Posed Model Sketch

This was a quick sketch done from the posed model  that was different from the view I was painting.  I finished out the sketch after the session  working from photos.  I have enough information to probably do a nice portrait.  The last day of Spring vacation I was able to get in a little painting time with Liv.  (First time using the big palette) I gave her the idea for the flower pot, her idea to add the big yellow Ladybug. Fun!

Sunday Parkways

I was at the Park Blocks downtown just to see the activity because lots of streets were closed to cars. Only bikes and pedestrians could could follow the 6 mile loop linking SW Portland through The Pearl and into NW Portland. (Wallace Park)  The whole event looks so family friendly; Kids on the back seat of Tandem bikes, Kids with training wheel bikes, and kids in bike trailers.  I sketched these little folding travel bikes while I took a little break in the shade.  The company that makes these is down in Eugene, called Bike Friday. They really looked slick and folded down to the size of a baby carrier in about 10 seconds. I think they picked great colors but you'll have to add lights and reflectors.

There is a glare on the sign but this is a couple blocks North of the Museum.  The Farmers Market is in this block on Wednesdays till 2pm.

Kodiak Bear

    Quickie little sketch this morning (cute bear of Carolyn's) and then a planned outing to Kruger Farms on Suavie Island.  Meeting any number of artists to paint around the farm and later enjoy a bar-b-q  and art sale.  Live music too!  Hope we get some sun this afternoon.  If you are in our neck of the woods, come on out - dive out highway 30, Take the new bridge to the island and head past the little market.  Hope to see you there!

Stocking The Trout Pond

( Maybe I should have photo-shopped in some green in these bottles for St Patrick's Day!? ) A few weeks ago our Tuesday morning breakfast meeting had a great discussion about "Stocking the Trout Pond" You may or may not be familiar with the term or heard it said in a different way.   The  artist must develop a reservoir of ideas from which to glean  to produce works of art. We talked about how each of us go about filling our individual puddles;  reading or borrowing art books & magazines - visiting galleries and museums - taking art classes and attending lectures.  All very good ideas but you know, not anyone brought up the probably easiest and most obtainable, with just a pencil and paper, just Doodle! Do it every day.  I just remembered seeing John Salminen's sketchbook with pages and pages of little thumbnail drawings.  there were probably 30 to the page, no bigger than an oversize postage stamp, two or three values, and just shapes.  He said he did these while other stuff was going on, his pencil and hand just kept moving across the page.  Later, he may find one to develop into an abstract painting but it will most likely go through a few more incarnations in the final work.

(Bottle Doodle -  4 x 6 - pen &  ink)

First Friday in Multnomah Village

Yesterday I stopped by O'Connors to place the printed cards on our new monthly show(Eight+ @O'Connors in Multnomah Village) which is our last turn till after the first of the year. I like the new direction some of our group is moving .  It was such a beautiful sunny day I hung around out on the deck and sketched some of the potted flowers out for their last hoorah! Got some good feed back on our show too.

Painting Pear

From my sketchbook; bought a pear just to paint it. It had a funny unexpected shape and lots of color and texture.  Set on a kitchen towel with side lighting. Good exercise in seeing.

Naito Drive

Watch for the 10 x 10 show at Art Media Gallery@928.  !00 artists; all art $100 or less.
Oct 31 - Dec 3rd.

'Naito Dr.'
Watercolor
10" x 10"

20 Minute Color Sketch

The Canvas Art Bar and Bistro located in NW Portland hosts a live model sketching session every Monday night. If you are interested look for them on Face Book for events like Over Head Pictionary and monthly Etsy user Meet-up. We showed up for happy hour and sketched till the model left; wish there was more time; wish they could have First Monday as leotard night. All in all it was an enjoyable experience for me and friends.  Look for more of our sketches on the Behind The Scenes Blog.

Another 20 minute pencil sketch

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