Dreaming of Landscapes

At the end of May and beginning of June, I took a trip up to Seattle to see family and friends. It was great to get back to the city where I grew up and see so many old sights and friends. It was also exciting to see how Seattle has changed too. The light rail continues to delight me as it makes it so much easier to get around the city provided you stay at a hotel near to a station. I was also…

The other day after work I went for a swim. Then while walking home I stopped at the local food cart lot and bar to have a beer and a soft pretzel. As I sat in the bar, I felt a sense of contentment and easy come over me. I took some tasting notes on the beer (Love Potion #15 by Block 15), journaled on my week, and outlined some ideas for the future. Meanwhile jazz played on the speakers while…

Buy Print – $5 The other day I took my car in for its usual maintenance and wandered into downtown Corvallis. I went into the local used bookstore to browse when I found the most out of place book – “Seattle’s Best Dive Bars” by Mike Seeley. I am sure the story of how this book came to be in Corvallis (212 miles from Seattle) would be interesting, but unfortunately, I lack the superpower to read…

For a while now I have been getting to know a character called the Sketchy Traveler. This began before the pandemic, but during the isolation of lock down he took on new dimensions in doodles and ramblings in my journal. I often find it difficult to share this creative side of me, but as I have gotten to know the Sketchy Traveler, I realized that I find it easier to express my playfulness and joy…

Buy Print $5 I am a bit late getting out this post, but I wanted to take some time to consider the trends in urban life over the past year and where we might be heading. The theme of 2022 in urban life was housing. Major cities face a crisis with their homeless population and not enough homes. Meanwhile, homeowners and landlords found themselves saddled with an unpredictable housing market that…

A Walk in New York City

Print $5 Of my time in New York City, my favorite experiences were all to be had with in a half mile to mile walk of my hotel. Indeed, it is the pleasure of a large city like New York that interesting sights and experiences can be found no matter where you are. The key is to get out there and see what finds you. Staying in Queens I stayed in Long Island City on the eastern bank of the Hudson…

Sketch Review: Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Print $5 “You take delight not in the city’s seven or seventy wonders, but in the answers it gives to a question of yours.” – Invisible Cites by Italo CalvinoPrint Recently I have been reading more books about cities to inform my art and writing on this blog. On my reading list was “Invisible Cities” by Italo Calvino. As an exercise after finishing Invisible Cities I wanted to try writing about…

The Last COVID Walking View

Digital Print – $5 Last October, I shared a trip back to one of the last places I had drawn before the pandemic began. At the time things seemed to be tentatively moving on from the pandemic, but much seemed still uncertain. A year later I have returned from a trip to New York City, a COVID booster is available along side the flu shot and communities seem to be embracing the challenges revealed…

Sketching Expedition: Newport, Oregon

PDF Print – $5 This summer I have been going surfing out at Newport. As a result, I have been doing a lot of sketching in Newport and on the Oregon coast. An aspect of surfing that I have been enjoying is that while you are out in nature you are also close to cities and towns too. And most surfing spots have an active area near to them with a surf and coffee shop and other seaside businesses. I…

The Kubota Mountain Side Garden

Buy Print – $5 Kubota Garden is one of Seattle’s hidden gems. It is tucked away in the far southeast corner of Seattle, so it is not a spot you will find traveling Seattle’s main thoroughfares. It is well worth the drive or bus ride to enjoy this varied garden and its winding paths though. The garden was originally the grounds of the Kubota Nursery. The gardens are filled with a variety of…

Downtown Portland from Mt. Tabor

Print – $5 This week’s drawing is from the top of Mt. Tabor looking over East Portland to Downtown Portland. Mt. Tabor is pretty easy to find as it is one of the highest points in east Portland. Mt. Tabor Park offers spectacular views and plenty of people watching. People come to the park to run and walk up its stairs and winding paths. Several colleges and a seminary are close to Mt. Tabor as…

Memorial Union East Wing, Oregon State University

Buy Print – $5 It seemed like a perfect time to get in some impromptu drawing at the Oregon State University (OSU) campus with the weather warming and the sun staying out later. After wandering around the campus, I settled on this view of the Memorial Union’s east wing as the rhododendrons were particularly full here. The Memorial Union was also quite busy with various student events, which gave…

Aladdin Theater, Portland, Oregon

The historic Aladdin Theater is the northern anchor for the Brooklyn neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. It serves as a bright landmark on Powell Boulevard for this quaint neighborhood on Portland’s south side. The Brooklyn Neighborhood is small, but has a vibrant business area and relaxed residential area. This includes several restaurants, the Aladdin Theater, and Rose City Coffee. You can tell…

Reser Stadium, Oregon State University

Print – $5 Reser Stadium is the home of the Oregon State University (OSU) Beavers football team. It is also the center of the OSU sports complex and a convenient meeting place to explore campus. Activities Reser Stadium sits on the southern edge of the OSU campus. While not centrally located it is close to several sights off the beaten track on campus. Beaver StoreThe Beaver Store is located…

Sketchy Traveler Fall 2021 Sketching Expeditions in Seattle and Portland

In December, I went to Seattle and did some drawing along the way in Portland. This gave me a chance to visit some of my favorite spots in Seattle and explore some new sights in Portland. I also picked up a great book exploring the Portland landmarks featured in Beverley Clearly’s Ramona stories. Clinton Cinema, Portland 11-22-21 A fun feature of Portland, Oregon is all of the old movie…

COVID-19 Walking View: The End?

Buy Print – $5 In February of 2020 I made a drawing trip to the Hollywood District in Portland, Oregon. News of a new virus outbreak in China was spreading, but at the time it seemed like past outbreaks. Little did I know my next trip to Portland would involve face masks, carrying hand sanitizer and wondering where I would find an open bathroom. The State of COVID in October 2021 Hollywood…

Portland International Rose Garden, Gold Medal Garden

Digital Copy – $5 The Portland Rose Garden offers a beautiful break from the city. It also has some great views over Portland and is close to several other sights in Washington Park. This and its fee free admission make it a great place to start exploring Washington Park Activities The Portland Rose Garden is in Washington Park above downtown Portland. The parking lot is small, so arrive early…