Winter Sketches

In December and January, we had a lot of very cold days. It was so cold that I sketched these trees from the comfort of the car.

Then we got about a foot of snow, so I sketched from inside the house.  I realized that snow is very difficult for me to draw.

Somedays, the sky was blue and the snow and icicles sparkled in the sun.

One day, it was nice enough to put on my Yaktrax, grab my hiking poles and join some other sketchers in a neighborhood coffee shop. I wasn't the only one eager to get out of the house for some companionship and a sketch.

On days when I was housebound, it was a good opportunity to take Veronica Lawlor's online class and play with line and pattern.

I also added a little to previous sketches.

Finally, tiring of snow and ice and expecting that we might lose our power, we decided that we needed a change of venue. M and I  trudged to a bus stop and hopped on  a bus for a downtown mini-vacation. We checked into a hotel right off Directors Square.  I've sketched there many times, but never from the comfort and vantage point of the 10th floor of the Paramount Hotel.

We could hang out in the lobby....

or, by using extra care, we could walk to restaurants, a theater, and Starbucks.

Eventually, the snow and ice disappeared, followed by heavy rain. Even the rain couldn't keep me and thousands of others from attending  inspiring and uplifting Women's March.

Now, happily, the snowdrops are peeking up and the possibility of spring is on the horizon!

Sketching in the West Side of Portland

This old fire station in NW Portland is under construction as it's being converted into a residence. Besides the sign, an old telegraph box has also been preserved. 

A block away, an old Victorian peeks out between the trees. In my college days, I lived a couple of blocks from here. Then it was a neighborhood largely made up of students and very old people. Now there are lots of high-end shops, several popular restaurants, and many lovely, restored homes. It's always been charming, just in different ways.

I've always liked this gate to apartments in the Pearl District. This is just a few blocks from where I worked when I was in college. Then, the neighborhood was made up of offices, warehouses, and small businesses and there were very few places to grab a lunch. Now there are apartments and condos,  restaurants, shops, art galleries,  public parks, and lots of lively people.

This is a corner of the Studio Building, a downtown building that now houses Pastini, a tasty Italian restaurant.  At one time, this building ( 1928)  held rehearsal spaces as well as studios for musicians. The frieze around the building has busts of several composers. 

Across the street to the west of Pastini is Directors Square, a block with a popular fountain, large chess pieces, and a cafe with outdoor seating. This is one of my favorite downtown places to have a coffee and sketch people and the surroundings. In the summer months there are often day and night events held here. Some of my favorites are the dances with live music, but it's always fun to watch the toddlers play in the fountain.

A few blocks away, outside the Historical Society, this young woman cooled her heels and took a nap.  Napping people are always a pleasure to sketch.