Yesterday I had the opportunity to sketch at the American Swedish Institute. Out in the courtyard was a huge metal statue dressed like Santa Lucia, a martyr killed for her faith in 304. My blank page began with the hair of this statue, made from some type of fabric. I inked in the face and rest of the statue, then added the clothes. It’s hard to tell, but I would guess the statue is around 20 feet or so tall, as I saw people taking pictures in front of it. In the background of the courtyard were trees, a fire pit, seating areas, and the Turnblad mansion. While my family looked around the museum, I sketched. I found the statue a bit strange-looking, and by comments from other people near me, I was not alone. I think the metal features of the face and the see-through hair behind it kinda messed with most people’s image of a pristine blond-haired Swedish girl as the St. Lucia. But in any case, it made for a great sketch subject, as did the mansion behind it!
St. Lucia
