The Treasures of a Desert Kingdom

We visited the Royal Ontario Museum today in Toronto to see “The Treasures of a Desert Kingdom” exhibit and were lucky enough to be exactly at the right place at the right time for this performance.  He played for approximately 30 minutes. I had  a perfect seat directly opposite so I had the perfect seat for sketching.  I went over to show him my drawing and he was kind enough to sign my sketchbook (not shown here though)! 

My Fountain Pen Splotched

This morning I drew our “backyard” at our campsite in Silent Lake Provincial Park.  I don’t normally travel with my fountain pen and I won’t try this again as it splotched several times.  I decided to just go with the flow so to speak and used the ink to make a monochromatic drawing.

Bancroft Brewing and Eatery

Today we drove into town- Bancroft Ontario- and had lunch st the Bancroft Brew Pub and Eatery.  We were lucky to get seated on the deck outside and I added this page to my entries for today! 

I got it wrong but went with it since this is a direct pen drawing.  Or, as we use to say; “it is close enough for government work”!!

Tugfest Midland Ontario

The Farm?

The Farm? Somehow going to the post office led to driving 15 kms further and ending up at this opportunity to draw this barn.

I had a conversation with a woman walking her dog who was wondering what I was doing. We talked about tick bites/Lyme disease and a dog virus contracted from coyote feces.  Yup, it was a pretty exciting stuff!  Regardless, it has been quite awhile since I’ve been by this barn, I was happy that the farmer put in a new laneway that was freshly mowed so I had a place to park my car off the roadway. 

I Used pencil crayons and watercolour; I searched my purse but I seem to have forgotten to pack my white Uniball Signo and my white pencil crayon wasn’t up to the job.  Oh well, I’ll fix that later! 

Happy that boondock drawing is considered “urban sketching” too!!

S S Keewatin

I was “running the roads” today! I finally ended up at my intended destination- Port McNicoll, Ontario 

The Keewatin was built in Scotland by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company and was launched July 6, 1907. The Keewatin was a passenger liner that sailed between Port Arthur/Fort William (now Thunder Bay Canada) on Lake Superior to Piet McNicoll on Georgian Bay (Lake Huron).  She was retired in 1966.  She was the last of the turn of the century style overnight passenger ship. 

It was the ship used for an episode in Murdoch Mysterious (I love Murdock Mysteries CBC production).

It was late afternoon and too late for me to paint as I still had a 40 minute drive home but I’m happy regardless! 

Pigs and Grilled Cheese

Today’s art began this morning by documenting the glass Christmas ornament.  Then we went into town to have some lunch with our granddaughter (left) and her friend.  The girls wanted the window seat so we sat in behind. Lived having another opportunity to draw!! 

The village of Coldwater

Kempenfest

Lawn Sale

This is what I did yesterday.  Again, not technically “urban sketching” but whatever..... I was heading to a small town that I like to visit off and on.  Then I decided to take a road to the left! I drove past a lawn sale and turned back.  It wasn’t my intention to stop at the sale but there was a nice shady spot for Bertha.  

I had a nice chat with the woman who lives there and bought two little dishes that were similar to my mothers.  I think they are candy dishes but I have a different use for them.  I had to ask her what road I was on so I could put the address in my book.

I couldn’t finish because the mosquitoes found out that my blood was delicious and I was spending more time swatting than drawing.  Oh well.... I had a good time creating my wonky drawing. 

Mini Me

Another Barn Quilt

Today I took a jaunt in my car to find this barn again.  When we went by last week it had been adorned with a brand-spanking new barn quilt (you know I love a barn quilt!!).  I’ve been by this farm often but it had looked forlorn and naked; now it seems to be alive. 

I couldn’t believe my luck; the grass was freshly mowed!! 

I used a Uniball, coloured pencils, Posca marker, and watercolours in my handmade sketchbook. I completed it on site except for the lettering.  Since I live in the boondocks, this is my idea of “urban sketching”!