Last Day in Perth - Part 2

We headed for the Perth Airport for our flight home. Our first stop was back at Sydney Airport. I had some time to do a few airport sketches while we waited to board our flight back to LAX. Our flight home took about 25 hours...much too long even if I had time to sketch. I don't sleep on airplanes so on the way home I probably saw about 8 movies.

There is usually time for a sketch on the airplane too. This wasn't done on the way home, but during the flight from Sydney to Perth. I forgot to post it earlier because it was in a different sketchbook.

With these sketches my trip to Australia comes to an end. It was a great trip with lots of time for sketching.

Last Day in Perth - Part I

Our vacation was finally coming to an end. Our first flight wasn't until 11:55 PM and we had arranged for a late checkout from our Perth apartment. That meant I really had almost a full day of sketch time. I planned to make the most of it.

I started with a sketch of this building in the Cultural Arts Center area.

Then I headed into the Art Gallery of Western Australia. They had a wonderful exhibit of aboriginal art. These were a few of my favorite pieces.

"The Protest" by Julie Dowling

"Wanampi Tjukurpa" by Tiger Palpate is based on an aboriginal tale about creation.

"Tree of Life" by John Coburn

Next I sketched in Yagan Square. The 9 metre high (29 1/2 ft) sculpture called Wirin, the Noongar word for spirit by Yjyllyungoo/Lance Chad dominates the Square.

After lunch at my favorite dim sum place in Old Shanghai I went out a different exit and found this wonderful structure.

Then it was back to the apartment to pack up, go to dinner, and then head to the airport...stay tuned.

Meeting the Perth Urban Sketchers

The last full day that we were in Perth I went to Scarborough Beach to meet the Perth Urban Sketchers. I was in touch with Aggie Lim before I left the states and she told me where and when their group would be meeting. Again, the beach was a busride away, but since I had figured out the way to the other beach I figured I could do this one too. Their sketch group only meets once a month, unlike the NYC group which meets twice a week. They were doing their sketching around the Scarborough Beach Pavillion which included a pool, an ampitheatre, a skateboard park, a rock climbing wall, kiosks, and lots more. There was something for everyone.

I headed over to sketch this kiosk that was over looking the beach, called the C Breeze Kiosk...clever name isn't it? I couldn't fit it all on one page, so I extended it a bit onto the other side.

Next I sketched the lifeguard's overlook. There was also a lifeguard chair on the beach but I didn't get to sketch that.

The group met back at the amphitheater at 11:30 to share their sketches in a throw down.

And of course, we posed for a photo of the whole group.

It is always fun sharing sketches with other sketchers...and these people were so nice.

Aggie took a photo of me painting down by the beach.

The group dispersed but I figured since I would stay a while. I headed over to Peter's by the Sea for lunch and when I finished I sketched the view from my table. I loved the surf mural that was part of their sign.

It was a really nice day, made special by meeting the other sketchers.

Cottesloe Beach, Perth

Perth is know for their beaches so I made sure to check some of them out. I headed to Cottesloe Beach one afternoon. I ventured out there on the bus...and didn't get lost. It was a pretty beach with water that was a beautiful bluish turquoise. Although it is fall in Australia now there were people at the beach swimming in the water. I made sure I got to put my feet into the Indian Ocean while I was there...another first for me. I like the rocky coast along the shore.

Home At Last - Garden Sketch, Perth

After 25+ hours of traveling from Peth we arrived home at about 10:40 pm NY time last night. We did the entire trip...Peth to Sydney, Sydney to LA, LA to NY in one continuous stretch. I do not sleep sitting upright for more than a few minutes so I was a bit like a zombie when we got here. I went straight to bed. It would have been nice to sleep and sleep. I didn't set my alarm hoping to sleep late, but I only slept about 7 hrs and was up by 6 this morning and went to meet my friends for a walk. We will see how tired I am by mid afternoon.

My thanks to all of you who followed my sketching adventures while I was gone. I do have a bit more to post from the trip so bear with me. It is so nice to be back using my laptop for posting rather than my iPad. I can't complain because I was able to post most days, but it took so much longer than usual and many times the posts just disappeared and I would have to start all over. I was able to visit some blogs while I was away and if I haven't been to yours in a while I will catch up to you soon.

This sketch was done in Perth's Elizabeth Quay area. There is a lovely park and in one direction you have a view of the tower which I posted a while back. In the other direction is the Supreme Court Gardens which I sketched this time. The entire time I sat there the bells from the tower were ringing. Luckily it was far enough that they weren't too loud and distracting.