Walk of the Heroines

What a great turnout for the sketchcrawl on Oct 18! Loved meeting all the new folks, including travelers from afar, as well as seeing old sketching buddies. Plus breakfast tamales, wow.

I mostly drew at the Walk of the Heroines at the PSU campus. Was glad for (mostly) dry weather and also very glad that there were puddles of rainwater in one of the carved stone monument thingies for the kiddo to splash in!

I was once again blown away by the sketchbook sharing at the end--such beautiful, creative, and unique ways of capturing the world around us. Thanks to everyone for being so fun and inspiring!

Milwaukie fun!

What a lovely day to get out and explore the charming town of Milwaukie! It was great to meet so many people at the gathering, and an extra bonus to get sketching insights from folks who knew the ins and out of the town. Probably wouldn't have found the pond behind the library if it hadn't been for that insider tip at breakfast!

Plus, there was a nice mossy lawn for the kiddo to roll around on...

...and baby geese just around the corner!

Scavenger Hunt: Item No. 20, Mount Hood

I had been out sketching hippos at the Oregon Zoo this weekend. While hiking back down the hill towards town, I paused at the rose garden terrace to watch a hint of the sunset colors appearing on Mount Hood. Lovely.

Canvas Art Bar

Stopped in at the Canvas this past Monday. Enjoyed drawing the model. Came away with one sketch I think is worth posting. Hoping to get out to more of these live model sessions. They seem to be very helpful and I enjoy them quite a bit.

Brooklyn Neighborhood

It had been a while since I had gone out with the group and it was nice to see everyone and sketch in an area of town I don't often find myself. Architecture and buildings aren't really my thing, but it's a good thing to do from time to time, and being out with the group is a fun way to expand my horizons. I drew the pharmacy and a couple quick sketches of the group. I seem to be sitting on the roof of the building across the street, but I seem to alter the perspective to this aerial view from time to time. My butt was on the ground, my eyes were on the telephone pole...

Aladdin Theater

I met up with our local urban sketching group for coffee then sketching, then for lunch at the Twilight Cafe, when we chatted and passed around our sketch books. The rain clouds threatened but withheld their store, and the sun even peeped out for a few minutes that day! It felt great to sketch outside for a change especially since I had such good company.

I sketched this familiar landmark in SE Portland. The sign has a certain charm for me, although I don't think I have ever been inside the theater. I see from their website that the theater has gone through several big changes through the years, from a vaudeville house in the 20's to specializing in family movies in the 50's, then to X-rated movies in the 70's and 80's. In 1993 it was renovated and started a new life as a venue for live music, as it continues now. I'll have to check out the inside sometime.

Schnitzer's Portland sign

Sketching outside today was a bit of a challenge. I stuck it out for almost an hour doing this drawing of the 'Portland' sign on the Schnitzer. I would have finished it but I just got too cold and sought the warm of inside. I joined several other sketchers inside the Performing Arts Center and tackled the Portland sign again. After a nice lunch the sun was out so I decided to give it a go again and went to South Park Blocks to see the Shemanski Fountain. Alanna and I found a sunny spot to sketch and it was great until the sun went away..... or behind a building.

I am enjoying the challenge of doing these small sketches in ink. They are quick and like little snapshots.

From the Backspace Cafe

.

I'm never quite sure where Old Town begins and China Town ends. I feel like I was sitting in Old Town but drawing buildings in China Town. It was cold and damp and the sketchbook was soggy just from being open in this air. The right hand page was done on location and a good bit of the left hand page was done later in the comfort of home. Frankly, I like the left side better.

It was great seeing/meeting everyone. Hope to see you next time.

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

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!

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

Sat Aug 8th USk PDX Sketchcrawl

As I sketched this scene, a parade of people in these motorized wheel chairs passed me in all directions, sometimes as many as 3 at a time. Each one was unique in how it had been customized toward the needs of the owner. They're pretty fast, so I had to sketch fast to get an impression. One man came by a couple of times and I was able to add a bit each time.

At our two meetups, I was able to do quick sketches of two of our members. Sorry, Kalina and Deb, I meant to offense by the poor likenesses.