The Anderson School, Bothell

A small group of sketchers - including someone for the first time - met at the Anderson School in Bothell @mcmenamins this rainy afternoon. The local residents helped as guides for those of us who hadn't been here before. (Thank you!) I even got to meet the chickens, who came running up, clucking away.

Some got soup, others got coffee,  but everyone got some good sketching down. As always, it was great to see what everyone came up with - at least one caught some natural PNW rainwater to add a little extra "je ne sais quoi" to the sketch. 💦😊💦

#uskseattle #urbansketch #pencilsketch #watercolors #penandink #rainyday

Anderson School, This Time with Sunshine

6/16/18 Anderson School

More than two years ago, USk Seattle visited the then-brand-new Anderson School in Bothell, an historic property that had been renovated by the McMenamins into a unique hotel and brew pub venue. What I remember most about that sketch outing was that it was cold, wet and mostly miserable. With unique décor and the nicely renovated building, the location was worth visiting again – though on a warmer day, we all agreed. That day was yesterday, and though the morning began overcast, it didn’t take long for the sun to come out and bring the temperature up to 70!

6/16/18

Last time I didn’t have the courage to take on the whole Anderson School building, which was built in 1931 (Bothell’s first junior high). This time I was still a bit trepidation, but I marched across the street anyway so that I could see the whole thing.

With that one under my belt, I strolled around the rest of the property, which is made of a variety of smaller unique buildings, each housing a place to get a bite or a brew. I wandered for quite a while before I settled on a sunny seat outside the tiny brick Shed, whose main feature is a large chimney. As soon as I started sketching it, I remembered that I had sketched it last time, too. I guess those chess rooks atop the chimney called to me again.

Anderson School again.

The first time we met at the McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell, it was relatively newly opened.  It was also cold and raining.  At the time, sketchers said they'd like to return when the weather was better.  We scheduled that return visit for today and the weather was perfect. 

About 25 sketchers joined us, including some new people and those who hadn't been in a while. 

 
So many sketches to share!


 
At least one sketcher is missing.

As I gave my carpool partners a tour around the grounds, I noticed this arch I don't remember seeing before.  I sketched it from the upper side as a private party was using the patio below.  I got the "McMenamins Passport" stamp from the hotel front desk. 



I was delighted my friend Judi joined us from Whidbey Island.  I sat next to her to sketch and chat so sketched what was in my view.

Catching up with Blog posting

I spend so much time on the computer that posting can become a chore.  But I am going to post some of the sketches I have done in the past month. Below is a late entry of  McMenamins.
I started the day with two notan sketches in black and white.  These were really small sketches just to look for composition studying the patterns of light and dark.

This is a sketch done after the Notan studies of a view I liked.  It started raining while I was watercoloring.   I finished the watercolor portion of the sketch from photos at home where I added the darsk.

A quick 10 minute sketch in the Shed Bar where it was nice and cozy and warm.

McMenamins Anderson School

2/21/16 The Shed

McMenamins is a Washington and Oregon chain of unique hotels, brew pubs and other venues housed in renovated historic buildings. Appointed with lively themed décor and artwork, the various McMenamins locations serve great food and brews (my favorite is the Terminator Stout!). Urban Sketchers Seattle’s ad hoc Friday group has sketched a couple times at McMenamins’ 6 Arms Pub on Capitol Hill.

This morning USk Seattle met at McMenamins newest location that opened last fall in the Anderson School property in Bothell. In addition to a hotel, this McMenamins also includes a movie theater and several food and beverage venues on the grounds of the former Bothell Junior High, built in 1931.

Although cold, it wasn’t yet raining when we arrived, so many sketchers got a sketch or two outdoors. Bundled up in my down jacket, scarf and fingerless gloves, I wasn’t too uncomfortable as I sketched the tiny Shed, which looks no bigger than an actual shed, except it’s apparently large enough to go inside and sit with an ale.

2/21/16 Inside the Tavern on the Square

When my feet started to get numb, I ducked into the Tavern on the Square, the largest food venue on the premises, to warm up. Joining a number of other sketchers scattered about the toasty fireplace and lounge area, I made a small sketch of a booth next to the bar. A glass of Terminator was tempting, but I had to drive myself home, so I settled for coffee.

I wanted to go back outside to take a few photos, but by then it started pouring, and a harsh wind came up, too. We all agreed that McMenamins Anderson School is worth revisiting, especially when the weather warms up.