Upcoming Sketching: May 26th

Sunday May 26: NEW LOCATION Musée des Beaux Arts: 10 AM

Considering recent rainy days – we’re calling a new meeting spot – our stand by indoor spot the Musée des Beaux Arts. Alwasys plenty to draw there, and if we have moments of calm between the rains, there are some good streets near by. I was down in the district the other day and saw a pretty awesome fire-damaged mansion – I hope they haven’t started repairs yet – it was quite goth-y. But anyway – that’s the new spot – Museum of Fine Arts – see you Sunday!

~m

May 26: Tam Tam drummers on Parc:

Let’s meet at 10 am at the George-Étienne Cartier Monument (the Angel statue) in the park on Ave du Parc, where Rue Rachel would intersect, if it went that far.  We can sketch in the area (plenty of interesting stuff nearby), and later in the day there should be drumming and the various Parc activities – (I’ve see the sword-fighting-players already this year, there are usually slack ropers around, etc). There are numerous lunch alternatives in the area within a short walk – I’d suggest La Chilenita at 64 Rue Marie-Anne Ouest (Marie-anne and Clark) for excellent tacos and empanadas – but there’s plenty more choices on St. Laurent only  a few more blocks east.

 

Solo Sketchcrawl, Old Montreal

Just completed a big freelance project – drawing on the computer for seven straight weeks.  As a reward to myself, (and as a field test for my Sketching-in-Barcelona hot weather gear)  I took the entire day off to enjoy Tuesday’s 26 degrees. I can report – Sun Sleeves by Pearl Izumi really work. And I’m remembering how to paint in direct sunlight.

Its amazing how we went from watercolor-will-not-dry to watercolor-dries-instantly in only a week.  I’m not in any way complaining. It’s awesome that plein air season is here! These are all in and around the Old Port of Montreal. (Place d’Youville, Place des Armes, Place Jacques-Cartier). All places we might visit in our August workshop.

 

St Joseph’s Oratory

I hope everyone has been able to take advantage of the great weather and do some sketching. This is mine from yesterday at the foot of St Joseph’s Oratory. Besides the obvious architectural features, the Oratory is great for panoramic cityscapes. And the garden up to the left has many lovely sculptures as well.

And yesterday as a bonus, there was the blessing of the Mustangs! Church bells and motors revving – an interesting combination!

Oh hey! My painting in the Metro :)

OMG Spring is really here!

I’ve been champing at the bit for weeks. Living in Canada is a serious disadvantage for plien air painters. We just don’t get enough days like this.

Next month’s outing – May 26th – I think we’re going to go to the Tam Tams on the mountain near Parc and Mount Royal. That should be a great people sketching opportunity. If you’re in town, come join us.

The Rite of Spring :: Le sacre du printemps

I listened to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring as I was driving into Montreal this morning… and this music stayed with me all morning. About 15 Montreal Urban Sketchers regrouped today at the Atwater Market on this wonderful spring day… everyone was there… musicians, bikers, babies, parents… as if spring was urging us to get outside after hibernating for 6 months. I painted with Jennifer and Uma and we chatted along as we were painting. Quite fun, relaxing and nice.

J’ai écouté le Sacre du printemps de Stravinsky en conduisant à Montréal ce matin… et cette musique m’a enlacée toute la journée. Aujourd’hui nous nous sommes regroupés environ 15 personnes au Marché Atwater pour peindre ensemble. Tout le monde était là… musiciens, cycleurs, bébés, parents… comme si le printemps nous avait donné l’ordre de sortir de notre hibernation annuelle. J’ai peint avec Jennifer et Uma, et c’était super! Relaxant et agréable.

Two views of the Lachine Canal

How fortunate that Urban Sketchers Montreal picked the nicest day of the year so far for our April outing. When we met around 10 a.m. it was looking like it might just be the perfect spring day and as we sketched more and more people arrived along the Lachine Canal. By bike, on foot, on roller blades, with dogs and babies and aunties and girlfriends. I think all of Montreal passed us by at some point. And we all breathed a common sigh of relief. We are done with winter.

I couldn’t stay all day but I did one sketch facing west and another view of the city from across the canal looking over the Atwater market towards downtown and Mount Royal.