Sunday Bikes and Movies

More than 31,000 bikers, peddlers skippers and walkers showed up for Portland Sunday Parkways last weekend. 8miles of city streets were blocked off to cars in North Portland linking up Peninsula, Arbor Lodge, Kenton, and McCoy Parks. It was warm and sunny off and on. We envied the kids wading in the fountain surrounded by roses of every color and fragrance. Later in the afternoon a large outdoor movie screen was the backdrop for a friendly three piece musical group with North Portland roots. Finally it was dusk; the fountain behind the gazebo subsided and the movie started. It was a perfect summer day.

Above; Pitt Pen sketch of Gazebo at Peninsula Park  5.5 x 7 inches
Watercolor...Shaded Path at Peninsula Park....5 x 5.5 inches

Georgia and Vincent

I was visiting my sister in Central Oregon a few weeks ago and got out to sketch some scenery and her Iris patch.  I had a brain storm while deciding my setup - ran over to the bunk house - brought out a bison skull and designed a painting theme; Van Gogh meets O'Keeffe.  You can see bison photos here.

Return to the River

It's raining. Must be Saturday. That was the first thing I saw on my face book written by Maddie from Seattle.  Hey, its the same down here...... but yesterday was fine, hot ,and sunny!  I wanted to go back to River Place and sit in front of the marina. Before I got that far up the path, I saw a nice shady spot close to the bank.  I quietly sat and painted across from Omsi  recording these two watercraft bobbing in the river..  I met both boat owners as they rowed ashore for quick supply runs - the boat on the left was called 'Night Owl' and on he right, 'Electra.'

Black and White Mask Studies

Sometimes you feel like using color, sometimes not. I used a 'General's Sketch and Wash' pencil; #588. These masks lent themselves as the perfect subject matter for a sketch and then washed over with a wet brush to blend. (Or not blend)

Water Lilies

 

My Plan today was to go back to River Place and paint these lilies growing near some condos on the south end.  I guess big gray heavy clouds are going to keep coming in so I need to find my big golf umbrella if this is going to happen. Cross your fingers I don't get caught in a downpour!

Glass Box Vases

One unexpected nice spring morning Carolyn and I took advantage of vases of flowers left on the deck at O'connors in Multnomah Village. This one didn't make it onto 'Behind the Scenes blog' due to my forgetful habits. I gotta work on that. It's been a while now, a few weeks since I painted these and I remember there were yellow daisies but I don't remember what the white or pink flowers were - must have been carnations.  I do remember trying to focus on shapes and repetition rather than each blossom.  I liked trying to allude to different floral  textures and glass  is always a good challenge!

Pencil Sketch

Pencil on Paper, 12 x 9 inches