Tuvalu Cafe in Verona

That was a splendid day for sketchers.

After that long period of rain that seemed endless over the past week or two, 12 USK sketchers came for a wonderful afternoon of food, friendship and art making.

Tuvalu is a great location, lots of interesting spots inside the cafe and it was nice enough to head outside if you chose. I think we'll head back there again sometime.

Next couple meetups are on the Events Calendar. The end of September is the Discovery Building downtown on Saturday morning and the October meetup on Sunday afternoon 10/7 will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

I'll be on my own Sketching Expedition for 2 weeks during that time, heading east, so I'll send out my usual plea for others to please post your work.

I'll see you all the end of October, in the meantime, keep sketching!
Ruth

Sketching Location Change for September

Greetings Sketchers!

Due to our endless rain in the Madison area this summer I've decided to put off the trip to the dog park  in Verona and move to Tuvalu Coffee Shop, located on Main Street in Verona.

Thanks to our member Edna, I also found out lots of Triatholon traffic will be coming through Verona on our previously scheduled Sunday date, SO

New Date, New Location

I'll see you on
Saturday, September 8, 1-3pm (note - NOT our usual 10-12 Saturday format)
Tuvalu Coffee Shop, 300 S. Main Street, Verona

Happy Sketching!

Ruth

Field Trip to Cross Plains, odds and ends

We've had some intense sunny days this summer sketchers. Our Sunday sketch meet up in Cross Plains was no different. A small but mighty group came and found the best shade in the area, under an umbrella in front of the coffee shop.

As usual a good time was had by all.

As the day progressed there was some interesting traffic developments on that main road toward Madison. We increased our volume as the motorcycles, tractor trailers and other oddball modes of transportation came roaring by.

Undaunted and happy we sketched and talked and shared.

That's really what it's all about.


And an update along that line dear blog followers:

Next up is a Saturday date at the WI Medical Society along the lake in Olin Park this weekend August 25, 10-12. I will be out of town hopefully sketching in the Twin Cities. Anyone who attends, take pictures, post.

September tries two suggested locations, a Verona dog park and The Discovery Building in downtown Madison. October has Forest Lawn Cemetery and UW Arboretum featured and that takes us back to coffee shop time in WI as the temps fall.

Do you have a suggestion? Let me know! I plan to schedule only one Sketch date in November, December and January. We can always have more if you suggest it.

Happy Sketching
Ruth

Drawing Attention 2018 is published

And it's a great issue, news of Porto and other nifty stuff

Here's the link I got, but just go to the urban sketcher website and you'll find it....

http://www.urbansketchers.org/2018/08/drawing-attention-august-2018.html



Enjoy!

Ruth

Olbrich Park

What an incredible Wisconsin summer day this was. I'm really pleased with our location this time because it really offered a lot of variety; people, boats, landscape, buildings. Something to please everyone.

But really, a mosquito free experience and sketching with others, What could be better?

Thirteen sketchers in all, 6 who were new to our group! Hello to Vyann and Barry (who came from Iowa) , Laura, Karen, my daughter Emily and Luis (who both came from Spain). Thanks Luis for taking the group photo!

Next up is the field trip to Cross Plains on Sunday afternoon August 12. Lots of variety there, we'll gather somewhere near the coffee shop.

Stay creative, keep sketching...
Ruth

Union Terrace

Wow, you can see I'm in summer mode, I saw these pics on my phone and remembered I wanted to share them with you!

July 8, on a warm Sunday, I biked down to Union Terrace on the lake. A gorgeous day with lots of people out and about.

Ran into fellow sketchers Helen (first timer) and Genie while I was starting my first sketch. Genie and I met up on the overlook.

On my way back to my bike I finally saw why I hadn't run into anyone else; they had smartly grabbed tables around the corner in the shade, so altogether, 11 productive sketchers took advantage of a beautiful summer day in Madison.

Next meetup is Olbrich Park along the lake. Meet by the beach near the pavilion. I'll be out of town, so if you go, please post.

Stay creative...
Ruth

West Washington Train Station

My fingers were crossed and mother nature did come through, sparing us from the daily showers we've been receiving for the past few weeks. Ten sketchers gathered at the old train station to share sketches and draw together. Given the chilly temps, a few spent their time in Porter's Coffee Shop, not a bad idea.

work by The Gang

my own, without too much further work at home this time...

And a welcome to new sketcher Stephanie, on the left next to Gretchen...Lora had to leave early

Thanks all for sharing and drawing together.....and remember to stay creative.

Ruth

Sketching on a Warm Memorial Day Weekend

Looks as though we had a good crowd at Vilas Zoo this past Saturday.

Big thank you to Cindy and Tsela for posting on Facebook, they reported a few new faces which is always nice to hear. Saturday morning meetups are often hard for me to get to, so it's nice to find others taking and sharing some pictures.

We love to see what you do!

I walked over to Sequoya Commons that afternoon to sketch those coming for ice cream. There was a beautiful light breeze, it was fun to watch all different types of people arrive for what I'm pretending was their first taste of summer.

Stillman & Birns Zeta Sketchbook, watercolor first, pentel ink pen on top

Who knows? The Ice Cream Shoppe is open year round....

Next meetup is the Sunday afternoon one at the Washington Train Station downtown.

Take care and keep sketching
Ruth

Afternoon at Agora

It was a quiet Mother's Day at Agora in Fitchburg. Three of us gathered together and by some miracle dodged the rain for the afternoon. I was familiar with the front of Agora having driven past it several times, but discovered the peace and quiet behind the buildings where we gathered to sketch.

Rebecca, Colette and I all decided to sit in an open area that gave great views of the building and the grassy area. This place offered a lot of variety, areas to spread out your painting materials, places to duck under if it rained, parking and the cafe was open.

I say we should visit once again.

Rebecca had a great Mother's Day pondering the landscape and working in colored pencil

My friend Colette from the Madison Art Guild, joined us and spent her time working on perspective of the buildings

and I just enjoyed working with other sketchers, sharing ideas, being together

Join us for our Saturday meet up at Vilas Zoo at the end of the month and please bring good weather with you!

Stay Creative,
Ruth

Always Something to Sketch

It was so wonderfully beautiful this weekend. I reserved my Sunday afternoon to head off on my bike with my sketching gear, this time turning away from center city on the bike path toward Verona.

bike bridge over the beltline near Home Depot

I headed over the bridge on top of the 12/18 beltline and found some shade close to the overpass. I provided a lot of amusement to other bikers as I laid out my various tools, watercolor, etc. I enjoy a little spectacle.

Stillman & Birns Zeta sketchbook, watercolor and Faber Castell ink pens

I think I'll put a bit of shadow under the bridge in the background, but other than that I was pleased. I painted first, then redrew with ink pens. I like disagreeing lines.

There's always something to draw!

I'll be in Fitchburg next Sunday afternoon for our meet-up near Promega at Agora, come join me and...
Stay creative
Ruth

Spring Has Arrived!

I know that you know how wonderful this weekend felt.

We Urban Sketchers have been dutifully sketching indoors for what seems forever, but Saturday I headed out to Prairie Du Sac and spent a most enjoyable 2 hours walking, looking, and drawing. I was totally fortified with the entire experience.

No wonder we draw...

The Bonham Theater, along the Saulk River

Don't forget the sketch meet up coming up this coming Saturday at the Lakeside Street Coffee Shop, a great location rain or shine. 

I'll be out of town, so I expect a full report!

Stay Creative,

Ruth

Sketch the Capitol

Always good to head to downtown Madison to sketch the gorgeous State Capitol. It completely humbles you. More than one of us mentioned how overwhelmed we were.

There was lots going on; a wedding, tours, fraternity swearing in and of course a sketching group.

Mercedes, Elsie, Cindy, Michael, Jan and Ruth

It was interesting to see the different interpretations, things we focused on. We were also glad the locations were still indoors - it's still mighty cold out there!

Next location is at the Lakeside Coffee Shop....PLEASE bring some warm weather with you!

Stay Creative,

Ruth

Union South, during Spring Break

Seven sketchers arrived at Union South, despite the brisk wind. I was amazed by the lack of people until a more observant person informed me it was spring break. Fine if you like architecture, a bit more challenging if you came to draw people.

Pam, Tsela, Mercedes, Deb, Gretchen, Carolyn and me...Ruth

More than one of us remarked how wonderful it was to be next to like minded people, drawing what we see. I am grateful for our group.

Tsela gets a birds eye view, Pam is no doubt in deep conversation...

our results...love the different takes on the Union

Next meet up is at the Capitol...I'm still thinking of places where we can be inside, but (if we're optimistic) also outside.
If anyone has their own ideas for our meet ups, post them on Facebook or just let me know....

We're lucky to sketch together.
Stay creative
Ruth

Student Walkout March 14th - State Capitol

The Chazen Museum

What a beautiful day to head to the Chazen for a sketch meet-up. It was sunny and chilly outside and inside there was a gorgeous exhibit of Aboriginal Art, patterns that inspired all of us.

Louise, Carolyn, Elsie, Gretchen, Cindy, Deb, and Ruth...Rebecca was still busy sketching

the crowd gathers....

our drawing selection - tough to see as they have a "pencil only" policy at Chazen

first of 4 sketches I did, inked and painted back at home...

Still focusing on indoor sketch locations for the next meet up on March 31 at Union South, but I was getting itchy taking a walk today.
Stay creative and keep sketching. Hope to see you soon!

USK Meetup at Starbucks

USK Meetup at Starbucks

Nine sketchers met at Starbucks (Hilldale Target). 

 With the large windows overlooking University Ave there was a variety of scenes to sketch.

If you are interested in drawing musicians you might want to check out Bach Around the Clock. The event runs from 10 am to 10 pm on March 10th at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Regent St. Thank you Gretchen for letting us know about this event. More information can be found in the following link: Bach Around the Clock. 

USK February Meetup at Olbrich Gardens

It was certainly cold outside on Sunday, but warm inside Olbrich Gardens on the east side of Madison, Wisconsin. Seven sketchers happily took advantage and produced some interesting sketches.

Dave, Becky and Jeanie joined us for the first time - please come back!

We all remarked about the variety of what we saw....

Everyone but me smartly went into the observatory, I stayed out in the common area. I had decided to contrast my frozen deck that morning with the plant I found by the bench I was sitting on.

Next up, Starbucks in Target on the Westside at Hilldale. The advantage is, you can pick up your groceries after you're done sketching!
Stay tuned for more events as we begin to think of warmer weather...outside again.
Stay creative,
Ruth

Urban Sketchers News for February: Drawing Attention

Here's the link for the monthly news for Urban Sketchers.  The format was changed a couple months ago and can be read online as a magazine.  Very cool.  And there is a segment from NBC Nightly News featuring a USK group in Syracuse, NY.    www.urbansketchers.org/2018/01/drawing-attention-february-2018.html

Sketchers Abound at the Memorial Union

Such a great way to start a weekend, a good sized group of sketchers doing what they do best; sharing tools, enthusiasm, and sketching.

I decided to stay at our meet-up spot in Peets Coffee with Mercedes and Mary, but many went off in different directions. The weather was lovely (it's hard to keep track of that in WI this winter). We reconvened as usual for photos and examining our sketchbooks together.

we had to have two photos of sketchbooks, we had such a good showing!

great place to sketch at Peet's Coffee...not to mention good coffee

Stillman and Birns sketchbook, micron  pen and watercolor

Continue to check both our blog and our Facebook page for updates....and if you ever have any great new ideas for sketch meet-ups let us know, we'd love to hear from you.

Happy Sketching
Ruth