Friday, June 20, 2025

Thursday, July 10: Narrows Park in Gig Harbor

1502 Lucille Parkway, Gig Harbor  98335

Narrows Park

Bridge from Narrows Park

Meet at 10:00 in the parking lot.  Portable toilets are located at one corner of the parking lot.  From the upper level, there is a small, covered picnic shelter.  There will be a short, a bit steep, walk down the hill to sea level.  This park offers scenic views of the Narrows Bridge, a small creek and waterfront access.

We will be partnering with the Peninsula Art League Plein Aire Painters.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Together at the new church

This morning Urban Sketchers Tacoma and Urban Sketchers Seattle chapters met together at the Vietnamese Martyr's Church in Tukwila. I've been wanting to show others this location for some months now. I have done many sketches of this location throughout its construction, from September 2023 right up to the consecration in November 2024.

Back then I found some history of the parish, which is part of the Catholic Seattle Archdiocese. In 2018 it was reported the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in the Central District was to be rezoned & demolished. This particular church community was formed around 1976 with about 50 Vietnamese refugee families and in 2010 officially became Vietnamese Martyrs Parish. It grew to about 1600 families. In 2014, many of the parishioners moved to a temporary location in Tukwila by the Green River, with plans to build a new church & classrooms. I remember watching the new long, narrow, one story building being built about 5 years ago. That building is where they worshiped for 10 years. This cathedral-like church has now realized their dream.

This morning was cloudy, breezy, and with an occasional bit of drizzle. But we all persevered and made good sketches.

Given that's I've drawn the church a dozen times already, today I gave my attention to a small detail.

2025 0618 Martyrs Church 

I only did the one sketch as I enjoyed talking with the sketchers I hadn't met before. There were a few new people and Lee visiting from Australia. The pastor came to look at our throw down, took some photos, and said he'd put a note about it in Sunday's bulletin.

 

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Our 12th

Today is our 12th Anniversary. The first sketch outing was held at the then Tully's Cafe on Broadway, in the Theater/Antique district of Tacoma. The cafe has changed names a number of times and now it's back to the Bostwick Cafe, in honor of the building that houses it.

Given that it's Pride Month, I wanted to include one of Tacoma's flags in my sketch. This scene caught my eye with the antique store, lamp post, flag, and the old city hall clock tower above.

2025 0607 Broadway Tacoma

Several sketchers chose the historic Bostwick flat iron building as their subject.

 
Our group today included a couple first timers and one long time member whom we haven't seen in years. Glad to have her back and welcome to the new folk!





Monday, May 26, 2025

First Time at Farm 12

We met at Farm 12 in Puyallup for the first time last Wednesday. We enjoyed perfect weather and a bonus was the fields of blooming Lupine. Most of us did at least one sketch of them.

2025 0521 Farm 12 Lupines

The other popular item was the red truck with is also on the farm logo. It was surrounded by lavender.

2025 0521 Farm 12 truck

I think we'll go again.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Thursday, June 12: Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor

3207 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor

Skansie Brothers Park 

3207 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor

Skansie Netshed from Jerisich Public Dock

Meet at 10:00 near the Jerisich water fountain.  This park offers scenic views of the harbor, historic Skansie Brothers Netshed, a covered pavilion and waterfront access.  The Jerisich Public Dock is located adjacent to the Skansie Brothers Park and offers public restrooms, a viewing platform, picnic tables and public dock.

The Gig Harbor Farmers Market will be setting up in the morning and is scheduled to open at 1:00.  Street parking is available adjacent to the park.  Additional parking can be found a couple blocks up Pioneer Way, west on Judson Street near the Post Office.

We will be partnering with the Peninsula Art League Plein Air Painters.  

Thanks to Pam for hosting this outing.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Fun morning to sketch at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor

We had a great turnout at Skansie Brothers Park this morning.  The harbor was buzzing with walkers, boaters and sketchers.  

The throwdown

Photo missing Barbara


Sunday, May 4, 2025

Chilly Lakewold

A small group of sketchers braved the cloudy, chilly weather to sketch at Lakewold Gardens yesterday. The wisteria was in full bloom so that's where I started.

2025 0503 Lakewold Wisteria

I had to wait for two weddings to happen before I could sketch in the gazebo! I was drawn to the flower blossoms in the water.

2025 0503 Lakewold

Our group photo was better than usual as it was taken by the accomplished Pamela
@picturesbypamela It's nicely framed by the Wisteria.