Turtles, gull, octopus?

 Yesterday we took advantage of the fact that the Pacific Science Center waterworks courtyard is now free to enter. What a glorious day for sketching outdoors. Though the shade in the lower level of the courtyard was chilly, out in the sun it may have been 70 degrees!

I wanted to sketch the dinosaur sculptures in the courtyard but so many people were already gathered around. So I went to the other side to sketch turtles and a gull.

Next I wandered out to the Neototems Children's Garden. Among the other sculptures on the path there was an octopus. 

And did the sketchers turn out! I counted about 40 people, though some may have left or are not in the group photo.

More photos

Pacific Science Center

 

4/18/26 Pacific Science Center arches from inside the courtyard

Although I’ve sketched the Pacific Science Center’s iconic arches several times over the years, and I’ve seen a couple of IMAX films and other ticketed events inside the Center, it had been 14 years since I was in the central courtyard (I remember that day well – it was my first urban sketching workshop). After being closed to the public for many years, the courtyard only recently reopened as a public space. Today was a terrific day for USk Seattle to meet there: It was sunny all day, and the temp got up to 70 by late-afternoon!

I first joined other sketchers in the courtyard to sketch the fountains (below) and my first view of the arches (top of post).

Courtyard fountains

Feeling iconic, I then wandered outside the Science Center so that I could sketch the Space Needle (twice!) and the arches again, this time from a distance. I also caught my first busker of the year: a man playing an electric violin (and competing with a busking drummer nearby).

Sketching in the sunshine until I had to take my jacket off, it sure felt like spring!

At last, the Olympia Kwanzans!

 

4/16/26 Washington State Legislative Building, Olympia

After all the nearly-white Yoshino cherry blossoms have left the party, the showy Kwanzans arrive fashionably late. Although I try to chase the ones I find in my neighborhood each year, I don’t know of any Seattle street with more than a few standing together. The best street of Kwanzans is in Olympia – aptly named Cherry Lane Southwest adjacent to the State Legislative Building – and I had been wanting to sketch them for several years. With the longish drive and rain to contend with, it’s been challenging to find the right time. The weather and my schedule finally aligned, so I called an ad hoc joint outing between USk Seattle and the South Sound Sketchers.

Although partly sunny, this morning's temps were only in the high 30s in Olympia. I had to put on my full-length down coat and gloves again! The drive and cold were both worth it, though, when we all saw that block of bright pink blossoms. The composition to look for was obvious: The Capitol building framed by cherry branches (top of post). Having just sketched the domed Jefferson Memorial a couple of weeks ago at the DC tidal basin, it was especially fun to sketch the state capitol in a similar composition.

Next I found the Temple of Justice Building behind another cluster of Kwanzans (and a couple taking a selfie stepped into the composition just as I was finishing up).

Temple of Justice Building on Cherry Lane SW

During the initial meetup at the Winged Victory Monument, I had time to make a quick sketch of the bronze sculpture honoring those who served in the First World War. Then right before the throwdown, I made another quick sketch of a cherry.

Winged Victory Monument

For lunch several of us went to Mi Luna Cuban Café near the Capitol. I was starving, so I didn’t spend more than a couple minutes sketching my roasted veggie bowl with maduros plantains (misspelled in my sketchbook). That was one of the most delicious meals I’ve had in a long time!

4/16/26 Tivoli Fountain and Mi Luna Cuban Cafe

Also shown on the page above is a tiny sketch of the Tivoli Fountain, which I could see in the distance during the throwdown (behind a sculpture that looked like a tiny Washington Monument).

Although it took me a few years to get there, this trip to Olympia was well worth it!

It’s Been a Minute, Georgetown!

 

4/11/26 Georgetown

I knew it had been a while since I’d sketched in Georgetown, but I didn’t think it had been as many as four years. No wonder I felt like a tourist visiting a familiar yet fresh place. A little out of my way, it’s a neighborhood I only seem to get to with USk Seattle, so I’m happy for yesterday’s outing on the afternoon of Georgetown’s monthly art walk.

Relieved that the day’s earlier rain had drizzled out in time for our outing, I wandered around to get reacquainted with Georgetown’s crusty, historic buildings. Red brick is plentiful, and some facades of long-gone businesses are crumbling, while many other buildings are still in use.

I always like to use the strong horizontal and vertical lines of the freeway as compositional elements. Although I show the scale poorly in my sketch, the iconic brick smokestack that used to be part of the original Rainier Brewing Company was a popular sketch subject that day (above).

Chilled from standing around in low-50s temps, I went inside All City Coffee to warm up with a mocha. Large windows gave several sketchers good views of the ant-covered mural across the street and Georgetown’s quintessential street lamps. I also got a chance to see Eleanor Doughty’s artwork, which is on view now at All City Coffee.

Views through All City Coffee's windows

After the throwdown, Eleanor gave an inspiring mixed-media demo for anyone who wanted to stay and watch (nearly everyone). I watched most of it, then stepped around to the front so I could sketch her in action.

Many thanks to Ellie for the demo and to All City Coffee for happily welcoming many chilly sketchers!

Ellie giving a demo

Jane's back in town!

Cherry Blossom March Madness

Beautiful day of sunshine 🌞 at the Quad at UW yesterday with Urban Sketchers Seattle. I love this gathering every year: So Much Pink. 🌸🌸

Lots of different languages being spoken, babies crying, friends posing for pix and laughing. So much to sketch!!

The blossoms are now at peak, so go soon!!

A Brief Quad Hanami

 

3/26/26 University of Washington Quad

On a jam-packed day, I barely had an hour to squeeze in at the University of Washington Quad, but how could I miss sketching peak cherry blossoms with USk Seattle? Arriving an hour-and-a-half late, I quickly singled out one tree so that I’d have a sketch to throw down (above). Of course, it was magnificently much wider than I allowed room for on the page.

After the throwdown, I went back into the throng for one more quick one: A gnarled, moss-covered branch as thick as an entire tree trunk itself and happy hanami participants enjoying the sunny (but cold) day.

Obligatory sakura selfie

City Hall Cherry

 Several sketchers from all over met to sketch the blooming cherry trees at Renton City Hall. One from Gig Harbor, one from Redmond, and others in between. The small grove of Yoshino cherry trees seems to be at peak. The weather was perfect.

There were 6 of us but one had to leave early so not in our group photo.

Wet Clay

 

3/20/26 Wet Clay Cafe, Fremont neighborhood

Kim discovered a unique venue in the Fremont neighborhood. In addition to a full pottery studio with classes, Wet Clay offers pottery-painting opportunities to those who prefer not to get their hands yucky. Potters spun their pots while others socialized as they glazed pre-fired pottery. In addition, there’s a café with coffee, pastries and sandwiches. And Urban Sketchers got to sketch it all as we sipped lattes and snacked. An interesting combo of fun stuff, right?

I wandered around the whole huge venue to sketch all the bits and pieces I saw – a potter at the wheel, another patron painting a mug, tools and glazes, and a couple guys just having lunch.

We’ll definitely be back there on another rainy day!

Wet Clay Cafe in Fremont

What a great spot for urban sketchers to do our thing! Wet Clay Cafe has warm drinks and pastries, and also is a great place to hang loose or paint ceramics or even throw your own pots! ☕️ And more than a few of us commented on the likeability of their playlist. 🎵🎵 10/10 would go again.🌟🌟🌟

Good turnout for USk Seattle on this rainy day. Some folks joined us for the first time. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.