December 21 Sketchcrawl - Lloyd Center

It's starting to become a December tradition to meet at the Lloyd Center, where we can enjoy shelter from the rain and cold, and also sketch some ice skaters and Christmas decorations.

sketch by Derek Beaudoin

There are various coffee and food options in the mall, and a pop-up winter market is scheduled for that weekend, starting at 11.  And Off the Page is putting on an art 'experience' on the second floor, also starting at 11.  You may need to reserve a ticket for this, but it's free.

• 10am - Meet in the middle of the hall on the second floor near the north entrance, between Barnes and Noble and Forever 21 for introductions.
• Noon - Meet again at a spot TBD, for an optional sketchbook throwdown.

PSU Farmers Market

Well, the weather was not nearly as nice as it had been last year.  And the fall color was pretty much gone.  But it didn't rain on us, delaying that until the afternoon.

Thanks to everyone who came out and braved the chill.

November 16 Sketchcrawl - PSU Farmers' Market

Going to the PSU farmers' market worked well for us last year.  Let's try it again and see if the weather is as nice this year.

If the weather cooperates, we can sketch outdoors around the farmers market. If it's too cold or wet, we can pick up some pumpkins, apples, or other still life-worthy subjects at the market, and draw together indoors.

We'll meet just outside the west entrance to Fariborz Maseeh Hall, which is always open during the farmer's market. The building offers bathrooms, a Case Study coffee shop, and a lovely area downstairs where we can sit and sketch a still life, the building's interior, or each other. 

• 10 AM: Meet in front of Fariborz Maseeh Hall on the farmers market side, 1855 SW Broadway, for introductions
• Sketch indoors or out, depending on weather
• 12 noon:  Meet back at the front of the building (or indoors if it's raining) to share our sketches in a (totally optional!) throw-down.

Irvington

Well, it rained yesterday, and will probably rain tomorrow.  But today was lovely, even turning sunny and warm for us.  Maybe the fall colors that we'd been hoping for were muted, but people used artistic license to get them in anyway.  

Thanks to everyone who came out this morning.

October 19th Sketchcrawl - Irvington

sketch by Andrea Matthews

Let's try for fall color on the east side of the river this October, in Irvington.  There are plenty of trees and Craftsman houses.  

We'll meet at Fremont Place, at NE 15th and Fremont, where there's a Whole Foods and a Starbucks, with Cafe Destino a block away, at 14th and Fremont.  If it rains, there are coffee shops, awnings at the shopping center, and rain shelters at Irving Park and Sabine School nearby.

• 10am: Meet in front of Whole Foods (3535 NE 15th Ave) for introductions
• noon: Meet again for an optional sketchbook throwdown, at the same place (if not raining), or at some more sheltered spot.

The 24 and 8 buses both have stops at this corner.

World Trade Center/Salmon Springs/Coraline's Cats

Thanks to everyone who came out.  The weather couldn't have been better.  And it was fun to see everyone's take on the cats, and on the fountain, in all it's configurations.

September 21 SketchCrawl - WTC/Salmon Springs

sketch by Vicky Porter

Those of us who have been downtown of late may have noticed that it's been overrun with cats.  They're scheduled to leave town in mid-October, so I thought we'd time our September sketchcrawl to catch them.

Let's meet at the World Trade Center, at the base of Salmon.  There are two cats very close, one at the WTC, at SW 1st and Salmon, and the other across Naito at Salmon Springs.  Or, if that feels too kitschy, there's always the nearby architecture, or the springs and waterfront.  And even Mill Ends Park.

It's downtown, so well served by Trimet.  The 6, 10 and 14 all stop a block or two away, and the bus mall is just up the street.

There are a couple of spots to get coffee: 40 Lbs, at 2nd and Salmon, and Starbucks, at 2nd and Main.

For restrooms, the coffee shops are probably your best bet.  Otherwise, there's supposed to be a public restroom on the waterfront under the Hawthorne Bridge.  And there used to be some up by City Hall at Chapman and Lownsdale Squares.

• 10am: meet at the cat at the World Trade Center for introductions
• noon: meet at the same place, or some place to be determined, for an optional sketchbook throw-down

Cathedral Park

Well, it ended up being a beautiful morning, despite a scary weather forecast.  

Thanks to everyone for making the long trek to St Johns.