Muddled Monday

Our Monday sketch group met at Mariano Park. I arrived late due to a meeting that ran a little long and never quite focused on sketching. We met there last week as well so I'm posting both endeavors.

The triangle park contains a small Prairie-style pavilion designed by Birch Burdette Long in 1900. Today, it houses a Whisper Cafe coffee stand. The glazed tiles along the eaves are beautiful. Long worked for Frank Lloyd Wright before venturing out on his own. One would think I would have attempted the pavilion-I must go back before the weather gets too cold and give it a try!

Alex, from Pencilscribbles, has joined our group. It's great to meet a fellow blogger! Welcome!

Hurry up and Wait

I've said it many times but sketching does increase my patience for waiting!

New Week-New Challenge

I live in Chicago, a city known for its architecture, but drawing architecture is one of my biggest sketching shortcomings. Today I tried out a Lamy Safari pen and sketched the Fourth Presbyterian Church from the courtyard on Michigan Avenue. The pen is great! The sketch -not so great. It has made me determined to improve. Hints and suggestions are welcome!

Remembered Still

from September 1, 1936 W.H.Auden

I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth,
Obsessing our private lives;
The unmentionable odour of death
Offends the September night.
...

Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame