Since 2005, Davis-based “urban sketcher” Pete Scully—who works in the UC Davis statistics department—has been roaming city streets with a pen and notebook at the ready, capturing sidewalk scenes in painstakingly exquisite detail. He also encourages others to do the same, organizing monthly sketch crawls called “Let’s Draw Davis.” The North London-born artist has published two books about sketching and held numerous exhibits, including a solo show at Davis’ Pence Gallery. Below, we spotlight a selection of his singular depictions of our region that illustrate the art of the city.
Mondavi Center UC Davis, 2013
The Beat Record Store Midtown Sacramento, 2013
Second Street Old Sacramento, 2015
Newsbeat Newsstand Downtown Davis, 2020
UC Davis Arboretum UC Davis, 2018
D Street with Pence Gallery Downtown Davis, 2016
2nd Street with Varsity Theatre Downtown Davis, 2016
Tower Bridge Downtown Sacramento, 2011
J Street Homes Midtown Sacramento, 2007
L Street Capitol Park, 2009
Old City Hall Downtown Davis, 2009
Davis Train Depot Downtown Davis, 2023
Sacramento Valley Station Downtown Sacramento, 2022
Aerospace Museum of California McClellan Park, 2021
D Street Phone Booth Downtown Davis, 2012
Manetti Shrem Museum UC Davis, 2016
Robert Arneson’s Egghead Sculpture UC Davis, 2015
Historic Trains Old Sacramento, 2023
You can find more of the artist’s work at petescully.com
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