Red Mountain, B.C. a Skiers Dream in the Kootenai's

A Throw Back, without a single high speed lift, Red Mountain, British Columbia is a world class ski/border high performance training center and family playground.  The runs are long, the moguls are big and the groomers are fast.  They have a wall of in bounds shoots to choose from and the Cat skiing is temptingly close.  Mountain Hosts share the stories of the hidden gems, such as The Judge's Cabin and Paradise Day Lodge.  My husband's and my first time revisiting Red Mountain since 1984,  our first winter with Desert Ski Club, a wonderful time then and with the added skiable terrain and ski in ski out accommodations just the right amount of new touches. patti kirch  

SeaTac Airport: Killin' Time

Long layovers and waits used to drive me crazy because it seemed all one could do was sit and wait, go for long walks down the concourse, read, or sleep.  Careful with the sleep though as you could sleep right through your flight.

Then along came "urban sketching."  All one needs is something to draw with and draw on: could be a burnt stick on a wall, a bloody finger on the sidewalk, or a nice white piece of paper in a lap-sized sketchbook and a pencil, or pen, or brush.  Doesn't matter, just something to draw with and on, right?

Long hooked on urban sketching and capturing difficult subjects, for me, like cars, people, trees, and faces, I try to take advantage of any opportunity to draw.  My favorite subject is architectural studies, but that's for another time.

So, while in SeaTac a couple of weeks ago with a long, 3 or 4 hour wait, I sketched mostly the people walking by.  It is impossible, again - for me, to capture a single person on the move. Each figure in these two images is actually a composite of at least 3 or 4 people. First get the idea of the head, then someone else walking by gives you an upper torso with maybe arms, someone else gives a backpack, or a carry-on on wheels, and it maybe be 2 or 3 more who provide the reference for the legs and shoes. It is a real challenge and I don't claim any expertise, just my own renderings backed up by having drawn hundreds, if not a few thousand, people over the past ten or twelve  years.

Enjoy.

#jimsketcher

Asotin County Courthouse - Asotin, WA.

One block off the main road through the tiny village of Asotin, WA., stand this courthouse, constructed in 1907, if the sign pertains to not only itself but the courthouse.  It could be older. I like to draw architectural things, and this turned out perfect, it was late in the afternoon and everyone had left for the day so there were no cars in front.  I like this one, it isn't as loose as the draw bridge in the post just under this one, but I'm working on it.

Lewiston/Clarkston Draw Bridge

On a recent overnight stay in Clarkston, I had some time do some sketching.  It wasn't easy finding a good spot from which to "draw" this "draw bridge," and once I found it - I had 15 minutes to spare.

I like how it turned out, and I don't think color would help at all.  I've ruined way too many fairly good sketches with watercolors...

Loose Loose Watercolor

Very very loose watercolor sketch.  I had fun with color this morning. No pencil, just a brush and lots of water.  United Pentecostal Church, Kennewick WA.

Concrete Bridge

Thanks to Patty Gardner for finding this location for us to draw from last Wednesday morning. It is a personal residence situated along the eastern banks of the Columbia River.  The view was of what many call the "Concrete Bridge" that connects Pasco to Richland, WA. Depending on which direction you are traveling the bridge is on an incline/decline as the Pasco side is elevated above that of the Richland side.  What I wanted to capture in this sketch was the group of sketchers at the base of that old sycamore tree who were in the sunlight.  It was a beautiful October morning where the temperature was almost perfect, there was no wind, and tons of blue sky overhead. As usual we had a fun time together, sketching.

6x9 Super Aquabee Sketchbook, Lamy Safari with Lexington Gray Ink, watercolors. 

 

"Concrete Bridge Pasco WA"

Todays sketch-out was so beautiful near the banks of the Columbia River in Pasco WA.  Fall is a the most  beautiful time to visit Washington.

Gail Roadhouse artist sketcher and insturctor. gailsgalleryandgifts.com

"Hanford Bus" at the REACH

USktc met at THE REACH Richand WA some of us sketched out side the museum and some went in side to sketch.  I think I pick the Fall Season for my favorite time of year I had a black jacket on in the middle of the black parking lot and didn't even break a sweat.

Gail Roadhouse

full time artist and urban sketcher

gailsgalleryandgifts.com

"Queensgate Gardens" IN THE RAIN

Here are some real urban sketchers IN THE RAIN  some with umbrellas and blankets too.

Gail Roadhouse full time artist and #USktc gailsgiftsandgallery.com

"Wires at the Uptown"

Out with the sketchmob, aka, USkTC, last Wednesday morning at the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland, WA. While the others stayed on the "outside" of the rectangle of shops, I found my way to the inner core where the electrical wires, garbage, and other utilities are located.  I am amazed that this wiring system passes code in all respects and that the whole center hasn't gone up in flames, yet.

"The Uptown Shopping Center"

Jim Bumgarner gave us a demonstration a while back on looking into a crowd of people and how to sketch it very fast.  he said all the heads would be on the same level and of course he is right again!

Never doubted him for a minute

.
Gail Roadhouse urban sketcher and full time artist.
gailsgalleryandgifts.com

"Sketchmobbing Down at the Yacht Club"

Went sketching with the gang down at the Richland Yacht Club Wednesday morning and couldn't keep my eyes off this condo grouping. The Yacht Club building is in the middle (gutter) and off to the right are some other condos. I ran out of energy when I got those on the far right, so you will notice the style change.  Off to the right are the boat docks; no time.

"Richland Yacht Club Richland WA"

We meet out at the Richland Yacht Club.

I decided to sketch the condos instead of the yachts.

Gail Roadhouse
full time artist
part-time children's instructor

"Viera's Bakery Corner of 4th and Lewis Pasco WA."

This went totally flat for some reason and I'm okay with posting something I don't think is my best.  I will not give up I will keep sketching to find out why.  Possibly bad composition  should of sketched it in portrait instead of landscape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gail Roadhouse "full time artist and urban sketcher"
gailsgalleryandgifts.com

"Steptoe Street and Gage Boulevard"

Intersection of Stepto Street and Gage Boulevard in Kennewick, WA> 

I was sitting atop this incline, there is a bank behind me so I'm in their parking lot.  It's Tuesday evening, later than the sky here would indicate.  This intersection has caught my eye before, in fact, I think I've sketched it before from another angle.  I continue moving along using this quick-sketch approach trying to capture the energy and expressiveness of the scene.  I keep thinking, one of these days, my drawings will enter the next level.

6x9 Super Aquabee Sketchbook, Lamy Safari pen, Noodler's Lexington Gray ink, and watercolors