Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Beauty and The Beast

In this case, the beast is pollution. I joined the NYC Urban Sketchers and the Gowanus Canal Conservancy last Saturday to draw for conservation. As my sketching buddies and I recorded the canal, in its glimmering, albeit scary, luminosity, the Conservancy workers were clearing debris, and cleaning up the waterfront to a great Latin music track. Tireless, they were- and are, as we were treated to an overview of the history and the long road ahead to clear up the sludge, deceptive under the bright blue and green of the canal. For the artist, it was a visual treat. The majesty of the industrial environment against the bright blue sky. Deep shadows and glistening highlights. The canal has its doubters, but there is a core group of people, plugging away. I was honored to be there that day.






7 comments:

Joan Tavolott said...

It was a great day of sketching at the canal. Nice pieces...funny that my favorite is the first one without the color. Nice shading on all of them. Hope we get to sketch together soon.

memi said...

I hope so, too, Joan.

We'll have to make it happen.

Thanks so much.
You know that I am very partial to black and white.

Don McNulty said...

Always a treat to cruise through your drawings here. Glad you post.

Don McNulty said...

Always a treat to cruise through your drawings here. Glad you post.

Murray Dewhurst said...

Awesome sketches Melanie!

memi said...

Thanks for stopping by, Murray!

h geo said...

Hey Memi,
I am currently working at Gowanus Canal Conservancy and creating a gowanus workbook for middle school students. I love your sketches and would like to know if I can use one in the work book? If you are open to this or have questions please reach out