Slabtown Gouche Sketch

Here is the sketch I did from Slabtown this weekend. I'm really happy with how the gouache paint colors turned out. I used Talens 24 color opaque watercolor gouache tin from Blick and a pencil to layout shapes.

Native American Student Center PSU

Last week I had an hour to kill some time near PSU.  I am not fond of much of the modern architecture in Portland because it is boring, not adventurous, but this building is complicated and evokes the Native American traditions beautifully.  I knew what it was before I heard the name. 
It is both modest and strong, reflecting the tradition it houses.

Above, a quick sketch (with Diamine Ancient Copper ink in a Lamy Al-star) of
the Native American Student Center at the south end of the PSU campus, off the park. 
Watercolor wash moved the inks: three colors were used: Yavapei, Lapis, and Shungite, with a bit of leftover mixed green for the tree which was overshadowed by the Ancient Copper ink, which runs like crazy.... Below, pushing my comfort zones, using watercolor pencils, no inked lines (absolutely out of my comfort zone), and light watercolor washes on site.  Back in studio added to the washes a bit, and may have overworked it.  All a learning.  Watercolors are SO in the moment, unforgiving!

Slabtown New Seasons Opening!

We are so happy to have New Seasons blocks from our studio!
No more driving all around for groceries!  YAY!

We went opening day before we opened the studio.
Mostly they were setting up and greeting their new customers,
and everyone was in their best duds.

Later in the day music was played, and the band was setting up.
The neighborhood is in transition, and the old houses
(which we love) all brightly colored are sitting next to high rises.

The produce is heavenly.
We will still go to Farmer’s Market, especially during berry and peach season,
but so far (keep fingers crossed) New Seasons still is mostly organic.

Drawn onsite, some watercolors onsite.
I picked up the wrong pen, filled with Heart of Darkness Noodler's ink --
which is NOT waterproof.  I kind of liked the runny ink mixed with the watercolors.
Strathmore mixed media journal.
Finished in studio.  First time using my new chop! 

Saint Patrick's Church NW Portland

I love Saint Patrick’s Church in NW Portland.
I drive by it all the time as it sits across from our bank.
The Beaux-Arts church looks like it belongs in Italy,
set into cobbled streets surrounded by a park and houses from that era.

NO!

It sits nearly under and slammed up against the stupid freeway that was built after it.
All around is blacktop, vast possibilities for parking.
(Image below drawn from Google streets — not live from the freeway.)

The sketches were done onsite, the grey shadows were created
onsite using diluted inks as an undertone.
The text, watercolor and the sketch of the Google maps images
(the freeway) were added in the studio.
No I did NOT stand on the freeway to sketch!