We already knew what fate had in store for us---- the storm of the century was coming Sunday, so Amanda and Walt and I headed straight for Chinatown the afternoon I got to New York. It was my sole chance at outdoor sketching on this trip.
I first sketched a fortune teller who played an erhu, a two-stringed violin-like instrument, in between fortune-seeking customers.
While Amanda and Walt were sketching a storefront in one direction, I looked down the street to a vista of lanterns and signs and sketched it. 
The other two went to Pearl Paints to buy supplies. I sketched a display of peking ducks hanging in a restaurant window. I got some weird looks from patrons and workers alike, but as much as I sketch in public, I'm used to it. 
That night, Walt, Amanda and her husband Jimmy and I ate at a Thai restaurant on Bayard Street. I sketched Walt while we waited for Jimmy to arrive. He looks very poetic and ethereal here, but don't you believe it. He's spreading vicious rumors about me on his blog. Winona Ryder, indeed.
I'm having a lovely time, in spite of the weather and Walt's calumny. More sketches to come!
That's a great drawing of Walt - ungrateful creature that he is!
I rather liked your 'art school black' meets 'Chinatown lady' attire which Walt captured rather well I thought. Or did he make up the bound feet?
Sounds like you all had a ball - I'd have loved to have been there.
Posted by: Katherine | April 23, 2007 at 09:11 AM
I'm so envious (of your trip to NYC, your time with Walt, your drawing skills....you name it!)
Posted by: Jana Bouc | April 21, 2007 at 02:51 AM
It's so much fun to read your enthusiastic comments! It prolongs the joy of the trip for me--thank you for them!
I'm rushing off to a drawing evening with Ippy, but will come back and respond at greater length tomorrow.
Posted by: Laura | April 19, 2007 at 06:36 PM
Fabulous work, darling! I love Chinatown in NYC and in San Francisco. Sounds like you're having lots of fun! xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | April 19, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Wonderful to see your sketches and then see the photo of you standing sketching the lanterns! Sounds like a really fun time!
Posted by: Felicity | April 19, 2007 at 06:15 AM
You are a dab hand with those Chinese characters, Laura. I would have commented yesterday but was distracted by the links to your friends blogs of the weekend. He has great face, your friend with the wonderful sense of humour. Excellent work, Wenona - is that a Peking duck in your pocket - or are you .....?
Posted by: Robyn | April 19, 2007 at 05:20 AM