So proud of my students this morning in the Bike Cataloguing class at Splendid Cycles. They worked really hard and had to deal with a very complicated subject. The result was satisfying–another Portland's story is told in sketches of whimsical bikes. 

If you would like to be a part of the global urban sketching workshop series taking part around Portland this spring and summer check out the details and programming here

May Sketchcrawl - Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Saturday, May 20 - Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

We've sketched at Crystal Springs before and it's well worth the slight added complication of getting us all there from the nearest cafe. I believe the rhododendrons will be at (or just slightly beyond) peak bloom, and there's a lot beyond rhododendrons to draw as well.

Cost: $5 for entry to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, plus any food or drinks you want to buy at First Cup.

• 9:30 am: Meet at First Cup Coffeehouse - 4103 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland Oregon 97202. At 10 am we'll see if those with cars can ferry down those without cars, but if not, it's a 15 minute walk due west on Woodstock then briefly north on 28th to get to the garden.
• 10:10 am: Meet at Crystal Springs - 5801 SE 28th Ave (between SE Holgate and SE Woodstock), Portland, OR 97202
• 12:00 pm: We'll gather to share sketchbooks near the entrance to the garden, and optionally head to lunch at Laughing Planet. - 4110 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202.

Map to our meeting location, First Cup Coffee:



Map to Crystal Springs, in case you'd like to rendezvous with us there:

New trees

Another installment on my continuing saga of recovering from this winter's storms.

I planted replacement trees in late April.  And by 'I', I mean Friends of Trees, although I did tag along and help out.

This is a crape myrtle, replacing the 90-year old catalpa that came down in the snowstorm in January.

And this is a persimmon, which replaces the catalpa that the city had me take down.

#usk10x10Portland Vignettes at the Oregon Historic Society

Kitchen implements brought to Oregon by settlers in the 1800's

Display of stuffed beaver, bird and various old Oregon items

Glenn talking about vignettes.

First 10 x 10 workshop on vignettes at the Oregon Historic Society

The first 10 x 10 workshop on sketching vignettes at the Oregon Historic Society Museum was a total success. Looking forward to 9 more with these and other sketchers. The first three workshops are sold out but there are still spaces in the ones coming up later this spring and summer. 

March for Science / Government Buildings

I got soaked riding downtown to meet with the other sketchers.

After coffee and breakfast we wandered out into the rain.   Which had settled down to, at best, a drizzle.   I hung out in front of the federal building all morning.

I started out doing the sculptures at the entrance while waiting for the March for Science to get started and reach us.





 





Then a motorcycle cop who was directing traffic out of the way of the march.




















And finally, I caught Andrea lost in her own creative process.

March for Science and Government Buildings Sketchcrawl

To mark a new chapter in the Resistance movement I made a new accordion book to take to the March for Science on Earth day, April 22, 2017. 

Every time I would find a good vantage point to sketch rain would start and I would have to scurry for cover. I did spot my favorite Unpresidented Brass Band right away who were tuning and prepping ahead of the march.

Sketching from the top of the of Morrison bridge allowed me to capture the crowd listening to the rally speakers ahead of the march. Congressman Earl Blumenauer addressed the enthusiastic crowd about the dangers of the government who does not believe in facts or science. 

Always a crowd pleaser–a group of Raging Grannies. 

As the rain intensified I found cover in a parking lot on Columbia Ave. that allowed me to see the crowd as they were turning off Naito parkway. I used the same trick during the Women's March in January.  

Most of color had to be finished at home, as I wasted too much time running away from the rain. 

Science March / Government Buildings

A small crew gathered at the Good Earth Cafe, cozy inside while it rained hard outside.

I sketched a few people in the cafe who seemed to be about to march.

Then we all went outside.  The rain let up.  I focused on a view of the Portland Building.  There are a lot of protected views from the awning in front of the Justice Center.

Finally we met up at Rock Bottom Brewery for lunch.  It was another delightful time.

Government Buildings / Science March Sketch Crawl tomorrow!

APRIL 22

This is a reminder about our sketch crawl tomorrow!

With so many critical things happening politically right now, it is good to know where government functions are, and to sketch them. There are a lot of government buildings clustered around this spot. We will sketch around Lownsdale Square, at SW 3rd and Main, near the Elk Statue.  If there is a protest that day, we can sketch that too.  The Science March is happening tomorrow - so it will be a great thing to sketch.

Rain is predicted so bring your rain gear.

• 9:30am - 10:00am 10:00am - Meet at Good Earth Cafe (1136 SW 3rd Ave) for coffee, snacks, and socializing.
• 10:00am - Option 1 - sketch the rally at the Morrison Bridge
• 10:30am - Option 2 - sketch government buildings, statues, cars, and marchers possible protesters.
• 12:00noon - Optional lunch and sketchbook sharing at Gandhi Indian Restaurant (710 SW 2nd Ave).

See you there!

More Blossoms

I love this time of year.  So rich with promise.