NYC Urban Sketchers Summer Event

Once upon a time the NYC Urban Sketchers had holiday parties, but the group got so large that we couldn't find an indoor location to host the event. Instead we have switched to a summer event that is held at the Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing. The event includes raffles, sales, a garage sale, and assorted fun activities...and a wonderful chocolate and a wonderful vanilla cake. 

My friends and I decided to go outside the gates of the QBG and take to the streets for a while. It was a very hot day so finding shade was a must. We sat along the fence in the shade and had a great view of the restaurants that were across the street. Of course they were occasionally obscured by trucks and buses, but sketching was still possible.

There was a sketchwalk led by Mel Barranco which I missed while I was outside the garden.

I reentered the QBG and went inside the building where we were holding the indoor parts of the event. I had some raffle tickets to put into the cups for prizes. I cooled off a bit and then walked over to the storytelling/sketching event being led by Karen DiMauro. We sat pretty much in a half-circle while Karen told some fables. We were told to sketch whatever we wanted but my plan was to sketch the event itself.

This was my sketch of Karen and her audience.

The day ended with raffles, prizes, old friends, new friends, and a great feeling to be with people who have the same interest that I have. Let's do it again!