Freeway Forest

This morning my calendar announced: Today is the day to sketch at the Convention Center and Freeway Park with Interior Design students from Washington State University!  

After selectively packing my sketch kit, I walked with a light load to the bus stop.  Quickly determining the bus was not exactly on schedule, I pulled out my toned sketchbook and drew the townhouse across the street.  I was two-thirds into the building when the bus suddenly arrived.  Pitching an open pen and sketchbook into my sack, I boarded the bus.  It’s a travesty to treat pen and paper so crudely!  I made amends after my sit down by recapping the pen and folding the sketchbook properly. 

Taylor Ave townhouse

It was great fun to meet so many students studying Interior Design.  They were a hard-working and charming group of designers.  I sat at a table with a student and we both drew the complicated scene out the West window of the Convention Center.  Although critical of my perspective, I called it done and moved on to a view of Freeway Park.  

Ornate building, home of ACT

For my last drawing of the day, I used a sheet of excellent paper held down with green tape and red ink. I love the concept of a forest growing over a freeway.  The evergreens have enchanting shapes and the vines cascading over I-5 soften the rush of traffic. Freeway Park was completed by Lawrence Halprin & Associates under the design direction of Angela Danadjieva.   

Freeway Park

Urban Sketching Values

Sparkling sun welcomed the 10th year Urban Sketchers Anniversary celebration  at Gas Works Park on Sunday morning.  Now a 4 year Urban Sketcher veteran, I joined the group shortly after moving to Seattle. It was hard to concentrate during my first meet up at Bothell’s Country Village, but I persisted and embraced the opportunity to sketch and learn about Seattle while surrounded by a creative group of people.  Thank-you Gabi, Tina, Kate and Jane for your inspiration and dedication!

I arrived at Gas Works Park 45 minutes early to scout out potential compositions and enjoy the  panoramic ambience.  Even though I live close by, I haven’t been to the park recently, crazy considering the scenic setting and free parking!  There are so many dynamic views and structures at the park, I could easily fill a sketchbook titled “Gas Works Park Works". 

I decided to use watercolor and go through the process of doing a value study before jumping into color. I brought my trusty hand-held viewfinder and squinted through to see darks and lights before settling on a scene.  A digital camera with a Notanizer app can do this task but today I was old school.

Value study #1 Boathouses 

Watercolor #1 Boathouses

Value study #2 Seattle Skyline

Watercolor #2 Seattle Skyline

Organizing shapes, values and establishing scale in a  value study is worth the effort. It creates a roadmap to the right color choices for contrast and harmony as well design definition.  If you like monochrome like I do, they look pretty good on their own too!

Folklife Notes

Friday morning was so chilly I decided to bring an extra coat to the Northwest Folklife Festival Urban Sketch meet-up.   I was glad for my decision because even with a brisk walk to the Seattle Center I still felt cold under protective layers.  On my walk I paused to check out proportions of a sketch completed the previous night at Taylor Ave N and Aloha St. As in many parts of Seattle, the changing skyline in lower Queen Anne is fluid.  Notices of demolitions and proposed construction signs line the streets.  The new building (yellow cladding) and crane  behind Cycle Gear is on 5th Ave just north of the Space Needle. 

Lower Queen Anne Construction

Arriving at Seattle Center Armory, the Folklife Festival was in its early stages. The food trucks and clothing vendors were ready to go but I didn’t hear any music yet. 

I quickly discovered Betsy and the Balloon Man sitting in front of Key Arena making a balloon hat for himself.  His bright yellow  pants contrasted nicely with his rainbow striped jacket and Peruvian wool arm warmers.  He needed them today! He told me it was ok to draw him as long as I didn’t try to sell his image for profit.  After a while, he asked me if I would watch his balloons so he could use the rest room. He was concerned about an unnamed  balloon vendor stealing his balloons. I agreed and waited for his return. I would have defended his turf but thankfully there were very few people around and he came back soon enough.  Tina met the same balloon man at University Street Fair and had nearly the same experience as balloon guard!  It's a small balloon world. 

Betsy and the Balloon Man

After Betsy and the Balloon Man, I was on the lookout for musicians.  Tuning up on the Fisher Stage were two violin players from Portland, Oregon.  Called Varda, they played European and Scandinavian folk tunes.  Playing long enough for 3 sketches, both musicians had beautiful hair and good  posture.  I wish you could hear their music with my sequence of sketches from prep to finale. 

Varda

Varda

Varda

After Varda, a band called Jim Marcotte and the Breakthrough played on the Fisher Stage.  By that time, my fingers were getting numb from cold and it was time for the throw-down. The band sounded good so I stayed long enough to get a very quick sketch of the  two guitar players.  

Jim Marcotte and Breakthrough

Jasmine Air

One reason I enjoy traveling is because of urban sketching opportunities.  Unfamiliar places inspire creative action in my sketchbook!  Although I was happily busy with family, my recent trip to Southern California had room for sketching in moderation.

Upon arrival to Orange County, I had a short window of time to sketch the geometric clean lines and  palms at the John Wayne airport terminal.  The sunshine felt good and the air smelled of lavender. 

John Wayne Airport, California

One rule in Orange County is beach time. I drove to North Beach, found a parking spot and carried my beach chair down to the edge of the ocean.  Just like me, there was another solitary figure on the beach gazing at the surf. She looked content. She soon flipped over and took out an iPad. 

North Beach, San Clemente, CA

The sound of surf and seagulls crying is a tonic.  I could have stayed for hours. To the North, a house precariously situated on a spit of land looked safe propped up by boulders.  I imagine ocean surround sound day and night is worth the risk. 

Pacifit Ocean view, North Beach, San Clemente, CA

My next beach excursion was to Dana Point Harbor Baby Beach.  Filled with families, an extended group with lots of babies lined up in front of me.

Dana Point Harbor Baby Beach

During a visit to a resort next to Dana Point City Park, a little boy playing mini golf in a white terry cloth hotel robe experienced a day of luxury.  Covered with yellow wild flower blooms, the  normally dry brown hills in the background looked like undulating yellow-green velvet. 

Marriot,Dana Point, CA.

  With enough sand in my shoes, I headed north to Los Angeles on MetroLink.  Slowly but surely, the population density and concrete increased.  I arrived at Union Station and would have enjoyed sketching the historic venue but had to hurry along to my destination.  

My host’s backyard is a secret garden full of fragrant Jasmine. The mature plant climbing up the wall was pretty to look at and a joy to sketch.  Surrounded by lavender, birds of paradise and colorful sweet-smelling flowers, it’s a secret garden in an endless metropolis. 

Jasmine air

Out the kitchen window, a Bougainvillea stretches its graceful arch of magenta flowers in a spidery web of vines.

Bougainvillea masterpiece

At a nearby park,  nannies line up with their charges for a bit of exercise and socialization.

Robert Burns Park, Los Angeles

No trip is complete without a final airport sketch.

People and carry-on luggage

Joy to the World at Swansons

Holiday cheer and good will filled the aisles at Swansons Nursery as Urban Sketchers entered the premises to sketch seasonal flora and fauna.

Pick a Perfect Tree at Swansons

The morning was chilly and dry, comfortable enough to weave indoors and outdoors.  Exhilarated by the aroma of pine in the air, I followed the scent to a covered area filled with Christmas trees strung from rafters.  Like picking a perfect tree to chop in a forest, I chose to draw one 6-7 footer and ignored all others.  The Olympic Mountain Range emerged in the background and silhouettes of huge evergreens contrasted against the sky.  Perspective progression of  posts in the barn staging area added some depth to the composition.

Poinsettia heaven

The staff at Swansons are masters at staging eye-catching displays. Made cohesive with a color palette of red, green and cream, poinsettias and house plants nestle together on a metal table.  Poinsettia baskets suspended from the ceiling look like living chandeliers. Tiered tables with multiples of same size plants create visual impact, almost saying, take me home! 

String a tree with moody blue

I returned to the Christmas tree pavilion mainly to warm up and find a quiet spot.  Instead I found two children running and  screeching with joy through the maze of trees.  They probably didn’t notice the variety of display configurations. Some trees are strung up, some are leaning against the wall and some are bound. I think they were just experiencing wild holiday spirit among the trees thanks to Swansons policy of family fun.  Waves of cascading blue light cover the trees beyond Swansons Christmas tree barn. Solid blocks of ultramarine blue lights are a trendy, very cool and mysterious look.

After the throw down, I had lunch with a couple of sketchers in the nursery cafe.  I highly recommend the butternut squash soup, a yummy ending to the holiday Urban Sketch at Swansons.

Peacock in the Desert Exhibition

Now that summer is over and Urban Sketcher gatherings are in cold weather mode, I decided to explore new avenues for creativity. Curious about SAM’s current exhibition, Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India, I ordered a ticket and went to the exhibit with a sketchbook, pencil, and pen. My intention was to sketch objects of interest. The size of the collection and the amount of information provided requires time and concentration. To educate myself further, I’ll get another ticket for another day. Today I followed through with my original intention of sketching. Finishing the drawings at the museum, I added color at home because there were so many people and a lot of guards!  

The first thing to greet visitors is Mahadol (Palanquin) ca. 1700-30  Used to transport rulers during festivals, it’s called a portable palace.  Powered by  twelve men, it is now a show stopper.  

Mahadol (Palanquin) ca. 1700-30

There are many examples of arms and armor.  Intrigued by the daggers and swords, the ones with designs including animals and flora are remarkable. 

Sword with dragon and rabbit

An entire military tent fills one museum room.  A mobile palace, the Lal Dera dates from 1659. Made of red velvet and intricately embroidered, the colors are regally symbolic and the interior looks extravagantly comfortable

Lal Dera, a military tent

On another level, the exhibition continues with a large video  projection of scenes from a festival or wedding. Examples of turbans, musical instruments and elaborate methods of transportation fill the room.  An ornate riding seat has a red and ochre fringed parasol to protect passengers against the sun. A velvet persimmon colored seat, heavily carved botanical decorations, and a large tiger with menacing eyes complete the ambitious construction.

Colorful transportation

An elephant mannequin dressed for a wedding procession wears opulent textiles and has reserved seating, The rich shades of red suggests this is no ordinary wedding. 

Wedding elephant

Peacock in the Desert is an opportunity to see historical art from a royal museum in India without having to fly half-way around the world! 

Rose Paradise

When my father was in his early 70s he still kept an extensive flower garden.  When I visited, we would walk around the serpentine flower beds and admire various plantings.  He poetically described the size, shape, color. and heredity of each specimen.  In my mind I could hear "Pictures At An Exhibition" by Mussorgsky playing as we promenaded together.   

The Rose Garden at Woodland Park took me right back to my father’s pride and joy, his manicured flower beds.  I heard the same music, felt the same peace. Seeing the gardeners tend to the plots filled me with appreciation for their work and devotion to creating a haven of roses. 

"John F Kennedy". creamy white with pink tips

Captured by the structure of the roses, I realized stems and leaves were almost as important as blooms.  The dark evergreen backdrop of the garden created an excellent contrast to the delicate pink tipped “John F. Kennedy” hybrid tea roses.  

Mardi Gras colors

Determined to get more color on the page, I turned to a bed of bright orange and yellow roses with powerful upright stems and buds ready to burst.  The poodle topiary trees in the background are focal points in several sections of the garden.  I’m certain the color of the roses influenced my choice of a red pen. 

"Memorial Day" has a memorable fragrance

For my last drawing, I let fragrance lead the way.  The “Memorial Day” roses expressed themselves with pinkish lavender color and ruffled edges.  Some of the roses were in full bloom, some were drooping, others had only a few petals left, they all smelled heavenly,

I enjoy the names of roses and got to thinking if there was a rose named Kathleen. I found there are several roses named Kathleen.  You can find a list of roses named after people on Wikipedia. 

Rugged Methow Valley

A weekend road trip to the Methow Valley with my family was a sketching adventure from beginning to end.  Leaving city traffic and noise behind, we wound our way east through forested mountain roads. Catching glimpses of waterfalls cascading down rocky cliffs and pulling off to look at the turquoise waters of mountain lakes were lead-ins to the rugged beauty ahead.

Cascade Mountain View

After arriving at our destination, my first sketch was the view from the cabin deck. Conifer trees dotted the dry grassy landscape and led to a mountain vista.  Methow Valley is a place known for seasonal hiking and cross-country skiing. Due to the heat, almost 100 each day, we limited our excursions to early morning and late afternoon. 

Pearrygin Lake swimming and kayaking

Pearrygin Lake family picnic

Pearrygin Lake State Park saved the days.  We cooled off by swimming in the clear cold water.  After a dip, the weeping willow trees and stark mountain-scape surrounding the lake inspired several sketches. It was satisfying to see many family groups camping and picnicking in a state park. 

Spring fed pond floating

Back at the cabin, the children hoisted floating devices to a spring fed pond about 200 yards away.  With oars made from found pieces of flat wood off the forest floor, they paddled around while I sketched their progress. 

Firefighters in the Cascades

We were surprised to find a helicopter landing pad right next to the pond.  Firefighting pilots kept landing to either refuel or get water for firefighting efforts near Cutthroat Trail.

Woodland Summer

Exploring new places, getting to know people who love to sketch, and sharing space with others involved in their own pursuits are highlights of urban sketching.  Today, Urban Sketchers met at Bellevue Botanical Garden, a place I have never been.  There was no shortage of enthusiastic sketchers, a very hearty group considering the temperature. Covering 36 acres, Bellevue Botanical Garden has gardens, trails and picturesque buildings.  Because of the heat, I quickly chose a shady spot in the cool woodlands. While I sketched, families strolled by enjoying the greenery.  A wedding party entered my space for a photo shoot. A high- spirited bridesmaid in platform heels pranced through the woodland mulch and posed agreeably for the photographer.  

Leaf throne

Surprisingly she didn’t sit on the leaf throne.  I thought it was pretty special.

Across the trail from the leaf throne is a waterfall feature.  A comfortable garden bench held me and my backpack as I color penciled the light and shadow along the forest canopy.  

Friendly people walking past made positive comments, “that’s so good”, “wow, that’s great”,  always nice to hear! 

Waterfall feature at Bellevue Botanical Garden

Vista Del Mar

After months of sketching Seattle indoor cafe scenes, I decided to pursue a theme of outdoor activity while on vacation in Southern California. With the Pacific Ocean in view, outdoor activity prevails.

San Clemente Aquatic Center

I discovered a massive community of outdoor activity at the San Clemente Aquatic Center.  Coaches and a lifeguard waited for classes to begin at one of the aquatic center’s gigantic pools.  The pristine building facility created a light-filled backdrop for the aqua water. The students impressed me. They were confident and strong, swimming laps for a full hour. 

One day, my busy hosts gave me their car keys and said; you don’t mind entertaining yourself do you?  No problem, after all, I was in Orange County, the happiest place on earth (Disneyland). 

Historic City Hall, San Clemente, California

I found happiness sketching in downtown San Clemente, a picturesque coastal town filled with Spanish-style architecture. Known as the home of the Western White House during the Nixon years, the white stucco buildings and red tile roofs glistened under a clear cerulean blue sky.

San Clemente Pier Fishing

Surfing

I appreciated all day free parking. No need to watch the clock as I walked the beach and San Clemente Pier.  A solitary man was fishing and surfers tried their best to catch waves. 

Soccer practice

Lifeguard station

In San Clemente, beach trails run along the coast.  Sitting under a cabana, I sketched walkers, tall palms, and a trail lifeguard station. On the only overcast day, two young women practiced passing a soccer ball with professional skill.

 

Looking south toward San Clemente Pier

The last sketch of the series was created while listening to the sound of surf.

Finding colors to represent green water and pale sand, I was glad I brought my kit to the beach.