View of Construction from Federal Courthouse in Saint Paul

I took a break from sketching the trial of Tom Petters to sketch the construction outside (click to enlarge).

Views of the Como Conservatory

Above: Liz Carlson's sketch of the Como Conservatory. Mixed media (Nexus, Faber-Castel Pitt Artist Brush Pens, watercolor washes), in a Canson ringbound, landscape watercolor journal (7 x 9-3/4 inch page).

Today I went out to Como Conservatory and Zoo with BFF Liz (I have to refer to her that way, we have a contractual obligation). We sat on a bench near the entrance and sketched the Conservatory Dome before entering the zoo (it's what Liz selected—later I would select several birds of course). One of the great things about going out to sketch with friends is that you get to see their perception of the same item you are looking at and sketching. We were both on the same bench, the same distance away from the Conservatory. It was a cool and overcast day (52 degrees Fahrenheit) but it didn't rain until we were leaving the zoo at 4 o'clock.

Below: My sketch of the the Como Conservatory Dome. (I was actually focusing on the tree at the right!) I borrowed Liz's Pentel Pocket Brush Pen (mine was inadvertently left on my desk) and I used a Niji waterbrush and gouache. (I have to stop sharing my journal with people—I felt compelled to write down the circumstances under which I wrote my rambling note so students who might read my journal wouldn't really think this mattered to me. Let's just say I was finished sketching—and had plenty of time to sit and heckle Liz. I'm lippy.) My page spread is approx. 11-1/4 x 9 inches and there is a piece of thin Japanese paper glued down the center of the spread, extending about 2 inches on to each page. (I like to collage things on my journal pages.) I did get to use a bit of my Schmincke Gold Calligrapher's Gouache on the round ball at the top of the dome.

Sketching While Waiting for the Library to Open

Sketches of people waiting to get into the Minneapolis Downtown Central Library:

Donating Blood at the Memorial Blood Center Dwntn Mpls

I donated blood yesterday at Memorial Blood Center's downtown Mpls office in the Roanoke Building, 109 7th Street South.

I sketched in my journal while a pint of my blood drained into the bag. Earlier this year, I sketched my arm with the the bag in the background. The two sketches give an idea of how its done. I encourage everyone to donate blood.


As always, click on the sketch to make it bigger

John Hardy's, Rochester

Friday, Sept. 11, 09

Protesters at Target Center, Minneapolis

President Obama had a rally for healthcare reform at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis today.

Roberta and I biked downtown, but we didn't go to the rally. Instead, we sketched the protesters on the other side of the street.



Roberta and I both sketched a very loud guy in a wheelchair who told me he was the "boy from Minnesota" in the movie "Milk". Apparently, he's told lots of folks the same story.... anyways, he was fun to draw:



Roberta's sketches. As always, click on the sketches to make them bigger.

MInnesota State Fair Video and Sketches

Here's video of our sketch-out at the Minnesota State Fair:



Roz Stendahl tells the tale at her blog of our first MN State Fair Sketch-Out:

It was a great day: sunny, a cool 70 degrees Fahrenheit, a light breeze but no windiness to toss up the dust. Ten sketchers showed up at our first meeting (12:30) with sketches in hand (everyone arrived on their own schedule). After about 40 minutes of chatting and sharing sketches we adjourned to the Poultry and Cattle Barns where we continued to sketch, and where Ken caught some sketchers on video. At 5 p.m. we reconvened for "debriefing" about how the day had gone. Everyone had great work to share and fun encounters to recount.

Here's some sketches... I'll be adding more. As always, click on the sketches to make them bigger.

Delores Steinlicht's sketch of chickens (and people looking at chickens):



Here's Roberta Avidor sketching the grooming of a sheep:



Here's Roberta's finished sketch:



Roberta sketched one of the State Fair's eateries ( that's me on the other page):



Roberta's sketch of a cow:



Ken Avidor (that's me) sketched the horticultural building (and skyride):



...piglets feeding:



...one piglet in my journal:



David Zimmerman's sketch of a chicken:



David Zimmerman's sketch of sheep:



Laura Schmieg's sketch of tired fairgoers:



Laura Schmieg's sketch of a band:



Roz Stendahl did a great job organizing the sketch-out at the fair (see more of Roz's sketches at her blog). Here's Roz's sketch of a goose:



...and a cow:



... and a chicken:



Laurice Wade's sketch of cows:



Laurice Wade sketched more cows (and someone cleaning up):



Carol Malkinson's sketch of Cow:



Carol's sketch of a goose:



We're missing some sketches from one or two particiapants, so I'll update the post if I get them soon.

UPDATE: Marty Harris couldn't join us for the MN State Fair sketch-out , but he sent these wonderful sketches he did on Friday. Marty has more at Flickr: