Rose City Cemetery Memorial

As I wandered through the cemetery with my fellow urban sketchers, I was drawn to this lovely grave marker.  I settled myself down onto the grass and began to imagine the sunshine streaming through a kitchen window onto a happy family scene from long ago.  This loving memorial was to someone precious to that family.

Sunshine and Cemetery Landscaping

A lovely sketchcrawl on a sunny February day! I strolled down to the Rose City Cemetery with a small team of sketching pals and we settled into the lovely, peaceful green space to sketch. My toddler was very keen on having me help her with the walking practice on the lawn, so I only got off a few quick impressions of the meticulously-sculpted holly trees that lined the entry drive.

Brown chalk on white paper--you'll notice that I had some kiddo help on that one...

And borrowed oil pastels for a splash of color appropriate to the sunny day! My tiny helper was so kind as to color in the blue on the lower part of the page. We then had to act fast to keep her from coloring on any of the headstones, but she did at least add some oil pastel bling to her shoes to top off the adventure.

Big thanks to the friendly staff of the Rose City Cemetery who made us feel very at home (and who are eager to see what other people drew via the blog posts.) The urgency of naptime kept us from attending the sketchbook sharing at lunch, so I'm eager to see folks post what they drew around the neighborhood as well!

Palms Motor Hotel on Interstate

I either never have time or can't find a place to park to have a go at the sign;
Thursday I had two tries, before and after a doctor's visit.  The first was hurried and I like it better;
the second I did a set-up, etc, and yet the joy of the image is a bit lost.  Some do best the second time: I find I often do my best work the first time out, and if I don't get it, should just walk away.

 

Above, very fast and spontaneous, no set-up, about 15 minutes. 

I like the dark black ink, even though it bled.
I feel like I captured my feeling for the sign (reminds me of home.)

Below, chose an ink that doesn't run in grey, did a set-up in grey watercolor pencil, 35 minutes,

(cut short by creepy guy deciding to stand and stare at me through the window)
and feel it doesn't hit the mark for me.  Not as much focus on the sign either.

White Eagle Saloon, N Russell & N Mississippi

Vicky and I were starting our sketches of the White Eagle Saloon when a car parked and blocked our view....some poor planning on our part but we kind of felt that he could have chosen another parking spot one car back. Oh well! This drawing was well enough along to feel OK about it in this state. I then added a map of the site...I have been wanting to do something with maps for some time. It didn't exactly turn out as I'd hoped but the idea is still gelling and so there will be other opportunities.


I loved the area around N Russell and think it has lots of potential so I will be going back there to explore some more. All told a 'good day'.

Building Ornament

Sitting in the corner of the Architectural Heritage Center, this big pink gnarly hunk of ornament called my novice skills to the challenge.

The sketch is 3x4.5" in a homemade journal of the same size on 24# linen paper with a black Pilot VBall, brown Slicci and Tombo and Pitt brush pens.

Hollywood Theater

Today, I decided to add color to my pictures. I realized I was guessing on some, so I drove over to take another look. It was the same time, but no flags, a little bit more sun, new movies on the marquee, and of course, no sketchers. It was definitely more fun yesterday!

Hollywood Theater

Hollywood Theater, originally uploaded by jswalkky.

This historic theater seems like a very glamorous but faded movie star who has fallen on hard times. I remember going there for the first time to see the futuristic movie, 2001, A Space Odyssey, in 1968. The interior was every bit as ornate as the exterior and I felt transported into a different world just by walking inside. The theater was built in 1926.

Our local Urban Sketcher group spent the morning sketching in the area, then we had lunch and passed around our sketchbooks. I had a marvelous time!

White Eagle, Alanna's perspective

Twelve portland sketchers descended upon the White Eagle Hotel and Cafe to do some urban sketching at 10am on a Saturday in September.

It is so much fun to see this group grow in numbers and in energy! I'm pleased that we are all not only enjoying each other's company while sketching, but also starting to talk about other common interests, such as books. I love it!

Here's to many more awesome sketching sessions (aka sketchcrawls) with some amazing people.

And speacial thanks to the folks at White Eagle for not only serving all 12 of us an amazing lunch, but also for their enthusiasm for our sketches!

White Eagle

Here's my (crookedly cropped) sketch of the White Eagle from Saturday. The shadows and perspective are off, but I like the power lines. Now I want to go back and try it all again.

I did a sketch/journal type thing too, that's on my blog (Draw2C) if you're interested.

It was a fun to be out with all you sketchers!

My Miss-Spent Youth

Lunch at the The White Eagle

click to enlarge

Kalina was admiring the single malts in the cabinet with leaded glass doors.

...

White Eagle

Here is our group hard at work on Saturday Morning, sketching the White Eagle Saloon and Hotel. From left to right are (I think) Anne, Jennifer, Kalina, Jason, Vicky, Janene and Louise. I apologize if I got that wrong and sorry Jason kind of got smeared by the photostiching. Also present, but not pictured were Alanna and Carrie.


Here are the two sketches I did.




After doing the first one I wandered down to Interstate Ave to sketch this chimney thing. Not sure what it's for.

White Eagle Saloon

White Eagle Saloon, originally uploaded by jswalkky.

This old tavern, built in 1905, is in the industrial part of town and has quite a checkered past.  It is two blocks from a huge rail yard, and used to be frequented by very tough characters indeed but is now owned by McMenamins and has been beautifully restored.  We spent a fun morning sketching the building, then headed inside to pass around our sketch books and get a bite to eat. Portland, OR, USA