Viait to a mausoleum and portrait of Alanna R. (05-28-12)

Today, Wilhelm's Funeral Mausoleum in Sellwood was open to the public and I decided to join up with Alanna R and Kalina W. to maybe take advantage of this opportunity to work on some sketches.

Well, that didn't happen for me. I was too engrossed with the oddness of what can best be described as an underground city of the dead: several levels of long dimly lit labyrinthine corridors whose walls were lined with small doors and urns. Somber setting, yet oddly calm despite the crowds.

Afterward, we went to Staccato Gelato and I tried to draw Alanna with a brush marker, clearly not my medium of choice.

Alanna R.

A piano (05-19-12)

We were visiting some friends, and I drew the fine piano in their living room...

This piano, all glossy black, was a beautiful instrument. I wanted to to feel how smooth and polished the wood would feel, and let my fingers run over the keys, and conjure melodies out of it as if by magic...

ArtSpark and Brasserie Montmartre (05-17-12)

ArtSpark was hosted by Sweet Hereafter this month. The usual hipster crowds mixing with various subcategories of Portland coolness were treated to displays set by I [Heart] Art: Portland, PDX Pipeline, RACC, and other sponsors. I was too busy filling out entry forms for the drawings to take the time to sketch the goings-on. I was particularly interested in the Nomad Brush, a very cool brush to paint on the iPad... And best of all, I was thrilled to win it! (Bwahahah!)

I drew the faces on the iPad screen with
the kiddie version of the Nomad Brush.

Afterwards, I briefly stopped by Church to visit some lady friends who were working on various crafts projects.

And since the night was still young, I took the opportunity to stop by the Brasserie Montmartre where, for their first anniversary, there was 60s French music hosted by French DJ Cecilia Paris, and a nice ambiance. I took advantage of the free fries, free cheese and olives that were offered, and ordered my usual Coke with Grenadine. Comfortably set to observe the scene, my attention was caught by a Retro style couple sitting at the bar. The back of the guy's black T-shirt said "Teach Your Children to Worship Satan"; pretty outrageous... :)

I was perfectly placed to work on this study (while munching on french fries and sipping a delectable Coke with Grenadine), I could work over my sketch and give it a finish I rarely have or take the time to do. Nice results.

artMOB Meeting in Milwaukie (05-16-12)

Curious about how ideas, plans and decisions are made that affect the local community, I decided to attend one of the meetings of the artMOB, the local organization that focuses on the arts and cultural events for the city of Milwaukie.

As an artist, my personal opinion is that organizations that focus on the arts and cultural events seem to engage in a lot of talk... And I can't say that my opinion was changed in this case. Lots of good intentions, and ideas for projects that denote sincere intentions and an attempt at innovation, but...

And I don't know why, I felt kinda like a fifth wheel at this (public) meeting...

The artMOB committee

Staff Liaison Beth R.

A Vintage Sale... at my house! (05-15-12)

Farmhouse Vintage Sale (Oak Grove - Milwaukie)

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Date: 2012-05-15, 11:10PM PDT
Reply to: your anonymous craigslist address will appear here

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Friday May 25 and Saturday May 26, 9 am - 5 pm. NO EARLY BIRDS (no kidding).

VINTAGE ONLY SALE hosted by No Ducks and Bunnies Vintage.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to attend a sale featuring fabulous VINTAGE items in a lovely park-like setting: home decor, china, sewing, garden, small furniture, chairs, dressers, trunks, -even bridal dresses-, and more...

From Mc:Loughlin Blvd./Hwy 99, West on Oak Grove Blvd; South on Linden to 2323 Creighton Ave.

The Ducks and Bunnies house is the charming old yellow farmhouse behind the green doublewide at the corner. The property is accessible by foot via driveways on Creighton Ave. and on Sarah Lane.

- PLEASE USE STREET PARKING -. 

Portraits of Suzanne and Quinn (05-09-12)

I went to DeNicolas' Italian Restaurant with Suzanne and Quinn C. and drew then.

OSU Chamber Choir in Portland (05-08-12)

Our daughter Valérie told us that the OSU Chamber Choir was going to sing at First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland tonight. Not to sound biased, but I wouldn't miss a chance to hear Valérie sing, and besides, the music was beautiful.

Bad Sketch

Well, this is a particularly lousy sketch, one I would normally not even want to post, but since today was our anniversary, why not mark the moment after all?

Many, many years...

 

Meeting of the Dreamers' Club (05-06-12)

I got an intriguing invitation via email for a meeting of the Dreamers' Club...

This took place at TaborSpace on SE Belmont, but I wasn't in the best frame of mind... In fact, I was right in a such deeply depressed state of mind that made it impossible to even think of any project in my life that would be of any worth to even think about.

So I wrote down other people's dreams for the group.

Members of the Dreamers Club, with miserable me, on the right

Crystal Springs (05-02-12)

I have driven through Eastmoreland for years, always wondering about Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens. I finally decided that since this was a day when the entry was free after 4 PM, I might as well put my inner questions about the place to rest.

Yeah, it is pretty, but kinda boring. There were lots of people, actually too many, some of whom were jerks, like the guy who was showing his kid how to pester a duck, and the couples who blocked the way with bulky strollers.

I can see color variations, shadows, etc., in a photo, but I struggle with real scenery. So I made a valiant effort, even though the result looks static...

Hmmm...