Follow up visit: Ise Grand Shrine - Inner Shrine

With only half a day to spare last trip, I was only able to loiter around the outer shrine (the inner shrine is a bit farther from public transportation). After working 8 days straight, I was granted a precious day off to recuperate. Since I usually have overly optimistic shopping goals for my day flying out of NRT (which is usually in the afternoon, but after sleeping in a bit, I only have max 1 hr to shop at Tokyo station...), I decided to venture away from the big city and complete the Ise Shrine tour. Plus I really wanted to see the sacred Isuzu River and Uji-Bridge that separates the 2 worlds.

The day started off great with brilliant sunshine. But alas, I spent those precious sunny hours rolling around in bed, refusing to get up. By the time I finished breakfast, the sky has already turned into an ominous grey. Unfortunately the all-too-chirpy me was oblivious to the change and bounced my way to the train station (finally heading to a different direction this time!) Since I was already staying in the suburbs in Mie Prefecture, Ise Shrine itself is within 1 hr traveling time (the hotel I was staying at also hosts plenty of Shrine-goers on the weekend) This time I skipped Ise-city and got off at Isuzugawa station. The sacred river follows the pathway to the Shrine (about 30-min walk away)

I bumped into this classical looking house against the backdrop of a green misty mountain. As I started working on it though, raindrops started falling unmercifully. I had to quickly scribble while the rain eases slightly, but most of the time I was just dodging rain drops by angling my sketchbook upright. I was not caught by the owner of the house...but I did anger some passing motorists, because I was taking space away from an already narrow road.

As I was walking aside Isuzu-River towards the Shrine ground, the rain started picking up so I decided to rest under the bridge (Thank you, bridge) to dry myself up a bit. Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately) the rain went on for a long time, so I expanded my drawing from just a few buildings, to more buildings on the right, and finally the bridge also. (while I observe families running for cover and dads scrambling to drive the cars around to pick up their families under the bridge) By the time I was putting on finishing touches, the rain still hasn't let up, so I ended up just walking in the rain with no umbrella or hood (not a wise idea since my throat started itching by the evening even after soaking in the hot spring)

The bridge looked impressive even in the dreadful weather. I really hoped that I had time to dot in the details, but with the uncertainty of the weather I went ahead full speed getting the picture together as fast as I could. I'm glad the Shrine cut open a viewing spot for the bridge, because the lower grounds on the other sides were all off limits. When I walked into the area there was just a tourist group heading in for a group photo and one gentleman promptly handed me the camera. I was glad to help out, but as I held up the camera I came to the horrific realization that I have no idea what the Japanese usually say when taking pictures!!? I remember it is something to do with "Cheese", but had no idea how the rhythm works... so I awkwardly started counting down with "Three, Two, One" Fortunately everyone just went with the flow and nobody questioned my weird countdown. It was also super awkward when I say I'd go for a second take and the digital camera took a long time to load up again. The point-and-shoot camera is truly a relic only available in Japan nowadays.

At long last (at least a 15 min walk from the bridge) I arrived at the Main Shrine of the Inner Shrine of the Ise Grand Shrine (believe me it sounded simpler in Japanese). The long flight of stone stairs leading up the Shrine was truly impressive. Most of the people are crowding on top of stairs so it is still possible to enjoy the view from down below. By this time the rain has (strangely) let up, so I did another quick piece while taking a rest from all the walking.

Chicago! At last! (warning: long post)

Going to Chicago is like a special pilgrimage for me, since my favourite movie (the Fugitive, 1993) takes place almost exclusively in this city. It also happens that it is not that kind of movie that the setting is anonymous throughout (like in I, Robot, cough* cough*, Vancouver), but you are constantly reminded that the story is set in Chicago from beginning to end. Before I even set foot in the US for the first time, I already know the L, Cook County Hospital, Hilton Chicago, the Picasso, and the St. Patrick's Day parade by heart. So it feels super weird to stand on Wells Street Bridge and not see the Illinois Bell pay phone...like, it is supposed to be there, am I even in the correct Chicago? 

Anyways, meeting fellow sketchers and admiring other's works aside, just being able to walk freely around the Chicago downtown and linger on the bridges as long as I wanted already felt like a privilege. My first trip to Chicago, unfortunately, was a whirlwind 2.5 day stay almost entirely spent in McCormick Center attending a trade show. There was a mandatory pizza shop visit, but the majority was either spent stuck in traffic, or in doors in the convention center. Heck we didn't even get to stay at a downtown hotel because the travel plan was so last minute. The Uber driver this time rightfully laughed at me when I admit I didn't even get to see Lake Michigan last time, granted the convention center literally sits on its shores. 

That horrible trip (okay, in terms of work it was highly productive) behind me, I started anew in the city proper... with a sleepless night. Honestly it is one of the rare occasions that I actually have trouble falling asleep without the influence of jet lag. Maybe it was the unfamiliar ventilation noise of the building? or the lights from the building next door? or the excitement of finally being able to come face-to-face with the familiar city that I've been watching again and again since high school? Whichever reason, it was a sleepless night for me and a shaky start to a 3-day sketching marathon.

Day 1

Started the day right in the middle of the financial quarter. I was pleasantly surprised to see many available places to sit in front of buildings, unlike the cramped SF downtown. What's best, the streets are almost spotlessly clean!

From the 2nd sketch, I was already distracted by bridges. This just so happened to be the first I ran into (at this point, I had absolutely no idea that Chicago downtown is surrounded by bridges!) This particular one is I-290, not in the Loop per se, but very close.

After an unsuccessful nap after lunch back at the Airbnb (still couldn't properly fall asleep), I struggled to stay alert in the blazing afternoon sun. Whilst walking to the designated point at DuSable Bridge, I was distracted by the strange buildings in the distance. Turns out they are the Wrigley Building (pointy one on the left) and Tribune Tower (one w/ arches on the right) They'd fit right into a historical neighbourhood, yet somehow they are here among the sky-scrappers...and they themselves looked like ancient buildings on pedestals lol. The 3 statues are in fact on this side of the river.

Then comes the classic, DuSable Bridge (Michigan Avenue Bridge) The afternoon sun was so bright I hid in the shadows of the overpass. The variety of bridges is a nice change from the SF Bay Area. Both are surrounded by bodies of water, but the bay is too wide to have more than a handful bridges built across it...

After deciding that I have not had enough of the bridges (even though it is already nearing dinner time), I went ahead to sketch two more towards the edge of town (top picture). I really cannot convince myself to walk away from a nicely casted shadow (like the one on the Sheraton). In the front, North Columbus Drive Bridge. In the back, North Lake Shore Drive Bridge.

Day 2

The USk listed Printer's Row as the morning drawing destination. Having had a fully loaded day before (probably my most prolific drawing day to date), I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow... and of course, refuse to get up when awoken by my morning alarm. It is a historical, but tidy and quiet neighborhood surrounded by impressive brick buildings. I really cannot stop admiring brick structures because they're just so rare on the west coast! Plus the strong shadows they cast on one another is right up my alley!

In the afternoon I went back to Wells Street Bridge wanting to sketch some movie-related scene. Unfortunately I couldn't find any to my liking so I decided to stand on Wells Street Bridge and draw the bridge next door instead. This way at least I can put my drawing supplies on the handrail of the bridge. (Did I mention I had no stool so almost all my sketches this time were done standing up?)  The forest of skyscrapers were a little distracting, so I smudged up the paints a bit to put the focus back on the bridge... judging by the result, I may need to sharpen up my smudging skills a bit lol.

Day 3 - nothing because I spent my precious morning (1 hr total) at the Art Institute of Chicago... before stumbling my way onto the plane (probably as the 2nd last passenger) 

All in all a productive trip! Really even I, coming from Vancouver, don't have any complaints about the weather that weekend. Long sunlight hours, mild breeze, gentle sun, and blazing sunset (which I am already used to) make a wonderful sketching destination. I missed the announcement that next year's location would be in Portugal (because I wanted to have dinner in peace and rest my overworked legs in the apartment), but man that would be a even loooonger journey. Hopefully this time I can actually attend the full event, and not jump in on the 3rd day all the while pretending I'm working from home. Also, note to self, stay away from the silent auction because it is for instructors to sell demo pieces lol. 

Picking a shadow to hide: Los Gatos Creek Trail

On one scorching afternoon (Back in early June), I headed straight for the shades of Los Gatos Creek Trail on my bike (and hid there until the sun was down) 

I rarely draw on near square paper size, but it was a nice change!