Two days until my total media, money and motoring blackout. A gift to myself. (Drawing from my time in Oslo, Norway, a country with its act together.) #urbansketchers #boycott #blackout

I love a challenge. From 11/25-12/2 I'm going dark: no social media, no driving, no spending money at all. I'm looking forward to it. (Sketch from Jingdezhen, China.)

Last weekend's guest.

Seattle Urbansketchers met today at St. Mark's.

A dark Diva Espresso, on a very dark, rainy day in Seattle. #urbansketchers

Took my car in for a brake check. This was on the table at Diva Espresso across the street where I waited.

View from inside the Greenlake PCC, Seattle. #urbansketcher #seattle #PCC #watercolor #drawing

Queen Anne Ave from the window seat at Café Ladro, Seattle. #urbansketchers #flaneur

Bute and Robson, Vancouver. When I travel, I don't rent a car or take buses or Ubers. I prefer to explore every street and block within walking distance, looking for the less touristy nooks and crannies, seeing the place as if I lived there. #urbansketchers #vancouver

Urban Sketcher Jacqueline took me to Sophie's Cosmic Café, in Vancouver. You could draw here many times and not repeat yourself. #urbansketchers

Off the Tracks, Vancouver. #urbansketcher

The only dog I sit at his house, not mine.

"Bossy Pants" Moksha. One of Willa's first friends when we moved to Queen Anne five years ago. #dog #ink

Last week's lodger.

House on Mercer Island.

Mercer Island, SE 27th, drawn from my car. #urbansketcher

Sketching in Nanaimo Canada for a week. Part 2

Sketching in the Nanaimo, Canada for a week. Part 1

Saint Peter‘s Roman Catholic Church, Nanaimo, Canada. I rarely know how long it takes to do a drawing because I don’t keep track, but the service was exactly 70 minutes and I drew the entire time, nervous that I was distracting the faithful.

Morning meet-up with the Nanaimo sketchers at The Bee’s Knees Cafe, Canada. #urbansketchers

My humble accommodations in Nanaimo, Canada. #urbansketchers

Commercial St, Nanaimo. Going to wait for sun to finish this so there’s better contrast.

Serious Coffee, Nanaimo, Canada.

Spent the morning with Mercer Island Urban Sketchers at ASA Gathering. #urbansketcher #watercolor #asagathering

Some friends who have stayed over. Still need to draw Trooper, Sparty, Friday and Willow. Probably some others I'm forgetting...

Denny Hall, University of Washington.

Near the end, we took Willa to her favorite beach. It was hot so we made a shelter out of our windbreakers and Bella kept her company for a bit.

Last week’s houseguest.

Sometimes realtors commission drawings for home sellers. This was supposed to be a surprise, but I got caught taking reference photos and I don’t have a poker face.

When I get in bed, I inventory the day: What did I accomplish? Other than a drawing, sometimes not much. So I remind myself what I DIDN'T do: I didn't exploit, harass, market, proselytize, swindle, argue, waste resources or acquire anything I don't need. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.

Donna's place in Wallingford, Seattle.

I miss my buddy.

Milo goes home tonight after a fun week. I’ll miss him.

This week’s tiny guest. #drawing #dog #ink

The Hangar Cafe, Seattle.

Donna's place in Wallingford, Seattle. #urbansketchers #drawing #watercolor

New kid. She doesn't really go on walks; she loiters. So trajectories are futile. I meditate while she meanders.

Magnolia Village, Seattle. #urbansketchers #ink #drawing

Drawn sitting on the ground at Discovery Park, Seattle. #urbansketchers #watercolor #drawing #ink

Drawn on the spot at Hugo House for "Dune Nite" (no relation to anything Dune), for our monthly meet-up, where 50-60 artists get a couple hours to create a page for the printed zine we pick up the following month. Sometimes I have a plan but sometimes, like this time, I wing it.

My back door, Seattle.

The Gables, Queen Anne Ave. Drawn from the car. Etsy.com/shop/stevenreddy

In a society that profits from you being glued to your phone, making art, walking your dog, and reading an actual book are acts of rebellion. To read a book on making art about walking a dog, try Walks With Willa: A Love Story. Etsy.com/shop/stevenreddy

NightWalk

Hangin' out in the yard with the dogs. #urbansketchers #drawing #watercolor

Just finished this commission, Seattle. #watercolor #architecture #drawing #seattle

West Galer and 3rd, Seattle. #urbansketchers #drawing #cityscapes #sketchbook #seattle

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Discovery Park Lighthouse, Seattle.

Trooper’s house. #urbansketchers #drawing