3210 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Meet at 10:00 am in the Cafe. Street parking is available along Harborview Drive. This venue offers seating in the cafe lounge; food and beverage are available for purchase. For anyone interested in sketching on unfinished pottery, the Pottery Studio is available for a fee.
Please be respectful of customers.
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| 3210 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor |
We met in Old Town, at the replica of the Job Carr Cabin museum. Museum staff, Holly, was so helpful and came to open the cabin for us.
We branched out from there.
My first sketch was of the fish sculpture at Gateway Park. After I got home I went looking for information and discovered a mystery about the disappearance of this sculpture and others like it. They are called Soul Salmon and a number of them have been stolen. "In 2016, a Soul Salmon from Old Town returned — in the middle of the night — to its rightful perch in Gateway Park, where it had disappeared from a decade prior."
I have custody of an Urban Sketchers traveling sketchbook. Prior to arriving in my mailbox, it had been to several other USk branches around the country. Ikuyo did the first sketch, the Soul Salmon, and I added the Carr cabin on our USk Tacoma page in the sketchbook. It goes to Seattle next and then onward.
The original Job Carr cabin dates from 1865.
Just before it was time to meet again, I did a quick ink sketch of the cooking fireplace in the cabin.
We had a nice turnout at Rosedale Gardens. The foggy morning soon lifted. There were buildings, gates, sculptures, terraced gardens, plants, and planters to choose from.
We partnered with the Peninsula Art League Plein Aire painters. Welcome to Dana and Sharon.
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| The Throwdown |
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| Urban Sketchers and Plein Air painters visit Rosedale Gardens |
Viking ship Valkyrie
The Seattle Times had a feature a few weeks ago about the recreation of a Viking long ship. It had moored at the marina in Poulsbo. I was immediately thinking of going out to sketch it. Early last week I picked today as a likely day: predicted good weather and possibly less tourists as kids are back in school.
I made contact to verify it was a good day. I heard back from the ship's master, Erik. I then alerted other USk chapters in the area. In the end, we were 10 sketchers, plus ship's crew member, Daniel, who also drew with us!
It's about an hour and a half drive out to Poulsbo but it was well worth it. The day was perfect…blue sky, sunny, not too hot. Eric spent quite a bit of time with us explaining about the ship. I really geeked out with him about details of the shields and the rowing benches. We have a similar bench!
Once I settled down to sketch I first did a montage of views and details. I sketched the aft with shield and drinking horn attached. While doing so, I listened to Erik and Daniel instruct new crew member, Lyle.
Then I turned to the rowing bench. There are a lot of them as 16 crew row the ship. The benches can be moved from the center of the ship to the rowing spots. That's what they sit on to row and the benches also store belongings and necessary ship items, similar to a military foot locker. Himself referred to it not as a foot locker but as a seat locker.
The final image of the montage was a front view from above, sketched from the upper level of the docks. Erik had explained that the shields are not attached in the period manner. It was an aesthetic choice. They can be removed for use and there are more than are attached to the ship today.
Crew member Daniel joined us in sketching and he is seen with the group photo, third from right.
Our host, Erik, at right.
A few of us braved the sprinkles to sketch around Black Diamond today. We'd seen some lightening, too but the rain was very light.
It was enough, though, that I sketched from the car, parked right in front of the antique store. I always like that chicken! I'm sure I've sketched her before but I can't find it. I asked Brenda, the owner of the Antique Store, about the statue. She said, "Oh, that's my chicken". Brenda has the legs for the bird but it makes her stand 12 feet tall and Brenda is concerned she might fall over on someone.
Others sketched in the bakery.
There was a Little Free Art Gallery where I left some stickers and two of my older sketches.
Of course, once home in the afternoon the day turned blue sky and sunny.
We've been away for several days. We stayed at a hotel in Salem while visiting a friend on the farm outside of Stayton.
I had only a little time to sketch. I explored Stayton and found this interesting home, dubbed the "Stayton Castle". A realtor's Insta account wrote: "This property has a rich history and was used for everything from a jail to a pirate radio station."
The Oregon Vietnam War Memorial is on the grounds of the State Capitol in Salem. I sketched the evocative statue "A Soldier's Return" by Libby Carruth. She wrote: "I endeavored to convey the “invisible wounds” of war with an expression of tension and angst in this young man’s face and hands. From most angles, he remains obscured: a symbol of anonymity and disregarded struggles. Approaching the sculpture face-to-face, as if looking into a mirror, invites a moment of true acknowledgement, interaction, reflection and empathy."
7311 Rosedale Street NW, Gig Harbor 98335
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| Rosedale Gardens |
Please park in the upper lot in order to save customer parking. You are welcome to off load your gear near the gift shop if needed.
Meet at 10:00 am near the gift shop. Rosedale Gardens has beautifully landscaped grounds. This site has covered outdoor areas for shade. There are open areas, walking paths, a gift shop, plants, sculptures and pottery. Public restrooms are available.
We will be partnering with the Peninsula Art League Plein Aire painters.
