A couple of months ago, I was invited to include my watercolor sketch of Healdsburg’s in the ’s exhibit, “Russian River Good Old Days.” At first I was reluctant to tear it out of my spiral bound sketchbook, but the opportunity was too good to pass up.
I drove downtown to the museum with the framed watercolor in hand and met with the curator of the show, Holly Hoods. After I gave her my painting and signed all the necessary documentation, she showed me around the exhibit. One of the more striking images I saw was a photo of a Memorial Bridge. Holly explained that the photo was of a water carnival that happened here in 1908, and that this summer, thethe carnival at Memorial Beach, swan and all.
Fast forward to this past weekend, the took place at I arrived with friends and family, all with picnic baskets in hand, and set up on the beach. While awaiting the start of the float parade, I sketched the bridge and the surrounding area of plants, trees and people. Then the crowded beach erupted in cheers as the floats came into view, and I filled in the swan as it made its way down the Russian River just like in the old photo.
