Still Sketching

As 2014 begins, I've still managed to sketch each day, although the results don't all make it to this blog.

This weekend the Urban Sketchers of Portland went to OMSI, where many, many people were in line to catch the last day of the Sherlock Holmes exhibit.

Lots of families explored the other interactive science exhibits...while I was very content to stay out of the action and go into my sketching mode.

The next day, The Urban Sketchers met at the Chinese Garden. It was cold, but I found a spot in the sunshine where I could sketch the landscape....

and the people....

I decided to make a record of some of the hats that my fellow sketchers wore...

Here's to a good year of sketching!

New Year's Eve

Waiting for the festivities to begin, I finished side 1 of my accordion book...

Happy New Year, everyone and thank you for your support of my drawing journey.

May 2014 bring you all joy, laughter, friendship, and love!

Oh, Christmas Tree

I always avoid drawing the Christmas tree because it seems so huge and sparkly and full of detail--generally overwhelming. This year, I decided to go for it. 

Here's one of the poinsettias that still has a lot of petals. 

Both of these are in my Christmas themed sketchbook. I want to thank Linda http://pieceofcakesketches.blogspot.com, for the inspiration.

Christmas

On the day after Christmas, Boxing Day in some countries, I wanted to leave out all the clutter and mess to remember the pleasure we had.

Then, taking an idea from another sketcher, I decided to collect some of the memories in a sketchbook. I used the Sennelier accordion book from the Urban Sketching Symposium.  Next month, I'm going to take an online lettering class, so I've started adding some text. This way, I can see the before and after results.

I want to remember some things for next Christmas, so some of those notes are in there, too...

and I want to be sure to thank friends for gifts we've been given...

There's a lot to remember about this Christmas, but here's a start.

A Sketching Gift

 It was such a pleasure to be out with the Urban Sketchers of Portland today... such a lovely group of people who inspire me, challenge me, and encourage me.   It was a gift to spend the day in friendship, sketching,  laughing, talking, and sharing.

Chocolate Temptation

I  know this hot chocolate is delicious because it's from a wonderful restaurant in NYC and because I had a sample at Sur la Table yesterday. I bought this intending to give it as a gift, but it is very, very tempting to crack it open.

Bowls: Two Round Ones and One Squarish One