Point of View

Monday our local sketch group  met at the Chicago Cultural Center. We had a brief discussion about upcoming venues and then headed off in different directions to sketch. It was one of those Chicago days that was lovely one minute, iffy the next and then back to lovely. I chose to stay inside and sketch just in case.

This was done from a second floor  (maybe it was the third floor) window. Looking east, toward the lake, the Pritzker Pavilion looks like it's in full sail. I sketched at the window and then added color when we regrouped in the CCC lobby. 

I usually don't duplicate posts on different blogs but I've posted several other views of this sketch over at Urban Sketchers-Midwest. 

Sounds Like a Plan

The morning should begin with a quick sketch or two. I really like that idea. Maybe I'll incorporate Cathy Johnson's lessons at the Online Strathmore Workshop 2 as a starting point. Two of these pages are from lesson 1. The third one is my palette. When I rearrange my palette I make a swatch map. I scan it and print it to paste into my various sketchbooks. 

The eucalyptus pods caught my eye when I was out shopping the other day and I couldn't resist buying a branch. I think they'd be gorgeous in a larger still life. They've certainly been great to see the first thing in the morning!

So Much to Learn

It's been a hectic week and I'm glad I have the watercolor class to make me take time to paint.  Dan Goodwin at A Big Creative Yes had a post recently about the first port of the day. As you begin the day's adventure, he suggests that you start the day doing something creative. A while ago, I also read about someone who began their work day, everyday, with a sketch taken from a photo in the morning paper. (I wish I could remember who it was so I could give them credit. It was in one of Danny Gregory's books I think.) Anyway, I believe they're on to something - maybe "Morning Sketches" instead of Morning Pages! Hmm–seems like a plan is brewing in my head…

This watercolor was done in class last week. It's from a photo I took in Santorini. The doorways tucked all over the curving, hilly and narrow streets  fascinated me. It's painted on 300 lb. Arches paper though Fabriano is more to my liking.  This painting, though not a gem, was worth the effort. I learned a lot.

Possiblities

This is the latest installment from my watercolor class with David R. Becker. We paint from photos, not my favorite thing to do but I'm learning a lot. I chose this photo because of the high contrast and I love the sneakers and tutu combo. It says to me "Oh the places she'll go!" Also, I think the watercolor shows that it may be possible to teach an old dog new tricks!

The Midwest: One Drawing at a Time

Urban Sketchers is a network of artists from around the world who work to encourage on location sketching and to show the world "one drawing at a time". Now Kate (Cathy) Johnson, artist and author, has started the Midwest chapter of the group. I've added my sketches to the USK flickr group for a while and I'm excited to be a correspondent to the Urban Sketcher - Midwest blog!

In my Chicago neighborhood there are five Starbucks in a five block radius. I've visited and sketched in them all. This sketch was done in one of them during a pit stop the middle of a very busy week. On the USK – Midwest blog I'll be sharing my favorite Chicago places as well as some of the  more mundane spots. I'm also looking forward to seeing my fellow contributors' "midwest". I hope you'll stop by Urban Sketchers – Midwest and enjoy the view!

Working on It

These are two practice watercolors. I'm working on control of the medium but still trying to give up control at the same time. They're over worked and I have a very long way to go. Thanks to a class with David R. Becker, I'm enjoying the trip .

Speaking of which- the paintings are done from photos from a trip to Barcelona in 2010. The top one is the old Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter and the one below it is in Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia.  It struck me how this cathedral builder is a living link to those nameless artists who labored centuries ago. I'm also reminded of the book Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett – a great read.

Everyday Heroes

It was three years ago today that Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago almost burned down, again. The Cathedral is entwined with the history of the city from gangster murders to papal visits. If it wasn't for the brave firemen, the first responders, who answered the call early that morning, the Cathedral would have been leveled to the ground just as it was in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  They say they were just doing their job-in my book that makes them heroes not just on February 4, 2009 but everyday.

This sketch is a little (?) chaotic but that reflects the scene. It was dark, bitter cold and chaotic.