Urban Sketchers Portland
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Sketchcrawl - March 18 at the Japanese American Historical Plaza
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Sketchcrawl - Feb 18th at Union Station
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sketch by Saussha Flint, 2016 |
With unpredictable weather ahead in February, let's meet at Union Station to enjoy both indoor and outdoor sketching possibilities. There's plenty of grand architecture indoors, and some covered outdoor spots as well. Coffee and snacks are available at the train station, and if that doesn't suit, Lovejoy Bakers, at Lovejoy & 10th, is a five minute walk away.
- 10:00 am - Meet at Union Station, 800 NW 6th Ave, in the waiting area, for introductions.
- 10:30 am - Sketch in or around the train station.
- 12:00 pm- Meet outside the main entrance for sketchbook sharing
Sunday, January 8, 2023
January 21 Sketchcrawl - Lloyd Center
We went to the Lloyd Center about a year ago, when it was about to be foreclosed, and, we thought, redeveloped, so we could see it one last time. But it's still with us! So let's meet there again, to celebrate things that have come back from the dead.
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Kay French, November 2021 |
Most of the stores are gone, but the skating rink is still operating, with classes still going on. So there will be kids to sketch, if no shoppers. Lots of architecture and empty parking garages. And, if push comes to shove, each other.
There's no longer any place to buy coffee inside Lloyd Center, at least not at 10am. But there are a few places nearby, on Broadway.
There'll be plenty of parking in the garages. And plenty of access through bus, MAX or streetcar nearby.
- 10am - Meet at the base of the circular stairway, to the west of the skating rink, just inside the entrance that is closest to Holladay Park.
- Noon - Gather at the same place for an optional throwdown.
Thursday, December 1, 2022
December Sketchcrawl - Pioneer Courthouse Square - December 17
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Sketch by Blane Bellerud |
This December, let's go back to Pioneer Courthouse Square.
We'll meet in the covered patio behind the Starbucks, which is protected from the rain and has a good view of the square itself. But, of course, people are welcome to wander through the surrounding blocks to sketch whatever appeals to them. And if you'd like to stay after sketching, there will be music in the square, starting at noon.
Coffee and food will be available at Starbucks and at the Nordstorm kiosk. The restrooms in the visitors center might be open. The ones at Starbucks and the nearby department stores are sure to be available.
10am - meet at tables behind Starbucks for introductions
noon - (optional) sketchbook throwdown, at the same place.
Friday, November 25, 2022
Driven to Sketch
I don’t really believe in New Year’s resolutions, but I do believe we’re all capable of change.
Morning near Astoria. |
The art installation. |
Mt Hood from the south. |
When I ventured outside of my pandemic bubble, I found stimulation through travel. Everyplace I went, I wanted to capture the scene, to soak up what was elusive in daily life: new things. The freshness of my surroundings drove me to use my notebook to record as much as I could. I filled multiple pages of sketched goodness each day. I became more bold with the paint. I drew with abandon. My sketches weren’t technical feats, they weren’t masterpieces, but they filled a deep void.
As 2022, comes to a close, looking over all the things that I drew, I realize that something is missing; I drew mostly on my own.In 2023, I’m not making any resolutions, but I’m hoping to do a better job connecting with the sketching community, maybe even encouraging us to expand our bubbles and find new stimulation in sketching and travel, together.
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Washington Park / World Forestry Center - Saturday, November 19
Hello everyone!
Given the weather we've been having lately, for our November sketchcrawl we're choosing a location that offers several options for shelter (along with food, and a public restroom) so even if we wake up to a cold and wet day, we should be able to find a comfortable spot.
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Sketch at Oregon Zoo by Katura Reynolds |
- Sketch mountain goats in the free area near the entrance of the Oregon Zoo
- Follow a trail in Hoyt Arboretum
- Sketch the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial
- Pay the World Forestry Center entrance fee and sketch inside (opens at 11am, $5)
- Pay the Oregon Zoo entrance fee and sketch inside (opens at 9:30am, $24, subject to availability)
- If you've bought a MAX ticket, sketch from the underground platform
- Hide out inside the Cascade-to-Go cafeteria at the zoo entrance
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Sketch at Hoyt Arboretum by Bill Sharp |
Saturday, October 8, 2022
October SketchCrawl - Ladd's Addition, 10/15
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
September SketchCrawl -- Riverplace, September 17
Sketch by Carrie Holst |
So let's draw boats at Riverplace!
This location offers us coffee, food, restrooms, outdoor seating, and views of the marina. There's a pedestrian walkway along the marina with good views of bridges and the southern prospect of Portland's Waterfront Park.
10am - Meet at the US Merchant Marine Memorial, 1510 S Harbor Way, at the entrance to the Riverplace Marina Public Dock. See map below.
12pm - Return to meeting place for sketchbook throwdown.
Food & Drink (& Restrooms)
Just down Riverplace from our meeting location are Little River Cafe, which has restrooms, and Upstream Coffee. There's also a public restroom 5 minutes' walk south near Pajaro.
Transportation
This is an 8-minute walk from the Streetcar 5th & Market stop, and about 10 minutes from the Yamhill District MAX station. Many buses that cross Hawthorne Bridge will have a stop within 10 minutes of Riverplace.
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
August SketchCrawl - Multnomah Village, August 20
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Sketch by Alanna Randall |
Sunday, June 26, 2022
July Sketchcrawl - PSU Campus, July 16
Note that, with the pandemic still on, PSU has closed most of their buildings to non-students. But the the Fariborz Maseeh Hall, across from the library, will be open for customers of the farmers' market. Coffee and food will also be available from multiple booths at the farmers' market.
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Karl Miller Center at PSU, by Vicky |
Saturday, July 16
10:00am: Meet at the Walk of the Heroines. Probably on the platform at the center.
12:00pm: Sketchbook throwdown at same location