59th World Wide SketchCrawl at Okcheonam Temple

panoramic view of Okcheonam Temple, pencil and watercolor

looking up the temple complex inside the gate, pencil and watercolor

Rock-carved Seated Bodhisattva in Bodogak Hall, pen and watercolor

approaching the One Pillar Gate of Okcheonam Temple, 

pen and watercolor

a colorful scene of the neighboring village, pen and watercolor

distant view of the temple under the overpass, pen

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(29.6 x 42cm sketchbook)

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It was a little windy but pleasantly sunny and warm last Saturday. For the 59th World Wide SketchCrawl, USK Seoul members met at Okcheonam Hermitage, a small and peacefull temple in Hongeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Okcheonam Temple located at the foot of Samgaksan Mountain, and beneath the precinct Hongjecheon stream that flows throughout the year. The Temple dates back to the 14th century during the Goryeo dynasty. Lots of colorful Lotus Lanterns are beautifully embroidered on the temple and the street around the surrounding residential village. It was to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday on May 22. The temple buildings are built on narrow and steep bedrock linearly, and the natural combination of different architectures seems very interesting and beautiful features harmonized with the natural landscape. Especially the Rock-carved Seated Bodhisattva of Okcheonam Hermitage (Designation: Treasure No.1820) is famous for a large Buddhist image over five meters tall. The granite carving is concave and painted in a lovely seashell white, and so called "The White Buddah". Though the site of the temple is long narrow and rather small but the the precincts was crowded with Buddhists and visitors for lanterns ceremony to celebrate Buddha's Birthday. 

On entering the temple, I was fascinated with the panoramic scenes of the temple and the neighboring village, including access bridge over the stream and curved overpass, apartment buildings, etc. I enjoyed sketching several colorful scenes around the small and peaceful temple at the foot of the mountain nearby downtown Seoul.

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석탄일을 앞두고 거리마다 연등으로 수놓은 신록의 새봄~

삼각산과 홍제천을 따라 도심속의 시골내음이 배어나오고

쉬지않고 달리는 고가도로 밑의 다정한 "하얀 부처님"

일상의 소재가 구석구석 담겨있는 명품 스케치의 장소입니다.