Women's March on Washington

Just returned from the Women's March on Washington in DC - it was an exhausting 24-hour-long day, but what a day it was! How exciting to take part in history, and march with fellow artists alongside 500,000 people, who came out to let our new administration know that we - the people - are watching, that women's rights are human rights, that diversity is our strength, that racism is unacceptable, that we need equality for all, and that we are stronger together. It is said to be the biggest peaceful protest in the history of America-well over 1 million people marched in all major US cities. The event was global: hundreds of women's marches took place around the world, in solidarity. This is unprecedented. Positive. Powerful. Hopeful. It will take social and political activism on our part to actually turn these slogans into reality. But stating the intent is the first step in the right direction. You can see more art from this day by my fellow Dalvero artists on Instagram, Facebook and their personal blogs under #womensmarchdraws.

Rehearsing Obama's Inauguration 2013

It was a milky Sunday morning of January 13th, the last day of the winter drawing session with Dalvero Academy in Washington DC. The fog was so heavy that it erased tops of buildings and trees. We arrived at the Botanical Gardens on the National Mall, but something was happening over to the left, by the Capitol. Loud orchestral music and baritone reverberating announcements cut through the fog with bright and optimistic grandeur. Morning runners and dog walkers, together with tourists, huddled by the fence surrounding the Capitol courtyard, photographing and filming on their phones. To our great surprise, what we stumbled upon was a rehearsal of the presidential inauguration!

White chairs in perfect symmetry on an otherwise empty lawn, two of the 5 flags up under the Capitol dome, police officers scattered here and there, tiny figures moving along balconies of the building, a few reporters with big cameras, and soldiers in long lines. The baritone announcer introduced Beyonce as the singer of the National Anthem, and solders straightened up in salute.

This was an amazing opportunity to draw a historical event...I don't think I could ever get this close to the Capitol on an actual inauguration day. It's coming up this Monday, January 21st, after the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama is sworn in on Sunday.

Bartholdi Park in Washington DC

Also known as the Secret Garden, Bartholdi Park in DC is a picturesque and serene oasis of colors, textures and shapes. It's hidden behind the Botanical Gardens on the National Mall, with the Capitol peaking in the distance. While on a drawing trip with Dalvero, we happened upon a rehearsal of the presidential inauguration at the Capitol on that same day...but that's in my next post.

The Capitol Hill

Happy New Year! 2012 was inaugurated by a drawing class with Dalvero Academy. We spent a few beautiful January days in Washington DC, mostly visiting museums. Here are some memories from the National Mall.

View of the Capitol in sunset

The Lincoln Memorial

The Washington Monument in sunset