How to Sketch a Fortress

Posted: November 30, 2024 | Author: Terri Dux | Filed under: USkO | Tags: art, drawing, oahu urban sketchers, sketch, sketching, urban sketchers, urban-sketching, usk, USkO | Leave a comment

The Prince Kūhiō Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana Blvd. is not a typical structure. This imposing building is fitting for its purpose, home to the U.S. District Court, U.S. Secret Service, Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Dept. of Justice, CIA, FBI, IRS, and other federal agencies.

Its massive design commands your attention. As an Urban Sketcher, it is a challenge with its sharp angles and curved features and formal, heavy scale. One Urban Sketcher noticed the lack of windows. It just echoes its serious, formal design. This is a place of authority.

Thank you to everyone who spent part of their Saturday morning sketching on or near the grounds of the Prince Kūhiō Federal Building. You could have been holiday shopping this weekend, but you chose to share your love for sketching and I am most grateful to you.

As Urban Sketchers, our mission is to raise the artistic, storytelling of our city by sketching on location, promoting visible art and connecting people. I think we do a pretty good job of capturing a glimpse of Honolulu to share with the world.

Today’s question to ponder: Do you have a trick to make drawing and painting easier? It’s always good to hear your ideas. It makes us be better artists and builds a supportive community.

SAVE THE DATE

Our next meet up will be Saturday, December 14, 10am to noon at Honolulu Hale. It’s our annual holiday, end-of-the-year place to sketch. Until next time, keep sketching!
Terri

Urban Sketchers O’ahu Let Our Artwork Shine

Posted: August 10, 2024 | Author: Terri Dux | Filed under: USkO | Tags: art, drawing, sketch, sketches, sketching | 1 Comment

What a gorgeous Saturday morning to be sketching at Magic Island with Diamond Head in the background and our sketchbooks in the foreground.

Thank you to everyone who came out today to spend a couple of hours sketching at a very familiar place. Even if you’ve sketched here a hundred times, there’s always something new to see or another view to inspire you. We are artists who are fortunate to live a beautiful place.

For those of you who have never sketched with Urban Sketchers, welcome to our group. I hope you had fun today. For those of you who have sketched with us before, thank you for being consistent. Art is a journey and sharing our art make us better artists.

Today’s question to ponder: What part of your sketching do you find challenging? Whether it is editing all you see or sketching moving objects or people, it’s interesting that no matter what your challenges are, you are always the most toughest critic for your art. That’s why I love sketchbooks. Because no matter what you sketch today, tomorrow is a new page. Just keep sketching!

Our next sketching event is Saturday, August 31. Hope you can join us!

Happy sketching,
Terri

How Do You Sketch Earth Day? (updated)

Posted: April 8, 2024 | Author: Terri Dux | Filed under: USkO | Tags: art, drawing, sketch, sketching, urban-sketching | Leave a comment

Earth Day is actually on Monday, April 22. But since we usually meet on Saturday, we will be sketching on April 20 in Kaimuki.

UPDATED: Let’s meet across the street of Keep It Simple on Waialae Ave. If you’ve never been there, Keep It Simple is a cute boutique shop with a mission to provide “Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Non-Toxic, Reef Safe products,” according to their website. Address is 3466 Waialae Ave.

On April 20, the store is doing a little Earth Day Festival with sustainable vendors, crafts, music, food, drinks and fun. Bring your empty containers to refill with daily household products!

As Urban Sketchers, I thought it would be an interesting twist to sketch their cute storefront in historic Kaimuki. You can also choose to sketch the busy Waialae Ave or neighboring shops. Kaimuki is full of historical charm so there is a lot to focus on. We will meet at 10am and share our sketches as a group at 11:30.

Parking is available on the street. If attending, RSVP by Friday, April 19 at uskoahu@gmail.com. I hope you can join us.

Happy sketching,

Terri

How Do You Sketch 20,000 People

Posted: March 30, 2024 | Author: Terri Dux | Filed under: USkO | Tags: art, drawing, hawaiiconventioncenter, kawaiikon, sketch, sketching, urban-sketching, urbansketchers | 4 Comments

When I planned Urban Sketching at Kawaii Kon, I thought it would be pretty casual. We walk in. Get a comfortable seat on the upper level where there is plenty of seating and sketch away. I was wrong.

Security has been upgraded to TSA screening. And with metal detectors at the front door, the line, or should I say the mob of young people formed endless lines in every direction. It was impossible for us, Urban Sketchers to enter the convention center.

Thank you sketchers who braved the traffic, weather, and crowds to sketch what we could. As Urban Sketchers, we tell a story, a snapshot of today. And that we did proudly!

The questions of the day to ponder was: Why is art important to me? What’s an early event that first interested you in art? We love hearing how art influenced you at such an early age. And how art is critical thinking or stress-relieving. How would you answer those questions?

Save the Date

Pencil April 20 for our next Urban Sketchers event. I don’t have an event or location yet, so email me with suggestions.

Sketching Holiday Cheer

Posted: December 9, 2023 | Author: Terri Dux | Filed under: USkO | Tags: drawing, sketch, sketching | 2 Comments

Thank you to all the amazing sketchers who attended this morning’s sketching event at Honolulu Hale. It’s an annual tradition to sketch Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele or the festive grounds in every December.