Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Day 11 of 21 Creative Excercise Challenge

What a beautiful day today! After work, I decided to be a tourist in my own town in downtown Baltimore, and do some sketching. I was meeting with a client at 7 nearby so I had some time to kill.

At first I did this quick sketch of the pride of Baltimore, with an ink pen and a scrap of paper:
She was so far in the distance, I couldn't make out what was going on with the details. I think I'll attempt this one again closer up.

After that, I decided to walk over to Barnes and Noble to get myself a latte and a brand new sketchbook and pencil.


Along the way, I remembered how I wanted to go to the Baltimore Aquarium for one very special reason. Years ago, my Father had worked on new construction of the dolphin wing of the aquarium. He was so proud of the work he did. When I was a small child, he took me to the site, pointed at the portholes in the design of the building and said, "Look Cindy, I cut those portholes out!" I know that was his pride and joy of his beautiful craftsmanship, and it was a very special memory for me. Last April, my dear Dad passed away suddenly from lung cancer. It was devastating. He was only 58. I miss him so much.

Dad's Portholes
I found myself a cozy bench and planted myself in it. Hard Rock Cafe was just next door, and they were cranking some tunes as I sketched in my new sketchbook. They played the Beatles, which always stops me dead in my tracks and makes me think of my Dad. I can hear him singing the song to me, as he always did. I started to well up with tears! But it was happy tears, of good memories. God I miss him so much.

Dinner with my client was amazing! He took me to this French creole' restaurant called Louisiana nearby in Fells Point. The food and atmosphere were absolutely perfect. I must go back!!! Upon returning home, my Hubby knows I head straight to my studio and hop on my computer. He picked me one of the first blooms on my rosebush out back, and put it in this lovely shot glass on my desk. How sweet!

9 comments:

Sandra Evertson said...

Fabulous work!
Sandra Evertson

Alicia Padrón said...

OMG this is such a beautiful post! really amazing.

The story is wonderful, I loved seeing your sketches, specially the building that your dad help build.

I'm sure he is very proud of you no matter were he is now...

And then the picture of the romantic gesture of your hubby.. well that just completed it and I got teared eyed.

Awesome post, thanks for sharing and keep it up. You are very talented :o)

Carli said...

you made my eyes well up. I am so glad you have a permanent memorial for your father. We get down to Baltimore at least once a summer. We love it. I am going to point out those port holes to the next time. Your sketches are beautiful

Tom Barrett said...

Great sketches. Will have to visit Baltimore one day. We catch glimpses of it on Ace of Cakes, but I know it is nothing like being there.

Sorry to hear about your dad.

RyanLoghry said...

Cool sketches, I particularly like the aquarium one. Thanks for sharing that story too.

MayY . C 五月媽媽 said...

wow, those building drawing really fanstactic, precise and neat.
Like father like daughter, dad can build you can draw. He is proud of you!
Hang on those memories. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Hi Cynthia....sounds like you had the most amazing day! I love yoru latest work...how cool to sketch the building your Dad helped build...what a wonderful tribute to his work this piece will be...

I wish I was with you grabbing a latte...lol....

and how sweet of your husband with that cute bloom....wonderful!

thanks for popping by during one of the toughest week's for me....

I appreciate your visits and kindness...

Hugs
Diana

Anonymous said...

cynthia, i was hoping that after a year goes by, it might get a little easier to live life without my dad. He died from lung cancer at age 60 this past February. Sounds like it really doesn't get much easier, especially when you are a Daddy's Girl like me. :) At least we are blessed with these fabulous memories to hang on to. Your post is really special, and your dad is very proud that you are able to share it.

Unknown said...

What a nice walk down memory lane. And now you have a photo of you with your dad's portholes too. The sketches are nice...but...more shading and depth. Stop making them so tight.