My urbansketching journey
I have always enjoyed painting and experimented with various mediums, such as oils, pastels, acrylics, graphite, and watercolors. However, I wasn't consistent due to different circumstances that led me to stop painting for over ten years. Nevertheless, the desire to engage in creative activities persisted. Working in art museums for over 15 years kept me connected to the art world, inspiring me daily.
After completing my PhD, I became pregnant with my daughter. But I really wanted to paint again. Oils were too toxic for my apartment in New York City. So, I opted for watercolors. I painted for a few months until my daughter was born. Life became busy again with a full-time job and a little one to care for.
Three years later, my son was born at the beginning of the pandemic. Like many others, I needed something to motivate me, disconnect from the news, and nurture my creativity. Time was limited, making watercolor a convenient choice due to its quick drying nature, simple setup, and easy cleanup. I decided to take online courses in drawing and watercolor painting.
Me sketching with DC UrbanSketchers at the Tidal Basin in DC
I began painting charming houses in the towns we visited in New York and New Jersey. I discovered my passion for painting on location. While researching this, I stumbled upon the urbansketching groups. Despite the pandemic forcing their meetings online, I joined the NYC group. In May 2022, they held their first in-person meeting and I was to happy to participate. The atmosphere was friendly, and it fascinated me how differently we all interpreted the same location in our drawings.
I now reside in the DMV area and serve as one of the coordinators for the urban sketching group in Washington DC. Through bi-monthly meetings and my personal sketches during family travels, I completed my first sketchbook this year. It contains 40 sketches painted on location! This journey has allowed me to paint more freely, let go of the pursuit of perfection, experiment with new art materials, and not worry about people observing me while I paint outdoors. Most importantly, it has been a fantastic experience meeting other sketchers from diverse places and having fun together.
