Some Sketches from the August Sketch Group at the Peabody

A few of my sketches from our sketch group at the Peabody in August. I had just returned from the Urban Sketchers Symposium in Singapore, where I'd taken a very inspiring workshop about sketching people.

I love going to the Peabody and watching the spectacle of people watching the march of the Peabody ducks.

A few sketches by some others in the group - click the image for more detail.

Sketch Group this Saturday and Upcoming Dates

This Saturday, October 3

Bona Fide Blues Festival, Overton Square
***11:00 AM (change from usual time!)***
Parking may be easier at that time – acts don’t start until noon – but they may charge for parking at the garage.
meet at sculpture at the corner of Cooper and Madison

Also in October, try to attend these sketch outings to take advantage of the fall weather:

Saturday, October 10
Pink Palace Crafts Fair at Audubon Park (entry fee)
10:00 AM
meeting place TBD

Saturday, October 17
Elmwood Cemetery
10:00 AM
meet by the office

Saturday, October 24
River Arts Fest, South Main (entry fee)
10:00 AM
meet on east side of Central Station on South Main

And November’s Sketch Group:Saturday, November 7
India Fest at the Agricenter
10:00 AM
meet at the end of the entrance hall, towards the main room and away from the doors

At the Biltmore in Asheville, N. C.

Most of the house viewed from a hill

The Italian garden

Waiting for the shuttle bus

Animals at the petting farm

More goats

Webster, the rooster who likes to be petted

Some Asheville Gardens

A small garden at the Curves Gallery in the River Arts District

Cabin in the Asheville Botanic Garden

Bridge in the Asheville Botanic Garden

Two views of a bridge in the Asheville Botanic Garden

North Carolina Arboretum

 I spent a day exploring the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC, this summer.

While I checked out the Arboretum, I tried out some colored Stabilo fineliners.

There was a large collection of bonsai, 

displayed on several levels,

and a large outdoor fireplace.

Traveling to Asheville

We traveled to Asheville to cool off this summer. Margaret starts the trip with coffee from Muddy's.

The line at Muddy's

We have lunch on the other side of Nashville.

The gyros were tasty.

Margaret keeps her eyes on the road.

Our Airbnb apartment was downstairs, 

under the stairs.

Swamp hibiscus in the backyard

Backyard chair

September Sketch Group at Memphis Farmers Market

Next sketch group

Saturday, September 12

Memphis Farmers Market downtown

10:00 AM

We'll meet where the two covered walkways intersect. Consider sticking around for lunch at The Arcade!

Please comment here or on our Facebook page if you plan to attend. 

Peter Bowman

Local artist Peter Bowman, who had attended several gatherings of Memphis Urban Sketchers, passed away last Friday. 

Peter's sketches always amazed me - his mark-making was bold and purposeful, and his sketches always seemed like fully-formed paintings. For that reason I always show examples of his sketches when I teach sketching classes.

Peter was a teacher himself for many years. My first encounter with him was when I was still in college at University of Memphis, and in a professional practices class Bob Lewis, in his wisdom, sent me to talk to Peter about what it means to live as an artist. Peter gave me some advice that I think helped shape my own living as an artist: be the kind of artist that works with your temperament. For him, at that time, it meant teaching during the day, spending time with his family, and painting later in the evenings. I knew that my temperament would require me to work full time, and hearing his advice made it okay for me to do that and still be an artist.

Here are some sketches that Peter made with us over the years. We will miss him!

Peter's supplies: old markers and highlighters in a ziploc bag.

Peter's work at our exhibit at ANF Architects.

The Peabody

The group met at the Peabody on Saturday. I didn't think to take photos of the gathered drawings, but here's the one I did from the mezzanine. It was fun to see everyone, and we had several new folks, which is great. I also enjoyed hearing Elizabeth's account of the Urban Sketching Symposium in Singapore. We're hoping some of us can make it next year to Manchester, England.

Sketching at the Brooks

Seven sketchers showed up at the Brooks Museum of Art last Saturday. Mike and Judith were new to our group. Typically, I forgot my camera so I didn't record our gathering. Here are my sketches in pencil.

Brooks Museum

Waiting outside the Brooks

Guarding the gallery

Sculpture by Jacques Lipchiz

Some small sculptures by regional artists