Pike Place Market

by eleanor doughty @herbcoil

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In summer, vibrant dahlias and sunflowers bloom on the rooftop of the market entrance.

Pike Place Market is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world (according to Wikipedia, it's #33 with over 10,000,000 annual visitors).
It started as a humble farmer's market, nearly got demolished in the 1970s, survived the 2020 pandemic, and today is thronged by tourists from near and far.

I got an opportunity in the summer of 2023 to be a guest vendor, selling my art at a table by the entrance. To prepare, I made some new paintings of some market locations to put on postcards.

Although I've drawn at the market from life a lot, this time I used Google Street View to access some views that are very difficult to get, due to traffic and crowds.

The famous sign, and small cobblestone street leading down into "Ghost Alley". Watercolor + mixed media

The corner flower store, with vases of colorful blooms displayed on the sidewalks. dip pen + watercolor pencils.

Delicious, locally grown produce can be found in the farmer's market hallway. Mixed media + watercolor

While I was vending at the market, I also drew a lot! I worked on these two sketchbook spreads when it was slow at my table. It's the view from the 1st & Pike St entrance, where I was sitting.