New York Sketch Book: Highline walk, Rapha Cycling Club and the Standard Grill!

One of our final days in New York…exhausted by then and ready to go home! Sai rented a bike from the NY Rapha club so we went in a few times, and actually got to watch a stage of the Tour de France at last!!! We weren't able to catch up at all during the holiday so this was a great hour, sitting down (!!) sipping cool beer and watching Nibali win Stage 19. Bliss.

We took a walk on the Highline which was such an interesting way of seeing New York, from a now defunct section of the overland train that goes through the city, the West Side Line. Architecturally it was a treat, we were able to view buildings from heights you normally can't and everywhere there were sleek benches and viewing platforms, positioned at selected vantage points above river views, graffitti art covered walls and over the Chelsea art gallery district. 

We finished at 'The Standard Grill' around the corner from Rapha and just below the Highline, where steaks were the attraction. I had an amazing ginger and lime drink in a copper mug, filled with ice…I wish I could remember the ingredients…The front of house waitress was a statuesque lady wearing the most elegant clothes…the manager sported a grey pin striped suit and the largest amount of dreds I had seen in a while, strange combination but very classy!

Rapha Cycling club, NY! 

'Penny Drop' ginger cocktail @ the Standard Grill
in a brass cup

Front of House staff member
Olive green and black lace

New York Sketch Book: Central Park, Peace Industry

Coming across this astounding group of singers (many from the same talented family), who perform daily in a massive arched passage way near the Bethesda Fountain, was such a blessing! Their voices were phenomenal and I sat for at least an hour just listening. It seemed at first as though there were only one or two, with random passers by joining, but later I realised that they were such a big group and sung all day long so they took breaks, sat down and then got up and joined in whenever it was their cue. They were so relaxed, strolling around and then out would come the most beautiful voices...The girl in the hat with the huge hair had such a great voice. I've found loads of Youtube clips of them, I'll put them on Facebook. The small guy in the sketch between the two other men had had a voice range which was stunning, reaching heights I'm not sure he should…..

Apparently these guys perform with quartets and other instrumentalists, in the subway, wherever they can. What a gift!

Rapid sketching of amazing group
of singers as they strolled around

NEw YOrk Sketch Book: Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Mountains

We spent 5 days in the Blue Ridge Mountains (of Virginia…cue Laurel & Hardy renditions…), staying at Skyland Lodge in the Shenandoah National Park. What a gorgeous place and so much cooler than sea level!! The mountains were indeed Blue and stacked into the distance, misty and beautiful…

Hiking in the 'back country' (sign posted as such in case you weren't sure), spotting dear, chipmunks and 5 bears!! Unfortunately no racoons….I remembered them from my childhood trips to Sequoia National Park on the west coast…

This cub was spotted with its mother and two others on 20 July, and coming down from Old Rag Mountain on our final day we spotted another female bear and her cub. The cubs do climb trees and frolic about, when they're not chomping on the vegetation. We kept well back as instructed….Apparently if you are camping in the Park, you have to bag up your dirty clothes (and toothpaste) along with food and drink, and hang everything from the trees about 10 feet above your head, to discourage bears from approaching humans. Even the rubbish bins weigh a ton in order to be totally bear proof. I remember bears in Sequoia just rummaging through the bins and picnic tables not to mention hapless campers sleeping on the tables! 

Bear Cub!!!

Pencil sketch from a rocking chair in the viewing lounge, Skyland Lodge

New York Sketch Book: Washington DC, Abe Lincoln Memorial

I have to admit it, this is my absolut favourite drawing of all! I took my time, using some photos I made during the day in Washington.

The 3 days in Washington were amazing, it's such beautiful city (has to be!). With the humidity so high the flora was astounding…the plantings around the streets near Capitol Hill, the National Mall and the Smithsonian  were lush and created very welcome shade! 

We saw the White House through the railings, not very interesting in terms of photos and not much to draw either!

Abe Lincoln Memorial

New York Sketch Book: Philadelphia

We spent a few hours in Philadelphia, doing the historic trail, all in a few hours. We did see the Liberty bell (copy of!) but I chose not to draw that….I found the plaster details on the charming clock towers of Independence Hall far more interesting. The Terrace, or 'row' house was equally charming, built 18th Century and very well loved and maintained!

Round the corner was a wonderful organic veggie cafe, wish I could remember the name!

The plaster details on the clock tower, Independence Hall

A 'row' house in Philadelphia

New York Sketch Book: Family Portraits

A few really quick sketches I made one evening, while we were chilling at a family's house, after a hard day's slogging on the NY pavements!

Aidan @ Joe's Cafe

Illais, family time

Aidan, family time

Sai, family time

Urban Sketchers: Green Back Yard

Sculptural Brussle Sprouts!
ink and Aquarel pencil wash

Another great 'Urban Sketchers' drawing session at the Peterborough Green Back Yard on Sunday 22 October 2015. There were only a few of us but the Great Eastern Run was on so as the day progressed we were joined by half marathon runners, including one dressed as a giant vegetable….

It's getting chilly now, so thermals next time….