Reflecting on Vintage Fairs (04-29-12)

After all the vintage fairs I've participated in, I decided that there is no point in wasting my money to participate as a vendor at such events any further.

There is no reason for me to pay steadily increasing fees for spaces steadily decreasing in size, to pack everything, to unpack, to set an entire booth, to work for hours, repack everything, and this for the ultimate financial benefit of organizers who (as in the last event) have the nerve to take out their frustrations on me. As a vendor paying for a service (the event, its location, and the public's presence), I expect to be treated politely.

The only ego trip I am willing to be involved in is my own.

So, this may just be the push I needed to stage my own events at my house, since I have all the space to display whatever I want, a carpool, two driveways, a huge studio, with no fees to pay, and no space limitations...

An interesting prospect...

Seen at a Vintage Fair (04-28-12)

I won't name the vintage fair, though. This is the last time I will be a vendor at this venue. I don't need to be treated like crap by anyone.

That said, cool, retro fashion, all the way.

PDX Urban Sketchers at the Chinese Garden (04-21-12)

The Portland Urban Sketchers met at the Lan Su Chinese Garden as a group, to sketch or paint. As usual, I got there so late that I might as well have not bothered going (and that's exactly why I make myself go, even if late...). I was so late, that it was almost closing time, and a nice man at the gate let me in for free; he probably felt sorry for me...

I don't feel very confident with color, but made a valiant effort to paint with my small portable watercolor kit.

Entrance Gate 

Malpertuis (04-20-12)

Malpertuis is a 1971 movie based on the novel Malpertuis by Belgian author Jean Ray. A long-time fan of Jean Ray's novels, I saw this movie when it came out, and it was real treat to find it available on Netflix's DVD rental site.

 Ghent, Belgium

"Euryale"

Blues at Trails End Saloon (04-20-12)

Gary and I went to the Trails End Saloon (a busy place!) to listen to some live music.

A Visit to PNCA (04-20-12)

Julia and I went to visit Pacific Northwest College of Art. The building is state-of-the-art pretty...and why not, at $30,000 a year? The staff presentations? A bunch of self-important, pompous asses...but what do I know?

 Staff "Art Speak" (with a nice sketch of Julia at left).

 This says it all, as far as I am concerned...

A painting instructor at PNCA and some other staff member (?).

Clackamas County Meeting (04-19-12)

I don't claim to know much about politics, but the soon-to-be-coming TriMet ligh trail project sure gets some people riled up. In that light, it's interesting whenever one gets a chance to observe the local political process.

There was a public meeting at the Clackamas County headquarters, and people had a chance to speak their minds regarding the project. Testimony ranged from statements that the light rail would be a positive influence on this part of the woods, to panicked warnings that crime will engulf the whole area,  and ruin Clackamas County forever. The funny thing is, from my experience driving on McLoughlin Blvd./Hwy. 99 on a regular manner, there ins't much to be proud about the succession of strip clubs, car dealerships, empty lots, rundown empty stores, and ratty trailer parks that punctuate it... The light rail might in fact contribute to a cleanup of the area!

Fame and Glory! (04-04-12)

...Naw, really, this is really cool: Imagine my surprise when I opened the paper and saw that the article about my art classes that the local paper, The Clackamas Review, had published was not just a tiny side box somewhere near the back page, but a half page article with a photo of me! Very, very cool!..