Planting Dreams

USK SYDNEY was treated last Saturday to a special event at the State library of NSW, called Planting Dreams: Shaping Australian Gardens.

 It has been curated by Richard Aitken,  a fellow sketcher from Melbourne, who searched through the State Library’s collections and selected more than 150 rare, beautiful and at times unlikely objects -  spanning over five centuries - to illustrate the rich and inspiring story of garden-making. Some of my favourite exhibits were books from the 1400s and 1500s, and the panorama sketchbooks / drawings like the one of Calcutta below, which were very inspiring for us as sketchers!







We felt a sense of being part of the continuing tradition of recording our surroundings that was so evident in them. The exhibition is on until the new year so those who missed this can still visit it another time. Thanks Richard for a great morning!

Brisbane Urban Sketchers - June Roundup..

June started with a washout rather than a Sketchout. After the monsoon let up the group was able to continue the month with a series of excellent Sketchouts. Our first  Sketchout was on Saturday 7th at Queens Park which is a compact venue with sketching opportunities in every direction.

The second Sketchout for the month was a visit to Fort Lytton for History Alive an  annual historical re-enactment festival. One member Christine managed to be there in two capacities, both as a sketcher and as a costumed re-enacter.  You can see  Christine with her authentic sketch kit on the right.

We followed up with Sketchouts at The Old Museum at Bowen Hills, Mowbray Park,the Barracks Precinct, Davies Park market at West End and finished up with a visit to the Brisbane Powerhouse and Newfarm Park where we met a new sketcher Angie and her baby George.

After the last ‘official’ Sketchout for the month some members were able to hold a final impromptu Sketchout at the Beenleigh Historical Village.


Roll on July!!

A Wet And Wild Day in Wollongong

Yesterday as much of our state was lashed by wild storms, some brave-hearted Sydney USKers ventured down to Wollongong to draw with a group of sketchers there who are keen to grow and become linked with us.  We caught an early train, and travelling together gave us a lovely chance to catch up and chat, which isn’t always what happens when we’re sketching outdoors on a sunny day.

Despite the fact that the planned itinerary was never going to work in that weather, we all found sketching spots under some degree of shelter. Some of us visited the art gallery, while others drew the Town Hall or the amazing architecture of the new Wollongong Central and its views. Its design is based on the industrial heritage of the city, and its landscape, reflected in the rust-coloured steel bars on the front  facade and the local flora designs as embellishments on the white panels.

Despite soggy shoes and wet clothing we had a great day and it was good to encourage the Wollongong group too. The itinerary they had planned for yesterday is all ready to use the next time we go down, and we thank them for their warm hospitality!