Flatter Than Pancakes

Last night around supper time, I heard fire trucks screaming past my window, but I didn't pay much attention. Later I heard the news: a couple of blocks away, a hotel's parking garage had collapsed. The second level fell onto the first, squashing 20 cars "flatter than pancakes!"



Tonight, I sat on the steps of City Hall to sketch the scene. The street is still blocked off, but the passers-by, police and city workers seemed relaxed and even cheerful. I think one thought is in everybody's mind: "At least nobody was hurt!"

Digging

I watched this digger from the window of the cafe where I was eating a grilled cheese sandwich today. The machine kept turning its back on me, so lunch went like this: bite, look fast!, draw one line. Bite, look fast!, draw one line, etc. It was more about memorization than observation. A good exercise!

Coast Guard Ship

This ship was much bigger than the ones we usually see around here. Watching it work with the channel markers was like watching an elephant nuzzle up to a push-pin.



Isn't it funny how BIG I drew it? That's really how it looked to me at the time. When I got home and saw the photos, I laughed out loud.

Waiting

I arrived at the university library twenty minutes before it opened. I didn't have time to go searching for a great sketching subject, so I just drew the view that was in front of me. Sometimes that's the best way!

Unseasonably Warm

It felt almost surreal to be sitting outdoors without a jacket, drawing these spring flowers. Last week I was wearing mittens!

Born in a Sock Drawer

We shall draw a veil over my reasons for draping a pair of socks over the back of my sofa. Charlie--who has a "thing" about feet--instantly buried his nose in them. He didn't even budge while I sketched and photographed him. He was in foot-odour heaven. Comatose with pleasure.




I think he must have been born in a sock drawer.

Earth Hour

Here's the thing about Earth Hour: it's dark! I had to draw standing up with a candle in one hand.

The woman who handed me the candle said, "The paper cup will burn, so be a bit careful." I said, "Don't worry!" and promptly set it on fire.

But the evening was clear and mild. The moon shone like mad. The music was great--the lights and sound system ran on solar-powered batteries. And the crowd was all lit up by candlelight. It was so beautiful.


I was a little embarassed about my burnt paper cup. Everybody else's was perfect. But I came home smelling of beeswax. Delicious!