125. Urban Re-development

this is a sneakyart drop.

👋🏼 Hello reader.

I got a flyer in the mail.

It said that a nearby park (and its surrounding area) will soon be re-developed to meet the housing and social needs of an increasing population. The proposed design includes areas for community events, and ‘green waterways’ beside the roads to protect against climate change. Residents are invited to share their thoughts on the proposed designs and help shape their city.

I found it interesting. So I went to Columbia Park later that day.

trees in columbia park.

I walked around the park and looked at all the trees. I looked at the empty baseball dugouts on two corners out of four. I considered the single-family homes lining the perimeter on all sides.

Many of these things will change, some quickly, some slowly.

As I sat down to draw, I regarded the north-eastern horizon, where you can always see the mountains. Always, but not forever. In a few years, residential towers will block the view. People will pay higher rents to be able to always see mountains.

typo: it’s Columbia* Park.

I saw a lady walk up to a tall tree, put down her bag, and wrap her arms around the trunk. Her arms only made it halfway around. She stood there for a minute, enough time for me to draw.

I was ready to leave when a trio of friends walked by, carrying a couple of bottles of beer and a large rug. They laid it out a few meters ahead of me and sat down to bask in the sun.

Everything changes. Cities, people, parks, skylines. SneakyArt tries to capture fleeting moments of stillness in a changing world. Simple impressions snatched out of the mad ether, like butterflies in a net.

Dear reader, is your city changing too? In which ways is it changing too fast? In which ways is the change too slow?

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🕰 Later this week…

🎙 Ep 44 with James Richards. The second part of my epic conversation with Florida-based artist, architect, educator, and author James Richards releases this Friday. It is one of the most joyful conversations I have had the privilege of sharing with my listeners. Notes and ideas in the Friday post!

💻 Zoom hangout. This Sunday (9 am PT) I am doing a Zoom-based sketchbook tour and hangout with fans. The event is FREE to attend, but with limited seats.

✍🏼 Tiny Storytelling with Insiders. In the Sunday edition, I am running a storytelling thread with SneakyArt Insiders. Best entries will win signed prints and copies of my book!

Thank you, dear reader, for your time and attention. See you on Friday!