March 30, 2013

It's our last day at the conservatory....for this term break anyway. Four of us were there today—along with a good many visitors. We've been coming for four weeks now, and the plants are moved and upgraded and updated every week—in the show room at least. There's always something new to see and draw. This was really a very cool venue.

And just as we hoped, today was warm enough to sketch outside. You'll notice we lead with Ken's sketch to set the scene. Unfortunately, we don't have photos from one of our artists; he snuck out before we could get one, but we'll show you next week. Enjoy. And see you next week back in class!

 

 

 

March 23, 2013

Isn't that the most incredible color? Actually, it's even more stunning in person. Now, don't you wish you'd joined us today? Yes, it was a truly beautiful day for sketching in the Conservatory. Lots of people had the same idea, it seems—but we were the only ones with sketchbooks. In fact, it was so lovely and sunny, we were almost tempted  to sketch outdoors—almost! Maybe next week.

As always, so much to see and sketch. While we didn't get to all the rooms, we did manage to hit three of them. And there were three of us, using three different media—pencil, ballpoint, rollerball pen. Wow! Looks like we had a theme going. Look below for more.

One more thing. Next week is your last week to join us for a sketching party before class begins. Sharpen your drawing skills, bask in the tropical ambiance, enjoy the company. You're invited:

Saturday, March 30
10am
Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Come on....you know you want to!

March 16, 2013

Sparse showing today for the sketch party. Strangely, we'd have thought the conservatory would be the place to be at the beginning of Chicago's St. Patrick's Day weekend. Sure, outside they're doing the wearing o' the green, but inside, we're surrounded by the most glorious greens imaginable. And what better place to escape winter's last hurrah (we hope)? Cold, grey, snowy and blustery outside; warm and exuberantly colorful inside.

At any rate, three of us showed up and we had a wonderful time, as you can see from the sketches below. We all spent some time in the show room, but we also explored the fern room and the entrance this time. Come join us next week. 10am at the conservatory!

Oh, and be sure to see (and hear) Steve tomorrow at the DePaul Community Chorus spring concert:

Mozart–Great Mass in C Minor.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
DePaul Concert Hall
800 West Belden

No ticket lottery. You can just show up—but get there early as this fills up fast. You won't want to miss it. It's beautiful, uplifting and FREE! Learn more here.

And remember to come join us next week. Lincoln Park Conservatory at 10am.

March 9, 2013

Today was spring break sketching at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. And what an inspired choice that was! Outside, it was cold, grey and rainy; but inside.....quite a different story. We passed through a steamy tropical paradise, visited rooms full of orchids and ferns, and finally settled into a riot of color in the show room. The spring flowers were in full bloom and we had a hard time focusing—between the magnificent colors, the lovely forms, the elegant architecture, and even each other. A wealth of sketching riches. Good thing we're going back next week. Join us....if only to look around. It's like taking a tropical vacation in the middle of the city!

Make plans to join us for Steve's concert, Elaine T's show, and, of course, next week's sketching party. Details follow the sketches. Hope to see you.

Save the Dates:

Spring break sketch party—You're invited! While we're on spring break, we plan to casually meet for some Saturday morning sketching. We'll meet at 10am inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory. We'll sketch till 11:30 or so, share our drawings, and have a great time. Join us—you know you want to!

 March 16—Catch Elaine T. and Midnight Madness at the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tickets are $10 and the show begins at midnight at the Music Box theater (pre-show activities begin at 11:30). Why wait until Halloween for Rocky Horror fun? For more information, go to their website.

March 17—Hear Steve M. and the DePaul Community Chorus at their spring concert: Mozart–Great Mass in C Minor. No ticket lottery this time, either. You can just show up—but get there early as this fills up fast. You won't want to miss it. It's beautiful, uplifting and FREE! Learn more here.

 See you next week.

March 2, 2013

Yes it is the last day of class; no video, but plenty of photos to show. And we're looking ahead to spring and to our spring break. Actually, what we're looking forward to is the spring break sketching. But we're sensible enough to know that it's Chicago—probably not the best weather for plein air sketching. So we've cleverly selected a wonderful location (see below) that combines the best of both worlds. Look at our paintings, and then keep scrolling for a personal invitation to join us for some spring sketching. We hope you do!

  You're invited!  Come join us at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. There's so much to sketch—tropical palms and ancient ferns, flowers, architecture and people, too. Plus it's easy to get to, warm, comfortable—and free. Can't get better than that!

When: Saturday, March 9, 2013

Where: Lincoln Park Conservatory

2391 Stockton Drive

Chicago, IL 60614

We'll meet at 10am and sketch until noon. Then, we'll look at each others' drawings.

Bring your pencil and paper and we hope to see you there!