Summer in the City

We have great farmer's markets in Portland. Each day of the week, there's at least one going on. For someone like me, who didn't plant any vegetables, they're great places to pick up delicious produce. They're also great places to sketch, if you're quick and don't mind losing your view in the crowds.

This week, I sketched at a market in the South Park Blocks, downtown. A friend and I perched near a pile of peppers. I had a pretty good view of a fountain, some flowers, and of course, the peppers. While we drew, we were entertained by a couple of classical musicians, "playing real nice, for free."

After the concrete got a little hard, we wandered over to some comfortable chairs and a free concert outside of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. A trio of folk singers performed French songs while many lively, little children danced and jumped to the music.

Before leaving, I bought some blueberries and the best chocolate chip cookie in Portland from the Pearl Bakery tent. Sketching with a friend, fresh fruit, live music, and a chocolate chip cookie--gotta love summer!