Down the memory lane: June 24, 2016- Craftsman houses

For some reason I thought I sketched these houses in Queen Anne but it looks like I actually sketched them in Beacon Hill.

I like Craftsman houses. They are usually colourful and full of character. A local guy came chatting with me and told me that he actually painted the lime green house (he is a professional painter). One of the neighbours hated the colour and came out yelling at him. He was really happy to see me sketch the lime green house. I told him no colour could be wrong on a Craftsman house and that he couldn't agree more.

Down the memory lane: May 30, 2016- Sketching on the Hurricane Ridge

Although I draw quite often on public transport, I don't usually set up my watercolour kit on location. Today I decided to paint at the view point of  Hurricane Ridge because the view was breathtaking and I already carried my watercolour kit all the way up there!

I wasn't that comfortable sketching at the view point at first as there were many other hikers. Pretty soon, however, I blocked out all the talking and movement around me. It was quite an experience. A family came by and had a chat with me. They shared their binoculars with me in case I wanted to paint the mountain goats. The mother took a photo of me with my sketchbook because she thought I was very special!  I did feel special. After all, I overcame my fear of sketching on location (without other Urban Sketchers) while enjoying the mountain view.

Down the memory lane: It all started from here...

My very first outing with USK Seattle (Fremont)

Well, actually, it started 2 years before this photo was taken. 

James and I were travelling in Spain. One afternoon we arrived on a hill in Granada, where you can see the magnificent Alhambra. The view point gathered more than 100 tourists, snapping away with their phones or fancy cameras. It was hard to find a spot where you could take a photo without dozens of heads in the frame.

Then James saw this father with 2 boys. They were quietly drawing with crayons, capturing their impression of the Alhambra. I was inspired there and then, and started sketching. Soon I found Urban Sketchers. I followed the blog for 18 months but never participated in the local sketch outings (Melbourne, Australia). Until I moved to Seattle with James.

Second sketch done that day

I met Tina that day and later on Kate and many others. Attending the USK Seattle sketch outings became something I looked forward to. It was always fun to sketch with USK Seattle sketchers and it was even more fun listening to their stories while we had lunch together after a sketch outing.I felt connected in this new city and was introduced to various spots in the Emerald City. I love being an Urban Sketcher and I'm blessed to start my journey of sketching with USK Seattle!

First sketch done that day:
Statue of Lenin