My Ryan ancestors arrived here in the states via Canada from Ireland. Tamra through her genealogy efforts discovered a few years ago that I had a great uncle who served in the Canadian Military during World War 1 where he was killed in action shortly after arriving in France.
A few weeks ago we took a road trip to Eugene, OR for a family reunion. Staying with Tamra's Aunt Cathy and Uncle Chuck on their farm just outside of city limits. This place offers up almost as many sketching subjects as Jet City Espresso and this sketch done in the 'Marty' book is of Grandpa's Lincoln (?) I never did go over and find out. Mother Nature is busy taking back that particular spot.
Getting to class a little early provides the opportunity to sit and sketch. This is looking at the 'Mac' Lab where I take my two software classes this summer.
Though I was dreading going back to school and being the 'really old guy' in class, I have discovered that I'm one of many really old people that have gone back to school. Homework has definitely cut back the amount of hours I spend sketching. This sketch was done on the first day of Summer Quarter looking West toward Vashon Island. This really is a beautiful campus, sitting on a hillside above Des Moines and overlooking the Puget Sound (that sketch will come soon).
The back of a billboard isn't glamorous, but it did seem to frame the station tower.... Caffe Vita can be found in the Tashiro Kaplan Artists Lofts building just East of Pioneer Square. With an abundance of picture windows and a second story loft, it's a great place to sit and sketch. This was done on (what is now way too common) a dark and gloomy Saturday morning after I caught the bus into town early. There is a calm about Seattle this time of the week, without the rush to work and most of it's residents still in their robes - or in this part of Pioneer Square, sleeping bags. There but for the grace of good fortune, go I.
This sketch was done looking West from Jet City Espresso (Renton) and incorporates the plant life that is coming into bloom as well as the vegetation that is flourishing in the old time washing machine. The wrought iron gates wired to the old gas station island makes an interesting pattern and challenge to draw. This was one of the few sunny days this spring in the Seattle area, fear not, by late afternoon it was pouring again.
The Irish pub in Renton known as 'A Terrible Beauty' (from 'Easter' a William Butler Yeats poem) has gone through a number of names and owners until getting it right this time. Though the outside of the building is one of the ugliest things ever designed, the inside takes you straight to Limerick and you won't go wrong ordering from the kitchen - both Irish and NW fare done well. The staff is friendly and it is not unusual to find a musician or two playing next to the fireplace on a Sunday afternoon. I called this sketch a 'Family Portrait' for the way they are all lined up together. This was a multi-visit effort (or just an excuse to go back)
This tiny walk up soup place with a stock pot on the roof, sits just off Airport Way in an industrial area of Georgetown. At first I thought it must be difficult (because of it's location) to be successful, but as I sat across the street to draw it, car after car pulled up to pick up phone in orders. Obviously the food must be good, is this where the Soup Nazi (Seinfeld) ended up?
Unbelievably good weather and way too many subjects to draw - a sketcher's dream. I plan to make another trip here to put down color. Pigma pens and a 14x11" Canson watercolor field book. 
These two guys were sagging at a table in the Covington Library, their slouching posture suggested a late night of over indulgence. Reminiscent of some of our "Hockey Trips to Canada" to see the Canucks play.
Some of the hardiest Seattle Urban Sketchers and Seattle Plein Air group braved the weather to get together (briefly) on the 13th to sketch/paint in the International District. We met at covered tables outside Starbucks (just west of Uwajimaya, where this is drawn from). 
