A Green Oasis at Kruckeberg Garden

 

7/24/26 Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

 

A dark-green, shady oasis, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden in Shoreline would be ideal on a hot day – the garden felt like it was at least 10 degrees cooler than on the street. As the temps were only in the high-60s and low-70s last Friday with USk Seattle, I was actually a little chilly, thanks to the shade of all those old-growth trees. Still, it was serene and comforting to be within the lush, forest-like atmosphere.

Serene, that is, until I started looking around for something to sketch: All that green is formidable! While I enjoy the challenge of sketching layers of foliage (I even recently boldly stated that I’m no longer intimidated by it), Kruckeberg Garden is whole next level of layers of foliage! One challenge was looking for pockets of light to contrast all the dark green. While my first sketch (above) was that attempt, I don’t really care for the composition I ended up with to get that light.

It took me quite a while to find a scene for my second sketch. I kept looking for a single tree to anchor the composition, but many grew close together or just didn’t catch my eye. I finally spotted Mark sketching next to an enormous tree with an interesting shape; he gave the tree scale, which I always think is important in a composition.

The newly constructed walkway/ramp makes the garden's lower level much more accessible.

Quiet Sketch Reportage: Seattle Trees

 

7/23/23 Luma, a culturally significant cedar in Wedgwood, and an idle excavator on the adjacent property.

8/3/23 This healthy Douglas fir growing where 
a housing development will be built was cut down
11 days after I sketched it. Maple Leaf neighborhood.

While many of us may think that “sketch reportage” involves being in the trenches on a battlefield (as Richard Johnson, former Washington Post artist, became well known for) or participating in large public rallies, it can be quieter, too. This summer Gabi Campanario, editor of the online publication On the Spot, gave me an opportunity to report on a tree that had captured the hearts of Seattle. Named Luma by its supporters, the 200-year-old Western Red Cedar was slated to be cut down to make room for construction of a housing development.

I’m fortunate to live in a city where trees are a prominent part of the urban landscape, and I always enjoy including trees in my urban sketches (especially when utility poles, wires and other human-made features are involved). Working on Luma’s story, however, gave me a much greater appreciation for the sketch reportage process – that it’s much more than just the fun of urban sketching as I have always known it.

In addition, I learned much about my subject matter: Mature trees like Luma are being cut down at an alarming rate all over Seattle, especially in less affluent neighborhoods. Living a comfy, privileged life in Maple Leaf, I had understood the term “climate justice” only peripherally. Suddenly I was becoming aware of how much is at stake when trees that take a century to grow are eliminated from the landscape. The impact is socio-economical as well as environmental.

8/14/23 In the Roosevelt neighborhood, a resident had ordered this 100-year-old Deodar cedar to be cut down to accommodate a new plumbing line. Tree activists gathered on the morning of the scheduled cutting to raise awareness among neighbors.

Using information I’m learning from the organization Tree Action Seattle, I’m trying to sketch as many threatened trees as I can, especially those near my own neighborhood. The numbers are staggering – I can’t sketch fast enough, and sometimes I’m too late. But every tree I sketch has become an opportunity to express gratitude to all trees that silently provide service to all of us every day.

8/23/23 While technically protected by city code, a heritage yellowwood tree in Wallingford is in danger of being damaged during construction of a multi-level townhouse on the property. Fewer than 500 heritage trees -- of exceptional size, form or rarity -- still exist in Seattle.  

9/8/23 This redwood was planted in the 1930s by Green Lake Elementary School students. Fencing supposedly protects it from nearby construction activities, but the fencing does not comply with city code, and the tree's roots may be injured. City officials are aware of the non-compliance but are not enforcing the code.

9/9/23 Tree Action Seattle informed concerned citizens about this block of trees slated to be cut down in Shoreline. Unfortunately, I couldn't get there before the cutting. Fliers urging neighbors to voice their concern still hung from the stumps.

Mobile Sketching: Shoreline and Ballard

1/6/15 Haller Lake Baptist Church, Shoreline

I’ve been sketching a lot in my “mobile studio” lately. I don’t always get the best view or composition in a parked car, but during these worst months of winter, it’s better than nothing.

Yesterday I spotted the Haller Lake Baptist Church in Shoreline. I’m sure you know that architecture is not my favorite sketching subject, especially modern architecture. Yet something about this particular church caught my attention. When I think of classic Christian church details – tall, pointy steeple, cross above, stained-glass windows – they’re all here, yet with a very contemporary interpretation. And I also couldn’t help seeing the power pole next to it, paralleling the cross. It was a composition I couldn’t resist.

1/7/15 Bardahl Oil in Ballard

Then today I was in Ballard a little early for an appointment, so I drove around and found the backside of the old Bardahl Oil sign, “which has been lighting up the Ballard skies since 1953,” according to the Ballard News-Tribune. A couple of trees, a bunch of parked cars, some bushes and a variety of other stuff was partially obstructing my view of the bright yellow barn-like building, so I had to fake it, but at least I had a clear view of the sign. I made a note to come back when the weather warms up so that I can stand on the street and get a proper view.

Korean Lunch

Braving the rain and traffic, I had the opportunity today to enjoy an amazing Korean lunch at Maru Grill in Shoreline with a small team from Olson Kundig Architects...research for a project!!  The table was virtually covered with food and bowls...it was hard to sketch and not just keep eating, so I had to work FAST!

more air

Okay, so I'm obsessed with the Fred Meyer parking lot in Shoreline. Blame it on my 93-year-old's dentistry! This was my treat for the day, standing around looking goofy drawing power lines. There were a lot of gorgeous pieces of heavy equipment milling around but I only had half an hour (really, I'm that slow).