Sketching at Sotheby's

On Saturday the NYC Urban Sketchers went to Sotheby's Auction House on 71 St & York Ave. It sounded like an odd place to sketch and some of us were a bit concerned that we would be out of place there, but they could not have been more welcoming! There was such a variety of items to sketch.

I started with the building itself...with all those flags it looks very impressive. I sat across the street to do the entry.

Then I moved up to a floor that had among it's contents a Monet, a Renoir and other lovely pieces of art, including this sculpture. I did this one and the one above in my Strathmore Toned Sketchbook.

There was a designer showhouse going on another floor. Designers and design firms each decorated a room. It doesn't show well in this photo but the walls of this room that I sketched were bright pink. The bed was adorned with different strips of brightly colored silks that stretched from overhead and down the bed posts. Then there was a fur throw and decorative pillows. In front to the left was a beautiful table with assorted pieces. The colors called to me so I sat and sketched from across the room. The designers (mostly young) kept walking around. I met the young man, Robert Dean Harris, who had designed this room. I spoke to him and told him how the color really attracted me, and he thanked me and told me he liked my sketch. When he left an older gent who was sitting in the corner asked me if I sell my work and was this piece available. Hell yes! I told him my price and he bought it. He was either the father or grandfather of the designer and bought it for Robert as a remembrance of his first display at Sotheby's. Now I can say that one of my sketches sold at Sotheby's! LOL

I'm sorry this isn't a better photo but I snapped it quickly before giving it to the client. The lighting wasn't great for the photo and I also have a big shadow on the right side.

After lunch I sketched part of another of the designer rooms, this one by Ashley Darryl.

The only bedroom I saw in the designer showhouse had some wonderful still life setups near the bed and by the couches in the room. This was on the cocktail table by the couches.

My last sketch was of Janet who was off on the other side of the room sketching next to the bed.

I must say it was a productive and exciting day.

"Floral Fantasy," my fake blog has been updated.

floralfantasybyjoan.blogspot.com