Saturday, April 5, 2014

Carl Schurz Park

Today the NYC Urban Sketchers met at Gracie Mansion and Carl Schurz Park at 88th Street and East End Avenue. I took the subway into the city which ended up being quite a long trip (over 2 hrs) due to construction delays on the lines. I did get to do one sketch on the train ride in.


Our group of sketchers headed to see the views along the East River first. I sketched a view looking down the path with a few joggers and the river view. The park is really nicely landscaped and it was great to see that here in NYC the leaves are finally starting to appear on the trees.


We took a break for lunch, but that didn't stop our sketching. These men at the counter were interesting subjects.


Back at the park I sketched this view of a rocky area that kids were climbing on.


The only disappointment of the day was that we couldn't sketch Gracie Mansion, which is the official home of the mayor of NYC. The entire house is behind a big security fence that blocks the entire view. They do tours of the house, but not on Saturday. One of our members tried to convince the security guard to let us in, but there was no way we would be allowed in. 

So we moved on to the dog run. Of course because it was a dog run that's exactly what they did in the fenced in area. They were very hard to sketch. The owners stayed still and once in a while the dogs would come over to their owners...but mostly they just ran.


I also sketched the small lighthouse that was in the East River and the view of Queens across the water.


At the end of the day we did a "throw-down" of our sketchbooks. It is always fun to share our work, talk about our supplies and methods of sketching, and talk to the other sketchers. Here are a few of the sketches that were done today.


And a few close-ups.


That's a sketch of me on the left.





It was a great day!











9 comments:

  1. A great day, indeed! Thanks for sharing everyone's sketches!

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  2. It looks like it was indeed a great day! NY has leaf buds? Still none here yet. I always look forward to the new buds and fresh greens of spring. You managed a great number of sketches, Joan. I do not know how you do it! And all of them are fantabulous! I think my favorite is the rocky landscape. Though that bar stool is fabulous too!

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  3. Fantastic day and fantastic sketches!

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  4. Thanks, Tina. Most of the time people disappear before we can take photos. lol

    Sherry, thank you. Funny how there were trees with a touch of color in the city but out here we have nothing still!

    Fran, thanks!

    Sirkka, thank you.

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  5. Your post is an absolute feast of sketches, Joan, each one a treasure. Your sketches are all so natural, views and people. I like the idea of a 'throw-down' - like a quilters' 'show and tell'. I can imagine that passers-by like to stop and enjoy a peep at them. How we need 'dog run' areas here in UK so that the parks, the beach, etc, are safer and cleaner for children to play.

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  6. A great post Joan! Loved seeing your day in sketches. Also loved seeing the "throw down" what a great term!
    Great previous posts too. You are an ongoing inspiration!

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  7. Ah Joan it certainly looks like it was a great day. You made the best of your time when the subway had delays...your sketches and the discipline you use to do it every day is amazing and inspiring. I never tire of seeing what you have done. Had such a nice visit. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. Jez, thanks! It was really fun to share at the end of the day.

    Wendy, thanks so much! Glad I am inspiring someone.

    Debbie, thanks. I didn't get to sketch on the ride back. We were packed into the subway car like sardines. lol

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