Forgotten Pagoda, study II - and some river sketches

Yesterday was a stunning day here in Huizhou. It was warm and sunny, a sweet aroma from flowering trees filled the air, and the sounds of migratory birds chirping in trees blended in with the regular fusion of noise - the street cleaner that combs the streets daily, blaring 'It's a small world after all,' the shouts and screams of delighted children who have been released from school for Spring Festival, (otherwise known as Chinese New Year), the nostalgic putt-putt motors of working river boats, the cackling voices of old women playing cards, the drone of distant excavators and the hum of traffic. It was an exceptional day. Spring Festival is just a couple of weeks away, and things are starting to wind down, while at the same time excitement is building.

In the early afternoon I hopped on my bike and rode around the island, stopping here and there to take a snapshot and do some sketching.

Xizhijiang Bridge

Qiaodong Road Bridge

Detail of 'Forgotten Pagoda' (study II)

Forgotten Pagoda, study I - first sketch of the year!

Today I went cycling about town and stopped at a little pagoda I discovered a few days ago. It's tucked away behind a rock wall and some trees, on a busy street corner. I call it the forgotten pagoda because it has weeds growing all over it, which gives it a lot of character, but it's obviously not very well maintained. I like it, though. It's a simple, humble pagoda sitting in its own quiet little courtyard, across the river from the massive, well-maintained pagoda that is the obvious tourist attraction.

I did a sketch of the small pagoda but didn't have the patience to get into much detail. As you can see, the further up to the top I got, the less detailed it became! I'll go back another day and give it another go. This little pagoda has got a lot of mileage for sketches and paintings....

Forgotten Pagoda, study I (04.01.2017)

years later....

It's been three years and nine months since my last post on this blog.... despicable! I've decided to resurrect this creative blog with weekly works of art. Consistency is not my strong point but I'm hoping that this goal will fuel my motivation and creativity, since deadlines have always motivated me. Wish me luck!

Much has happened in my life since April 2nd, 2013. That time in my life was not an easy chapter, but it is the one that lead me to the China Chapter, which I am currently in. I've been in China for just over two years and there are plenty of inspiring sights and scenes here to keep me busy. Here is a collection of sketches I've done in the past couple of years:

Balcony view from my studio apartment in Dongjiaotou, Shenzhen (11.07.15)

Winter flowers in Shekou, Shenzhen (02.11.15)

Facing the East River, Huizhou, Guangdong (06.03.15)

The bridge to Jiangbei, Huizhou (02.04.2016)

Bamboo sprouting I (06.05.16)

Bamboo sprouting II (06.05.16)

Kye Bay, Comox, B.C. (18.06.16)

Kye Bay, Comox, B.C. (19.06.16)

"The ferry's coming," Saltery Bay, B.C. (08.07.16)

 

The bridge to nowhere, Huizhou, Guangdong (13.12.16)

The power building, Huizhou (13.12.16)

Across from "Icy's" in Huizhou (13.12.16)