Leigh Memorial, Historical Architecture in Parramatta

I'm searching for my own style in architecture drawing. I'd really appreciate your feedback on different approaches : "traditional vs loose." Leigh Memorial is a Victorian Gothic church opened in 1885. Today, it's Uniting church in Parramatta. This historical and very charming architecture elegantly stands opposite to Parramatta Artists Studios on Macquarie St. 

A first image is created by a traditional methods. The church building has unified colours on it. My paints have come together well. The colour of a shadow seems fit to the architecture. I really enjoyed drawing. Street walkers often talked to me. Thanks for cheers! 

The black and white is below. In the colour work, added people show a scale of the building and something humane.  

A loose image is below. In fact, I had done it earlier than the work created by a traditional drawing methods. I enjoyed colours in a quick way. But my eyes have told that the building is too thin. So, I made the building stout in the first image. I tried Leigh Memorial for several times. The more, I draw, the more, I learn. What do you think these two different modes?  

In my eyes, the drawing of architecture, itself, is not so complicated, as long as my eyes capture a building as a "mass" and chunk it down in simple 3D. A headache is architecture demands preciseness in drawing. Of course, there are many artists cook architectures by their unique styles. Produced architectures taste good and so beautiful, which very much interests me! 

I need more time to learn how I loose up architectures/landscapes or try other drawing methods. Practice gives me answers. I'm very proud of messed up papers! 
Btw, we're getting into autumn. It was very cold today. What about your area? Take care. 
Friends, Happy Painting!      

Awesome Recycled Architecture Fair in Sydney Festival

Roll up, roll up! Any family, come, join "Architectura de Feria" = "Architecture Fair" in Prince Alfred park in Parramatta from 7–26 January. All the rides are free and run by manpower -- on nothing electronic! Parents and children play together from rides, shooing, a bicycle racing game to fascinating machines in a fairground. An artist, Jordà Ferré has recycled materials and turned objects to surprising machines/architectures. I sketched most of the works! They have classical, yet, unique, elegant and amazing shapes and brilliant functions! What an ecological and environmental friendly “Antigua I Barbuda Catalonia Australian Exclusive”!
A very sophisticated art work I realised is at the entrance of Riverside Theatres opposite to the Prince Alfred square, below.

Friends, can you guess what that machine (above) is for? Can you tell how it works? “For a dentist use,” a lady said – Na! What else? Any one?

It’s a wine server! How graceful it is! Can't you believe it? Here we go, its YouTube. A distinct and incomparable concept is the key of all the art works created by Jordà. 

I met the artist Jordà in person, while I was sketching a Ferris wheel. Lovely Jordà is a Catalan speaker. Come on, Spanish and Catalan speaking blog readers. Let’s have fun!  

This Ferris wheel is run by a mom or a dad’s hands! Children ride on toilet seats. Hilarious and a wonderful humour! Of course, riding children are so happy. Look at this smiling boy. Only the shame is that I cannot enjoy it because of my weight (max. weight 45kg). Lovely staff always asks audience and children to put hands together for a volunteer's vigorous exercise at any machine. The art work and the event are very heart warming, comical and entertaining as well as serious and beautiful. 

All the staff centralise children and respect them as well as parents. The children and disadvantaged people are heroes and winners in the event. Parents wind up handles or spin pedals to work these machines for children. Below, at the right side of the Ferris wheel, you can find two tyres and a belt. THERE, a volunteer cranks a handle. Parents, it's a good exercise and sure, you'll be fit! 

But also the artist and the team have set special seats for exhausted parents like the rides offered for children. Only parents may take comfy big seats and children move fans, in turn of their parents’ hard work after all the rides! How’s that! How well-organised event this is! It is wonderful to see a sweet interaction between parents and children in family. I’d like to say special thanks to the staff, especially, the team who came a long way from Spain. It is their sensitive and enormous efforts that run this wonderful family event successful and happy for anyone! Children, please handle the staff with care, because they are fragile and easy to be broken. 

Let’s try another ride of a merry-go-round. Each ride in it is has a unique shape designed for a parent/carer and a child. Yes, the artist designed two seats for children and parents to have fun together. I love to watch each “art work” in carousels. I like the double seated red airplane most! Originality is outstanding. If you like, you can try another carousel. It has a cool airplane, a funny crocodile, a rocket and so on. Children, people, all cheer up Mom or Dad working hard for carousels!   

Ok, would you like to try something different from a ride? Here’s the shooting for children. You can try three times at a bicycle bell. Do you kne? The bullets are pits of olive! Each time, a child must EAT up an olive. Excellent humour!! According to staff, “No one has ever shot three times. Only twice. If you can make it, you’re the champion!” Kids, go and try! You may become a world record holder. What a clever setting! An out of mark hits piano wires and makes a dramatic and formidable sound in a low key. Another fun game is a bicycle race like "Le Tour de France"! Two people on station bikes move their miniature and tiny bikes in a course on a big table. We cheer up participants around the table! Children, go for it! You may beat adults! I love all the games and to hear people's hot cheers and big laugh, here, there, everywhere. 

Parents, children, you can't miss this fantastic and free event. Come and say hello to the wonderful team from Spain and locals. A local Sydney Festival staff talked to me and enjoyed a chat. His say was my great reward. Children, too, talked to me. 
Oh, yes, nice live music is also free. The machines are beautiful in lights at night and in a comfortable cool weather. (*we're in summer!)  

Finally, I'd say special thanks for all the staff, anyone involved with the event and children and parents. You've brought us such a wonderful event freebie! You've also cheered me up to keep on these sketches. Thank you for your friendship! My own blog is here, "Sadami's Graffiti," in which my hands think and I particularly love drawing us, people. 

Friends, Happy Painting!  

Parramatta Changing Into Australia's Great City

Hi, Friends, I'm sketching architectures to show changing Parramatta in both black and white and colours. The development plan will transform Parramatta into Australia's great city in commercial, cultural, medical and social phases. You can check the info here, "Parramatta Major Development." Parramatta interests me by her strong contrasts : historical vs modern, chaotic vs neat, back streets vs promenades. European settlers marked a first step on Parramatta. Already, this city has become the CBD that has collected Departments of NSW State Government, Court etc as well as City in Sydney ( = Gov Depts often have dual addresses equally in City and Parramatta). The function of Parramatta is increasing.

St John's Anglican Church and Parish (*All work size is A4)  

A restaurant on Church St called "Eat Street" 

In order to enhance Parramatta's function and upgrade the quality of life, reconstruction and refurbishment has started. In the very near future, sky high towers will stand in Parramatta : Western Sydney University, Cumberland Newspaper/News Ltd Site (Media Centre), Westmead Medical Research Hub, a shopping centre etc, etc. The new huge car parks are ongoing that I sketched. 

Also, Parramatta CBD is culturally rich to have over 180 restaurants, cafes, eateries and bars that have the most exotic cuisines from around the world. Especially, Church St is called "Eat street." It has many yummy restaurants on both sides. I sketched the Italian restaurant from the opposite side, near to a traffic light (the second image). Thank you for the ice cream shop staff. They respected me and turned a blind eye for my sketching...and gave me "Wow!"

Unlike my figures with graphite, my architecture takes time. It's not a loose style. Regarding colours, I'm playing with them, whilst sticking to reality at the moment. I want more time to explore my own watercolour style in architecture. My current figurative drawing and loose painting has taken years to develop from a traditional classic style. Or I may stay with this accurate drawing in architecture? So far, I feel comfortable and it's fun. See how it goes.

Back to the topic. Parramatta is going to be the great city. I want to explore this city more. Dynamically and dramatically, Parramatta is dressing up herself! I look forward to what sort of lady will come up. 
Btw, often my sketching puzzles people walking by on streets. They talk to me, "You're drawing!" with surprise. Maybe, my drawing is mismatching to a restaurant or a car park or a construction site?! I believe an artist is a person who has the eye to discover the beauty in ordinary objects. An object will turn to be a subject and begin to shine. We, artists pick up a gem from mud.

Did you enjoy my architecture? Any feedback is welcome. If you like, I'll post architectural drawings more, picking up an interesting topic from time to time. Local shops and Parramatta Heritage Centre welcome my sketching. Passer-bys cheer me up. They are very nice and supportive ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ. Thank you!!
Btw, some Friends may say, "Hey, Sadami, you've hated architecture?" Well, here's a bit funny story how I cured the dislike with these architectural paintings between editor Helen Chamberlin, Australian celebration and me and my tips how to sketch architecture. If you like to read on it, come over my blog post, "My dislike of architecture cured by Parramatta sketches" at "Sadami's Graffiti".

Friends, Happy Painting! 

Bibliography
Parramatta Council (2015) "Building Australia's Next Great City-- Changes Ahead,"
http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/your_council/news/changes_ahead
Parramatta Council (2014) "Parramatta Major Development" 
http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/work/economic_development/major_developments

Sydney Festival Inspired Seduced Elated in Summer

Hi, Friends, are you in winter or summer? 
Come join Sydney Festival (9 - 26 Jan) This art festival celebrates visual art, music, dance, performance or whole art areas. Event locations are varied in Sydney. Many programs are in City and Parramatta.

Some events and programs are free and very fascinating : Project 28 : Roman Ondak ( we, laypersons mark our "names" on a wall that makes art and eternity!), Sacrilege (Interpreted "Stonehenge" in a contemporary way --"JUMPING CASTLE"!!),  Rubber Duck (5 story-high, not Ernie's one!) and Library (secondhand books exchange!). Which event do you like? 

First, "Project 28, Roman Ondak (artist's name)" that has fascinated me most ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ. Friends, don't we wish to mark our existance as eternity in universe? If so, this creative public art is yours. Anyone can leave a name and a date on walls set in Parramatta Town Hall. I wondered how the artist would decide my name's position on a wall? Friends, by an individual "hight," staff puts a name on a wall. According to the project team, hight is "Measuring the Universe." Neither assets, nationality, race, gender, age, religion, social class nor any social filters set in society.

I also ponder about Nazi concentration camps that completely denied both individuality and humanity of Jewish people. Individuals were recongnised only by numbers, not names. This beautiful work already has fascinated visitors at some of the world's greatest museums and galleries.

So wise and clever! 
Interestingly, our own hight looks individual, in fact, it is quite similar among adults. Consequetnly, the art becomes collective and inclusive. Our names come together at a very similar position. How thoughtful the artist is! All participants look very happy and often take photos of their names. Of course, you can interpretate this art work freely and differently. What do you think or feel, Friends? The art work makes me think of eternity, our existance, similarity/equality and difference/individuality on the earth and in universe. The staff and volunteers invite me to come again to see the finsihed work at the end of the Festival. Sure! I will!

Guitar play at a fountain in Hyde Park. 

We really loved live music.

Second, Sacrilege or Stonehenge, but a huge "JUMPING CASTLE" in a festival village in Hyde Park at the heart of Sydney City. This stunningly big jumping castle faces St Mary Cathedral. The artist might think of the same common element, "spirituality" between Stonehenge and a big gothic church. What a unique and great humour!! ~(*o*)~ Who can connect Stonehenge to a jumping castle, so much our everyday stuff? Oh, creativity is amazing. I always wanted to sketch Stonehenge. Now, my dream has come true! Children get excited so much and enjoy bouncing. But after the playing time, all participants get so exhausted. Jumping seems energy consuming work! Friends, you have to come and see and jump!

Third, Rubber Duck comes back and up on Parramatta River. This rediculously enormous Rubber Duck makes us smile by its mismatch between seirousness and humour in art. It always reminds me of Ernie in Sesami street. But who can imagine this size? -- only artists can do ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ. Many people come around and look at it, enjoying picnic in Parramatta park.  

Last, "Library" in a festival village in Hyde Park under beautiful and cool shades. Sydney Council runs this project. They set freebie secondhand books on shelves and visitors can pick up books. One person one book. Children's picture books are very popular and quickly gone! Many people enjoy reading books that makes me very happy. Around a library, people play chess and kids play wooden blocks. Cheerful voices and laugh often come up. Lovely, so lovely. 

Librarians/staff are looking forward to my blog post. ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ·.•*•♫°•♫·.•ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ

Finally, I'd say special thanks for volunteers and staff and all backstage players who have been carrying out this wonderful festival for us.

 
Friends, if you can, come over Sydney and let's have fun together and join art work!! Or do you have any event like Sydney festival? Let me hear about yours.

You, too, enjoy drawing.
Friends, Happy Painting!!  

Parramasala Indian Festival & Multiculturalism

Hi, Friends, did you have any event? We enjoyed a Labour Day long weekend and summer time started! I joined Parramasala 2013, the annual Australian Festival of South Asian Arts that celebrates cultural diversity. Many events were free. Family and kids enjoyed Indian food, music, dance and film. 

Bollywood super star and world most popular actor, "Shahrukh Khan" did a close concert tonight in Sydney Olympic Park. Actually, this year, camels joined the event! They became super stars among kids...and me!! 

Wonderful to feel embraced multiculturalism. Multicultural Australia Council claims that since WWII, over seven million migrants have settled in Australia. Today, Australians speak more than 260 languages and identify over 270 ancestries. We, Australians are flourish in a wide range of linguistic and cultural diversity.

I walked around the Masala markets, a stage and "Chai temple" set up for a rest, free music and family programs such as "storytelling time" like a library.  

It was lovely to see children and adults in ethnic costume proudly and naturally. Very colourful. But any child behaves same! Whilst this girl's family were enjoying music on a stage, she really got bored. Oh, so cute and beautiful like a bloom outed flower!

Although the girl above did not like noises, we, adults danced and sang along to the music played on a stage. Hey, we got excited with  music and lights in the evening. Also, I became a friend with a guy who was in charge of stage lights. A very kind man! I always thank for backstage players and love them all. 

Different cultures and languages enrich our lives and society, while our universal language such as music and art always unites us. Oh, yes, kids were enjoying putting "paints" on boards to create a big drawing in a park. Nice, joyful and so peaceful! 
What about your countries, Friends? 

May Australia will maintain this rich cultural and linguistic diversity forever! 

Friends, Happy Painting!

 

                                 Bibliography

A Multicultural Council (2012), "A Multicultural Australia," online.

Dept Immigration and Border Protection (2012), "What is multiculturalism?" in National Agenda for a Multiculral Australia, online, media release. 


   

Ice Skating Rink & Life Experience

Hi, Friends, how have you been? Are you enjoying summer or winter? We, Australians are in the middle of winter and school holidays. Parramatta Council has set an ice rink in Parramatta (27 June - 14 July) Now, I'll take you to the rink!  Kids are so cute! 

Most children experice skating for the first time. Some kids get very scared and "walk" like "tiptoe, balancing.... Oooops!" But children get so excited, too! 

People look at my sketching, but all respect me (thank u!). A mom showed my sketch to her crying daughter who had slipped badly. My work made her happy and she stopped crying!! •*•♫°•♫·.•ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ

This girl below looked so charming after skating. I wondered what she was thinking of.

Skating is challening. Some children cling to a fence. Many parents take photos and cheer up kids.

How cute  these slipping kids!  Really fallen angels!
The more, slip on the ice, the sooner we learn skating. One mother said to me with a wink, "Just she will have some bruises tomorrow and ok!" Yes! Skating is much like life experience in general. We need to be brave to challenge new things and get how to handle it! 

Friends, can you hear kids and parents bouncing voices? 
We are having a great fun! The skate rink staff and securities invite me for skating. Nice!!

Let's challenge new things and learn it.  
Enjoy your own season.

Happy Painting!!

Sydney International Chess Tournament

Hi, Friends, did you enjoy a weekend? 
I enjoyed sketching "Sydney International Open Chess Tournament" held from 10-15 April in Parramatta Town Hall. The sketches were done by the courtesy of Mr Shane Burgess, vice president of NSW Chess Association. 66 players had battled everyday from morning to evening for prizes. 
Friends, shhhh, later, I'll tell you how to beat an opponent with "tricks."ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ

My first impression. A player's concentration was astonishing. Crashing an opponent is an ultimate goal in a tournament. Huge pressures are on players. In high tension, each player's body language told me very well about what was going on and who was a winner or a loser. I was quite empathic for a loser. 

But a player told me, "No! Body language does not always match a player's thinking. Chess is much like a poker." Then, the giggling female player whispered me two tricks.

Trick1 : Pretending! A player pretends perfectly ok at a bad movement and puts pressures on an opponent. Or a reverse, "smokescreen," a player pretends as if he has made a great mistake, in fact, a very clever movement. Or another player always keeps "smiling" in any context.
Oh, I see! Chess certainly is a psychological game!

Trick 2 : Maximize What You Have?!
Another trick I heard was, a woman's "sexuality show-off," = put on a very pretty and low cut shirt to show your "milk-tanks." It distracts a male player. Male players told me, "And they (=women) lean forward, while they are struggling. Once, they feel they can win, then, they will not show it any more!"  Players and I chuckled together!
Friends, if you play chess with a male friend next time, go for it. You may beat him, "Checkmate, daarrrling"?! ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ Or, gentlemen, when you play chess with women, look at a flat chess board, not at "two mountains." Otherwise, you'll be led into a death valley.

By the way, chess players and visual artists have similarities in socio-economic aspects. Financially, chess hardly supports a player. Many chess players have day jobs or teaching others chess for income. Also, a social status is low for chess players as well as artists. It is a great shame neither chess players nor visual artists are respected well. An artist once said to me, "Think this -- society without art! Where's happiness and joy? We, visual artists have to do strike!" I'd say the same is true of chess players in society.

Ultimately, chess is interactions between two people. After the game, both sides shook hands and smiled at each other, which touched me, too. Wonderful! Players know very well each other. The tournament is a "chess lovers community" and "socialisation."    

It was so lovely to make friends with chess players, who respect a visual artist. Finally, I'd say special thanks for Mr Burgess and his staff or backstage players who organised the event. You're great!!

(*Three other chess players sketches are available at my blog, "Sadami's Graffiti.") 

Friends, Happy Painting!!

 "Parramatta Town Hall"

Rokia Traoré in Parra Opening

Hi, Friends, did you enjoy your weekend? 
Sydney Festival is a big event (Jan 5 to 27). I really enjoyed Sydney Festival Parramatta Opening on 19th Jan. Parramatta had many exciting "free" events last Saturday.

The most impressive concert was "Rokia Traore" late in the evening. I heard a beautiful sound from a school yard on my way home. When I went down there, I missed out more than the half of the concert. I listened to Rokia for the first time. 

Both songs content and her voice seemed to have strong messages (*I could not understand her language). One song she dedicated for African mothers was very touchy (she explained about it in English).  Her guitar sounded so sweet and caring. 
Despite patchy and slight rain, people stayed in the field and shared wonderful time with Rokia and her band. People around me began to enjoy looking at my sketching. We smiled each other.

Other day time events were for kids and parents such as "megaphones."  Children really loved them all. Hahaha. Quite cute. 
I shouted, "I luv ye~~~!" Could you hear it? 

Another nice one was a "pyrophone." That's an amazing ship and instrument! When I saw it from a distance, I mistook it for a xylophone. My friend said, "No, it's a pyrophone." He told me about the similar instruments in Fiji and other countries. He was right! My friends and I all loved this ship sailing across a dream.

I met a creator Steven in person later. He was very approachable. Steven kindly explained about the code theory and the ship design from his childhood memory. All the crew were very nice. We enjoyed a chat. This close-up sketch was done before sunset. 
Now, Friends, why did I sketch it in a day time?   

Yes, your guessing is right! "Fire!" 
The crew and the captain, Steven used "fire"! Very eye catchy. Strong visual effects, a story performance ( fire on a ship and the crew dashed to a board) and music changed into up beat. It excited all audience.  
It's really lovely to see a person pursuing a dream and making it come true.

I really enjoyed the Parra Opening and refreshed myself. 
Friends, let us sail into our dreams and enjoy our journeys.
Happy Sketching!!

Merry Xmas from Parramatta

Hi, Friends, are you enjoying a festive season? 
With all my heart, I wish you a Merry Christmas, a very Happy New Year and a safe festive season. 
Whilst sketching, I always laugh, smile, dance, sing and whistle. I always sketch anyone. Oh, in my eyes, everyone is so precious and beautiful. I heartily hope 2013 will be a wonderful year for you, readers.

A big Christmas tree has been set up before Town Hall. (*Australia is in a HOT summer!)  

Banners have decorated streests, which makes a festive mood in a town. Nice!

Santa is, oh, so popular among kids and even us, adults. A good queue to sit with him. Kids and parents were looking at my drawing with curiosity. Hahaha! Or I should say, "Hohoho!"

In front of Town Hall, there are many carol concerts. This boy was so cute and he struggled hard to stay tuned in a Council band. 

It's lovely to see people's good will for "giving" in this festive season. Indeed, I always find people in need. 
Christmas is a good time to think of love and giving each other.  

Friends, thank you for your great friendship and so caring support all through the year. It has encouraged me very much.

Take care and enjoy this season.
Happy Painting, Friends.  
See you next year, soon!!

Best wishes, Sadami