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!

A Day of Sketching in Seattle

It has been a while since I have sketched and I feel a bit rusty, but today I had a chance to sketch both at the UW Botany Greenhouse and the Pacific Science Center in the afternoon.
It was a great gathering this morning with about 42 people.  What a great spot to sketch, warm dry, with beautiful plants and light. Thanks to Doug Ewing from the U.W. who hosted us.

Orchid Room UW Botany Greenhouse

Orchid Room UW Botany Greenhouse

Pacific Science Center

Pacific Science Center

On a rare driving trip into Seattle (we were a large group) with family to see the Harry Potter Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center. The show was pretty slick, though as I noted, would have been too expensive (for what you experienced) if paying the non-member price. We got there an hour early which gave me time to sketch in the warmth of one of the other exhibits.

Veterans Day

Hey fellow sketchers! Here are some sketches from my Veterans Day. I love it when the Space Needle has a flag on top. I went to the Harry Potter exhibit at the Science Center and I would recommend it to any Harry Potter fan! Along with Seattle Center I also drew a church in Everett and IKEA in Renton.