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.

New Year's Eve at Pix Patisserie (01-01-11)

Last night, I went by myself (Gary was scheduled to work early) to Pix Patisserie SE, to usher in the New Year in in a spectacular manner. Once again, they offered their free Chocolate Buffet to people who ordered a drink after 11 p.m. So, while I waited for midnight to come, I drew people in the crowd.

Waiting for midnight...

Pretty girl.

Faces in the crowd.

The most rewarding treats EVER!

New Year's Eve Party (12-31-10)

We went to the Crawfords' for a while on New Year's Eve. Gary had to leave early because he had to work early on New Year's day.

Merrill W., Gary, Bryan C.

Kelsi W.

Lindsey W.

Movie: Bluebeard (12-30-10)

I really like this sketch done done while watching the French movie Bluebeard. There is something about the stunned, vacant look in this character's eyes that I find comical.

Bluebeard

Forced Inactivity (12-23-10)

I am unable to post anything for the time being, due to unresolved scanner issues. My apologies.

Sing-Along Messiah (12-17-10)

Valérie and I went to Central Lutheran Church for the Annual Sing-Along Messiah, directed by Diane Syrcle this year. It was great, and everyone clearly enjoyed singing the Hallelujah Chorus!

I like the fluidity of this sketch.

Sketchbook Doodles (12-12-10)

Here is page from my sketchbook, with some of the notes as they get written. Although I don't get too focused on written expression, my sketchbooks are like my journal.

I like this portrait.

Mother and Daughter (12-12-10)

A lovely sketch done at Church...

Mary S. and Lizzie S.

Woman's Face (12-07-10)

I like the somewhat ethereal expression in this woman's face drawn from a magazine image.

The New Harry Potter Movie (11-20-10)

We went to see "The Deathly Hallows" at the cinema, and I did these quick sketches while watching the movie.

The Weasely Burrow.

My Front Yard (11-18-10)

I was trying to draw my front yard with a fence on the side (there is none presently).

Portrait: Marcie O. (11-14-10)

A simple portrait of a young woman whose beauty reminds me of a 19th century woman, her hair separated in the middle and tied in a bun adorned with fragrant flowers, hands folded in her lap, her radiant, yet mocking smile suggesting words and opinions not said. A perhaps simpler way to describe her would be to say she looks like English actress Kristin Scott-Thomas.

Morbid Inspiration (10-02-10)

Yesterday, I went to the First Friday event in Milwaukie. After wandering in and out of businesses, looking at displays for a while, since it was getting dark and cold, I decided to call it a night (haha!).

As I was getting ready to get back in my car, I noticed that the interior decor at Wine:30 was all dark and ghoulish. Closer investigation revealed that it was an art exhibit featuring the Davis Graveyard. Totally freaky, because earlier in the day, as I was driving down from Johnson Creek Road, I caught a glimpse of a front yard replete with realistic-looking tombstones; it reminded me that some people still manage to enjoy themselves at this time of the year... Serendipity of a weird type, one could say.

Anyway, the scene in the wine bar was just too good to pass, and, after ordering an herbal tea (mentioned in case anyone out there wonders what the heck I was doing in a wine bar, not that I care), I set out to draw a few of its elements.

Scanner Problems (08-15-10)

My scanner is unresponsive since Gary reinstalled the system software on my computer. I don't know what to do to post images. The easiest solution may be to take photos of my sketches and post them rather than the scanned images.

Urban Sketcher Symposium (07-31-10)

Here is a  photo of me with the Japanese fold sketchbook I used for the last three days.

Buried Treasure Project: Why I draw (Repost from 09-25-08)

[I am reposting this post as part of Seth's Buried Treasure project on his blog The Altered Page.]

[The best way I can think of revisiting the past is to look through my old sketchbooks, so this image came immediately to mind.]

My sketchbooks are a source of comfort and pleasure. Whenever I feel bored or unsure about a situation, or when I plain don't feel like being sociable, I know that, in my purse, a world of escape awaits. They are my memory of events I enjoyed, my record of places visited, my outlet for what can't always quite be said in words.