Santa Fe 2021: Part 1

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Santa Fe for my first in-person workshop in a long, long time. I can’t start to say how exciting it was to think of going back to meeting and teaching in person. We were an enthusiastic and super-flexible group, which made for a great experience. But I’m getting ahead of myself, so let me back up.

Here is the first sketch of the trip: an airport sketch, a reflection of the times.

Santa Fe is a beautiful town, with so much color everywhere.

I was in the city only an hour or so before sunset, so I spent that first evening around the main town square, drawing two buildings with very different architectural styles: the first one in one a Santa Fe Style. structure, the next one a small Gothic Revival chapel.

First sketches from any new place are, for me, just a way to get to seeing and starting to understand my new environment, the light, the architecture and the colors. Nothing seems to sit quite right, but I always find it best to just jump in and get past those first pieces, however late in the day I arrive in a new place.

And the best way to start the next day? With a coffee, and a sketchbook and a day of sketching ahead of me.

More sketches from Santa Fe in my next post.