Hello Urban Sketchers of Seattle. My full artist name is Kathleen
Dykzeul Keckler, maybe better known to Urban Sketchers as Kathleen Keckler or
as K D Keckler on Flickr. This is my first post on the “Urban Sketchers Seattle”
blog and I look forward to doing many more! I moved to Seattle from Michigan
over a year ago to be closer to family. After packing and unpacking three
times, I’ve finally landed and plan on staying.
I have an art degree and worked in an art school at a Michigan
university. For a few years I owned a
frame shop/art gallery where I hosted and curated art hops. Since uprooting and moving here, Urban
Sketchers has been a lifeline of friendly people, inspiring sketches and “I get
to go to all the coolest places” comments from family and friends. Rather than bumbling along on my own, Urban
Sketchers introduced me to Seattle sketch by sketch, learning along the way
about the history and geography of the city.
It’s a genius concept that suits me well. At first, aside from loving being around
family, I longed for my Michigan artist friends, studio and familiar
surroundings. The Urban Sketchers from the start gave me purpose, satisfied the
necessity for creative outlet, challenged my skill set, introduced me to a
community of artists and provided opportunity for a fresh perspective. Since starting, I filled several sketchbooks
and have become fervent about carrying a sketchbook and finding time to sketch
wherever I go.
Seattle is a vibrant city.
To this newcomer, the neighborhoods, expansive views and variety of
people offer up something new to explore and think about every day. I feel lucky
to have settled close to downtown because there’s always something going on. The
Northwest Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center last weekend is a good
example of what happens in Seattle. I
went to the festival three days in a row, rain or shine.
On day three, I stopped in front of the Armory to admire the
concrete eagles flanking the sides of the entryway. The curved entrance below
the eagles was a good stage for political activists recruiting voters to sign
petitions.
While walking out of the festival on day three, Memorial Day,
my path was agreeably obstructed by two tepees and a large sculpture on the
Space Needle lawn. Through the tepees, I
could see children dressed in Native American costumes demonstrating tribal
dances. I couldn’t have arranged a
composition more compelling as the one created by the tepees, sculpture and
totem pole or a soundtrack more mesmerizing than Native American drumming. I sat on a smoothly flat, dry, tree stump and
sketched to the beat of the drums. In
Seattle, I find reality is sometimes more inventive than fantasy. Tepees and modern sculpture look good
together, something about simplicity of form.
Later, I discovered the purpose of the event was to celebrate Coast
Salish cultures. This is the second year
I’ve been to the Folklife Festival. Both
times I relied on walking through and catching acts or events serendipitously
not using the extensive guide to research and plan my visit. The festival is exciting because there’s so
much to see and do yet it’s frustrating if you miss out on a performance because
of timing or other impediments and distractions on your journey. This year I
sketched, ate a spring roll and a biscuit, visited with companions and
entertained children. If there is
another Folklife Festival, I promise to plan.
In addition to all the things listed above, I will listen to more music
and dance.
