The Bean

I just returned from Chicago, setting for the 8th International Urban Sketchers Symposium. I always enjoy these events, not only because it’s a chance to re-connect with friends made over the years, but also because I meet so many people in my workshops who are excited to be drawing on location. What could be better than that?

When I first arrived to Chicago, I thought, let me get over to Millennium Park and draw Cloud Gate – known colloquially as “the bean”: The sculpture by Anish Kapoor that has become an icon of the city since it was installed in 2006. I did not expect to love this sculpture as much as I did! In my mind it seemed like it would be a huge fun house mirror, where people could make funny faces at themselves and take a ridiculous amount of selfies. Well, it was that, but also, it was a luminous focal point and a quietly beautiful presence in the middle of a bustling city. Just a wonderful piece of art – I could have hung out there for days. 🙂