Variety Is the spice of life for this months sketching ambles

The past few weeks job search has for sure been a mental energy drain. So my primary goal this month in my sketching ambles is to replenish and enjoy myself. Scoping out locations and subject possibilities for sketching indoors when the weather is too cold or inclement will be a most welcome activity.
The real beauty of urban sketching is the variety of sketching possibilities. Since I have been so busy the last few weeks some of my sketching has been short but much enjoyed local outings.
Within the city (Salt Lake City) I stopped at the Salt Lake Public Library, (210 East 400 South) a perfect large indoor space for sketching. The library has shops a café and a coffee shop. The interior space is perfect for sketching. The library is readily accessible by public transportation. The UTA’s (Utah Transit Authority) Trax line stops right at the library.
http://www.slcpl.lib.ut.us/index.jsp
(Photos and sketches)
I also stopped and made a few sketches of Wheeler Farm a rural farm and regional park smack in the middle of the city also right on a UTA bus route that weekdays passes by every 15 minutes.
http://www.wheelerfarm.com/

One of my favorite day outings is to take one of the Casino sponsored tour busses to Wendover and sketch desert views and the Bonneville salt flats. (Photos and sketches)http://www.wasatchphoto.com/was-art/subpages/map2.htm
http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm

Drawing and exercise can take your mind off of what’s stressing you, at least for a few minutes. Taking time to let yourself be engrossed in your sketches, will enable you to divert from your current state of mind and can provide benefits similar to meditation. Afterwards you should have a clearer head with which to tackle your problems again

Springville Art Museum

Since my blog is centered on art I will include excursions to art museums along the Wasatch front and also Park City Utah.
The Springville Art Museum located in Springville Utah about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City is a gem for artists and those wanting to enjoy really fine art. (http://sma.nebo.edu/)
The Springville Art museum is a not to miss designation. While the art museum boasts some incredible works of art from Russia and other European art and artists I really like to think of the art museum as the museum for both established and emerging Utah art and artists.
It is difficult and sometimes nearly impossible for artists to have their work shown in a museum. This is not the case with the Springville museum. The regularly planned exhibits welcome Utah artists and their work.
I applaud the organization for its Spring Salon a once yearly exhibit amongst other shows featuring Utah artists. It is an opportunity for emerging artists to have a chance at recognition.
More than a museum the center is a hub for art activities for individuals of all ages.
One of their initiative is a state wide art partnership, SWAP, The Mission of SWAP, the State Wide Art Partnership is to help establish Visual Art Education as a regular part of the general curriculum in the Utah Schools. Through the various programs of the partnership, teachers can learn to understand and appreciate art in ways that may result in a lifelong commitment to art as a part of their lives.
http://sma.nebo.edu/education/swap/
There are many more community educational art opportunities. Check out their website at http://sma.nebo.edu/intermediary_nav/education_programs.html
The Springville Art Museum is a location I will be frequenting often. Check out my photos and sketches of the grounds and the new outdoor sculpture garden.

Test excursion autumn 2008 Salt Lake to Brigham City

My first trial excursion was with a specific goal, make it from Salt Lake to Brigham city approximately 70 miles to the North have lunch, scope out sketching and plein air painting possibilities by way of public transportation. Ok that’s not the entire story. After being cooped up for weeks recuperating from surgery for a detached retina and not being able to drive (see “How The Project Got is Start) I was going stir crazy and needed to get out of the house and was in desperate need for an attitude change that only an outing outdoors could provide.

The first and all subsequent excursions are and have been a learning experience. Using the public transportation system for getting to work and for city errands is one thing. Using the public transportation system for greater distance recreation is quite another. All good if you understand how the system works and do a little planning.
Since part of the focus of this blog and my other blog Wasatch art is to model super affordable alternatives for outdoor recreation, I will mention that the $5.00 day pass for the bus was a bargain compared to fuel cost for taking a car or truck the 140 mile round trip.

Being used to taking my car or truck has allowed me to pack up and take all but the kitchen sink. Although at times I might as well have included it also.
As I take trips on the bus, Trax train and the FrontRunner train ( http://www.rideuta.com/ )
I continually am perfecting the art of simplification. Everything I desire to take has to fit in my pack and slung over my back. Throughout the postings of my excursion experiences I will share with you the things I take and their purpose and benefit or lack thereof.
The 70 mile trip from Salt Lake to Brigham City offers about as much diversity as any artists interest could desire. From city scapes to semi rural farms and orchards one is not lacking at all in subject matter, only time to enjoy the variety of possibilities.
The stretch between Perry and Brigham City on Highway 89 has long been one of Utah’s superb agricultural regions. The miles of orchards and truck farms stand tribute to the quality of the fruits and vegetables produced for decades at the foothills of the mountains.. As urban sprawl expands outward from the city centers along the Wasatch front once rural areas are becoming more populated. It is a unique opportunity though to have access to these areas by public transportation.
Since I am fond of the drive to Brigham City I will be making several trips to enjoy plein air sketching and painting.
The photos shown below are from this first trial excursion.