Holiday Cultures

Yesterday (Saturday, 12/7/24) we met at Freighthouse Station. It was pouring rain outside to it was good to have an indoor location that wasn't at all crowded.

I've sketched here a few times and my favorite view includes the neon "Fish & Chips" sign seen in our group photo, below. But today I was interested in the mash up of cultures at Little India Express. I enjoyed some plain naan while I sketched the Christmas wreath hung over the graphic of the Taj Mahal. I included my silly reindeer hat in the scene.

The group was small but consisted of the regulars. Perhaps the pouring rain deterred attendance.

 

 

Freighthouse

We met at Freighthouse Station this morning. It has been years since we were last there as a group.

The Sasquatch was a popular subject.

Mark and I sketched through the windows of an odd store with vintage typewriters, telephones, bicycles, and other clutter.  

I've always liked the "Fish& Chips" sign of Paya Thai.

Flexible at the Freighthouse

For our First Saturday outing, we were scheduled to sketch in a children's tea room. Tom had made the arrangements but when we arrived, it was locked up. He came prepared and called the owners, who had forgotten. They sent an employee from their main venue but he didn't have a key that worked!

Good thing Urban Sketchers are flexible and pretty much happy to sketch anything. The rest of Freighthouse Square was decorated for the holidays with lots of interesting scenes to draw. We just spread out and carried on.  

I only got one sketch done as I spent a bit of time talking. First, I thought I might sketch some of the holiday decor. But I moved down to the food court and those neon signs just pulled me in! I've long wanted to sketch this Fish & Chips sign. I'm still working on simplifying complex scenes and I think I did OK with this one. That's what has stumped me before when I wanted to sketch the sign.  Bonus: getting another sketcher in the image.



It was a fun day, despite the snag at the beginning. Three new sketchers to the group and so many great sketches at the throw-down. Most of us went to the food court for lunch, grabbed a very long table and had interesting conversations along with our food. 





A couple more photos here:   https://redharp.smugmug.com/SketchOutings/2017-1202-Freighthouse-Square/

Freighthouse Square - Tacoma

Going loose at the monthly Tacoma Urban Sketchers Gathering. Construction site at Freighthouse Square, man did it feel good to sketch outside in the sunshine.

Pen, ink, and watercolor wash in a Moleskine watercolor book.

Sketchers Gathering at Freighthouse Square

Freighthouse Square is experiencing a healthy rejuvenation which is nice to see and fun to experience. The dental office located across the street north of the square, is a most unique entrance to a dental office that leads you into the back corner of a warehouse building. The skeleton of an old dental chair wrapped in Christmas lights, resides on top of the office entrance.

Pen and ink with watercolor in a watercolor Moleskine.

Freighthouse Square

Our regular monthly Saturday sketch outing  was held at Freighthouse Square.  It's a rather odd ball group of shops and eateries across the street from the Tacoma Dome Light rail and Sounder station.

It was such a beautiful day I sketched outside.  This is that station.



There were about 30 sketchers to start but this group photo has only 19.

Photo by Scott

Our gathering spot in the morning shows the nature of the place.....



Sharing sketches at the end of the morning