NEWS & EVENTS

PHOTOS: ROBERT POIRIER MONTRÉAL IN ONE STROKE - CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SKETCHING

2022 was an anniversary year for Urban Sketchers Montréal. Established in September 2012 by co-founders Shari Blaukopf and Marc Holmes, our ever growing sketching community joined again for a major collective exhibition held in November at the Écomusée du fier monde. This was our key event of the year with over 100 drawings, 20 sketchbooks and a major visual reportage series presenting many of Montréal’s neighbourhoods, its rich architectural heritage, dynamic street life, vibrant parks and lively market places. Overall, it was a great opportunity to thank all the volunteers, participants and partners that have made the USK mission so active in Montréal. We welcome visitors and the next successful decade for Urban Sketchers Montréal.

DOMINIQUE EICHI – IN MEMORIAM

BY RENATA LEHALLE

Dominique Eichi was beyond excited to hear about the USk grant program and became an eager evangelist for the USk San Diego chapter to host a major event. She and Renata Lehalle submitted a proposal — with no great expectations against a competitive field of 17 — and much to their surprise, they were granted an award. Then the hard work began.

Dominique, despite advancing ALS symptoms, was 100% committed to the success of the event. She arranged for the workshop instructors and spearheaded the Art Show at Gallery 21. She was scheduled to give a workshop and also jury the gallery exhibition. Unfortunately, the disease progressed much too quickly and she passed on 7 September. Although we are incredibly sad that she did not live to see the fruits of her vision or receive the accolades she so truly deserved for the 2022 Seminar, we are celebrating a life well lived and are the better for having had her as part of the San Diego sketch community.

Dominique was born in New York and studied in Switzerland, where she earned her degree as an interior architect. She later returned to the States, and was based in San Diego for 40 years. She started her own business doing murals and faux-finishes for 18 years, then worked as a visual designer for 11 years for a larger company. After retirement, she could be seen in Spanish Village Studio 2, where her pieces were displayed in the gallery.

Although she also used a studio, Dominique loved the handson approach to art and favored doing art in plein air. Her medium of choice was pen and ink with watercolor accents. She loved drawing architecture, landscapes, figures, or still life and said it was truly rewarding to create a piece of art using your own impressions and feelings.

Her art has been featured in numerous galleries and locations, including Pottery Barn, West Elm and notably the San Diego International Airport in Terminal 2 for the year-long celebration of Balboa Park’s Centennial. Most of her pieces derived from the San Diego area, but she had numerous pieces reflecting her travels in Europe, with each possessing her unique interpretation.