Accountability

The 1st of 100 sketches... I thought that I would try and play with a little pen & ink today. I really like the stark look and trying to manipulate the pen and lines to work up values. A little wonkie but recognizable.

4th annual west coast sketch crawl

Our fearless leaders: Kate, Mark, Frances, Rom and Darcie

    Last weekend was the Tacoma Urban Sketcher's event in hosting the 4th annual west coast sketch crawl. 5 local facilitators did all the planning and organizing to bring together more than 150 urban sketchers all along the west coast from Canada to Arizona. They were accompanied by thier red shirt volunteers.

Saturday morning's session group picture.

Doing my best Vanna White... in red!

   The weekend began friday night with a nice dinner at Picasso's where we all got to do a "meet and greet" followed by raffle ticket prizes of which I was assigned to be the ticket taker girl for the night... a great way to meet all our visitors. It was nothing but smiles the whole night through... and that was before we gave away any prizes.

Saturday's 2nd session group photo.

Although it was a toasty 90+ degrees on Saturday, the sketchers took to drawing just after registration and a short briefing which began at 8 am. I arrived in my "volunteer red" and gave away swag bags for all those that showed up for the event that morning before enjoying the opportunity to draw. One of the facilitators made the volunteers small sketchbooks which were the perfect size for squeezing in a quick sketch between tasks. Sunday was much cooler to everyone's surprise and Gabriel Campanario, the founder of Urban Sketchers, came to join us joined us as well.

Sunday morning's session group photo.

Sipping Saterday

4/4 micron pen @ the winery

  I am notorious for sketching at Starbucks but my days at a vineyard are few and far between and sometimes you just need a break from the coffee. It was a nice change and of course I took my sketchbook for good company. Noticing that I was surrounded by people really enjoying themselves and each other, I decided to dedicate the entire page to short sketches of wine tasters and the joy they share celebrating the simple pleasures of life.

Catching coffee off the starbucks network.

I rather like this one. I have a few cups from this artist so was thrilled to see this that I did not own. Good coffee and great service at the bindlestick.

Sea Cliff Park

Simple can be just as effective if done well... and there is enough time to throw in a little detail.

Puns from the Pikes Market Outting

In going to a crowded place like Pikes Market, I found it difficult to dodge the people.Warning, it just gets worse as the day goes on. I was foolish enough to perch with the fish flingers right behind me... always a draw of the crowd.

Bounce House City

   It was a quiet morning at Seattle Center before the kiddies invaided the Armory. Not a house was being bounced in this make shift city of fun as the teen employees gathers to determine how they would direct the sugar laced feet of ya-yas for the day. With this drawing as complexed as it was, I had to take a break and walk around a bit, see what else was going on in this bustling place. By the time I returned (mocha in hand) to invest more time and add some details the kiddies were spent and the bawling had begun. I was about done, wasn't I?