Sketching the Puyallup

 We were a smaller than usual group  at the State Fair in Puyallup (WA) this morning. 

After obtaining our Fisher Fair scone fix, I headed out to sketch. 

 

Sketching at Ancich Waterfront Park

We had perfect weather to sketch and paint at the Gig Harbor waterfront.  There was an abundance of subjects to choose from.  Today was our last day of the season to partner with the Peninsula Art League Plein Aire painters.  Thanks to Liz for the photo.  Welcome Paul.

Sketchers and Plein Aire painters at Ancich Waterfront Park

TCC Japanese Garden

 Yesterday we met at the Tacoma Community College Japanese Friendship Garden. I'd never known of this before but Beverly suggested it for a sketch outing. Everyone liked it and we'll go again. We were happy to welcome a few first timers, as well.

It expresses friendship with Tacoma's sister city in Kitakyushu, Japan. It was created as a “karesansui” or dry garden. 

My sketch featured one of the stone lanterns and the bridge.

Thursday, September 10: Ancich Waterfront Park in Gig Harbor

 3589 Harborview Drive

Ancich Waterfront Park

3589 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor

Ancich Net Shed

Meet at 10:00 at the street level picnic area.  Street parking is available adjacent to the park.  This park offers a shaded lower level, public pier, restored net shed, views of the harbor, beach access and public restrooms.

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

Hanwoori again

Urban Sketchers Seattle and Tacoma came together to sketch in the Hanwoori Korean Garden in Federal Way. The garden’s name means “we are one”.

The feature is a colorful pagoda, Donghaejeong, built in the sister city of Donghae and donated to the park. I still haven't sketched it.

I started with an ink drawing of the side of the gate.

Then I painted the stone feature with the "Taegeuk:, which means "supreme ultimate" in Korean philosophy, representing universal balance and dual forces (um and yang).

A few more photos here.

Great turnout at Rosedale Gardens

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.

Rosedale Gardens

The Throwdown

Sketching in the rain

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.