October usually isn't the time of year I would recommend family and friends to visit Vancouver, since it is when the weather swings from dry to wet and daylight hours shorten to a point where there is no doubt summer is officially over. However, it just so happens that my best childhood friend was able to take time off during this period and fly over the Pacific Ocean. I repeatedly warned her of the relentless rain that is typical of this season, so as to lower the expectation and not to ruin her first impression of my adopted beautiful hometown. I myself packed many warm clothes and was ready to leave the Californian sun for a few days.
What a pleasant surprise! I couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up basked in sunlight the next day in Vancouver. Oh wait, maybe not so soon...A light drizzle started falling on us as we were in Richmond doing some grocery shopping. As my friend was busy with some personal errands, I strolled along the new walkway along Fraser River and was captivated by how the low-hanging clouds melted into the mountains. Such a different scene from California! I quickly pulled out my (new) sketchbook and worked under the slight drizzle (you could see a few droplets made into the painting :D)
Thankfully the rain stopped just as I finished my first piece. As I walked along river bank, I noticed a bustling construction site with bright colors and imposing cranes. A few years after I left Vancouver for college, a construction boom has swept the city and vicinities. Societal impacts aside, I find that the colorful cranes and machineries really break up the sea of monotonous glass condo buildings in Richmond. It happened to be the Friday before the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, so I sketched while eavesdropping on the workers' excited conversation about the weekend ahead...and boy did they leave work early that day (before 4pm!)
Later that day we ended up having dinner downtown. It was a beautiful evening...but also torture on my soul as I sat drooling over the colors unfolding outside but had to focus on the food and dinner conversation (granted, dinner was really good!) Finally, as dinner concluded the host suggested a viewing at a nearby special effects theatre. Remembering that I get motion sick easily, I quickly excused myself and was able to get the last 20 mins of sunlight all to myself. This is the view looking at Vancouver Convention Centre from the ferry terminal. The dark clouds against the bright sunset in the background was stunning.
I was busy the next few days escorting my friend around town, but managed to squeeze in this quick one under the drizzle, again, as I wait for the group to finish lunch at Granville Island. I really liked the way downtown West End melted into the distant hills. I had to put in the finishing touches after getting back to the food court, because the drizzle kept melting away any details I put in haha.
