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. 

 

"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.

"Mosaic by the River Apartment Complex"

Our group of sketchers settled in at the Mosaic by the River apartment complex in Richland, Wa., to do some sketching together.  This is my take on the apartments. I enjoyed doing this one, as I enjoy trying to capture the essence of buildings and other architectural structures.

"Quick Sketching the Upper Floors"

With time to kill prior to a presentation I am scheduled to give at the 5th Annual Triconf Conference, I went to the second floor windows in the Richland Public Library to do a quick sketch of the new construction going on top of nearby Kadlec Regional Hospital.

The real purpose of adding this image to post one that will move our blog up toward the top of USk International blog.  I want to demonstrate this feature on that blog.

Wish me luck.

"Uptown Richland"

Out sketching with the USkTC group this morning.  Great fun, good sun, tasty spudnuts and coffee at the highly popular Spudut Shop around the corner, great sketches and social interactions... (that's important, too).  Some of us stayed until Gail got her keys removed from the trunk of her car (requiring a locksmith), and we left Trish O'Neil sitting in the parking lot by herself.  I wonder if she's left yet...

6x9 Super Aquabee Sketchbook, Noodler's Ink, watercolors

The Seattle Baroque Orchestra

My son and I went to this concert last Sunday at the Battelle Auditorium.  He tends a bit toward being a classical music savant: since he was very young.

The featured playlist was Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," which they played beautifully.

I am always amazed at how musicians, ten in this case, become so intricately in tune with one another in terms of timing, spacing, rhythm, and intonations. And they were!!

I took my sketchbook, just in case, and once they started I felt the strong urge to try to capture them.

The top image is what I sketched during the event, trying to capture the energy of the music they were playing as well as the energy they were releasing while they played.

Later, I decided to put some color to it to push the background back and bring the audience forward some.

It's not a great sketch/drawing, but it does capture the mood of the moment: for me.