I had previously drawn the Fremont rocket in 2011 but this view looking toward the intersection of Evanston Avenue North and North 35th Street appealed to me because of the way it juxtaposes the Fremont rocket and the relatively new Saturn sculpture. The 12-foot diameter globe sits atop the Saturn Building, which houses office and retail spaces. Solar panels atop the rings collect energy during the day while the planet glows at night. In giving preliminary approval to the installation last year, City Council member Jean Godden said with tongue planted firmly in cheek, “I’m concerned that they don’t have enough artwork. At some point, they may want to add a sun or a star.” Just down the street, there are three more orbs outside the Fedex store but Brian Regan, developer of the Saturn Building, said that they were from another galaxy.

Another in a series of Fremont scenes. This is a view from under the canopy of the History House of Greater Seattle at 790 North 34th Street in Fremont, just under and to the west of the Aurora Bridge. Suzie Burke founded the museum in 1998 to celebrate the history, heritage, and art of Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods. Because its motto is “giving every neighborhood a place to tell its story,” the museum allows the residents themselves rather than a curator to define the history and evolution of the neighborhood being featured.

This is the center of Vashon town—the four-way stop at the intersection of Vashon Highway SW and SW Bank Road. On the southwest corner stands The Hardware Store restaurant, the home of “great, good food.” The popular restaurant also hosts a fine bar and art gallery space showcasing the work of island artists. As the name of the restaurant implies, the structure formerly housed the Vashon Hardware Store. Built in 1890, it is the oldest commercial building on Vashon Island and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Designed by city architect Daniel R. Huntington in the Mission Revival style, the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library system has stucco walls, decorative ironwork, and gable and hip roofs covered with clay roof tiles. It was the last Seattle branch library built with funds donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Work was scheduled to begin in 1917, but budget issues and World War I delayed construction until 1921.

Remodeled several times over the years, the structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a landmark building by Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board.

Sometimes, there isn’t that spark that inspires me to draw. This is how I felt when the Seattle Urban Sketchers met last Sunday morning in Georgetown, supposedly the oldest neighborhood in Seattle. Founded on the Duwamish River in 1851, Georgetown incorporated in 1904 and was annexed by Seattle in 1910.

While there are a number of interesting buildings and settings in the Georgetown neighborhood, the trouble for me was in finding an appealing scene—a set of spatial relationships that could be composed in an interesting way. I finally settled on this particular view along Airport Way South. What caught my eye were the storefront signs above the sidewalk, the freeway signs beyond, and of course, the overhead tangle of wiring.

Another memorable setting for me in Fremont is Les Amis, self-described as “the Seattle home of up and coming fashion designers…rustically fashioned… with romantic country sensibilities…” I have always admired the “shabby chic” face it presents to the street, especially when the Wisteria overhanging the front awning of the shop is in bloom.