Governors Island

I was so glad we made a return trip to Governors Island this year. It is such a beautiful, relaxing spot with such great views. I started sketching on the ferry...and this model didn't seem to mind.

I sat in the shade to sketch the skyline across the water.

This house was a particular favorite among our group. I think we all sketched it.

We had a pleasant surprise when Lance and his wife, Elizabeth arrived and brought along two future sketchers, their adorable twins. It was great to see their family, although I missed seeing Nicholas who was off exploring with his cousin.

Of course Mark sat down and sketched them.

The other side of the island has great views of the bridges.

When we got back to the mainland, I decided to stay by the ferry terminal and sketch it. For some reason it was like sketching in a wind tunnel. The addition of the ice cream truck couldn't be passed up either.

I took the Long Island Railroad home, and was lucky enough to get a seat with a view of several people.

Governors Island

I won't bother to repeat Joans description of the day. I do want to mention that this weeks theme on the USK flicker group is about dreamers and monuments. One person lives in the same city that MLK was born and preached in, so you get the idea. The day after we went to Governors Island I realized that we had 4 of the greatest monuments about dreamers and visionaries.

Our first sketch location was on the waterfront overlooking the NY harbour. 30 degrees to the left was the Statue of Liberty, straight ahead was Ellis Island, 30 degrees to the right was the Freedom Tower, and Castle Williams. Some of the greatest monuments ever , to protect the freedom and liberties of of the people of this country! What a view! What an island. So much to explore and we didn't even tap it all.

 

Governors Island

Susan and I took the 10 am ferry from lower Manhattan to Governors Island on Saturday morning. We had a little time before the ferry left to sketch the interior of the terminal. When the ferry pulled in a woman behind us asked if we were part of the NYC Urban Sketchers. It was Allison and it was her first time joining the group. 

I was finishing up my painting on the ferry ride over, but Susan and Allison were swapping sketching information and stories.

After docking we headed over to a view of the city and the Statue of Liberty. 

Other sketchers arrived on the next ferry from Manhattan and the ferry from Brooklyn.

The city views were great!

Here are Mark and Allison sketching.

Here is what they were seeing.

Brian and Susan were hard at work too.

I did some small sketches...first a red bike someone parked nearby.

People are allowed to bring their bikes onto the island and bikes are for rent too.

Some can almost fit a family.

Or not.

Here are a few more members sketching.

The Staten Island Ferry kept passing by.

Lady Liberty was within view.

There were life preservers along the fences...just in case.

We walked over to the Fete Paradiso area to have lunch. There was a lot of sketching done from our table while we talked and ate. I sketched a woman at another table, with her cell phone in hand.

Some of the sketchers left earlier than we did...Susan and I were there for the duration. lol

There were vintage amusements and games like the Bouffe Balle game,

the carousel horse which was not in use,

and one of the carousels.

By this time we were hot and tired and needed a cold drink. Heading over near the ferry we found  Water Taxi Beach, complete with palm trees, sand, and a wonderful view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

We took the 6:30 ferry back. It was quite a full day of sketching.