We had a wonderful day to sketch and paint at Rosedale Gardens. There were plenty of gardens, paths, plants, trees, pottery, structures and sculptures to choose from. We partnered with the Peninsula Art League Plein Aire painters.
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| Rosedale Gardens |
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| The Throwdown |
We met at Stadium High School yesterday morning. One of our members is moving away and requested this location. It's been 4 years since we last sketched there. That was my first time there. Parking is difficult but now the light rail has been extended and there is a station near by.
Construction started in 1891 but was halted. After life as a couple different venues, it was renovated and opened as Tacoma High School in 1906. More about the building here. "Stadium High School, commonly referred to as the Brown Castle, was originally intended by its financiers, the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and Tacoma Land Company, to be one of the finest luxury hotels on the Pacific Coast. Construction began in 1891, but due to the railroad’s financial failure, the hotel was never completed and was boarded up for a number of years before it was acquired by the Tacoma School District."
That first time I'd sketched the front elevation so today I wanted to do something different. I chose the perspective challenge of one of the side wings.
Unfortunately, we were hampered by successive rain showers. About 11:30 we finally gave up as there was little to no shelter. We had a hurried throw down and group photo, though 2 are missing.
7311 Rosedale Street NW, Gig Harbor 98335
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| Rosedale Gardens upper entrance |
We met at Holy Rosary Church Catholic Church this morning. It was already a hot day. We found what shade we could and all sketched the impressive spire.
This church became unsafe due to water damage and was to be torn down. People advocated for it's restoration and eventually the Vatican cancelled the order to demolish it. However there is still a possibility it will be razed.
Most of us found a shady spot from which to sketch.
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.
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| The throwdown |
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| Narrows Park |
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| 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.
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.
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| The throwdown |
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| Jerisich Public Dock |
