Not Enough Notes

7/14/26

6/20/26

Since I rarely ride the light rail or buses for anything but USk outings, sketch play dates, and other socializing, it’s fun to recall where I was going and who I was meeting with when I sketched these fellow commuters. (This is just a selection from my busy summer.)

7/25/26

8/9/26

Sometimes I make notes about the day on the bottom of the page (which I sometimes clip off and don’t share), but not often enough. I want my sketch journal to be more of a “journal” to balance the “sketching.” I’m going to make an effort to write more on the page.

9/11/26

9/13/26

There’s irony in that last statement. One of the main reasons I was so motivated to start a sketch journal in the first place was that I already had a lifelong journal writing practice; I wanted a daily journal process that would put more emphasis on sketching. Now I want more balance between the two.

9/11/26 During a longer rider than usual all the way to the south end of the light rail line, I had more time to capture a larger scene. Everyone near me had bags, airport-bound, so I knew they would be on board almost as long as I would be.

Labor Day Weekend Friday

9/4/26 drink & draw at Phinney Station, Phinney Ridge neighborhood

USk Seattle kicked off Labor Day weekend in the best possible way with a casual drink & draw on Friday afternoon. I was happy to have Jenny’s dog Balloo nearby to draw several times. As many times as I seem to end up drawing Kathryn and Michael, this time I actually saw a resemblance!

On these waning days of summer, it’s always bittersweet to be able to sit outdoors comfortably in daylight, knowing that the Big Dark will be upon us all too soon.

I hope you’re having a restful Labor Day!

I got engrossed in conversation and didn't finish this one.

Butterfly Garden

9/3/26 Woodland Park Zoo's Butterfly Garden

On the last week before the Butterfly Garden was to close for the season, the Woodland Park Zoo gave members the offer of free admission (usually $3). The only time I’d sketched live butterflies was 11 years ago at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Remembering that butterflies had been difficult to sketch, I’d never been inside Woodland Park’s exhibit, but who am I to decline a free ticket? I was delightfully surprised to be wrong: Many of the butterflies quietly sat for minutes on end on flowers or, strangely, information placards. They were relatively easy to sketch compared to continually moving animals.

Species identification photos made it easy to label them as I sketched. Noticing how many butterflies were mostly black, I wished I had a black sketchbook with me. I managed to color the Atala and Eastern black swallowtail with a brush pen, but they would have been easier using colored pencils on black paper.

Palm cockatoo in the Conservation Aviary

The most challenging part? Trying to draw foreshortened butterfly wings in perspective!

After spending an enjoyable hour in the Butterfly Garden, I needed to hoof it through the zoo to give myself “credit” for fitness walking and not just sketching. I got almost all the way back around, resisting more sketches, until I got to the Conservation Aviary, which is full of exotic (and sadly endangered) birds. I caught a quick gesture of the palm cockatoo before heading for the exit. 

(See my Instagram post for a butterfly video.)

The Zoo is Full of Surprises

 

8/25/26 Silverback gorilla, Woodland Park Zoo

Visiting the zoo is always a crapshoot. Some days the animals are awake and active; others they are sleeping or just hiding from visitors. Woodland Park Zoo opens at 9 a.m. each day because the animals are supposedly more active in the morning, but I’ve had both good and bad luck at all times of day. You never know what you’ll get.

When Mary Jean, Roy and I visited last week, our sketchbooks were ready for whatever the animals gave us. I’ve been visiting the zoo for all the years I’ve been sketching, and on this day, the gorillas were the most visible and sketchable than any time I can remember! The silverback gave us the best show, loping around, leisurely chewing on twigs he was foraging and finally chillin’ with his snack very close to the viewing area. Several other adults and a few adolescent gorillas were also actively hanging out. They were all fascinating to watch and draw.

The Humboldt penguins are usually easy to see and sketch wherever they are in their large, open exhibit, but on this day several were within the viewing area that puts them closest to visitors. Molting and apparently uncomfortable, the birds vigorously scratched and preened their scrappy-looking feathers. After taking a dip, they would shake their tiny wings and rear ends, then dive in again. So much fun!

Humboldt penguins

A few weeks ago when I visited, Carson, the red panda, had been easily visible. This time, I could barely see him in the distance, so all I sketched in the Forest Trailhead exhibit was a tree kangaroo (probably the same one who was sitting on the same perch as last time).

Tree kangaroo and Humboldt penguins

Like all urban sketching, much of the fun and challenge is not knowing what you’ll get but enjoying whatever it is.

(See this Instagram post for a couple of videos I took of the silverback and a penguin.)

Goin’ to the Dogs – from Life!

 

Barnaby Sherlock patiently sits for me as I help raise funds for PAWS. (photo courtesy of ArtSpot)

When I look back on the 15 years that I’ve been drawing, a few experiences come to mind as the most intense. Being a correspondent at the Manchester Urban Sketchers Symposium would be near the top of the list. My early days of one-minute life drawing poses used to leave me breathless (both exhilarated and exhausted). But I’d have to say that last week’s benefit for PAWS beat both of those as the single-most intense drawing experience of my life!

What made it so intense? Beginning at ArtSpot, people and their dogs were lined up halfway down the block all evening, waiting for a portrait! When I participated in the same fundraiser last year, the time pressure was the same, but the work was divided among four artists. This year, one had to cancel at the last minute, so three of us carried the load for the full three hours.

8/20/26 Bob

Nessie had the most amazing eyelashes!

The other big difference for me was that of the 20 portraits I made, only three were from photos – all the rest were from sniffing, squirming life! Last year, it was the other way around: I started out doing a couple from life, but I soon realized it was impractical, given the time constraint. For the rest of that evening, I used photo references provided by the clients or that I had snapped myself. Using photos, though, can also be challenging (as I’ve learned from the many commissioned pet portraits I’ve made) when they are poorly lighted or blurry. Taking good photos of excited, distracted dogs in fading light isn’t easy, either.

Barnaby Sherlock

Phoebe Anne

When the first couple of clients said they wanted portraits from life, I was delighted – drawing from life instead of from photos is certainly my preference anytime. Up for the challenge, I decided I would continue drawing all of them from life unless a client showed up with a photo instead of a dog. At any time, I could have taken my own photos, but once I got started, I just kept going.

Lilo

Phe Phe (pronounced like Fifi). Chatting with Phe Phe's mom and another customer who had a part Chihuahua, I learned that a disproportionate number of mixed-breed dogs show Chihuahua lineage when they get their genes tested. Those little dogs get around!

Exhausted by the end, I still had a blast at this unique opportunity. It gave my confidence a big boost that I can sketch any dog’s portrait in less than nine minutes – from life!

Bee Paper mixed-media sketchbook

Material notes: Like last year, I kept materials simple, bringing only my current favorite Pentel Sign Brush Pen, a broader Kuretake Brush Writer and a gray Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Soft Brush Pen for shading. Once I got going, though, I mostly used only the Pentel with occasional help from the Kuretake.

For paper, ArtSpot offered each artist their choice of sketchbook to use for the benefit. I chose the same book I used last year: a 6-by-6-inch Bee Paper Co. Super Deluxe Mixed Media spiralbound sketchbook (the spiral binding was most practical for ripping out pages to give to clients). Although I would never choose a spiralbound book for urban sketching, I have grown fond of this Bee paper after using up the remains of last year’s book on Pencilvember and other animal portraits. It takes everything I’ve used on it beautifully – colored pencil and crayon, both wet and dry, various juicy brush pens and markers. If it weren’t for the darn wire binding, I would happily use Bee books for general urban sketching.

Activity in the Forest Trailhead

 

8/10/26 Red panda and tree kangaroo, Woodland Park Zoo

I hadn’t been back to Woodland Park Zoo’s new Forest Trailhead exhibit since it opened in May. That time, it had been difficult to see the animals beyond quick, distant glimpses. Last Monday was a good time to return: All the animals were more active, so as they moved around the exhibit, I could follow until they were in better positions to sketch. Carson, the red panda, gave me the best view when he flopped down on a branch to doze.

As usual, I got so excited and engrossed in sketching that I took almost no photos. This photo of one of the tree kangaroos was the only one I remembered to snap.

On my way back out, I stopped to see the Humboldt penguins. A mama gull and her youngster were trying to get in on the penguin feeding. The keeper who was giving a presentation said that mama gull had made a nest in the open-air penguin exhibit and was now raising her chicks there! Although the keepers avoid feeding them, the clever opportunists know when free room and board are a good deal.

Humboldt penguins and an opportunist.

Natalie at Open Mic

 

7/19/26 Tracy and Natalie perform "I Do Not Like Yoga Anymore" at Cocoa Legato

Last spring when Natalie saw how much fun the open mic sessions are at Cocoa Legato, she was inspired to get her act together – literally. Ching, Kim and I came out to cheer her on, of course. She and her friend and yoga instructor Tracy performed Natalie’s original song, “I Do Not Like Yoga Anymore,” which included Natalie’s dramatization and Tracy on ukelele. Brava!

Several other vocalists also performed that afternoon, including Pierce and Jonah, who were familiar to us from previous visits to Cocoa Legato. Regardless of their skill level or style, I admire anyone who will stand up during open mic to perform for a live audience. Like drawing, it’s not about “talent” but about doing and practicing, and I appreciate their courage.

Yes, I had the chocolate grilled cheese sandwich again!

Community

 

4/23/26

4/2/26

Although I didn’t know any of its members well, I miss Greg’s community at Aegis Living’s memory care unit (euphemistically called Life’s Neighborhood). Visiting Greg as often as I did, I got to know his co-residents’ quirks. When I noticed that they had fresh haircuts or new clothes, I made a point of complimenting them. If we made eye contact, I greeted them by name (just as all the staff did). In bits and pieces, usually from staff members I chatted with, I learned about their lives before they came to Aegis: “Dr. Russ” (as everyone called him) had been a physician; Jamie a principle architect in one of Seattle’s major firms; Sandy a physical education teacher and horse rider; Linda a pianist. Many died while Greg was in residence there; many others moved in. One was taken abruptly by her family to another facility.

5/13/26

5/28/26

All declined significantly during the time that I knew them. Very few had regular visitors. All will die fairly soon, and I’m sad that I will not learn that news.

A couple of sketches here are of some of the musicians who come through on rotation every two weeks during “happy hour.” I often wondered how they felt performing for an audience whose members were often dozing and not responding much to invitations to sing along. Applause was quiet. I always applauded enthusiastically because I did appreciate their music lifting the energy in the room (or at least lifting mine).

5/31/26

6/2/26

Most of all, I miss the wonderful staff who took care of Greg 24/7. Most are immigrants who seem to originate from cultures that are comfortable with aging and with touching in comforting ways. The first time I saw a caregiver grasp Greg’s hands reassuringly and speak to him warmly and respectfully (which he responded to with a broad smile), I thought to myself, “I want her to take care of me someday.” They speak to residents as if they were friends and not people whom they had just cleaned up after toileting or spoon-fed like infants. I don’t have many sketches of caregivers because they came and went too quickly, attending to residents as needed.

6/4/26

6/9/26

The exception is Theodore, whom I did sketch a few times. Part of the life enrichment team, Theodore is an angel on earth (a description I’ve often heard applied to nurses). With compassion, tenderness and infinite patience, he makes each resident feel heard, seen and special. I sometimes timed my visits to coincide with his daily meditation hour because I knew I would benefit from his talks as much as the residents would. I will miss him dearly.

This post includes the last sketches I made of Greg’s final community. I thank everyone there for giving me the privilege of being a tiny part of their lives -- one last experience I could share with Greg.

6/19/26

6/22/26

6/26/26

Skaters

 

6/30/26 Skaters at Kraken Community Iceplex, Northgate

Strangely, my physical therapist’s office is located inside the Kraken Community Iceplex, which is where Seattle’s hockey team trains. When the team isn’t using the rink, anyone can skate for fun or learn and practice.

Although I had heard that the facility was open to the public, I’d never been inside until my first appointment a few weeks ago. Seeing the fantastic public viewing area, I brought my sketchbook to my next PT appointment. It’s a fun place to capture quick gestures of figure skaters and young kids learning to skate.

A great view for skating gestures

Drag Drink & Draw

 

6/19/26 Sharkie, 20-min. pose

Gage Academy offers occasional evening drink & draw events with models. For Pride month, two costumed drag models would be featured with rainbow-colored lights and backdrop. Who could resist that? Kim, Ching and I knew we couldn’t!

Sharkie, 10-min. pose

As promised, models Sharkie and Indigo gave us dynamic poses in fun costumes (look at Indigo’s boots!). It had been months since I last went to life drawing, so it took me the entire 90-minute session to feel like I was just beginning to warm up, but it was a ton of fun anyway. We’ll be back for more!

Rusty short poses!

Kim, Ching and me after a fun evening!