January USKC Sketch Crawl

 It's been a few years since I've made it to a Kansas City sketch crawl with Urban Sketchers KC. Wilma and I went a few times before. She liked to kill time as I sketched and enjoyed the common meal afterwards. It was time to get back in the saddle. As I've said before, I'm not an urban type guy, but we don't have a Rural Sketchers organization. I like the KC group, even though I'm pretty much anonymous. We gathered at the Kansas City Museum (never heard of it). It's a restored mansion in old Gladstone just north of downtown, with a focus on telling KC history. 

We had over 30 sketchers, which is more than I've ever seen! Too large to be personal but if I knew anyone I could fit in. The architectural details with all the hardwood trim were great! Some great stained glass windows, too. I found their Library & Gentlemen's Retreat with a great fireplace and oak trimmed book cases with leaded glass doors. The owner, Mr. Robert Long, preferred this room to all others.

We sketched from 10-noon. I met in the lobby at five 'till noon for our "throw down". It's my favorite part, where we network and share our work. Nobody there?! Only three other sketchers who didn't know where anybody was, either. I found out later they all met in a room upstairs that I didn't know about. I packed up and left. Ate at a restaurant I liked that was a former sketch crawl location and drove the 65 miles home. Still a nice outing, just diminished because of failed communications. 

My scan came out too light. I used Noodler's Lexington Gray ink, with a light tough. Not good for contrast in reproductions but fine on the original.

Sketching has made the short list of things I want to continue. I want to keep doing the hobbies that let me enjoy today rather than rely on the future to enjoy life. 

The Home Place

This was a camping trip back in April. Wilma died three months prior. I'm hoping I can still enjoy camping without her so this is a trial run. Long story short, I'll continue camping. I miss her and would rather do this with her, but in her absence I still enjoy it.

The campground I chose was in Land Between the Lakes. We've camped there a few time and always loved it. That also gave me a chance to visit Paducah, for the National Quilt Museum. I always loved going there. They have good coffee shops and craft beer, too.

 I still intend to return to sketch journaling. It will be sporadic but I can't give it up.