Balboa Park has become something of a steady date in the heat. Its shade, beauty, peace, and variety are a huge draw. Today I painted in Alcazar Garden, a formal garden with boxwood hedges and mature tropical plants.
I was setting up my easel, thinking about the possibilities, when I saw the gardener. I liked his thin shape and the colors of his vest and the blower. I began to sketch him, and as I drew, I noticed his measured way of working. Every few minutes, he would survey his work and smile a little bit. Watching him made me think about the tremendous service that he and the other park gardeners do for all of us in San Diego, and I wanted to convey this gratitude in this sketch.
Deliberate Sketching 
I love this. I agree that it is quiet unobtrusive hard working people who are not noticed and are paid little who keep the world going. At least they get to work outside in the real world as opposed to seeing it through the subduing filter of screens…
On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 11:16 PM, Deliberate Sketching wrote:
> Sarah Sullivan posted: ” Balboa Park has become something of a steady date > in the heat. Its shade, beauty, peace, and variety are a huge draw. Today I > painted in Alcazar Garden, a formal garden with boxwood hedges and mature > tropical plants. I was setting up my easel, th” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
And, may our world keep going!
LikeLike
Gardner finds joy in his work.
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too, Bev!
LikeLike
Isn’t it lovely that the gardener was clearly taking satisfaction from his work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I though so too. He came and looked at my in-progress painting as he left the area, and gave me a beautiful smile. A wonderful thing for me about getting out and painting, is seeing so much of the world beyond what I can conceive of.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The gardener holding a blower is a common sight up here in Fresno too.
You’ve given him more stature by making him the subject of your painting.
I love that he smiled at you!
LikeLiked by 1 person