Masonic Lodge (Denver, CO)

This sketch was done August 13, 2020. It was part of an event with the ICAA Rocky Mountain Chapter's Emerging Professional series and cross marketed with the Denver Urban Sketchers. We started the evening discussing the landmark Frank Milton House before walking up to the Highlands Masonic Temple. 

My daughter Talia (at the time was 13) joined me as she has a few times at these events. We brought lawn chairs to the dismay of the Masons who were upset we were on their lawn and hadn't gotten prior permission to be on their property. 

The sky was very overcast that day. I loved the way the monochrome looked and since there wasn't a ton of color to the building, so I left this one as is.

I had gone past there a few days earlier to get my thumbnail done. You can see I was playing with the framing and angles.

 

Saint Patrick Oratory (Denver, CO)

First pandemic USK event. We had a lot of people come out for this. 

 

Montessori Academy (Denver, CO)

It's a blessing and a curse working across from this neat building. This little sketch was done in like 15 minutes in my thumbnail sketchbook. I like these Field Note sized books for little sketches.

 

Carrell Hall, Regis University (Denver, CO)

Regis University has a long history in Denver. As I understand it, there was a Regis High School and the campus has moved a few times. 

I can drive by Regis if I want to avoid the highway into downtown Denver. I've spent a little time on the campus over the years for a variety of reasons.

When I was wrapping up this sketch, my water brush pen (the last time I used one) dripped a few big drops on the painting causing it to look like Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy is shadowed. Always fun when an oops gives character to a piece.

 

Auraria Art Gallery (Denver, CO)

This was my second sketch of the day at Auraria. The first turned out awful (as I've mentioned before, proportions can be difficult in a new sketchbook if you aren't used to the size). 

This building was originally a synagogue, one of the oldest west of the Mississippi River. It's on the Auraria Campus and has since become an art gallery. 

I spent the day with my friend Michael, a fellow USK Denver member. We had met at a ICAA event and hit it off. 

I think this was the first time I used my home made easel using a tripod, two planks of wood, and a tension hinge. 
 

 

East High (Denver, CO)

Uch. This sketch is what made me learn perspective. My friend Ramiro made a whole how-to sheet for me to explain how he figured it out. 

This was where I met my friend Michael - that's his VW bus out front. 

 

Cheesman Park (Denver, CO)

My first time at an ICAA event. Met Michael there and brought Talia with me. We learned all about the park as it was originally built. It was the highest point in the city and had lovely views. You can see where the road used to be between some of the trees (at the park, not in my sketch).

 

Book Bar (Denver, CO)

Cold and snowy night, but got to hang out with Mahdu at the Denver Book Bar. Her glass of wine was enormous!

 

Flowers in a Jar (Cake Crumbs: Denver, CO)

Sitting in a coffee shop on a Sunday morning is one of my favorite activities. 

Although this is technically not right (see the cross hatches on the bottom), it's still one of my favorites. This was done in my sketch journal on not-great paper

 

Arvada Library, USK2 (Arvada, CO)

 

Still life or urban Sketch?

My first Urban Sketch (Thornton, CO)

Inspired by Steven Reddy's art, I went out to do this. Boy are those stools bad!

 

Portfolio 19

Portfolio 17

Portfolio 16

Portfolio 15