Movie: "Carlos" (2010) (03-02-11)

We watched "Carlos," a three-part mini-series about terrorist Carlos The Jackal, a totally fascinating story that left me wondering why anyone would engage in terrorist activities.

When I watch a movie, the action is sometime too engrossing and I will put down my pen, and leave the page as is, or pick the pen up again later on, if I see a face or a detail that catches my attention. The pages below from my sketchbook reflect our watching the movie over three nights, as I stopped drawing after the end of each episode of the movie. As you can see, on each subsequent session, I try to fill the space on the page, and to add some new details to some of the previous sketches.

Part one: Basic structure; lay things on the page

Part two: Add details, filler images

Part three: Finish off, more filler and touch-ups

Paper Fashions (03-01-11)

Shortly after I posted my fashion sketches Linda Daily, a fellow sketch artist, recommended I look up Isabelle de Borchgrave, an artist whose name I had never heard before.

Doing some research, I was intrigued to find out that:
1.) like me, she was born in Belgium
2.) she makes accurate-looking, full-size reproductions of historical costumes out of PAPER!

I located a book about her and made the trip all the way to Powell's in Beaverton. I spent one hour looking at every image, absolutely mesmerized by the colors, the shapes, the textures, and to think it was all made of paper... I drew some quick sketches of the dresses I liked best, just be able to take a little something of these fabulous fashions home with me...but my sketches don't do the work justice.

Paper shoes!

Beautiful 17th century clothing

The hair was made of twisted paper

First Tuesday at Walters Cultural Arts Center (03-01-11)

My Sketching class at the Walters Cultural Arts Center tonight happened to coincide with First Tuesday, and that meant the opening night for an art show. A perfect opportunity for the students in the class to look at original artwork and to practice sketching people in public. Baptism by fire...

A local high schooler was exhibiting her drawings. I drew her while she was talking to some people. She had the fragile grace of youth, not quite an adult yet, but not a child anymore.

Five musicians from the Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra were playing in the lobby; a couple of pieces were original enough to make me wish for Christopher were there to enjoy them.

Happy Hour at Miss Delta (02-28-11)

Gary had to help someone from Church move across the river to Vancouver, so I asked him to take me along part of the way and drop me off on Mississippi Ave in North Portland, to give me some time to walk around and take a look at the shops, something I never have the time to do when driving through the neighborhood.

It was raining, and it was a nice opportunity to take in the neighborhood sights at a slow pace, without any crowds. I spent a while at Paxton Gate, an unusual store selling taxidermy-related items elegantly displayed in 19th century-style cabinets.

By the time I made it down to Miss Delta, it was dark outside with my ride still busy helping with the move. I took a long time to make up my mind before finally ordering a Gumbo Mac, the perfect food for cold weather.

Inside Miss Delta

Big guy eating

Party at the Art Museum (02-26-11)

My participation in a study of native French speakers at the Portland French Alliance won me two tickets to the Portland International Film Festival Wrap-up Party at the Art Museum last night. It took me a while to convince Moso to brave the frigid cold and go with me, but the minute I got there, I was bored out of my mind. The place was full of old people dressed in black sipping wine and looking smart. The music was okay, if one likes reggae or calypso (I prefer Techno), and Moso got to talk with the marimba player.

So I resorted to watching people for a while, then decided to do this sketch. It was a challenge because people were dancing or moving from table to table the entire time, and there was a need to keep everything is perspective (larger in close-up; smaller in background). I didn't have the time to work much on the band.

Moso and I drove by KBOO on E. Burnside afterward. It was well past midnight and excruciatingly cold outside. There was a lot of activity in the vicinity of the Jupiter Hotel and, totally baffling, we saw some young women, scantily dressed and probably drunk, walking barefoot on the iced-up sidewalks...

Party for I [Heart] Art: Portland (02-25-11)

A fun party at PNCA to celebrate I [Heart] Art, an organization that provides professional development workshops for craftspeople, in conjunction with Etsy.

 The huge amazing cake was made by Bakery Bar; for the principle, I had to get a second serving... But the best treat was the Red Velvet Cake made by Isaac Watson, so delicious that I had to get a second slice of that one as well...

View of the Columbia River Gorge (02-20-11)

I went to the Columbia River Gorge with some friends who were visiting from California. 

This is such a beautiful place, especially in the autumn, with all the leaves falling. On the sketch, one can see the Vista House to the right in the distance...

Viewpoint in Corbett

On the sketch, one can see the Vista House to the right in the distance...

Photo taken from the parking area outside the Vista House.

At the City Auction (01-28-11)

I just can't help myself and must pull the pen and sketchbook out...

Went to a Concert (01-27-11)

Christopher plays the clarinet with the Oregon Symphonic Band. Instead of sketching the musicians, I focused on the director...

At the Rural Auction (01-25-11)

I love going to the auction and spent dead time sketching people.

Workshop for the Right Brain Initiative (01-19-11)

I attended a workshop organized by the Right Brain Initiative, featuring presenter Deb Brzoska. I relate to experiences in a visual manner, so here goes...

Passengers on the Bus (01-19-11)

Well, here are some people on the 33 bus today.

I always wonder how one could sleep without risking missing one's stop...

Waiting for the Bus (01-19-11)

I sometime wish I could freeze great moments...

A street musician caught my attention while I was waiting for the bus, and there was no point sketching him, because what I wanted to remember most of all was his singing...

The Man Who Loved Women (01-17-11)

We watched an old French movie, "The Man Who Loved Women." The main character had an unusual, yet somehow appealing face.
I liked this movie. It reflects the world I grew up in and I still remember clearly, when it was not unusual for men to compliment women... I feel invisible in this country; it's like one to go to Europe to get a compliment from a stranger.

At the Auction (01-17-11)

I love going to rural auctions. They're a perfect setting to draw people with interesting faces...

Portland Bridal Show (01-16-11)

I went to the Portland Bridal Show at the Convention Center, and was fascinated by the bridal fashion show. Although I favor vintage styles, the dresses were gorgeous. It was a fun challenge to draw as fast as I could, and to get the essence of these dresses in just a few strokes...

Oak Lodge History Detectives (01-13-11)

The Oak Lodge History Detectives had a meeting inside the Bomber Museum in Milwaukie to discuss, among others, visiting with elders who grew up in the area to record their oral histories, and establishing a photo record of the area's historic inventory. I volunteered to take some of the photographs.

I like this panorama done over two two-page spreads in my sketchbooks (page creases have been Photoshopped over). The challenge area was at the junction of one spread to another, and evidently, I didn't draw far enough from the edge on the second spread; but it's still a pretty darn nice exercise...

Faces at the Auction (01-07-11)

While at the auction, I drew the auctioneer and some of the people working there. It's tricky to catch someone's expression as they are speaking with their mouth open...

Auctioneer

Auction worker

Auction worker

Man in the crowd

Highly Prized (01-07-11)

I love going to liquidation sales and auctions. The promise of finding something special or unusual is tempting. Who knows? There may be a treasure buried under the junk...

Something for everyone...at the right price.

Quick Stop at Nicholas' (01-07-11)

http://nicholasrestaurant.com/I hadn't been to Nicholas' Lebanese restaurant in a long time, so I stopped by to pick up a Meat Mezza. As always, the restaurant was full of people. I did this sketch while I was waiting for my food.

People at Right Brain Initiative Meeting (01-05-11)

Sketches of Arts providers at a meeting for the Right Brain Initiative at the Art Museum.