Hells Gate Bridge

While we were in Astoria Park we had an excellent view of Hells Gate Bridge, which is used mostly for Amtrak train travel only...no car traffic at all. Notice the red sections of the bridge. It had been repainted in the early 1990's for the first time in 80 years. The color selected was known as "Hell Gate Red." Unfortunately before the repainting was completed the paint began to fade an change color. It has been this way ever since.
I did two sketches of this bridge, one while I was in the shade and very cold.

And another with several of the other sketchers while we were sitting on the lawn in the sunshine (much more comfortable and pleasant).

I also did sketches of two of the sketchers at work. They are sisters and were visiting from other countries.

Patricia lives in Malaga, Spain and sketches with the the Malaga Urban Sketchers.

Maria lives in Paris and sketches with the Urban Sketchers there. It is really nice to have visitors from other places. This week we also had someone from Canada and Australia.

Triborough Bridge

Yesterday the NY Urban Sketchers met at Astoria Park in Queens. It is right by the Triborough Bridge (aka the Robert Kennedy Bridge) and it connects Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. The views of the bridge from the park are great. Yesterday started off rather chilly, so I was glad I brought along a long-sleeved shirt and my fleece hoodie. I needed them.

Beach Sketches

We were lucky enough to have nice weather for a few days so I was at the beach. These were sketched there.

Back to the Beach

This week we had several beautiful days so I headed over to the beach. This was done at the beach at Captree State Park.

Sayville Church

Last night my sketch group met in Sayville. We used some sketch cards created by Marc Taro for his workshop at the Manchester Urban Sketching Symposium this summer. The cards give a variety of assignments for groups that go out sketching together, so everyone doesn't sketch the same thing. It was a fun way to sketch together.

This was the card I selected.

Still Life

One of my art groups set up a still life for sketching last night. Through the summer they alternated portraits and still life painting. I did this with a combination of inktense pencils (water-soluble ink pencils) and watercolors.

Hummingbird Sanctuary

Today my plein air group (PALS) went to the Hummingbird Sanctuary in Baiting Hollow. We did see hummingbirds but they are impossible to paint from life because they are so tiny and quick. Instead I focused on some of the flowers that attract the hummingbirds at this peaceful place on a bluff along Long Island Sound.