I had just two full days and pieces of another two on my visit to my daughter this past week. I fell in love with Austin's houses this trip. I know of no other place that has the number and variety of quirky, colorful, and plain old adorable houses that Austin has. What IS in the water there, because I want some of it!
Unfortunately, I only managed one house sketch, but am dying to go back and (see my daughter, of course) and sketch more of these little jewels. That's what they are.
Austin also has good restaurants aplenty. My new favorite is Olive and June and I thank my daughter for suggesting it for our first night together!
I travel. I sketch. I sketch gardens and the things in them. This trip was no exception. We spent parts of two afternoons at the lovely estate Laguna Gloria.
Entering the Bullock Texas Museum of State History, you see quotations carved in huge scale on the marble walls flanking the entrance to the exhibits, trumpeting the wonderfulness of Texas. This kind of boisterous self love can be endearing, but it’s also a bit off-putting, given the state’s early history of exploitation and destruction of the native people by European settlers. This is true of much, if not all, of the original European settlements in the new world, of course. Still. Note to Texas... and to self, for that matter: healthy doses of humility never go amiss.
Thank you so much, everyone. Michele, I WILL sketch your house next time! Not sure when that will be, but will let you know in advance. Sue, Cecelia did some sketching, but nothing she was all that happy with, I think. Beth, I love both ends of the spectrum. from Mexico City (which I've never been to, but you have ;D) to Montreal.
Posted by: Laura | March 27, 2013 at 03:51 PM
I can't believe you got that much done! GORGEOUS. Love the peacock, especially.
Posted by: Cathy Johnson (Kate) | March 25, 2013 at 07:28 PM
Beautiful sketches, Laura! I've never been to Austin, but I sure am missing the colors and soft curves of the adobe buildings in Mexico. Montreal looks very grey, rectangular and boring right now!
Posted by: Beth | March 25, 2013 at 10:21 AM
These are great, Laura! Glad you're getting a visit with your daughter--did she sketch,too? I know she shares your talent there.
Posted by: Sue | March 24, 2013 at 11:59 PM
I wish I'd asked you to come sketch my house. What fun that would be for me. It's very colorful.
Glad you had fun. I love Austin.
Posted by: Michele | March 24, 2013 at 02:32 PM