, a parked car in the foreground that I had roughed in got towed away (the street was closed for the festival, so it must have been parked there overnight)! Things come and go quickly when you’re urban sketching.

Frozen to the bone, I ducked inside Wing Luke Museum for a few minutes to warm up, but I wanted one more sketch for the morning. Working my way slowly back upstream through the crowd, I spotted a great view from the street of the historic Chinatown Gate with the King Street Station tower behind it. It was a rare sketching opportunity from the closed street where I normally wouldn’t be able to stand.

I’ve been warming up at home for a couple of hours now, but I still feel chilled. So “Happy Lunar New Year” and all that, but bah-humbug – I’m sketching indoors until spring!

January Sunday Sketch Outing

Sunday, January 29  
Lunar New Year in Seattle's International District

Meet in Hing Hay Park - in or near the covered shelter
Corner of King and Maynard 
10:45 am until 1:15

See details on Monthly Outing Page.

Art Class at Artist & Craftsman

I am bummed I will once again miss the monthly sketch outing due to a looming deadline so am posting this sketch from today instead. For the holidays this year I got my friend Laura an art class at Artist & Craftsman taught by fellow Seattle Urban Sketcher Steve Reddy. I've been sitting at my computer nonstop for a week and although I did not have time to break away today was the day. I had trouble parking and came in a few minutes late and couldn't sit next to Laura so I thought I would take the opportunity to sketch her during the class. I was a bad student. I managed to squeeze out one still life drawing per instructions and then my mind wandered off to all of the colors in the room and I couldn't resist... I was then referred to by the instructor as --"...there is Jackie, she is off in her own Private Idaho."I have such a hard time drawing pears. Thank you Steve - Great class I'm sorry I was such a problem student but on the bright side you inspired Laura and I think I will be able to get her out to a sketchcrawl one of these days...

USk 10x10 Program Kicks Off

Urban Sketchers recently announced its worldwide “10x10” workshop program. To celebrate Urban Sketchers’ 10^th birthday, the organization is sponsoring a series of 10 workshops in each of 30 cities so far around the globe, with many more yet to be scheduled this year. It’s almost like having a mini symposium in your hometown!

Seattle USk kicked off the program this morning with a free presentation by all the local instructors. Long-time urban sketchers as well as newcomers fully packed the large classroom at the Daniel Smith store to learn more about the 10x10 workshops and meet the instructors.

OK, so my sketches are not exactly flattering, but they’re all my friends so they forgive me. 😜 In any case, I’m looking forward to the three workshops I signed up for, and I wish I could take all 10! If you’re interested, hurry and sign up now – they’re filling fast!

Free Lecture: Seattle 10x10 January 28th 11 a.m. at Daniel Smith Store in Seattle

 Please join us tomorrow for a free lecture at Daniel Smith. 

We will be describing the classes being given through the USk 10years-10 classes program.  Seattle's 10 x 10 course is one of 26 USk courses happening throughout the world. 

All who attend will be getting a discount coupon on supplies courtesy of Daniel Smith Stores.

If you can't make it watch it  via Facebook Live from the group's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SeattleUrbanSketchers/
Tune in to watch live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or check the page later to view the archived broadcast.

Daniel Smith Seattle
4150 First Avenue South
Seattle, Washington 98134
(206) 223-9599

Nucor Steel Plant

1/27/17 Giant magnets release scrap metal into a huge bin.

Whenever I’ve visited West Seattle, I’ve wondered about those smokestacks visible from the bridge and the large industrial facility attached to them. It turns out that the facility is the Nucor Steel plant, and this morning Urban Sketchers Seattle had the good fortune to sketch inside it.

1/27/17 Sketchers overlooking the scrap yard.

Normally the facility is open to the public through two-hour guided walking tours that make only brief stops at each location. Working with Nucor environmental engineer Sean Wilson, we arranged a special tour for USk Seattle that would allow us enough time to sketch in a couple of places within the plant. In addition, visitors are not usually allowed to bring bags into the plant, but that restriction was waived for us so that we could bring our sketch gear.

Built in 1904, the mill produces more than a million tons of steel a year, mostly in the form of rebar. A large portion of the raw material for that steel is scrap metal from old cars, and that’s the production area where we spent the most time sketching. Overlooking the scrap yard, we could watch huge magnets lift heaps from the mountains of scrap metal and release them into a giant bin.

1/27/17 Fiery arc furnace awaiting its next "drop."

The most exciting part of our sketch tour was the viewing area for the arc furnace, where that giant bin of scrap metal “drops” its load into a steaming, flaming fire pit. The whole room shook like a mild earthquake! The flames erupted like a volcano too bright to watch except through the protective tinted windows. We got to witness the “drop” twice during the 45 minutes or so that we sketched there!

I had difficulty capturing the scenes we had the opportunity to sketch, but my sketchbook serves as a reminder of the fascinating process we observed. (Photography and video are not allowed inside the plant. It felt strange not to take trophy shots to share!)

Many thanks to Sean at Nucor for the tour and the special accommodations USk Seattle received! 

1/27/17 Sketchers watching the furnace.

Lead with Love- 2017 Women's March

Before today, I’d only walked in two protest marches in my life – Seattle, May 1970 - the National Guard had just shot four students protesting the Vietnam war at Kent State– and 1981-ish when Pacific Gas & Electric built a nuclear reactor  at Diablo Canyon directly on top of San Andreas Fault about 7 miles away from our home.

The recent election with all if it’s disrespect, fake news and outrageous results seems to have inspired outrage and a wave of activism all over the world. The minute I heard about it I knew I was going to join. The question was where – Washington D.C. was very tempting, Seattle was a sure bet, but at the last minute I opted to stay in my own community.

It was drizzling when we parked and started walking towards the Capitol grounds. We could hear cheers and drumming as we got closer. Then, gradually the sun broke through the clouds and waves of marchers and signs poured through the streets. There was joy and happiness and empowerment flowing through the streets of Olympia. 

Also a little bit of humor: 

Our theme song was – “Lead with Love” by Melanie DeMore who’s chorus rings with freedom and justice:  

You gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.

Put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.

Don’t give up hope.

You’re not alone

Don’t you give up.

Geep movin’ on. 

You gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.
Put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.
 Lift up your eyes
Don’t you despair.
Look up ahead
The path is there.
 You gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.
Put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.
 I know you’re scared.
And I’m scared too
But here I am.
Right next to you.
 You gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.
Put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.
 Lead with love.

  

Seattle Women's March - Waiting at Judkins Park

When fellow sketcher Tina Koyama posted the suggestion to sketch at the Seattle Women's March, it reminded me of the guy who sketched while running the New York City marathon several years ago. I've run a lot of marathons, but not once have I considered trying to sketch while running. The idea of sketching while marching was equally unappealing as I have a hard enough time not tripping and falling in huge masses of people as it is. However, I took along my sketchbook thinking there may be some down time and managed to get some ink on paper while waiting at Judkins Park before the march began. It actually took something like an hour to filter out of the park walking step by step at such a slow pace people were monitoring their Fitbits and there were no steps being registered as we inched through the small side streets onto the larger arterials where we could actually walk. Later we all learned there were 150,000 people and 3 miles of continuous stretches of marchers which explains the huge bottleneck at the start. In addition to the awesomeness of the enormity of the event, something equally memorable was a pair of bald eagles who circled in the sky above the stalled marchers as if to say they knew exactly what we all felt, and as our country's symbol of spirit and power, they brought message of support and hope.  

Seattle Women's March

 We made our way downtown with a Bus packed with families of all ages with placards and pink hats.

 While waiting for the procession to pass we lingered at 4th and Marion to cheer the marchers on and from above a window washer in a pink shirt was stirring up the crowd. 

At the end of the march people milled about around the fountain and reveled in the moment.

Seattle Womxn's March January 21, 2017

It was a bright sunny morning with Pink Pussyhats everywhere. We waited for at least an hour standing in a crowd of wall to wall people on Jackson St. right next to Washington Middle School.   If you could get  up high enough, you would literally see people all the way up the hill to the east of us, and all the way west toward 4th Avenue about 1.3 miles.  Every so often you could hear a roar starting up like a wave coming up the hill and passing over us.  It was truly an amazing experience and one I won't forget.

I broke off from the March at the Library to search for an view overlooking the march.  I found one on the 4th floor.

Seattle’s Women’s March

1/21/17 Marching toward downtown Seattle

I am generally not politically vocal. As an introvert, I prefer one-on-one conversations to public expression. Whenever possible, I avoid large crowds.

1/21/17 Women in Pussy Hats waiting for the bus.

But I have deep concern about the U.S. being led by a man whose values support so many things I abhor. I am afraid – both for my country and myself. Trump offends me whenever he speaks. Despite every cell in my body telling me to stay home, I decided to participate in Seattle’s Women’s March with the hope that the event would help me turn my anger and fear into a more productive energy.

Joining 130,000 Seattleites at what turned out to be the largest gathering in the city’s history, I felt an immense bond with all the women and men who share my concerns and fears. Although I had some anxiety about potential violence, the event was as peaceful and affirmative as I had hoped it would be. Afterwards, watching media coverage of similar marches throughout the U.S. and even other countries, I was deeply moved by the enormous solidarity demonstrated today. I came home from the event feeling hopeful that we have the collective strength to take positive action.

1/21/17 Marching through the International District

1/21/17 Gathering at Judkins Park for the rally.

1/21/17 A sea of human solidarity at Judkins Park.

Street Scenes

1/20/17 Greenwood

I don’t know about the rest of you Seattle urban sketchers, but I find that the deeper we go into winter, the lower my standards are for what constitutes inspiring sketch subjects. Any sketch I make must be done from the warmth and comfort of my “mobile studio,” which means my scope and viewpoint are limited.

That said, I’m getting lots of practice with trees, power lines and parked cars. 

1/17/17 Wedgwood

1/16/17 Maple Leaf