SATURDAY: Sketch the Rubin

 

The Rubin Museum is a NYC treasure and sadly it's closing soon.  This will be NYC Urban Sketchers last visit.

To make this visit even more special, the museum's favorite docent - Judy Garza is also a sketcher with our group.  She has conducted tours of the museum for years and has a deep understanding of the museum's collection.  She will be our tour guide and will join us sketching.

The Rubin Museum of Art is dedicated to the collection, display, and preservation of the art and cultures of the Himalayas, India and neighboring regions, with a permanent collection focused particularly on Tibetan art.​  There really is no place like it. Each item on display tells a story, and was lovingly collected and beautifully displayed. 

The Rubin Museum reminds us that artistic expression is part of what it means to be a human, a message that resonates for Urban Sketchers.

​We have some special instructions regarding sketching at the Rubin and will have a brief meeting before we start.  If you come late, please find Mark or Judy before you begin sketching.

DETAILS:
WHAT:  We will be sketching at the Rubin Museum

WHEN:   The museum opens its doors at  11:00 AM​ on Saturday, August 3, 2024.  ​T​ry to come on time so you can hear Judy's presentation.

WHERE:  The Rubin is located at 150 W 17th St, NYC.  There are loads of subways nearby:

-   A,​ C, or E to 14th Street (at 8th Avenue)
-   1 to 18th Street (at 7th Avenue)
-   2, 3 to 14th Street (at 7th Avenue)
-   F, L, M to 14th Street (at 6th Avenue)
-   N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th Street-Union Square

​H​OW: 
Admission:
-   Adults  $19
-   Seniors (65 and over), Visitors with Disabilities and Students (with valid ID)  $14

LUNCH:  12:30 PM - ​Bring your own food or purchase at neighborhood stores.

AFTERNOON:  1:30 PM  Back to sketching.

SHOW and TELL:  3 PM   Location to be determined​.  We will share drawings, good stories​.

​NOTES

-   Bring a small stool if you have one, it is always useful when we sketch

-   We are not starting at our usual time - start time is 11 AM

Can't find us?  

Call Mark - 973-809-9128

There are no fees or attendance taken. 

All drawing skill levels are welcome

​

Workshop With Mel Barranco

All Details and to Sign up Here:

When and Where:

Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024

Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT

Location: Bryant Park, Meet in Front of the Fountain

About this Event:

In this workshop, Mel will share with you his technique of creating a visually appealing artwork with big bold marks. You’ll start by creating a “pre-marked” page. Have you ever worked with a “pre-marked” sheet before? A “pre-marked” page is sheet of paper with random black lines drawn on it.

That’s the easy part - you now have a nice art background to work with. The tricky part is integrating and blending the selected scene into this “pre-marked” page.

In this workshop, Mel will share with you the things he has learned to create a visually appealing artwork with big bold marks. Much like a puzzle, you will be able to capture and fashion the scene into your “pre-marked” canvas. The big bold marks will be your friend rather than a distraction. You will use some addition/subtraction techniques to blend the lines into the scene. You will learn to see what little gem details are in the scene that could add impact to your artwork.

Schedule:

Hour 1: Introduction followed by Random Mark Types: Demo and Practice

Hour 2: Composition, Construction, and Editing: Demo and Practice

Hour 3: Mixed Application: Demo and Practice

Suggested Supply List:

• Wide Black marker (Elmers Marker)
• White Gelly Roll broad (0.8mm or 1.0 mm) pen
• Posca Acrylic Brush Pens (light Blue, White, Red, Yellow)
• Orange Gelly Roll 08
• Watercolor Paper (Hot Press)
• Watercolor (What ever set you haveWatercolor)
• A stool

*The wide black marker pen is a plus but not necessary. I will share mine and perhaps some others may share theirs. (Big Marker such as Elmer’s Boardmate Colossal Extra Wide Tip Permanent Marker)

All Details and to Sign up Here:

FRIDAY, August 2, 2024: Westchester Sketchers at Katonah Museum of Art

 

Thank you to Naomi Leiseroff for making the arrangements for us to sketch at KMA.

The Katonah Museum of Art is a non-collecting institution geared towards visual arts, located in Katonah, New York.  The Museum presents changing exhibitions that cross a spectrum of artistic disciplines, cultures, and historical periods.  Housed in an elegant building designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Katonah Museum of Art originates three to four major exhibitions annually.

Currently on Exhibit:

Jonathan Becker: Lost Time

July 14, 2024 - January 26, 2025

This exhibition is guest curated by Mark Holborn in conjunction with the artist's monograph, forthcoming by Phaidon. Spanning Becker’s illustrious career from his formative period in Paris as a protégé of Brassaï through today, his work features some of the most fascinating and important subjects across contemporary culture. Whether celebrated within the pages of Vanity Fair and Vogue or gracing museum walls, Jonathan Becker remains one of the leading visual storytellers of our time.

 

DETAILS:

DATE: FRIDAY, August 2, 2024.

Time: The Museum opens at 12:00 PM, but our official event will be 1:00 - 3:00 pm  We will join Naomi Leiseroff for the SENIOR SOCIAL AFTERNOON to enjoy an afternoon of art, refreshments, and socializing. Experience guided tours of our exhibitions, plein air painting, and more! Free with Museum admission. Advanced registration recommended. Register here: https://www.katonahmuseum.org/events/?eid=350

LOCATION: Katonah Museum of Art 134 Jay Street - Route 22, Katonah, NY 10536

Phone: (914) 232-9555 

DIRECTIONS: https://www.katonahmuseum.org/visit/getting-here.php
From NYC: From Grand Central Terminal, take the Metro-North Harlem Line to Katonah Station. The trip one-way from Grand Central is about 1 hour 15 minutes. The Museum is located 0.7 miles east of the Katonah train station. From the train station, it is a 10-20-minute walk. Taxi service is also available. For daily train schedules, visit MTA. 

LUNCH: Due to our later start, we will not stop for lunch.  

SHOW and TELL: 3 PM

NOTES: 

• Admission: Seniors $9, others $12.
• Reciprocal Admission: Fairfield Westchester Museum Alliance (FWMA), North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM), American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Members.  Also check check your local Library Pass Program.
• Food, drink, chewing gum and tobacco products are not allowed in the galleries.
• PENCIL ONLY in the galleries, and we have to be sitting down when we draw, not walking or standing with pencils out. We can use watercolor and non messy materials in the Learning Center and outside. 
• The museum has stools and we should use them.

Please RSVP to Cathy Gutterman at westchester@nycurbansketchers.org

It would help if you also register for the Senior Social Afternoon here:

https://www.katonahmuseum.org/events/?eid=350

Please DO NOT reply to this email as your inquiry will go to a "dead letter" file. 

Looking for us? 

Call/text: Cathy at (914) 625-0766 or Marianne at (914) 355-6507

 Weekday Sketcher at Piers 25 and26

OMG!!  There are two giant Sturgeons on Pier 26...

Lets' go catch them ......in our sketchbooks. 

Part of the Hudson River Park system, Piers 25 and 26 are two of the newly renovated piers in the system. At the end of North Moore Street, these piers have a host of active parks including the newly installed  Science Playground, featuring two giant sturgeons that you can walk through. Once a dominant species in the river, they were fished to extinction. This exhibits aims to teach about the demise of the fish and the resurrection of the eco-system of the river.  Good for learning about the health of the river and great for sketching!

Besides the two giant fish there is a mini golf course, climbing wall, skate park and volleyball court all offering the chance to practice sketching people in action.  Or try to capture the two docked boats: the Lilac, a steam powered lighthouse tender, and the Grand Banks, a beautiful old vessel turned into a restaurant.  Want more?  Try the scenes along the Hudson River or wander over to the nearby park with Tom Otterness's Real World figures.  

For more information about the Piers and Hudson River Park, click here: https://hudsonriverpark.org/the-park/piers-and-places/

For more information about the Pier 26 Science Playground (the sturgeons), click here: https://hudsonriverpark.org/activities/pier-26-science-playground/

THANK YOU to Kathi Gulotta for suggesting this location!

NOTES

DATE:  WEDNESDAY JULY 31, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  PIER 25 AND 26 

TRANSPORTATION: #1 TRAIN TO FRANKLIN ST.

Tom Otterness: Real World 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCUrbanSketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0554
• Water and Bathrooms are available
• There is no food service on this site.  Bring your own.
• Bring a stool for best sketching opportunities
• Bring a hat and sun screen

SATURDAY: Sketch the Grotto

 

Years ago I walked my dog in Central Park every day.  I thought I knew the park pretty well.  However if you had told me that there was an actual waterfall in the park, I’d  have been surprised.

Well, there are at least five waterfalls in Central Park, and all are completely man-made. Three of the most impressive waterfalls are located in the Loch, situated in the Ravine, the stream valley section of the North Woods. The water that flows through them is NYC drinking water, which comes from a 48-inch pipe hidden by the rocks at the Pool Grotto on West 100th Street, yet the waterfalls look very natural. Charming stone bridges cross the stream, and the area is cool and quiet. Watching the water gush down the giant boulders into dark ponds, it is easy to forget you are in the middle of Manhattan!

The Grotto is one of my favorite art spots in the park. Entering from 103 Street on the Upper West Side takes you through several gorgeous very sketch-able scenes before you even get to the waterfall.  There are loads of mature trees providing ample shade for us.  Prepare for a lovely day!

DETAILS

When:  SATURDAY, July 27, 2024 at 10 AM

Where: The Grotto in Central Park.    Enter Central Park at West 103 Street.  We’ll meet just inside the park by the entrance.  (see map below)

                 

Lunch: 12:00 Noon - There is a large shaded lawn that we pass on the way to the waterfall that is an excellent spot for lunch and our Show and Tell.  Bring your own food or depend on park vendors.  It’s a bit of a hike to get to Columbus Ave stores.  

Afternoon:  1 PM (approx) - Back sketching.

Show and Tell:  We’ll probably use our lunch spot  at 3:00 PM to share our artwork, tell stories, and talk about art supplies.

NOTE: 

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it always gives you more options. 

-      Anyone you see sketching is very likely in our group.

-      Prepare for sunshine

-      Bathrooms are nearby but it's a 10 minute walk uphill to get there (downhill going back!)

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

There are no fees.   

All drawing skill levels are welcome.

FRIDAY, July 26, 2024: Westchester Sketchers at the Harrison Library

 

We will be sketching in the charming Town/Village of Harrison - on the expanse of land and park directly in front of the Harrison Library (Halperin Building) and across from the Harrison Train Station.  What is there to sketch?  Quaint houses, a gazebo, war memorials, the train station, a municipal building, or people.  

    

DETAILS:

DATE: FRIDAY, July 26 2024

LOCATION: The park expanse between the Harrison Train Station and the Harrison Library. 

2 Bruce Ave, Harrison, NY 10528 Phone: (914) 835-0324.

DIRECTIONS by TRAIN (From NYC):
Metro-North New Haven Line from Grand Central Terminal to the Harrison Station. You will need to cross the elevated bridge over the tracks to reach the park in front of the Harrison Library. 

START TIME: 10:00 AM.  We will meet in front of the Library.

LUNCH: 12:45 PM, followed by SHOW & TELL. This is the social part of our day when we share our drawings, tips, and stories.  It is a time not to be missed.

NOTES:

• There is a deli on the corner of Harrison Avenue, within walking distance of the park.
• There is street parking near the private houses on Bruce Street, one-hour parking in front of the municipal building, and 2-hour parking in front of the train walkway.
• Harrison Library opens at 10:00 AM so you should be able to find parking in front of the library.
• There are seating options in the park and around the Library, but bring a stool for more options.
• In case of rain showers, we will head indoors to sketch in the Harrison Library or St. Gregory's Church on Halstead Avenue.

Please send questions, comments and RSVP directly to Marianne (mmilzoff@optimum.net). 

Looking for us?
Call/text: Marianne at (914) 355-6507.

There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome. 

 

Weekday Sketchers At Pier 57

Oh, the weather is so unpredictable ....let's go where we have choices indoors or out!

Pier 57 on the Hudson River will give us options for sketching indoors if it rains or outdoor if the sun shines.  The Rooftop Park will give us uninterrupted views of the river, New Jersey and Little Island. Indoors big windows will give us options if it rains.  The food stalls, the constant parade of people and the views will keep us busy even in bad weather. 

 Converted from an old Marine Terminal, Google has taking over the space and created something new and exciting in this city. (Which is a feat in and of itself!).  To learn more about the Pier 57, its history and conversion to an exciting multi-use location, click here: https://pier57nyc.com

DATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATON: PIER 57

                        25 11th Avenue  at approximately 15th Street

      We will meet in the food hall at the rear of the first floor if it is raining or on the roof if it is sunny 

TRANSPORTATION:  A, C, E or L train to 14th Street. 

                                    Then walk west to the Hudson River or take the crosstown bus 

NOTES

• Please RSVP directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@nycurbansketchers.org
• Looking for Us? Call or text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• Water, food and bathroom are available.
• Buy lunch from the many food vendors or bring your own
• We will meet in the food hall toward the back of the pier if it is raining or on the roof if it is sunny.                          

SATURDAY: Sketch at our Famous Annual Picnic

 

New York, our home town, has three very impressive Botanic Gardens.  The New York Botanical is in the Bronx and is huge with vistas and views.  Brooklyn's Botanic Garden is a bit smaller but equally comprehensive.  The Queens Botanic Gardens is a small jewel, easily walkable with everything you'd want to inspire your art.  

For the third year we are holding our famous Annual Picnic there.  The 39-acre site features a rose garden, a bee garden, an herb garden, a wedding garden, perennial gardens; an arboretum; and an art gallery.  If we have rain, no problem, we've rented an indoor space to accommodate everyone.

The garden charges a $10 admission fee (click here).  We will have refreshments and drinks, but you should bring your own lunch or depend on the stores and shops in the neighborhood.

This is a fundraiser for us.  We have prizes donated by our generous sponsors, Blick, Daniel Smith, Etchr, Legion Paper, Strathmore, Stillman and Birn. We'll also have raffle prizes with cool things for artists, a “Garage” Sale of new and gently used art supplies. Please bring cash or checks for these items.

We will be doing a timed sketch crawl through the park organized by Mel Barranco.

DETAILS

What: NYC Urban Sketchers Third Annual Picnic Summer Celebration

Where: The Queens Botanical Gardens - 43-50 Main St, Queens.  There is a $10 entrance fee - tickets can be purchased here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-urban-sketchers-famous-third-annual-picnic-summer-celebration-tickets-902234225857?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing

• Bring your receipt

When: Get there at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 20th, 2024. Sleeping late? Come anyway - we’ll be there.

Timeline: 

The garden is open 8am-6pm. You are welcome within that time. But our sketch event will be as follows:

10:00am: Official start to sketch event

11:00am: Raffle items on view and raffle ticket sales start, Garage Sale open.

12:00:  Lunch: Bring your own , or get lunch in the area, there are many choices!

1:00 pm-1:30 pm: Sketch Walk with Mel Barranco

2 :00 pm: Last call for bids. Refreshments

2 :45 pm: Winner announcements. Must be present to win.

How:

Directions by CAR:

Parking Garden Entrance (parking costs $10  in addition to the the admission fee) 42-80 Crommelin Street, Flushing

Midtown Tunnel — Tunnel to Long Island Expressway (East) to Exit 23 Main Street. Turn left onto Main Street. Follow to Dahlia Avenue and turn left. Dahlia Avenue becomes Crommelin Street. The parking lot entrance is on the left.

Triborough Bridge — Bridge to Grand Central Parkway to Long Island Expressway (East). Follow directions from Midtown Tunnel.

Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island — Belt Parkway or Jackie Robinson Parkway to Van Wyck Expressway to Exit 12A (College Point Boulevard). Follow College Point Boulevard to Blossom Avenue. Make right. Blossom Avenue becomes Crommelin Avenue. Make a quick right into the Garden’s parking lot.

Long Island — Long Island Expressway (West) to Exit 23 Main Street. Make right turn on Main Street. Follow to Dahlia Avenue and turn left on Dahlia Avenue. Dahlia Avenue becomes Crommelin Street. The parking lot entrance is on the left.

New Jersey — New Jersey Turnpike to George Washington Bridge I-87 south to Triborough Bridge. Follow directions from Triborough Bridge.

Upstate and Connecticut — Throgs Neck Bridge to Clearview Expressway to Long Island Expressway (West). Follow directions from Long Island.

Directions by BUS

Take Q44SBS or Q20A/B from the Bronx or Jamaica, or in Flushing.

Directions by TRAIN

Take the no. 7 subway or Long Island Rail Road (Port Washington line) to Main Street/Flushing.

Then, take the Q44SBS or Q20A/B bus, or walk eight blocks south to QBG along Main Street.

 NOTE:

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it always gives you more options.

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

There are no fees.   All drawing skill levels are welcome.

 

Weekday Sketchers Event Canceled for Wednesday July 17, 2024

The weather forecast is for Wednesday is in the mid 90's with high humidity.  Not a good day to be out and about. Watch for announcements for next week's event. 

Weekday Sketchers at Teardrop Park

Nestled behind the World Financial Center in Battery Park City is a wonderful oasis filled with trees, waterfalls, waterslides, green lawns and shady nooks.  It is called Teardrop Park.  Come and climb the rocks, sit in the shady alcoves and marvel at how quickly the city falls away as we sketch this bucolic corner of the world. 

DAATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  TEARDROP PARK

                            We will meet at the south end of the park. See note below

TRANSPORTATION:  ANY TRAIN THAT COMES NEAR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

Teardrop Park





NOTES

• Please RSVP Directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or Text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• We will meet at the entrance to the park at the south end of the park off River Terrace across from the Irish Hunger Museum.  There is an archway in the building next to the coffee shop. Wa;lk through the archway into the park   Or enter from Murray Street.  If you come later, just look for us. 
• Lots of benches but bring a stool for more options
• Water and Bathrooms are available
• There is no food service in the park but lots of vendors nearby, or bring your own.

 

 

Weekday Sketchers Event Canceled for Wednesday July 17, 2024

The weather forecast is for Wednesday is in the mid 90's with high humidity.  Not a good day to be out and about. Watch for announcements for next week's event. 

Weekday Sketchers at Teardrop Park

Nestled behind the World Financial Center in Battery Park City is a wonderful oasis filled with trees, waterfalls, waterslides, green lawns and shady nooks.  It is called Teardrop Park.  Come and climb the rocks, sit in the shady alcoves and marvel at how quickly the city falls away as we sketch this bucolic corner of the world. 

DAATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2024

STARTING TIME: 10:30 AM

LOCATION:  TEARDROP PARK

                            We will meet at the south end of the park. See note below

TRANSPORTATION:  ANY TRAIN THAT COMES NEAR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

Teardrop Park





NOTES

• Please RSVP Directly to Raylie Dunkel at President@NYCurbansketchers.org
• Looking for us? Call or Text Raylie at 201-273-0445
• We will meet at the entrance to the park at the south end of the park off River Terrace across from the Irish Hunger Museum.  There is an archway in the building next to the coffee shop. Wa;lk through the archway into the park   Or enter from Murray Street.  If you come later, just look for us. 
• Lots of benches but bring a stool for more options
• Water and Bathrooms are available
• There is no food service in the park but lots of vendors nearby, or bring your own.

 

If It Rains on Saturday

 

Re:  Saturday: Sketch the Red Hook Waterfront

When the event was posted, Saturday was supposed to be the best day of the week!  It looked like we'd have moderate temperatures with no sign of rain.   Twenty four hours later the forecast said there's a 65% chance of rain this Saturday.  

I'm not concerned - here's why:

1.  There is an IKEA store near the ferry.  IKEA opens at 10 AM when we arrive.  IKEA has a wonderful cafeteria.  If it's raining when we arrive, that's where we will go.  I have confidence in our creativity, if we spend the morning sketching in the cafeteria we will do some amazing work.

2.  The rain this summer has frequently been spot showers. The rain can be heavy but it's over quickly.  If that's the case we won't need shelter for long.

3.  The morning is dedicated to sketching the neighborhood, or IKEA Cafeteria view.  For the afternoon we are attending a gallery opening - Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition featuring work by some of our friends.

I'm  amending the NOTES section:

NOTES:

-      Bring a stool if you have one, it gives you more options.

-      Bring an umbrella

-      Hope for sunshine.

-      There are two ferries that go to Redhook, one charges a modest fee and runs frequently.  You will need to walk a few blocks to get to IKEA.  There is also a dedicated IKEA ferry which is free, stops closer to the store but runs less frequently.