"Farmers' Market"

Stopped in at the local Farmers' Market in Richland yesterday.  The weather was perfect, but finding a good parking spot was difficult.  Good crowd, but not a lot of produce yet.  I was thinking about the wonderful Farmer's Market in Olympia and wondering why the city of Richland doesn't get creative and establish something a bit more permanent right here in this location: close the street, cover it but in a manner that it still has that 'outside' feel. Offer fresh flowers, fish and meat market, jellies, jams, coffees, veggies, etc.  I'm sure most readers here have been to some very nice markets.  It seems the TriCities is always lagging behind...oops, not complaining here.  Just pleasant and happy thoughts.   

"San Diego del Cabo Plaza"

Not an urban sketch because I used a reference photo from a friend who wanted me to sketch it for him for a gift for his wife rather than drawing it live.  It is the Catholic church at San Diego del Cabo Plaza, and I'm quite pleased with how it came out and so is my friend.  Great.

9x12 Strathmore 140 lb paper, Lexington Gray ink, watercolors

A Sketch Give Away

Collioure, France

As part of the 2 week Montfaucon Workshop, 

we took an over-night trip to Collioure, France which is only about 15 miles from Barcelona

and right on the Mediterranean Sea.  It is a truly spectacular little place!

On the afternoon that we were to leave, I found myself on the beach in an outdoor cafe with my sketchbook and this incredible view.  I ordered the most beautiful Cappucino (with a lovely swirl of whipped cream on top), plugged in my earphones and went to it.  I don't think I could have been happier - no, I KNOW I couldn't be happier.

When the waiter asked if I would sell it to him, I told him it was part of my 'photo album' of my trip and really couldn't.   He wondered if I would draw him another one when I looked at the clock and realized I had to go.  So I took a photo of it, tore it out and handed it to him on my way out.  I'm not sure who that pleased more - me or him!  How fun to be able to share these little drawings!

You may notice a small pencil sketch in the lower right hand corner; my eraser rolled off a rock wall down a very steep cliff where I was drawing the day before, so there it is...

"Architectural Sketching"

The tall building sits at a higher elevation than the lower ones to the left.  The sign on the building says, "Red Lion," but it isn't a hotel. It looks more like an administration facility.  We live in the high desert of eastern Washington and one of the primary biotics here is sagebrush which you see here filling the foreground.

9x12, 140# Strathmore cold pressed paper; Noodler's Lexington Gray ink

Hotel Courtyard in Collioure, France

First of all, I sure hope I'm spelling that town right...

Secondly, you will be excited to know that I have introduced 9 other 'painting' artists to Urban Sketching and they LOVE it!!!  It has been so fun watching everyone discover how fun pen and ink can be.

Thirdly, I have had so many opportunities to use my 'Sketching Journal' on this trip and so so much enjoy doing it!

This is my last drawing, before leaving Collioure, of the fabulous courtyard my room looked out onto and where we all sat and had breakfast - crepes, of course.

"Third Saturday Sketchabout" - Prosser Winery/Eatery "Wine O'Clock"

Cozy setting beneath these colorful umbrellas as this Prosser, WA., establishment.  The temperature was warm but not too warm, at about 89 degrees according to my autos thermometer, making the shading under the umbrellas - perfect.

I'm not sure I got the name correct, it appeared from the sign out front indicating there might be a collection of vendors lodged in this facility.  I do think the original title was, "Wine O'Clock" and that's the logo above those three upstairs windows.

9x9 Super Aquabee Sketchbook, Noodler's Lexington Gray ink, watercolors 

"Third Saturday Sketchabout" - Prosser Residential Apartment

I drove up to Prosser, WA., today to check out the "Prosser Scottish Fest and Highland Games."  Afterwards I spent some time in the old township looking for sketch material.  I've been interested lately in residential areas such as this residential apartment building.

9x9 Super Aquabee Deluxe Sketchbook, Noodler's Lexington Gray ink, and watercolors

Castle on a Rock

The weather was so clear we could see the Pyrennes (sp?) AND the Mediterranean! 

 It was a bit of a hike up to the top but there are great castle ruins!

Our France Painting Group

Here is a little drawing I did of our Plein Aire Painting Group somewhere in France.  When we were done, we had dinner at a hunting lodge where they cooked lamb over an open fire and made french fries with duck fat!  It was really good - better than bacon!

"Tall Ships Visit the TriCities"

The Lady Washington is moored across the Columbia river the Pasco marina this week.  Large crowds of visitors have plied her timbers of the past few days as she sits moored next to her traveling companion, the Hawaiian Chieftain.  See more of them below.

The Lady Washington from a side view.  I had to crawl through some rather dense brush to find this location and I think it was worth it. I've been aboard her in Port Angeles, so didn't feel the need to do so again today.  There was a long line of people, old and new, waiting to get aboard. 



The "Hawaiian Chieftain" sits along side "Lady Washington" in the marina.  I chose to sketch them separately rather than together because one, by itself, is complicated enough!  I don't know much about this one; it seemed just a tad larger than "LW."


9x9 Super Deluxe Aquabee Sketchbook, Noodler's Lexington Gray Ink, and Watercolors

 

Downtown Dalkey

I spent hours sitting on the sidewalk trying to get the perspective right on these buildings.  I need to work on that particular roof...  I would like to add some color but I ran out of time.

An Interior Urban Sketch...

Here is sketch I did of Rebekah's living room with a window out to Dalkey Island which I ALWAYS draw so it's a bit different in that the island is hidden behind all those trees!