Summer Sketching

We had another day of summer in Portland last weekend. I've lost track of whether that was our 2nd or 3rd day of warm temperatures. Still, we know not to complain, because unlike most of the country, we haven't suffered in a heatwave. Anyway, it was a lovely day and my husband and I spent it out at McMenamin's Edgefield, east of Portland. 

Plants in a barrel

A shady porch

An Adirondack chair which has migrated west of the Cascades.

Bon Voyage to a Compagnon d'Esquisse

One of my sketching friends is leaving for Paris soon so we had a Bon Voyage party for her. It was outside on one of our few sunny days. There were flowers, tasty treats, and toasts of various kinds. The hostess provided a very French theme right down to the plates with Napoleon's portrait. It was a lovely morning of friends, food and sketching.

                                            Once again, there was a lion--this time a fountain.

                        And here is the guest of honor, who would not be recognized by this sketch.

                                                BonVoyage! Bring back sketches of Paris!

Sketching with the Compagnons

Friday, it wasn't raining in Portland and some of the Compagnons d'Esquisse went out to Edgefield in east county to spend the morning drawing in the sunshine. This sculpture actually delivers water to the plants that are in the kegs. It's one of the clever creations on the grounds of the old poorhouse that is Edgefield. http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home

I don't know what this little building is. It has a guitarist on the weather vane and a sign that says "No Motorcyles", but those are the only clues.

A few of the Compagnons went to the Canvas  Art Bar and Bistro http://www.thecanvaspdx.com/ to sketch. This is one of my sketches of the model last night.

Last Saturday, it was raining again, so I sketched inside, adding this to my book of small things. It took me three NPR shows to finish it. Trying to get both kings and queens to match was pretty challenging. It was one of those activities where it seems like you can actually feel your brain working.

And that last picture gives me a chance to stick in this Kate Spade display that I sketched months ago at Pioneer Place with the Compagnons.

There's not much chance of wearing that outfit in Portland this summer.

Sketching Statuary

Friday, the Compagnons de'Esquisse sketched at Versailles Gardens, in NW Portland. The lions were compelling, but they were trickier than they looked.

This one looks a bit wistful...

This one seems to be taking on a humanoid face....

And this one may have a bit of both....

So I moved on to the dimpled cherubs and grape leaves...

And finished up with this statue whose sweet stone face I didn't capture.

I see why classically trained art students used to spend hours drawing the statuary.

Portland's 'Up' House

Today I went downtown to sketch Portland's 'Up' House. According to the Oregonian newspaper http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/06/in_downtown_portland_a_lawyer.html, this 1894 Victorian was threatened by our public transportation agency with possession by eminent domain so that a new lightrail turnaround could be built. The lawyer who works in the house had refused to sell. Eventually, the surrounding property was purchased by Portland State University and a new residence hall is now being built around the house. The relationship between the attorney and the construction company is good and this week the company helped to anchor 400 helium balloons to a cord that runs through the chimney. As I was sketching, a few other people came by for photos. I heard one young woman say, "This is the kind of thing that makes me so glad I live in Portland." I have to agree.

I did the sketch quickly while standing and it's kind of wonky, but I'm glad I was there to record it before the balloons deflate.