The Big City -- finale

had intended to sketch more, but got sort of overwhelmed by it all, and I'm not a natural sketcher yet anyway... but I did do a couple drawings on pages prepared with a color wash -- I watercolored the sketches on the bus on the way home -- hooray for the waterbrush and travel watercolors!!

the hats were on people around me as I sat underground at Rockefeller Center and watched the skaters outdoors.



My foot looks rather clumpy, but I was comemorating my tired and sore feet, so I'm OK with them seeming heavy... they certainly felt it!!

The Big City - Part 3

Most of my afternoon was spent pushing my way through the midtown crowds, or standing in line, or resting my feet when I would find a rare seat, but after all that fun :0) I headed off to the newly reopened "Top of the Rock" to get the views from the 68th, 69th, and 70th floors.

http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

I'm not all that good with heights, but this was a view I has to see. I had unearthed a vintage picture of some school group taken in 1949 from up there when I was researching "Broadway Bound" this summer, so I was anxious to see it for myself.

http://www.treadwellny.com/NYC1948.htm

Had it been warmer, and had there been any place to sit down, I would no doubt have stayed till after dark, but I did manage to schedule my visit for sundown, which was lovely.

The Big City -- Part 2

So after the peaceful park, I headed further down 53rd Street to see what the American Folk Art Museum had to offer.

The current exhibits feature drawings by obsessive compulsive types who use their drawing as a way to channel and manage their compulsions. Quite intriguing. Also, an exhibit on painted furniture that was really interesting.

Plus, a collection of odd and wonderful things ... bread bag wrapper rugs, hand embroidered art quilts, some sketch books (many done by prisoners, interestingly), and I keep kicking myself for not pulling out my sketch book and trying to capture the evil kangaroo on the top floor (next to the angry monkey). They were very odd, large, carved animals and totally fascinating.

check it out if you are in the neighborhood: http://www.folkartmuseum.org/

The Country Mouse goes to the Big City - part 1

The library I work for sponsored a "do your own thing" trip to NYC last weekend, so I took the rare opportunity to travel from the middle of central Pennsylvania to the Big Big Apple. Decided I couldn't afford ticket to a show, so I would spend some time in museums.

But my first stop was a little park that I kept hearing about, so after being dropped off mid-town, I strolled up Madison Avenue to 53rd and had the pleasure of finally seeing tiny little Paley Park. Since it was 30 odd degrees out I was the only one there, but the waterfall was falling and the chairs were just sitting around waiting for people. I'd heard the park's reputation for peacefulness and it really outdid itself on this chilly day!!