Sketching at the Sears Crosstown Tower

Sketch Group This Saturday at Crosstown Tower

Join us for an exciting sketch group this Saturday, October 1, at the Sears Crosstown Tower.

 

Sears Crosstown Tower

corner of Cleveland Street and Autumn Avenue

Saturday, October 1

10:00 AM

 

We will meet in the parking lot at the corner of Cleveland and Autumn. We'll be able to go inside the building, so please wear closed-toed shoes and don't count on great light for sketching.

 

This is a great opportunity to see the inside of this iconic structure. Hope to see you there!

 

 

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ the Dixon

This month we sketched at the Dixon. We started in the gardens. I decided to sketch this deer first. It reminded me of Zac + he was out at his hunting land. I wondered if I saw more deer than he did (I didn't). I found a cute little bench on top of gorgeous stepping stones + grass. It was so peaceful...then came the mosquitos...they were relentless. I didn't even think about bringing bug spray. I still really enjoyed it.

They had tons of beautiful flowers blooming. Zinnias are some of my favorites too :)

It started to get hot + the gallery was opening, so I went inside. The guard did not like my mini backpack so I had to take it out to the car. I carried my small sketchbook + put my car key, pencil sharpener, kneaded eraser + phone in my pocket. I sketched some Jean-Louis Forain paintings:

My last sketch was of the chairs + lights at the Cafe Forain. We visited there for a bit + showed our sketches. Fun morning :)

Upcoming Dates and Locations for Sketch Groups, Plus Extra Festivals

Some of these might change. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Oct 1, 10 AM to 1 PM Sears Crosstown Tower (to be confirmed)

Nov 5, 11 AM to 1 PM India Festival at the Agricenter

Dec 3, 10 AM to 1 PM, either Central/Cooper/Young or Rhodes Library (to be confirmed), depending on the weather

Jan 7 Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (to be confirmed)

Feb 4 Peabody Hotel

Mar 3 Riverfront

Apr 7 Botanic Gardens (to be confirmed)

May 5 Beale Street (during but not at Music Festival)

June 2 Central Library

July 7 Mississippi River Museum (to be confirmed)

Aug 4 Young Avenue Deli

Sep 2 Collierville Town Square

 

Some other ideas for places to sketch during Memphis' festival season:

Sep 10 International Goat Days in Millington

Sep 10 Germantown Festival

Sep 17 Cooper Young Festival

Sep 17 Memphis Airshow @ Millington Airport

Oct 1 Repair Days

Oct 9 Pink Palace Crafts Fair @ Audubon Park

Oct 22 River Arts Fest

Oct 22 Victorian Village House Tour

More Work from Dixon Outing

I thoroughly enjoyed the Dixon today as well. Here is one my drawings after Forain.

Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Today we had a lovely sketch group at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. We all sketched in the gardens first, and luckily a couple of people thought to bring bug spray! Some of us also sketched inside the museum, where a great exhibit on Jean-Louis Forain is installed. We finished up with some lunch and socializing at their outdoor cafe, which is thankfully cooled with fans and misters.

We'll definitely return to the Dixon to sketch in the gardens in the spring!

Here are my sketches from today:

Sketch Group This Saturday!

Don't forget! Our next sketch group is this Saturday, September 3rd, at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens! Access to the gardens will be available as early as 8:00 AM, and we'll have access to restrooms, water fountains and AC in the garden buildings before the museum opens at 10:00 AM. We can sketch in the galleries where the Forain exhibit is still on view.

 

Let's all plan to meet up at 10:00 AM at Cafe Forain, which is outdoors about halfway between the ticket booth and the entrance to the museum. That way, those who arrived early can see each others' sketches, and those who just arrived can get situated before sketching. Let's meet up again at 12:30 at Cafe Forain to see everybody's work!

Hope you can join us!

Location: Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Avenue
Date: Saturday, September 3rd
Start Time: 8:00 AM (It's okay, you can come later. The museum opens at 10:00 AM. Admission is free until noon.)
End Time: Plan to stay a while! There is plenty to see inside and out, and Cafe Forain serves beverages and sandwiches in the gardens; located just past the admissions booth near the Cutting Gardens.
Please Note: Saturday mornings are very busy! The Dixon's policy for sketching in the galleries is pencil only. Let's be good guests!

Memphis Urban Sketchers @ Flying Saucer

This month we went to the Flying Saucer downtown. We sat on the covered patio facing Beale Street. It was a hot day but at least we had a breeze by the windows. I sketched the Blues City Cafe + the corner of Peabody Place + 2nd Street. I was inspired by a sketch I saw recently (which I can't find now) to keep most of the image in pencil (or pen) + only have one part in colorful watercolor. I really like the effect:

Then I decided to sketch the interior. I drew a beer keg planter hanging from the ceiling + the plates on the wall:

After that I met my mom for lunch + continued sketching:

Next Sketch Group - Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Our next sketch group on Saturday, September 3rd, will be at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens! Access to the gardens will be available as early as 8:00 AM, and we'll have access to restrooms, water fountains and AC in the garden buildings before the museum opens at 10:00 AM. We can sketch in the galleries where the Forain exhibit is still on view.

Hope you can join us!

Location: Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Avenue
Date: Saturday, September 3rd
Start Time: 8:00 AM (It's okay, you can come later. The museum opens at 10:00 AM. Admission is free until noon.)
End Time: Plan to stay a while! There is plenty to see inside and out, and Cafe Forain serves beverages and sandwiches in the gardens; located just past the admissions booth near the Cutting Gardens.
Please Note: Saturday mornings are very busy! The Dixon's policy for sketching in the galleries is pencil only. Let's be good guests!















Photo: Dixon Gallery and Gardens

August Sketch Group - The Flying Saucer

Memphis Urban Sketchers met at the Flying Saucer on Saturday, August 6th. The Flying Saucer is at the corner of Second and Peabody Place - a very busy corner. It made for great people-watching and great views onto Beale Street. We sat at bars along the huge windows and had a view of the outside from the comfort of the restaurant.