A Whole Lotta Drawin' Goin' On

When you don't get any painting done, the least I can do is draw.  I had been looking at the figures painted by Milt Kobayashi and his characteristic treatment of facial features of his models.  They always appear to have the porcelain skin but huge red noses, dark sunken eyes, and pouting red lips.  I decided to take some time drawing features in his style and see how I liked my interpretation; later maybe try it out in Watercolor and maybe gouache.

New drafting Pencil and (refillable)white plastic eraser

Where Does The Time Go?

It flies, and so many things stack up like a pile of paintings I put aside to gesso some day. I rescued this one for a second look. I didn't remember it and then I saw I was looking at it upside down. It has possibilities I think.....  Is it a keeper or not?

Olivia and Hudson

The other part of the story is my extended family has been traveling a lot and I have picked up some of the slack in child care for the Grands.  Setting up a table with watercolors, paper, and nice paint brushes is a treat for all of us.  I can still learn a thing or two about painting from them..... Amazing!

Oaks Park Amusement Park

A painting friend and I went out to the Oaks Amusement Park today  because I thought it would be good to paint the vintage carousel again.  The last time was somewhere around 1975.  If you haven't been there are zebras, bunnies, lions, a camel; just about anything in the circus along with the usual carousel ponies.Well unfortunately all the animals were removed for restoration and won't be back till June.

Painting the TV

This lady was on TV talking about the history and the stock market crash. She has this blueish gray hair I just had to remember and wide green eyes!

The Shemanski Fountain

 Shemanski Fountain  sketch, Pencil and Ink on Paper

A quiet place to sketch in downtown Portland, a couple blocks below the Portland Art Museum is a triangular sandstone monument gifted to 'The People of Portland" from Joseph Shemanski. It has three drinking fountains and also uniquely, three bowls beneath to water your dogs. Each Summer a tent is erected and the Oregon Ballet conducts rehearsals free to view -open to the public at this end of the Park Blocks.

The Skidmore Fountain

The Skidmore Fountain in Old Town Portland is where early Portland residents watered their horses just prior to the turn of the century.  Oregon Historical Society has some more info here.  A few friends went to the Hawthorne Bridge and sketched along the waterfront. It was such a perfect day we continued toward the Burnside bridge and up one block to paint the Fountain. My painting comrades today are Brooks Hickerson and Donna Sanson.