Helmets and Heroes

Posted: January 14, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Still mildly shaken from the false alert of a missile attack earlier in the morning, local and visiting sketchers descended upon the Honolulu Fire Museum yesterday. Like on our first visit two years ago, yesterday’s event started with a fascinating review of firefighting history in Honolulu by a group of expert docents Fire Inspectors Mau and Kunimitsu (with support from Fire Inspectors Zablan, Inay, Enos III, and others), followed by a sketch session that encompassed the museum’s exhibits as well as its urban environment. Engine #6, the first unit to respond to the Pearl Harbor attack, was featured in several sketches, as were helmets, speaking horns, and other firefighting paraphernalia dating back as far as the 19th century. This past week, the HFD celebrated its 167th anniversary! At show and tell, visiting sketchers from Seattle and Sydney mingled with the locals as we shared sketches and perspectives, both literal and figurative.

As always, don’t forget to check out our sketches on Flickr and upload your own!

See you at our next event on January ​27!

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First Event of 2018!

Posted: January 8, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: | Leave a comment

Remember your New Year’s resolution to spend more time with your sketchbook? We’re here to help! Come to our first sketch event of 2018. :)

Happy New Year!

Posted: January 1, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: , , , | 5 Comments

As usual, our neighborhood was lit up by fireworks on New Year’s Eve. I decided to get closer to sketch the fireworks from a couple feet away, exploding above me. Shortly before midnight, I raced out of the house with a flashlight, sketchbook, ziplock bag of graphite and charcoal, and my noise reduction earmuffs to find the perfect sketching spot. I sat curbside at an intersection where I could see fireworks being launched from three different locations around me.

The charcoal was perfect to capture the dark night, shadows, and smokey atmosphere. However, I could not portray the neighborhood and people the way I wanted. For the final sketch I tried to use both media, graphite and charcoal.

Happy New Year to you all! Can’t wait to sketch with you in 2018 – our first event of the year is coming soon!

 

Washington Place Extravaganza: ʻAha Mele

Posted: December 17, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Our year-end event at Washington Place, the long-time home of Queen Lili‘uokalani, offered the same wonderful blend of Hawai‘ian history and gorgeous ambience that we enjoyed before at Queen Emma Summer Palace and ‘Iolani Palace. Many of us treated themselves to a tour of the mansion, which features original pieces of furniture (among them a custom-built koa piano)  and other artifacts that proved to be irresistible sketching targets. (Special thanks to the staff, including the knowledgeable docents, for indulging us as we occupied particularly scenic locations for quite some time).

Other attractions included a series of delightful musical performances on the lanai, and an appearance of Governor Ige (the First Lady co-hosted ‘Aha Mele together with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority) who like his predecessors, frequently holds receptions for dignitaries here. Befitting the occasion, the weather was glorious. As always, our post-sketching get-together gave us an opportunity to share not only our artwork, but also our impressions of the day and best wishes for the holidays.

Thanks to the USkO ‘ohana for another great year of sketching, and a Happy New Year to all!

As always, don’t forget to check out our sketches on Flickr and upload your own!

See you at our next event in January!

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Last Event of the Year!

Posted: December 13, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: | 2 Comments

Join us at the historic Washington Place this Saturday to enjoy its 170 year history. We certainly will not be the first to sketch the mansion. In fact, below is a drawing of it by Paul Emmert from 1853!

Also, remember that the hosts require that you register for a ticket (free) on Eventbrite to access the grounds.

Saturday’s Event

Posted: December 10, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: | Leave a comment

USkO’s last event of the year is rapidly approaching! If you wish to purchase a t-shirt, we still have a couple left (Adult L, Adult M) and will bring them to Washington Place on Saturday.

Also, remember to register for the event on Eventbrite to get your free ticket – a brief procedure
that the ​site hosts require for access to the grounds.

See you soon!

Special Event!

Posted: December 3, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: | Leave a comment

This is a rare opportunity to see Washington Place, a National Historic Landmark with over 170 years of history! Visit Washington Place Foundation for more information about this important site.

Please read USkO’s event flyer carefully. Note that while the event is free, Washington Place management requires that you register on Eventbrite to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/htas-aha-mele-hawaiian-music-series-at-washington-place-tickets-40269542285.

When registering online, please review the site’s guidelines attentively (e.g., no chairs are allowed).

A Weatherproof, Windward Morning

Posted: December 2, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Our second event at Whole Foods, Kailua, again took advantage of the many options on offer at and around the store: sheltered sketching opportunities in- and outdoors, urban scenes, people, all kinds of merchandise, and holiday decoration for good measure. Since the weather cooperated, some adventurous sketchers also sampled views from the more extended neighborhood. Strengthened by cookies provided by Nancy, we shared artwork and observations before solemnly swearing to make sure not to miss our next, extraordinary, end-of-year event on December 16th at the historical Washington Place Mansion.

As always, don’t forget to check out our sketches on Flickr and upload your own!

See you at our next event on December ​16!

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Saturday is Approaching!

Posted: November 30, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | Leave a comment
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Join us at Kailua’s Whole Foods Market this Saturday for a weatherproof morning of sketching!

Also, if you are interested in purchasing an awesome USkO t-shirt, please place your order soon, and we’ll have it ready for pickup at the event.

USkO T-Shirts!

Posted: November 26, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: USkO | 1 Comment

We are selling a limited first order of USkO t-shirts!

What you need to know:
1. They will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
2. For this limited order, the price is reduced to $12 each.
3. They come in the following sizes: Adult S, M, L, XL
4. The t-shirts will be ready for pickup at our December events.

Please e-mail uskoahu(at)gmail.com ​with the size and quantity if you are interested.

We hope to see you in December!
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