Thoughts from theTravelsketcher- How to sketch sea stacks


For the last week we have been driving along the Northern California and Southern Oregon coast, which is famous for sea stacks. As a sketcher they just call out to be sketched, so I have answered the call – check my upcoming Thursday blog for more of them. Without a bit of good technique the…

This week partly in The Pearl – September 24, 2026


Friday we met up with our friends Diana & Karen at the Portland Art Museum. We spent most of our time at a special exhibit of Aboriginal art from Australia. Like the USA they have a troubled history regarding native people and non-white immigrants. This piece applies to us all. Saturday morning Alexis and Joe…

Thoughts from theTravelsketcher – Quick sketch


There are times when we settle in, dig out all of the multiple pens, brushes, paints, markers, even easels and such to do a travelsketch. Thanks to the 25+ years on the road that it took to make me theTravelsketcher I learned to carry a light kit, I just don’t take something I might need…

This week in The Pearl – September 3, 2026


We spent most of this week in Newberg cat sitting for Alexis & Joe while they went north for a wedding in Seattle and a few days on San Juan Island. We went out for a couple of meals, but didn’t cook until yesterday when we were back home. This week was not conducive for…

This week in The Pearl – August 27, 2026


This was a week with plenty of “best moments.” My birthday is August 18, my oldest friend, Tim, has his on the 21st so we often have celebrations that are connected. This year, Lisa, Tim’s wife, put together quite a surprise for Tim. Tricia and I were in on it from the start, and sworn…