Only the little sunflower adorning my table at breakfast was a little beat up and missing some petals on the left side.  That gave it character and made it interesting to paint.
 

                               watercolor pen & ink on paper 5.5X8.5 

SATURDAY: Sketch the Garden Conservancy

Saturday, October 10, 2015

This event was suggested by NJ Urban Sketcher - Helena Sarin

THE GARDEN AT FEDERAL TWIST

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ

The Garden Conservancy is a national organization dedicated to saving and sharing America's outstanding gardens for the education and inspiration of the public.  Spectacular gardens all over the US are open to the public for brief periods.  

The Garden at Federal Twist will be open this Saturday and should not be missed.  The garden is only available for viewing two times each year!

"The garden is hidden. You enter through the house, where you first glimpse the landscape, a sunny glade in the woods, through a wall of large windows. Featuring many large perennials and grasses that evoke an "Alice in Wonderland" feeling (many plants are taller than you), the garden is in the tradition of such “new perennial” designers as Piet Oudolf. Visitors have described it as a highly emotional garden. Plantings emphasize structure, shape, and form as much as flower."

 "Begun as an experiment to explore the potential for working in unimproved, heavy clay, the garden is ecologically like a wet prairie, and is maintained by cutting and burning in late winter. Flowers and butterflies peak in mid-July, then a second peak occurs in October when low sunlight strikes fire in the blousy russets and golds of the grasses. Two small ponds attract hundreds of frogs, insects and wildlife."

The garden was recently featured in the New York Times,  Horticulture magazine, and the book, Gardens of the Garden State.

DETAILS:

Where:  208 Federal Twist Road, Stockton, NJ

When:  Starting time:  10 a.m. Delayed or sleeping late?  Come anyway you'll easily find us.

Lunch:  Bring your own - we'll eat picnic style.  Bring a stool - it makes sketching easier and gives you options.

Show and Tell:   3:15 Leave for Apple-Jack (4935 River Rd, Point Pleasant, PA an 11 mile drive) to share drawings, good stories and a beer or wine if you're so inclined.

NOTES:
1)  Admission to this garden is $7.
2)  Bring a stool or a folding chair - it makes sketching easier and gives you options.


DIRECTIONS:

Directions: From the New York City area, take I-78. Take Exit 29 for I-287 toward Route 206/Route 202/Morristown/Somerville. Keep left at the fork and continue onto I-287 South for about 4 miles. Take Exit 17 onto Route 202 and continue to Flemington (about 19 miles). At the traffic circle, continue to the opposite side, and continue on Route 202 (about 10.8 miles) to the last exit in New Jersey, to Lambertville and Route29. At the foot of the exit, turn left, then at the bottom of the exit, turn right onto Route 29/River Road/Daniel Bray Highway. Continue north, passing through the village of Stockton, for a total of 5.1 miles from Lambertville. On the right is a large sign for Hidden Valley Nursery. Federal Twist Road is immediately past the sign. Turn right and drive up Federal Twist Road 2.9 miles to #208. Park on the right side of the road (the house side), taking care to leave the left lane open.

From western Philadelphia suburbs, take the I-276 East/Pennsylvania Turnpike east to Exit 343. Exit on Route 611 North toward Doylestown. In about 10 miles, exit onto Route 202N/New Hope. In about 10 miles, continue on Route 202 past New Hope, and cross toll bridge over Delaware River, exiting immediately on the New Jersey side toward Lambertville. At the foot of the exit, turn left onto Route 29 N/River Road/Daniel Bray Highway. Proceed as directed above.

From northern New Jersey or the Hudson River Valley, take I-287 south, take Exit 17 onto Route 202 and continue to Flemington (about 19 miles), at the traffic circle continue to the opposite side, and continue on Route 202 (about 10.8 miles) to the last exit in New Jersey, to Lambertville and Route 29. At the foot of the exit, turn left, then at the bottom of the exit, turn right onto Route 29/River Road/Daniel Bray Highway. Proceed as directed above.

Click to Enlarge

Can't find us?

Call or Text Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. All drawing skill levels are welcome

Stormy Tree

It is a cold and blustery day on Friday and I was thinking about Hurricane/Tropical Storm Joaquin, whether it would hit us or not (at that moment we did not know if it was going to hit NJ).  I have not painted in a while and this was done without photo reference, visual reference or under drawing.  I just. . .painted, thinking about the storm.  I love using Daniel Smith deep apatite blue for dark stormy skies.  It is such a neat and powerful color.

                                      Watercolor on 200lbs paper 14x10

Labor Day - Washington Rock

Sitting at the base of Washington Rock, NJ.  In 1777, This is where General George Washington watched the troop movement of General William Howe in New Brunswick.  The high ground of this natural rock outcropping provides an unobstructed view of over 30 miles.  You can still see NY City today.  I thought about painting the vista, but looking up at the stone wall was more interesting.

                                        Watercolor, pen & ink 5.5 X 16.0

SUNDAY: Sketching Princeton

August 30, 2015

On Sunday New Jersey Urban Sketchers will be exploring the town of Princeton.  The day will be divided between sketching the University in the morning and in the afternoon we'll be in the streets capturing the atmosphere of one of our state's most beautiful towns.

DETAILS

Morning:   10:00a  Meet at Princeton University main gate in front of historic Nassau Hall (Nassau and Witherspoon Streets.)  Metered parking along city streets or easy access parking garage on Chambers Street about half block north of Nassau Street.

We will focus on the traditional architecture and spaces of the central core of the university but you modernists will also have the opportunity to sketch the more contemporary architecture on the east/southeast side of campus.

Lunch:  12:30p  We'll agree on a shady spot for our Picnic Style lunch. Bring your own or enjoy variety of local and ethnic eateries on Witherspoon Street and Palmer Square (just north of Nassau between Witherspoon and Chambers.)

Afternoon:  1:30-3:30p  Town sketching.  Palmer Square and the public square next to the Princeton Public Library (on Witherspoon) are great places for people watching with interesting buildings to draw.

Show and Tell:  3:30p  We'll go to the Triumph Brewery at 138 Nassau Street to share drawings, good stories and a beer or wine if you're so inclined.

NOTES:

-  Sleeping late?  Come anyway, no one is taking attendance.  We'll be happy you came.

-  You might want to bring a hat and a sketching stool for your personal comfort.

Click Map to Enlarge

Can't find us?

Call or Text Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. All drawing skill levels are welcome

Keep the date in mind.  Further information as the date approaches.

SATURDAY: The View from Hoboken

 August 8, 2015

The Manhattan Skyline is incredible viewed from Hoboken.
With it's majestic sweep of the Hudson River, train terminals, piers, historic streets and architecture you will love sketching Hoboken's many views.

DETAILS:

When:   We start at 10 AM at Pier A.  Sleeping late? Driving slowly?  No worries - come anyway

Where:   See map for meeting site

How:   Click for Directions

Lunch:  12 - Noon:  Picnic Style, bring your own or pickup a bite in the numerous shops and stores.

Afternoon:   1:15 - Back to Sketching.  We'll move along the path of the map - across Sinatra Drive, up 4th Street then back using Washington Street.  Sketch at will as you go.

Show and Tell:  We'll finish up at the  The Dubliner, 96 River St at the corner of 1st Street to share drawings, good stories and a beer or wine if you're so inclined.

click to enlarge

Can't find us?

Call or Text Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. All drawing skill levels are welcome