Sketching at the Gage Academy Drawing Jam

The studio was jammed with art, supplies and nick-knacks. By attention was ultimately drawn by two busts of the Roman Emperors Caesar and Augustus. I was particularly fascinated by the contrast between Caesar's sharp features and Augustus's soft cheek and jaw lines.

I was also drawn to an art's space, which explored mystical imagery. The space was fascinating due to the unusual perspective generated by the window sitting into the angle of the building's roof. In addition, I enjoyed the striking picture of a lion with a human head next to the space.

It has been a long time since I drew live models, and I enjoyed the challenge of drawing the human form. Besides the models, the artist and visitors provided great opportunities to draw the human form as well.

Gage Academy Drawing Jam

The Drawing Jam at the Gage Academy was crazy wild! At first I could not decide if I wanted to sketch models or the venue. As it was a chilly 19 degrees outside, I was not going to sketch the exterior building!

I found a warm place to sit in the Skinner Auditorium and sketched the musicians playing at 10:00am, then decided to sketch the sketcher near the easel who was sketching the musician.

 

Then models climbed on the tables for gesture sketching. I tried to capture the hiker with the trekking poles, but as the models changed every five minutes, I decided to concentrate on the sketchers in the background and part of the balcony windows.

Challenges were using pencil rather than black pen, and having to move my chair repeatedly as the room got more crowded. 

Thanks to my friend, Clive Lissaman,  Arts Education Specialist at the Gage Academy, for providing me with tickets!

Solo Show in Olympia

I just finished hanging my first solo show of sketches at Batdorf & Bronson, a local coffee shop, in downtown Olympia . . .

 . . . and man, what a job! I've been planning out my weekends for two months to make sure I could get all the matting and framing done. One big lesson learned - sketch in standardized sizes that fit into those inexpensive ready-made frames. As it was, I had many different individual sizes. I finally decided to forego frames due to expense and go with glass and clips. A great feeling though, to get it hung and let go of the results!

If you If you're in downtown Olympia area anytime during the month of December, stop in and check it out. And let me know what you think!

Good Bones Workshop Update

Hi again, Seattle Sketchers--thanks for the wonderful response to the workshops!
March 1 is full, February 1 and February 15 each have 2 open spots.
I will also start a wait list in case spots open up, so please contact me if you would like one of the remaining spots or to be added to the wait list.

Also, thanks very much to Joe at C2F Inc. for sponsoring this workshop! 
C2F is providing each participant with the Pentalic 5" x 8" Aquajournal (thanks Gail Wong, what a great recommendation that was!) and the 9"x 9" Super Deluxe Aquabee sketchbook, my two favorite sketchbooks.
See the Pentalic at Vaux le Vicomte outside Paris, below...

Soulumination Artists Sale this weekend

If you happen to be in the Ballard and Fremont area this weekend stop by for the Soulumination Artists' Sale on Saturday December 7, 10am-7pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm.  It is a great holiday sale for the non profit Soulumination.  I will be selling cards, calendars and some original sketches.
Swing by if you have time.  There are a total of 30 artists involved in this event and portions of their proceeds go to support Soulumination's work with children and families who are dealing with life threatening or terminal illnesses.  Hope to see you there.

Gage Drawing Jam

Saturday, December 7
9:00am - 9:00pm
Go here for more information.

Before we leave Thanksgiving....

Here is a sketch of our thanksgiving spread at the end of a day of eating... a total of 9 pies and cakes on the table.  I ran out of room and didn't get the last one in.  This is a holiday tradition our kids have really gotten into. Both kids and the adults bake their favorite pie or cake.  It ends up being about a half a pie for each person. Even a little sliver of each to taste fills our plates.  Fun tradition although I am sure it is bad for our health! 

Because good sketches start with Good Bones...

Hi Seattle sketchers,
It's official, this morning I posted workshop details for Good Bones.  Please go to www.workshops.urbansketchers.org for information.  There are 10 open spots at the moment!

Thanks so very much to Gabi Campanario and Orling Dominguez, as well as to Gail Wong, Virginia Hein and the others on the workshop committee for approving this Urban Sketchers workshop. You all are amazing, and I am so proud to get to contribute to the Urban Sketchers organization and efforts~~

A Gastronomical Adventure in Seattle's International District

Uwajimaya is the preeminent Asian food market in the Pacific Northwest. The store specializes in importing rare and unusual Asian foods for a clientele interested in traditional Asian cooking. The store also features a range of more traditional super market produce and goods.

I usually cook for myself, and I am always looking for dishes that are easy and keep well. So I was excited when I came across a recipe for Japanese cabbage pancakes, Okonomiyaki. I had tried this dish several years ago in Japan and remembered it as a tasty and easy meal.

The recipe called for some unusual ingredients though: katsuobushi (dried and shredded tuna), nagaimo (a yam native to eastern Asia), and dashi (Japanese fish broth). There was only one place to find these items, Seattle's International District.

The western end of King Street is dominated by a Chinese arch, which marks the entrance to the International District. Beyond this gate is the King Street Train Station and clock tower.

 

Light poles throughout the district are decorated with yellow and red dragons.

Connecticut Junk Shop

Drawn while visiting my book backers on the east coast. Drove by this place and had to stop. The owner didn't mind me sitting on his merchandise and left me there to draw after he closed up and went home.