east and west, Jasper Avenue

Jasper Avenue at 109 Street, looking east and west.

Mandolin Books, and tiny paint box

Delta Art and Drafting Supply was selling some tiny kids' watercolour sets for something like $3 each. I thought I would gut them and add tube watercolour paints that my father used to use, and that would fit my own needs better... not that I really need a paint set smaller than what I currently use, but the novelty of using something that is essentially the size of a key chain is tempting.

Unrelated... a sketch from Mandolin Books, a used book store where we had coffee.

this week's motorcycles

another installment of motorcycles from Jasper Avenue...

fire trucks

It's such a beautiful day that even the fire trucks are out enjoying the sun, at the downtown fire hall on 107 Street.
All throughout I cannot stop thinking about the classic picture book I grew up with and which I've read to my own kids: "しょうぼうじどうしゃじぷた", now available as "Jeeper the Fire Engine". The artistic depictions (and subtle personification) of the different rescue service vehicles are striking.

downtown sky

... on a rainy lunch break, from the library at Norquest.

old bus

 An old bus parked by a downtown lane.

Starbucks

 A series of sketches at Starbucks...

Cavalia:Odysseo Big Top Tent

Cavalia's second production, "Odysseo" begins in Edmonton in a few weeks. I would have not known about this had it not been for the erection of the fantastical tent structure on an empty industrial site close to our house. The site for the most part is still under construction; I admittedly trespassed to do these drawings but am grateful to the site crew member who found me and subsequently granted me permission to sketch. Getting up close to this structure was quite the experience... I am tempted to enter the site legitimately next time with tickets in hand.

Saturday morning

A (pre)-Fathers Day outing on a sunny Saturday morning... brunch at Madison's Grill at The Union Bank Inn on Jasper Avenue, and a cup of coffee after a stroll at the lively downtown farmers' market. 

sports day

Lunchtime picnic at the community school sports day event.

Jasper Avenue

Lunchtime on Jasper Avenue at 107/108 Street where all the motorcycles are parked. One of the motorcycle owners walked by and pointed out her vehicle, while another related to me a story of his childhood sketching excursions. It was rare to have had so many conversations while drawing.