REM, moving up and over
Posted: December 3, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized 17 CommentsI took a few days off from urban sketching of the REM line because of other commitments, and when I got back to it today they had made significant progress, moving right out of the Canadian Tire parking lot and into another big box store area where the views are even better. For the first time this line will soon intersect with a major north/south road that goes over the Trans Canada Highway, so there is an existing overpass that the rail line will cross. That means it will be even more elevated than it is already. The supports have gone up already for the raised portion, but we are all waiting to see the engineering of the line as goes over St. Charles Blvd. I hope I can find a viewpoint to draw it, but it’s highly unlikely that I can stop my car anywhere near the crossing. I may have to wait for spring when I can stand outside to draw.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Shari, I think it is wonderful that you are documenting an historical happening. This should be a reminder to all of us to do likewise in our hometowns – or document old buildings before they are replaced!
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Thanks so much Gerry. I’m really happy to be doing this for exactly that reason. And I am surprised to read how many people are following along through my sketches. It’s very exciting.
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I really like the way you monitor the progress of this huge enterprise with your beautiful drawings. History in the making.
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Thanks so much Ghislaine. Yes, for Montreal this is certainly history in the making. Happy to document it whenever I can. Hope you are well!
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Especially terrific composition in this one. You picked a great viewpoint. And the orange cones are perfect there. You would almost think there had to be a visual designer on the engineering team — that yellow/orange and deep blue are wonderful. All the more so on a dreary November day.
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The colours are so amazing on the site. Especially on a sunny day. It’s probably why I keep on going back. It’s moved along so much, even from late last week. Coming home the other night, I noticed that they even have a night shift because the whole apparatus was lit up and they were installing segments at 10 pm.
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It’s very cool that you have the skills, talent, and energy to document what must be a huge undertaking for your city. Your sketches could become part of the historical record . . . “old school”, hands-on, “analog” documentation of high tech!
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A terrific record of a huge construction project. Montreal will never be the same.
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Thank you Shari for inspiring me to be a better artist. They’ll get that REM thing up yet. Wow. It is way cool watching your sketches of that construction. I hope some of the workers are good looking………..Andrea Rule
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Amazing Shari – thank you so much for keeping us all up to date …
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Hi Shari, I wonder if by the time you return from Florida, Annie will have jumped over the St. Charles overpass! Each time I pass that way (almost daily) I wonder how that great feat of engineering will be accomplished. I would love to see it in action!
I am thoroughly enjoying your daily blogs, and you have inspired us into urban sketching too.
Enjoy the southern Sun!
Laura from Artists’ Circle
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HI Laura. So nice to hear from you! I think that by the time I get back Anne will have gone way over St. Charles, and I will be very sorry I missed it! Hope you are well! It was so nice to meet you in November.
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Hi Shari,
I am not sure when you are coming back to Montreal, but there may be good news for you ….I heard that Anne is staying put until February! We’ll see.
Your sketches and writings in Florida are so enjoyable, it makes me.feel as though I’m there too. I found your figures perspective and placement very helpful as I usually just avoid them.
Happy holidays, Shari!
Laura
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HI Laura,
Thanks so much for the update. I’ll be back soon and am happy to hear that Anne is still there. I want to see her go over St. Charles, and draw the process if I can! Have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!
Shari
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Thanks, Shari, and Happy New Year too!
I would also like to see the crossing process… maybe we will bump into each other !
Cheers,
Laura
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That would be very funny Laura. Have you tried to sketch Anne?
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I haven’t tried sketching her yet. I always seem to be rushing past, talking about her, telling our grandkids how they are seeing history-in-the-making and how you are “recording” it.
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