Jazz NYC 55 & Anniversary #28

While we were in the West Village we grabbed lunch to go and went to Washington Square Park. We were meeting several other sketchers in the park. There was a lot going on. As we were finishing lunch I realized there was a group a little further into the park playing music. I checked it out and there were 4 jazz musicians playing...and they were good. I found a spot on a nearby bench and several of the other sketcher we met up with all joined in to sketch the group. I had no idea how long they would remain so I started with the bass player on the right. I sketched him and then the sax player. I added color to them and then moved on to the guitar player, leaving a space for the drummer who was walking around taking up a collection of tips. When he came back I squeezed him into the last space. I find that the drummers in most groups are the hardest to sketch because they are usually in the back and often blocked by the other musicians. Our friend, Mel, always talks to the musicians he sketches so he found out the group's name. They were still playing when we left around 4:30. I hope the tips were good!

Today is our 28th Anniversary! How time flies. Here is a photo from our first wedding day taken by the nurses at the nursing home where my mom was a patient. We had our first wedding ceremony (very impromptu...notice our fancy clothes) at her bedside the day before she passed away.  When the nurses found out about the ceremony they brought us a cake to celebrate. Two other ceremonies were also held later, but that is another story.

 

Washington Square Park Continued

There was so much activity going on in Washington Square Park. Right in front of me there was a man doing tarot card reading (and he had quite a few customers).  NYU was having their graduation so all day long there were grads in caps and gowns posing in the park. Of course there were food carts and assorted people milling around. I only captured a few of them.

While I was doing my sketch this cute dog was sitting next to me. His owner said he was getting old and didn't move around much, so he would be a great subject. He only seemed to perk up when another dog came over to visit. His name is Marco Polo.

On the way home we had seats on the subway for part of the trip, so I had a few models across from me.

Washington Square Arch

Last weekend the NYC Urban Sketchers met in Washington Square Park to sketch. There was a lot of activity and scenes to sketch. I had to do the arch and the view in front of it and through it. Sadly it was a dreary day...with light showers once in a while.

Park Flowers

This was sketched in Washington Square Park using my iPad and the ArtRage program.

Here is my Every Day In May sketch for today...a hammer.

#inktober, #inktober2015 - Day 27 & World Wide SketchCrawl

I was painting at Longwood Estate today and I just had to do a sketch of the barn that is so wonky and rustic.

Saturday was the 49th World Wide SketchCrawl and the NYC Urban Sketchers met at Washington Square Park in Manhattan.  There is always a lot going on in the park but in addition to the performers, musicians, religious people trying to convert everyone, a bird lady, a bird man, and bagpipers, there was a large protest against discriminatory practices of the police towards different ethnic groups. There were lots of people with signs, megaphones, etc. and a big police presence...just your normal everyday park. lol

I've wanted to sketch the arch there for a while and finally got to do it.

From my vantage point I was able to see the Freedom Tower through the trees. There was a man writing on the sidewalk...not sketching...just writing.

I had to sketch a few of the protesters, but as soon as I started they marched off to another part of the city...but I caught a few and a police officer too.

Washington Square Park also has a lovely fountain where people congregate and do all kinds of things.

We had about 30 sketchers join us at times throughout the day. Here are a few photos of some of the sketchers at work.