The Gab & Grab is Back On!

Natalie recites limericks she wrote to honor the USk Seattle admins.

After a four-year pandemic pause, USk Seattle’s formerly annual Gab & Grab is back on! If I counted right, this was the seventh edition of our popular winter event. On Saturday we met in the Greenwood branch library to swap unneeded art supplies, chat over lunch, and talk about sketching or materials.

I filled a huge bag that was so heavy, I could hardly carry it out to my car! I swore I would only give at this G&G – the intention was to clean out my studio, not refill it – but I couldn’t resist grabbing a couple of things, including a nearly full box of premium grade Tombow Mono pencils!

Score: Tombow Monos!

I had intended to take photos of our five full tables piled with loot before the grabbing began, but I forgot. The photo shown here was taken after we were nearly done. Unclaimed materials were donated to nearby Seattle ReCreative, an art community center and thrift store specifically for art and craft supplies.

We were a lot more excited at the beginning of the Grabbin' than shown in this photo, which was taken toward the end.

A member brought along Clementine, a sweet dog she was sitting.

The highlight of the brown bag lunch was when Natalie concluded the event with limericks that she had written to honor each of the Seattle USk admins. In the style of the NPR program “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” members participated by filling in the name of the appropriate admin based on the clues in the limerick:

Simplicity, no frills or drama
diplomatic as Barak Obama
when she sketches she stands
pencils neatly at hand
cuz she’s short and on point, Ms. Koyama.

We have never once heard her complain,
she gives workshops in snow, heat and rain
with whatever’s nearby
she is cheerful, that’s why
students soak up superb tips from Jane.

At McMenamins most of us ate
while Tina first sketched her plate
then this admin explained
(wearing outfit handmade)
what to do, when and how, thank you Kate.

An expert on nose, cheek and chin,
perfecting the tones of the skin
she’d rather sketch people
than some famous steeple
which also does well, dearest Kim.

Good Grubbin’, Gabbin’ & Grabbin’

Natalie shows her favorite sketchbook format -- the Hahnemuhle accordion.

Sheltered from this morning’s blustery wind and rain at the Northeast branch library, USk Seattle held one of its most popular events of the year – our seventh annual Gab & Grab. We show-and-tell about our favorite sketch supplies and swap books and materials we no longer use. This year we tried a new format: We started at noon and brought in bag lunches for good grubbin’, gabbin’ and grabbin’! I forgot to photograph all the goods up for grabs, but we easily filled four of the library’s folding tables.

It’s fun to share and reuse materials and even more fun hear about new things people have discovered. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Alice shows us her favorite watercolor palette.

Anne tells us about the Perpetua pencil, which is made of 80% graphite.

Kathleen shows a sketch she made with the ArtGraf water-soluble graphite pencil.

Nilda explains why she likes to make samples of colored pencil hues on toned paper.

Roy found a new pencil clutch at the University Bookstore.

Victoria shows us her folding watercolor palette with extra-deep mixing wells and a design that keeps paints moist.

Up for Grabs

Carol, Natalie, Peggy and Alice examine a sketchbook. I wonder who finally grabbed it? ;-) 

USk Seattle held its sixth annual Gab & Grab this morning. Held at a public library, it’s an opportunity for show-and-tell of our favorite sketch supplies and a place to swap books and materials we are no longer using.

I love sharing and reusing resources this way, and it’s always fun to hear about new tools and materials people have discovered. In fact, I had fully intended to document the event by sketching it like I did last year, but I got so involved in listening to the show & tell and taking photos that (gasp!) I forgot to sketch!

Thanks to everyone who brought in things to share and for participating!

Good grabbin'! This wasn't all of it -- some of the goods had already been snapped up by the time I took this photo!

Kate shows off her new Lamy pen that she got from
the Lamy flagship store during her recent trip to Germany.

Alice shows us how her DIY easel is assembled. She learned how to make it on YouTube videos.

Peggy, who participates in the USk postcard exchange program, showed some of the many cards she has received from international sketchers. 

Anne explains how she archives information from books that she wants to keep for reference -- and then gives away the books to lucky recipients like the rest of us.

Sue tells us about the proportional divider that she is finding very helpful in correctly scaling her sketches.

Carol shows us her erasing guide and explains how it is used.

Still Gabbin’ & Grabbin’

1/12/18 Seattle USk Gab & Grab at the Northeast library branch

For the fifth year, Seattle USk held its annual Gab & Grab today – an opportunity for an informal show-and-tell of our favorite sketch supplies and a place to share books and materials we are no longer using. Our tradition is to do it early in the year to perk up the post-holiday doldrums when it’s too wet and cold to sketch outdoors. Usually held in the meeting room of public libraries, it’s fun and well-attended.

Earlier this week as I was pulling together supplies to give away, I was trying to recall how many times we’ve done it, and I realized I’ve been remiss in documenting this popular event. I don’t have a single blog post about it and apparently took only a few photos. Even more shocking – I’ve never sketched at one! Whaaaat?! 

To correct that omission, I decided I would document this year’s event with sketches. The photos below are from 2014, our very first Gab & Grab.

Nilda and Peggy at Third Place Commons for our very first Gab & Grab in 2014.

Natalie

Kate

4th Annual Gab & Grab

Blanche shows her compact sketching kit.

Every winter, USk Seattle substitutes the Gab & Grab for one of our Friday sketch outings. It’s a favorite among long-time members and always brings in new faces, too. Today we welcomed newcomers Pat and Bo and hope to see them at future outings when we actually sketch together!

For our fourth annual event, participants were invited to “gab” about their choice of these topics: a new tool; a favorite bag; a favorite art technique book; or an art tip learned in a class, book or from another sketcher.

The “grab” portion of the event wasn’t nearly as uncivilized as it sounds (although when I spotted the Jedi vs. Sith pencil box, I called dibs immediately!). Everyone brought unneeded art supplies or books to trade or give away. Dave generously gave away a couple sets of his laser-crafted ornaments, too.

Thanks to everyone who shared information and supplies! 

Dave demos how to use the perspective aid he
made from acrylic sheets. He also gave away several.

Anne shows tiny round boxes she offered during the Grab.

Sue shows her tiny sketch kit and explains
how she hacked it to accommodate her tools.

I was sad that Kate couldn't make it to the Gab & Grab, but I'm really happy that I
didn't have to fight her for this awesome find!