Remember

Since I returned to sketching, it has been my tradition to sketch and meditate on the cost of our freedom and democracy at Tahoma National (VA) Cemetery on a day close to Memorial Day.

For this year's sketch I chose the grave of CPL Frederick Talbert, Killed in Action during WWII on March 2 1945. I now wish I'd taken a photo of the marker as I cannot find any record of him buried at Tahoma though he clearly is. I'd hoped to find more information about him but even a web search turned up nothing.




--  Kate Buike
A more extensive post is on my personal blog.  

Blue! Poppies

This was my first time at this event.  Urban Sketchers (USk) Tacoma was there two years ago but I wasn't.  As one of the sketchers said, "those poppies really are blue!".   Blue Poppy Day is held once a year at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way.  



This was an "ad hoc" outing and just a few sketchers attended.  There are two missing from the group photo. 





I decided on a montage. The tree on the left "hosts" what looks like a bird feeder. But I saw many bees going in and out. To the right is the bell in the gazebo. Lower left is the Garden Pond. That bit was rather rushed as it started to sprinkle. Last, but certainly not least, on the right side is the Blue Poppy.



More photos of pretty flowers are here. 

--Kate Buike

June 2018 outings

First Saturday, June 2: Private Dock At Foss Waterway

Go to the Foss Waterway Museum
705 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402

Then make your way to the SE Corner to find Dock A.   Our host will meet us there to unlock the gate.  Of course, we are welcome to sketch around and in the Foss museum.

Life preservers are required wear on the dock.  There are enough loaners available for everyone.  They are light and minimally restrictive. 

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 Second Thursday, June 14:  Gig Harbor Waterfront

Meet at 10 am at the new facility on Harborview.

Directions:  Rt 16 W , 3rd exit, City Center/Waterfront right at top of ramp onto Pioneer, down hill to Waterfront, turn left onto Harborview, Park, watch not in a limited time spot!

Rt 16 E to City Center exit, left at top of ramp continue over Rt 16 and follow directions above.

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Third Wednesday, June 20:  Annie Wright School 

827 North Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98403


It's been 3 years since we first sketched at this school. One of our members teaches there and generously arranged for us to have access.  Meet at the front door.  There is free street parking.  

Lots of photos from the previous outing

TAM Again

We have had several previous outings to the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM). I always find something new to sketch. This time I didn't even go into the Museum galleries.
There was a good group today, with a couple new people.  Welcome!





Since it was nearly perfect weather I walked back north on Pacific Ave. to Union Station/Court House. I've always wanted to sketch the statue there but the conditions have never been right: too cold, too hot, too rainy. Today is perfect. Officially, this is titled "New Beginnings" by Larry Anderson. It was commissioned to celebrate the centennial of Tacoma (1884-1984). However, I like the title my friend called it: "The Constant Traveler".



There was over an hour left so time for another sketch. I went back to the Museum to go to the third floor public area. I've sketched from there before but today was nice enough to go out on the patio. This is the view over the planter to Union Station and the old buildings on Pacific Ave.




More photos here. 


---by Kate Buike

Help us bring free USk workshops to everyone, everywhere!

The global Urban Sketchers 10K + 10K Matching Fund Campaign will fund free workshops to bring urban sketching to schools, organizations and communities that have not had the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of on-location drawing.

With your help and commitment, we hope to raise $20,000 by June 8. Please spread the word among friends, students and fellow sketchers. We believe the future of the organization is to continue to engage the world by promoting the educational and social value of drawing on location. See more information about the campaign.

To contribute, please identify your donation as “USk 10K+10K” or “USk Matching Fund Campaign” to treasurer@urbansketchers.org on PayPal (choose the “Friends and Family” option) or send a check to:

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PO Box 95724
Seattle, WA 98145

Thank you for your support!

Windmill Gardens

It was a perfect sketching day. We met at Windmill Gardens in Sumner. I think this was at least my third time there and I always find something new to sketch. Our group photo in front of the gazebo and said windmill.
 


I sat inside for my first sketch of a display of potted plants.


This charming garden art was, appropriately, in front of the Tea Madame shop.


My favorite of the day was done the fastest, with just 20 minutes left. I got the drawing done and colored it after.I've sketched this shed before but this is the better of my two attempts. 
 

--by Kate Buike