Daily Doily

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Memphis Botanic Garden

I hadn't been back since I got married there last year :)  It was nice to be back + brought back so many sweet memories!  I want to go back + have a picnic on our one year anniversary.  Awe.

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ The Orpheum // Don Pasquale

Thank you so much to Opera Memphis for letting us sketch the dress rehearsal of Don Pasquale last night!

It was my first opera experiece. 

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Confederate Park

This month we met up at Confederate Park on the most beautiful, sunny day!

Utrecht Recylced Paper Sketchbook, Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens + American Crafts Galaxy Marker

Handbook Watercolor Journal, Winsor & Newton Watercolor Travel Set + Water Flow Brush

Moleskine Pocket Sketchbook, Design Ebony Pencil (left page) + Faber-Castell 9000 Pencils (right page)

I made three totally different sketches, haha.  I'm not sure you would guess they were all mine.  It's fun to mix things up.

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ India Fest

This month we sketched at India Fest.

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Sears Crosstown Tower

 

 This month we sketched at the Sears Crosstown Tower.  I've always thought the building was so interesting + it was really neat to be able to go inside.  I was pretty excited about it.  I wasn't really sure what to expect.  We went to the third floor first.  It was painted in one of my favorite colors- minty green.  The smell was so interesting...I could smell it the rest of the day.  There was dust + peeling paint everywhere.

 I chose to sketch a section of the room that had some funky colors going on- minty green, yellow + red.  I liked the combination. 

 

Then we walked through dark hallways + stairs to the cafeteria.  It was sorta spooky.  We had an interesting playlist of music going on in the cafeteria thanks to some neighbors, haha.

I sketched an exit door + curtains with all kinds of mess on the ground.

 

And the ceiling of the kitchen (i think).

I think I may have had more fun taking pictures than sketching :)

more pictures here.

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Dixon Gallery + Gardens

This month we sketched at the Dixon.  We started in the gardens.  I decided to sketch this deer first.  It reminded me of Zac + he was out at his hunting land.  I wondered if I saw more deer than he did (I didn't).  I found a cute little bench on top of gorgeous stepping stones + grass.  It was so peaceful...then came the mosquitos...they were relentless.  I didn't even think about bringing bug spray.  I still really enjoyed it.

They had tons of beautiful flowers blooming.  Zinnias are some of my favorites too :)

 

It started to get hot + the gallery was opening, so I went inside.  The guard did not like my mini backpack so I had to take it out to the car.  I carried my small sketchbook + put my car key, pencil sharpener, kneaded eraser + phone in my pocket.  I sketched some Jean-Louis Forain paintings:

 

 

 

My last sketch was of the chairs + lights at the Cafe Forain.  We visited there for a bit + showed our sketches.  Fun morning :)

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Flying Saucer

This month we went to the Flying Saucer downtown.  We sat on the covered patio facing Beale Street.  It was a hot day but at least we had a breeze by the windows.  I sketched the Blues City Cafe + the corner of Peabody Place + 2nd Street.  I was inspired by a sketch I saw recently (which I can't find now) to keep most of the image in pencil (or pen) + only have one part in colorful watercolor.  I really like the effect:

 

Then I decided to sketch the interior.  I drew a beer keg planter hanging from the ceiling + the plates on the wall: 

 

After that I met my mom for lunch + continued sketching:

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ The Peabody

This month we went to The Peabody for our sketch group.  There were lots of people in the lobby waiting to see the ducks march.  It was quite a production.  I'm just glad I sat in a seat with a good view of the fountain.

(hand book watercolor journal, pencil, watercolor pencil + watercolor)

It was a great place to sketch!  The air conditioning was nice + some of the girls even got mimosas! :) I decided to sketch the beautiful chandelier next.  It was so ornate.

(new sketchbook I got in Paris, pencil + Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens)

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Elmwood (2nd time)

This month (April) we went to Elmwood Cemetery again to sketch.  It was a beautiful, warm day :)  Great for sketching!  I walked around to find something to sketch + this caught my eye.  The epitaph said "Nannie Lucas":

 
 

(Pencil, Watercolor, Water soluble graphite)

For my next sketch I wanted to do an overall sketch with many tombstones:
 

(Pencil, Watercolor)

After that, it was time to meet back up to see everyone's sketches.  It's always neat to see how others record + translate the same space you are in.

I brought my lunch + stayed for one more sketch.  I love the paired tombstones in this photo:

 

I decided to focus on the columns, tree + what appears to be a pile of books:
 
 
(micron pen, derwent inktense pencil, watercolor)

My last sketch was my favorite :)  I'm glad I decided to stay + found a nice spot in the shade.

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Court Square

We met at Court Square this month.  It was rainy and cold so we didn't get to sketch outside like we had hoped :(  We sketched at the Blue Plate Cafe instead.  We all sat at one big round table.  I had already eaten breakfast, but I got a cup of coffee & sketched it.  The table cloth pattern was fun to sketch:

(hand book watercolor journal + prismacolor col-erase pencil in brown)

Then I sketched a tea bag, creamer & sugar packet:

(moleskine pocket sketchbook + mechanical pencil)

My last sketch was of a salt shaker:

(moleskine pocket sketchbook + Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens + Lamy fountain pen w/ noodlers ink + a borrowed sharpie pen?)

I wished I had gotten to sketch this:

Maybe another day??? :)