" Coffee Talk"

This is Dragon Fly Cafe a little coffee shop on NW Thurman its a great place to stop on your way to  Forest Park. I really like painting and sketching Cafes and here in Portland there is an endless about of coffee shops one of the main reasons I love living here.

"Coffee Talk" 11"x14" $225.00

In the Shadows

This scene captured my eye riding into work this week. The whole street was in shadow and the sun was lighting up the corner of the old building. The more I paint I am discovering that scenes with good light and shadow and contrast make for the best paintings, and the area with the most contrast should be the focal point of the painting.

"In the Shadows" SW Taylor and SW 1st Ave  8"x10" $150.00

Wet Streets - SW 2nd and Yamhill

I recently purchased Ron Stocke's new book Watercolor en Plein Air. I really like Ron Stocke's work and approach to painting. I am trying to apply some of his principles in my work, this one below uses mainly gray hues with a punch of color in the blue awnings. I think this is appropriate for the winter weather here in Portland. This was done in the studio but I plan to do a lot more Plein Air painting as the weather improves.

"Wet Streets" SW 2nd and SW Yamhill 11x14  $225

PHIPPS

This cool old building on North Mississippi Ave houses one of my favorite coffee shops in the neighborhood - Fresh Pot. The building use to be a Rexall pharmacy I like how they kept the original signage on the exterior, the interior of the coffee shop also has the original soda fountain counter its a a nice piece of historic Portland.
I accidentally started painting the awning green when it is actually orange, but overall I like how this piece came out.

"Phipps Drugs" Mississippi ave, Portland - 8"x10" $125

Max train - Portland Street-scapes

Recently I have switched my focus from ink and watercolor sketching to doing more studio watercolors (no ink). This is due to the colder weather and shorter days, there is just less time to sketch  outside. I have been working off of reference photos taken around my office in downtown Portland. With this switch to more traditional studio watercolors I am concentrating on simplification, composition, values and color harmony with less focus on details.

I am finding the local light rail "Max" trains are a good focal point for these street-scapes because they add a nice element of movement and interest to the painting.

My recent inspiration has been the watercolors of Andy Evanson and Chien Chung Wei both have a great loose approach to painting street scenes.

These pieces are available for purchase, email me if you are interested.

Thanks for looking!

Slow Crossing - 9"x12" Watercolor on 140# arches rough paper
-$175

SW Alder and 2nd Ave- 9"x12" Watercolor on 140# arches rough paper
$175

Morning Coffee - 8"x8" Watercolor on 140# arches rough paper
$125

Summer Plein Air Sketching

Its been ages since I have updated the blog. This summer I have had quit a few opportunities to sketch on my Outdoor Adventures, I thought I would share  a few of them. These were all sketched Plein Air using the following materials:
- Lamy Fountain Pen - Fine Tip
- Moleskine A4 landscape watercolor sketchbook
- Graham watercolors
- Escoda paint brushes

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing any of these pieces.

Clackamas River Oregon - Camping/ Fishing  trip  

Clackamas River, OR

Clackamas River, OR - Indian Henry campground

small wild rainbow trout

My good friend Ritchy and I hiked to Bagby Hot springs, we ended up not going to the hot springs but hung out at this beautiful spot on the river. I wish I had packed my fly rod this hole was filled with decent sized trout. We ate lunch here and I accidentally cut my friend's hand reaching for a beer falling off a log Sorry Ritchy!

Collowash River near Bagby Hot springs

Moulton Park, Lewis River, WA
This is a nice day trip only 45 min from Portland, great spot for swimming however the water is crazy cold. This old pedestrian Bridge is one of my favorites bridges I have ever sketched, I hope to get back here in the fall to sketch the changing colors.

I have been practicing sketching directly with watercolor with no line work, this is pretty difficult but makes for fun loose sketches. I hope to develop this skill more.

Lewis River, WA - Direct to watercolor with no Line work

Line work done on site painted at home

Pamelia Lake Backpacking:

Took the boys on their second backpacking trip this time we spent 2 nights to one of my favorite spots in all of Oregon the Pamelia lake wilderness just below Mt. Jefferson.

Mt Jefferson from Pamelia lake

Pamelia Creek

Pamelia Lake, Direct Watercolor with no line work

 Thanks for looking!

New Portland Urban Sketches

Its been sometime since I last posted any Urban Sketches here are a few that I have done around Downtown Portland recently. These are all available as Greeting cards email me if you are interested in a set.

Thanks!

Paddy's Bar and Grill
SW Yamhill and SW 1st

The Gilbert Building
SW 3rd Ave 

Cafe Ponte
SW Naito and SW Yamhill

Yamhill Pub
Yamhill and SW 3rd Ave

Portland University Building