Along Midland Avenue

I sketched the Auto Repair Shop across the street from this same commercial parking spot several weeks ago.  This time, I directed my attention over to my left toward the northern direction and saw this view.  I like the commercial signs and the distant buildings along Midland Avenue, Port Chester, NY. 

A MET Museum visit

A couple of sketches made last Saturday while waiting for my son and his girlfriend to come along for a visit at the MET.  The first one was done inside the Roman and Greek Art, Gallery 162.  I was fascinated by the grand size of this black stone water fountain.  I added the marble sculpture sketches next.  It wouldn't be complete without people admiring the beautiful sculptures so I added them as I saw fit.  Strangely, most visitors do come to a similar gesture most of the time when in front of the sculptures.

Outside the museum, a long line of visitors has developed approaching a level seen in the before pandemic times.  I grabbed a Sabrett HotDog and bottled water for a quick lunch while waiting for my company.  They were running late.  I didn't mind it because I have a sketchbook and ballpoint pen to keep me busy.

 

Japanese Knotweed

The Japanese Knotweed grows healthy in front of our employee reserved parking spots.  Today at lunch, I sat in my car and sketched a section of its foliage.  There was a nice breeze though a bit warmer than in the days past.  It was interesting to watch how the leaves dance against the wind.  Bright green leaves with a hint of red stem grows in alternating fashion. Fun to observe and sketch it.  A nice change from the local scenes I've recently been sketching.

I-95 Freeway Ramp

Construction at the I-95 and I-287 Freeway merge in Port Chester, NY has been going on for sometime now.  Every time I get off the ramp at Exit 22 off I-95 North, I marvel at the exposed geological patterns on the hill after they carved out more road space.  This was the lone heavy machinery left there. I suppose the bulk of the work is now concentrated on the other half of I-95 Freeway.

A Sketch at the Marshlands Conservancy

On Mother's Day last week, I visited the Marshlands Conservancy Park in Rey, NY for the first time.  Lots of trails in the wooded area.  A sign on the trail past the visitor center says "Nature is Neat, but Sure is not Tidy" which I thought was funny.  The meandering trails allowed for a slow commune with nature.  Off-the-path, I saw one of the largest fallen trees good for sketching.  So I made my way near it and settled into place. Minutes later, something stirred from the ground.  It was a Wild Turkey!  She was taking a break from incubating 5 of her eggs I spied from about 12 feet away.  Good that I was able to capture her on video but I never dared disturb her peace.  

The Gavi's Grocery

A short distance from our office is this local store called Gavi's Grocery.  Yesterday, after work, I found an opportunity to sketch the scene.  It was a bit difficult at first to get the scene right onto my sketchbook.  I had to adjust the measurements of the whole scene for the full hour I was there.   At home, the sketch paper just buckled on watercolor application but I wanted to color it anyway.

A Day at the MET

We were supposed to be there at 10:00am but had a late start getting out to the city. Since it was close to noontime, we took an early lunch at the cafeteria while it was less crowded.  I managed to sketch a few patrons nearby.  

After lunch, we went upstairs on the 2nd Floor to view the Alice Neel Exhibit.  Of course, there was a line but it didn't matter, I have my sketchbook anyway.  I sketched the people in front of us.  Once inside the gallery, I decided to step off the normal queue and just quickly and randomly glanced at the portraits  of interest from afar.  A sketch of the scene was far more interesting for me this time.

Afterward, Anne and I took an hour to ourselves and decided to rejoin again at the South entrance lobby by 2:00 PM.  I took position at the Medieval Art Gallery 305 for the ongoing current exhibit Cross Roads: Power and Piety.  Happy to have done several sketches in one day!