Bandstand, Tower Grove Park, St. Louis

I spent several Sundays this summer sketching in Tower Grove Park with other Missouri Plein Painters Association artists. I have been working in watercolor in panoramic format with the idea that I would later develop these sketches into much larger studio paintings. This pavilion is the site of weekly band concerts throughout the summer as well as a popular spot for weddings. I have sketched here many times before but not from this side with the landscaped island in the foreground. The colorful scene seemed to lend itself to the page design and I completed it on location in about 2 hours, a bit longer than what is considered a typical "sketch."

Victorian Pavilion, Bandstand, Tower Grove Park, 07/15/2012, Michael Anderson, watercolor on Arches 140lb cold press, 8" x 23".

Kansas City - Looking East from 19th & Broadway.

I work just around the corner from a community garden that is a wonderful oasis in the city.  I sat on a bench in the garden to draw this scene.  The garden is on a hillside that slopes down from where I sat.  I was looking over the tops of some of the plants for this view.  Actually drawn over a few days with watercolor added later at home.  I had fun with this one!

We're a global community...

I was thinking one day about how my horizons have expanded, thanks to sketching and the online community of sketchers, worldwide.  My life is infinitely enriched.  So thank you to ALL of you, and if your name isn't here, it's only because I was working from memory.  At my age, that's tricky!

And this is a most urbane cat...we take responsibility for his care, but really he is the neighborhood ambassador. 

Urban Sketching in the City Market, KC

We were seated right in front of the big windows at The Farmhouse, which in fact ISN'T, it's a wonderful restaurant in the City Market area...right where I had a great view of this ornate building.

Fortunately, I didn't have too much time, so only suggested the design under the roofline...I got out the Hero pen and laid down some quick squiggles.

This is the next floor down...they don't make buildings like that any more!

Trying various graphite pencils, water-soluble and non-soluble.  The cityscape is the other direction from the building above...

Lafayette Park, St. Louis

At the center of Lafayette Park on the city's near south side is a footbridge that crosses over a lagoon. The pond is below street level and surrounded by lush plantings that are all maintained by neighborhood locals. I have always admired the planters that serve as corner posts to the steel and concrete bridge. I am including this sketch in my upcoming show at Gateway Gallery which coincides with th St. Louis Art Fair. If you are in town for the event stop by the gallery which is just one block from the fairgrounds to say hello. I plan to be at the gallery most of the weekend and I look forward to meeting fellow USkMidwest artists, followers & friends.

Lafayette Park Planter, 2012, Michael Anderson, 9" h x 6" w, watercolor on Arches 140lb cold press.



Sketching at the Ice House of The Red 5

Quick sketches of the Red 5 at the Ice House. I met a friend at the Ice House for some awesome jazz a few nights ago. There is something about drawing in the dark while everyone is so focused on the music that lends an odd but public privacy. I have always avoided drawing people directly, but lately have been tackling it head on. That may be why I am posting the sketch without the photo. I tried to catch the energy, but I doubt the people would recognize themselves just yet. Before this set was a rare drum duet that begged to be sketched, all the ovals and cylinders and lights, but I also had a responsibility to listen to the hard work on stage. Maybe next time….

Fly-in at the Excelsior Springs Airport

Our August sketchcrawl and my finished sketch, once I'd added notes at home...

Cute little Piper Cub

Joseph and Malinda watch take-offs and landings

Malinda sketching

Airplanes...Malinda's dad used to own one, so she really understands how they're built.

The hangar just to the right of this one is where they had a huge BBQ spread.

Work in progress...

The Fokker triplane in the background was a magnet!

Chatting...

My quick sketch of the triplane...it was made from a kit, 3/4 size, with a VW engine!  The pilot says you have to fly it every minute...handles better on the ground than in the air...

The Red Baron takes off...

All in all, it was a great sketchcrawl, even though there were only a few of us.  The food was great, the pilots were terrific, the music was from the 40s and 50s--jitterbug, Sinatra--and we had a ball.