Great morning to sketch at Narrows Park

We had a grand time sketching at Narrows Park.  There was plenty of beach fun, backdropped with an incredible view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The throwdown

Narrows Park

Thursday, July 9: Narrows Park in Gig Harbor

1502 Lucille Parkway, Gig Harbor, WA  98335

Narrows Park

Tacoma Narrows Bridge from Narrows Park

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

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

Great weather to sketch at Skansie Brothers Park

Many were ready for a good weather day to sketch.  There were plenty of vendors setting up for the market, the historic Skansie netshed, metal sculptures and the waterfront at Gig Harbor for inspiration.

The throwdown

Jerisich Public Dock

Sketching in the rain

It might have been prudent to cancel this morning's sketch outing at Hanwoori Korean Garden in Federal Way. But USk Tacoma had invited USk Seattle to attend. Rain was predicted, even thunderstorms. Also, it was time to celebrate USk Tacoma's 13th anniversary as our first sketch outing was June 7, 2013.

Several sketchers from Seattle came along with a few from the Tacoma group. We were a hardy bunch as it rained nearly the entire time. A few huddled together under the shelter of the roof of the garden gate. More were in the pagoda itself. And then a couple of us sketched from under umbrellas!

I was one of the sketchers sitting under an umbrella, painting a view of the gate. Sadly, the Federal Way city site doesn't have any information about this fairly new garden. I did find that Hanwoori means “we are one”. And that it was created in a partnership between the City of Federal Way and its sister city, Donghae, South Korea.

We ended early and a few people had already left. The Tacoma group posed with our anniversary poster.

Thursday, June 11: Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor

Skansie Brothers Park 

3211 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, WA  98335

Skansie Brothers Park

Skansie Brothers Park and Jerisich Public Dock

Meet at 10:00 near the Jerisich water fountain.  These parks offer 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 opens 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 Aire Painters.

Fun sketching at East Side Big Toms

We had a fun sketch outing in Olympia at East Side Big Toms drive-thru burger restaurant.  There were plenty of dinosaurs posed in several jungle scenes, vintage characters, and numerous fun views.  Lunch was great, including milkshakes.  Thanks to Kate for organizing.

The throwdown

Thanks to Joe for taking the photo.  A few sketchers left early.

Sketching at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

We had a busy morning to study and sketch at the Zoo and Aquarium on a dry May morning.  Dozens of school buses delivered students on fieldtrip day.  There were plenty of animals, sea life, plants, structures and people to sketch.

The throwdown

Urban Sketchers visit the Zoo