Tagging along- USK Tainan sketch outing

The USK Tainan sketch outing usually last for 4 hours. I'm not sure why but that's just the way it is. It's a bit too long for me. Last time I arrived on time but nobody turned up till later. By the time I finished sketching it was way before the throw-down. Therefore I didn't meet anyone. This time I arrived later but I missed out the introduction so I still didn't get to meet anyone.
It doesn't bother me though. Although I miss how I mingled with my fellow sketchers from USK Seattle, I'm usually content to just sketch on my own. That was what I did today. After walking around the location, I chose a spot where I could see the icon building where USK Tainan chose to meet as well as some sketchers in action.

This house is 80 years old and was turned into a small cafe/ cultural hub from an old hardware store. The couple who leased the house from the original owners kept all the interior so the house has become a popular Instagram spot.

It took me about 90 minutes to complete the sketch but it was still more than an hour till the final throw-down. Instead of waiting for the throw-down, I walked around to look over the other sketchers' shoulders. A silent tag-along sketch outing I had today.

Childhood memories of the big modern city

My godfather and godmother, who are also my uncle and aunt, live in Taipei. As a child, they were the 'modern' relatives from the far far away big city. In fact, Taipei is only 4 hours drive from my home town, Tainan. It only takes 1.5 hours on the High Speed Rail nowadays.

When James came to visit me last week, we decided to spend some time in Taipei like backpackers. He had only been there once more than 10 years ago and I hadn't visited it for more than 20 years! It was also a good chance for James to meet my godparents and cousins.

On the evening of our visit, my godfather told James about the mountains and rivers in and around Taipei. He took us to Shin Shan Moon Lake near his house. It was a spot where my cousins took me to see fireflies in summer. The lake, which is more like a pond in comparison to real lakes, hasn't changed much. It was fun showing James my childhood memories on location.

Home away from home

I'm home, but not at home. I'm staying with my family in my hometown while James is finishing up his work in the US. My sister needed me to look after my nephew till he can get a spot in the day care so my holiday extended without James. A tricky situation.

It's the first time in 10 years since I spent such a long time in Taiwan. Things are familiar yet strange at the same time. I visited the elementary school where I taught 11 years ago. The campus looks almost identical but the names on posters and display mean nothing to me. I did this sketch in a lovely corner on the campus. Even though many things at this school have changed, the sculpture and the beautiful spring flowers remain the same.

I also tried to go to a sketch outing hosted by USK Tainan. The way they organize outings is a bit different from what I'm familiar with. I guess that was why I missed them. In the end I made it my own sketch outing and walked around the location with my sketch kit. Looking at the city where I grew up as an urban sketcher is something I don't know how to describe, especially it's been so long since I left. While I was sketching, I started to remember the warmth, the spring breeze and the noise in this old southern city. Without urban sketching, I don't think I'd be able to have this profound feeling.

Tree trimming workers in Tainan, Taiwan