Monterey Bay Aquarium

The NYC Urban Sketchers did a web cam virtual sketching event today. We went to the zoo! The plan was we could use any link for a site with live animals...or even sketch from photos. We were provided with some links to use including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the San Diego Zoo, the Cincinnati Zoo, and a Safari adventure. In the morning I headed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium which is probably my favorite aquarium of all time. 

I was there once and remember how impressive the exhibits on jellyfish were. They always grossed me out at the beach, but when you see them floating in the tanks there they are just mesmerizing and beautiful. So the first sketch was done while watching the Jelly Cam. I have to be honest and say that I did pause the action a few times to capture what I was seeing. They float by awfully fast...

The Coral Reef Cam switched back and forth between a few camera views but I liked this one of the lacy coral the best. These pointy-nosed yellow and black fish were everywhere.

When I was there in reality many years ago I remember standing in front of this kelp forest exhibit and being amazed by how incredibly huge they were. They were taller than most trees and thick and moved like they were dancing. So the Kelp Forest Cam was a must!

In the afternoon I followed another link to a zoo...sketches to be seen tomorrow!

Octopus

This was done using a sketch I had done for a "fake journal" a few years ago when I did a journal about working at an aquarium. This is another card for the art postcard project. It seems that my friend has extended the deadline so I should be able to do a few more before I send out this batch.

Arboretum Pink

I did make another trip to paint the pink trees at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Oakdale. I just couldn't resist the pink trees there.

It has been a long month. Here is a link to my final sketched page in my "fake" aquarium journal.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-30.html

Tulips in Ink and Watercolor

The other day I was at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum to paint a flowering tree. I also found some lovely tulips that I sketched.

My "fake" blog about the aquarium only has a few more days. Please come and visit.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-27.html

Sideshow Sketch Night

A week ago last Friday my sketching friends and I went to another Sideshow Sketch Night held at the Brickhouse Brewery in Patchogue. This time we sketched Cheeky Lane in her costumes...and later not so much in her costumes. lol

Separately each of these were done in about 5 minutes. Cheeky designed her costumes and she is a burlesque performer.

Again these were 5 minute poses.

This time it was a 10 minute pose.

This was done of one of the longer, 20 minute poses.

This one was done for a contest where you had to make it look like a poster advertising her show. Prizes are given to the winners.

Today's entry for my "fake" aquarium journal is here.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-26.html

Cherry Tree

I have really been enjoying the blossoming trees this spring! This was done on my iPad with the ArtRage program. It was a good way to get nearly white blossoms with a blue sky behind them.

I am continuing my "fake" journal...less than a week to go. Here is the link to today's page.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-24.html

Cherry Tree

While the trees have their blossoms I've been trying to get out to paint them. This was done at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum this week.

My "fake" journal adventures continue here:

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-22.html

Carnival Sketches

We had a carnival in town over the weekend. Before it opened I stopped by, sat in my car, and sketched a few of the rides that I could see from my location. Of course the one with the umbrella seats had to be tested while I was sketching it. lol

Here is the link to my "fake aquarium" journal.
http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-21.html

Tree Line

My last sketch at the Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay was done of a line of trees going off into the distance. I liked the shadows they were making. This was done with a brush pen that if I touched the ink quickly it would shade a little.

Please hop over to "Alicia's Aquarium Journal" my journal for International Fake Journal Month.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-20.html

The Greenhouse

Part of our sketching day at the Planting Fields Arboretum was spent inside the greenhouse. It is a great place to sketch!

Meanwhile over at my "fake" journal about the aquarium you can see what I've been up to.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-19.html

Setauket Bridge

Spring finally arrived on Long Island and I wanted to make sure to capture the forsythia while it was in bloom. This was sketched from my car by the Setauket Bridge.

Here is a link to my "fake" aquarium blog. There are two new pages.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com

Games

Yesterday was a very busy day for me so I didn't have a chance to post yesterday.

This was done at Little Nook in West Sayville recently. They have all kinds of stuff around like  musical instruments, parts of cars, old records, and a cabinet filled with games that people can play while they sit and eat/chat. My friend, Cindy challenged me to do the games, so I did.

Here is a link to my "fake" aquarium journal.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-15.html

Yellow Bouquet

My husband bought me a bouquet of mostly yellow flowers...of course it had to be painted. I did a digital sketch of it.

Here is the link to my "fake" aquarium journal. Come take a peek.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-14.html

Lady Waiting

Last week I ended up at the local Urgent Care for pain in my shoulder that turned out to be severe bursitis. I was in such pain that I couldn't move my arm even a fraction of an inch. Since I couldn't make an appointment with a doctor I went to Urgent Care. Of course I was there with half the world which was what I expected. I brought along my iPad and as long as my hand and arm was resting against my body and my lap I was able to sketch. This lady was also waiting across the room from me. Luckily the prednisone they gave me worked in a few days and hopefully I'm back to normal and will stay that way.

Meanwhile over on my "fake" journal you can catch up on what is going on at the aquarium.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-13.html

Chinese Takeout

The other day I stopped for Chinese takeout in Patchogue and brought along my iPad. It was a smart move because there was quite a wait. The food is good so they do a very good business. Just thinking about it now makes me hungry. lol

Here is my next page in my "fake" journal about the aquarium.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-12.html

Babylon Crossing

I did a second sketch while I was in Babylon. There was so much going on here, and I love scenes with details that keep going back into the background.

Alicia is keeping busy over on my "fake" blog...come and look.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-11.html

Starbucks

My sketch group met at Starbucks recently. It is fun to capture some of the people who settle down with their coffee and a chat.

This lady was from one of our local military groups.

Please hop over and see what is happening on my aquarium journal today.

http://aliciasaquariumjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/alicias-aquarium-journal-april-9.html