Progress

I took this somewhat dismal photo in 1969 while exploring with a friend a soon to be demolished apartment house. It was to make way for the expansion of PSU in Portland, Oregon. Old buildings have always fascinated me both from the outside and in, either abandoned or occupied. They can be ornate or simple, renovated or left alone. I don't care. They have so much character. They all have a certain personality that overshadows the new, pristine and computer designed architecture.

It's been said we are a consumer society. We crave the new and throw away the old, especially buildings. Too bad. It's true we keep a few around, some even as museums because a notable historic event took place there. However, the elderly that no longer have any apparent use we discard. Developers would do well to make an effort to keep our architectural heritage even if we're only 200 years old. Europe does a much better job.

Lover

See how He holds the

Stars in His hands.

See how He holds my heart.

.

God is a lover

Looking for a lover

So He fashioned me.

from "See The Way"

by Misty Edwards

Joy of Youth

My grandson, Mordecai, was in between diaper changes and wandering around "au natural" the other day. I couldn't help but take his photo. It'll probably be used to embarass him when he's older.

Bonny and Son

I haven't done any portraits of my family except of my son. His was the first drawing posted on this blog. I was looking for someone to draw and I chose this latest on a whim. It's probably the right choice since Bonny is my son's wife. I don't know if number one son or number two is shown. I couldn't tell from the photo. Hence the anonymity.

Gioacchino

Tonnaroti are Italian tuna fishermen. They get together in the spring to catch and slaughter the fish in a gathering called a matanza and are led by a shaman-like figure known as a rais. Gioacchino was a former one. I read about this in an article from a magazine and his picture captured my attention. He is a very large bull of a man with bicepts as big as his neck. As Bertie Wooster once said "It's as though Nature decided to make a gorilla, but at the last minute changed it's mind." I found his face extremely interesting and full of expression. I needed to draw it.

Barney

There are definitely beautiful movie stars in the US but I've grown rather tired of all the pretty faces the entertainment industry promotes. That seems to be mostly all there is. Films and television are full of images of people without spot or wrinkle. Blemishes or lack of facial symmetry cannot be tolerated. Noses, eyes, ears, and lips must all harmoniously relate on one's visage or you cannot be a star. A body must have perfect flesh. Once in a while there will be a "character" face that will come along. But they will normally be some foppish protagonist or an evil one, rarely the main character. I like Boston Legal. I have to sometimes turn it off because the plot gets too crass but the main folks on there are of the non-beautiful variety. They've aged. They're wrinkled. Some are fat. It's nice. I also like to take in a foreign film once in a while. It's a refreshing break from the "norm". Their stars usually look as though they're not from the Hollywood Barbi and Ken factory.

Barney is the security guard at the church I attend. I was immediately drawn to his looks when I first saw him and wanted to do his portrait. His face facinates me. It has been sculpted and chisled by genetics, weather and life experiences. It has much to say if you care to take the time to look. There must be many stories beneath. If I were a film magnate, I'd make him a star.

Fear

Fear is like a hologram.

It appears so real.

And then when you go behind it

you realize there is nothing there.

It's all an illusion.

Jane Stern

"Ambulance Girl"

Lunch

I was wandering around downtown Portland in Winter 2006 and noticed the bag perched on a window sill of a large building. I checked out its contents and found a hamburger inside. A homeless man, all bundled up for the cold, came along and did as I did just after I took the photo. He was obviously hungry because the bag went with him.

I think life is kind of like the picture at times for me. I tend to see things in black and white. I'm rather opinionated. There are also many times that I view my existence in drab greys. I then come across something that really catches my interest, I get totally focused and run with it.

Sue

Good friend and wife of Mike. She's an excellent cook, Artist, and is opinionated as I am.

Mike

A very intelligent fellow and good friend. He understands and speaks fluent Electron and can also make a mighty fine bottle of wine.