On-Site Sketching: The University: Pavilion IV III II I

Sketches made on the Lawn at the University of Virginia, Fall Semester 2011. My goal is to draw the Pavilions of the Academical Village in front elevation, focusing on Proportion.


The weather is nice again and sketching on the Lawn has resumed Thursdays at 3:30. Drawing Pavilions V, VI, VII.  If you want to draw, you are welcome!

PHILADELPHIA: 900 BLOCK Clinton Street

A second block in Philadelphia! A mansion on one corner, an apartment building on the other. In between, brick rowhomes of all shapes and sizes. with Flags.

Viva Philadelphia!

Get your print HERE in my shop.

PHILLY Rowhouses: For the Groom

Clinton Street Rowhouses

A gift from the bride to her new husband on the occasion of their wedding. Sarah asked me to draw these Philadelphia rowhouses which her sweetheart owns on Clinton Street, adding flowers in window boxes and framed by two elegant street trees. The couple's names and wedding date are inscribed above the set of identical, mirrored doors to left.

Valentine Map

Another clever, sweet and creative idea from a husband to his wife. He said to me: "I met my wife in Savannah, at Forsyth Park, while in grad school at SCAD. I want give her this map for Valentines day (it is our 10 year anniversary) and I was wondering if you could add in a little red heart near the fountain in the park. Nothing too big, a subtle touch of red."

LOVE it.

You Warm My Winter

Winter Break time has allowed my mind wander some and go where it wants to go. Love - go figure. I've noticed Valentine's stuff at the grocery (some say they've seen Cadbury eggs at some shops - what?) so I know I am far behind the marketing machine. This is not marketing. It's from the heart. <3

I woke up with some ideas this morning and have designed this little sentiment into a special note card - for your Valentine or your sweetheart any old wintery time.

Envelopes are slate or natural, sealed with a big red heart printed on the back flap. You can get one HERE in my shop.

Eastport MAINE

Historic District  EASTPORT MAINE  Tides Museum, K. Sparenborg
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The Director of the Tides Museum & Institute of Art, reflecting on my This is Savannah Vol. 2 book, asked if I would consider making similar drawings for another town - in particular, a small water town on the northeast coast of Maine called Eastport. Dream job? Yes! 


Eastport boomed in the late 1800s with ship-building, sustained through the mid-1900s with sardine-canning, but slumbered as industry went quiet in the later 1900s.  With an eye toward preservation of the architectural fabric of Eastport's Water Street and an investment in the capacity of art to engender architectural appreciation and preservationist sentiment, I was asked to draw the streetscape at Eastport's heart to produce a Print for sale and museum exhibition. It is finally finished and a big box of prints is on their way to Maine!

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Virginia Tech College of Architecture: Visual Readings Exhibit, Lost Communities of Virginia

 Visual Readings: The Designer's Language

Cowgill Hall Lobby  --  November 17-18 2011

"On the occasion of recognizing the new book, Lost Communities of Virginia...a book sale and author signing features extensive displays of photography and hand sketches by Kirsten [Sparenborg] and many current architecture students at Virginia Tech.

Panel's of Kirsten's long history of sketches and photography are hung alongside the collective visual work by student residents of the Spring 2011 Semester at Virginia Tech's Center for European Studies and Architecture in Switzerland. Also included is recent student seminar work with analysis of three small town in Southwest Virginia: Shawsville, Snowville and Simmonsville.

This exhibit focuses on the core necessity that design education must cultivate an acute ability for visual literacy. Lost Communities of Virginia, and the ongoing work of our students to study, record and understand our towns, strengthens valuable research in making better human settlements.

Custon cabinet by my friend and former Architecture classmate, BJ Harris.

The best part was to speak to students and re-connect with Professors Egger (photo), Albright, Dunay, Clements, Braaten and Dean Davis.