A sketch of the beautiful table centerpieces at our company Christmas Party. The event was held at Al Forno in Providence and was wonderful. Great food, lovely space and fun with co-workers and families. The centerpieces were created by a friend of the owner and were a mixture of greens, gold and silver ribbon, metallic ornaments and small birch logs. Lamy Safari fountain pen with Noodler’s Black ink and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn Beta sketchbook.
As usual I am getting a late start to making my Christmas Cards. They will be complete this weekend once I decide. Typically I hand paint at least a portion of each card. The upper one would be a lino cut for the base with watercolor accent, the nutcrackers would be reproduced from a sketch earlier in the week and the others would be watercolors. Almost decision time. I think I am leaning towards the Sleigh Bell. Pilot Falcon fountain pen with watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
One final sketch from our weekend getaway. The North Conway Scenic Railway has a collection of old trains and passenger cars. They also operate scenic tours in the valley, up to Crawford Notch and Dinner Trains. #573 is the engine that is operating the Christmas Polar Express Trains. Lam Safari fountain pen with Noodler’s Black ink and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
I am catching up with scanning from our travels over the weekend. We spent Saturday evening at this resort in North Conway, New Hampshire. It is located off of the beaten path of downtown North Conway on West Side Road , but still only a mile or 2 from the shops and restaurants. The resort sits at the base of Cathedral and White Horse Ledges that are very popular with rock climbers. The climbs range from 5.5 to 5.11 and can be very challenging to even experienced rock climbers. The perspective is drooping a little to the right. Faber-Castell Pitt Art pens with Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
Christ Church sits at the corner of White Mountain Highway and River Road at the North end of North Conway, New Hampshire. The building is a simple wood board and batten building with an interesting bell tower. Lamy Safari fountain pen with Noodler’s black ink, Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
The Mount Washington Hotel is located in Bretton Woods – Carroll, New Hampshire. This beautiful majestic hotel is located on Route 302 between our first and second night stays and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Bretton Woods is part of a land grant made in 1772 by Royal Governor John Wentworth. The area was named after Bretton Hall, Wentworth’s ancestral home in Yorkshire, England. The superstructure of The Mount Washington Hotel boasted a steel network, uncommon in its day. The Mount Washington Hotel was built by New Hampshire native Joseph Stickney, who made his fortune in coal mining and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Stickney spared no expense in building the imposing hotel. The latest design and construction methods were used. Innovative and complicated heating and plumbing systems were installed. To this day, the Bretton Woods Hotel has its own private telephone system and Post Office. Ground was broken in 1900 and construction was completed in 1902. Two hundred and fifty Italian craftsmen, skilled in masonry and woodworking, were brought to Bretton Woods and housed on the grounds. This view from the highway shows the hotel set against the backdrop of the White Mountains and Mount Washington with the Cog Rail bending up the slope. Lamy Safari with Noodler’s black ink and watercolor in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
It all began with the view. Once upon a time, on a rainy night in 1865, two weary travelers on their way from Boston to Montreal found themselves literally stuck in the mud after the stagecoach in which they were traveling overturned. The driver directed them to a nearby farmhouse in the small township of Whitefield, New Hampshire. The original farmhouse was replaced with a 3 story structure in 1872. In 1919 the property was expanded into a world class resort and the 4th floor was added along with other amenities. The entire property was renovated for $20 million dollars in 20o1. This property is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a wonderful resort to stay at. Lamy safari with Noodler’s black ink and watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
Another trip to New Jersey for work and some extra time before my meeting. This is a very interesting church located in a residential neighborhood of Paramus, New Jersey. The entire tower structure has stained glass on all 8 sides and must be beautiful from the interior. I could not get any information on line in that I got a security warning when I tried to access the church site. Faber-Castell Pitt pens in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
This is a quick sketch that I used tonight for a presentation to the committee at Ridgewood Country Club. I presented this sketch alongside of a photograph showing the existing portico on the tower. This sketch shows what the tower will look like when the portico is removed and the original small roof is added over the entry. Faber-Castell Pitt pens with Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
This is a sketch of one of the history cases at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. Golf legend Byron Nelson worked as an assistant professional at the club in the mid-1930s, early in his career, and represented Ridgewood for several of his early significant victories. Nelson went on to become one of golf’s all-time greatest players. Lamy Safari Fountain pen with Noodler’s black ink and watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
A SKETCHBOOK ODYSSEY 