At Their Peak

3/23/14 Platinum Carbon, Iroshizuku Kosumo and Diamine Grey inks, watercolor,
Zig markers, Kuretake brush pen, Canson XL 140 lb. paper

When we went to the UW Quad last Monday, the cherry blossoms weren’t at their peak yet. The cold and imminent rain kept most people away except students who had to be there anyway. Today – a sunny Sunday with clear skies and nearly 50 degrees – it was different.

I went to sketch the cherry trees, now at their peak, but I ended up being more interested in trying to capture the massive crowd – the kind you normally see only at Bumbershoot, Folklife or other summertime “events” that get promoted for weeks ahead. We decided it was more crowded than last year, which was even warmer. But after weeks of mostly rain and overcast skies, I guess a sunny Sunday with the cherries at their peak is an event – and I was happy to join the masses at this unofficial celebration of spring.

University of Washington Quad

Tina among the masses. (Photo by Greg Mullin)