This week in The Pearl – September 12, 2025


This week was quite different from our time in Colorado. We are back in The Pearl planning, of course, for our future excursions, bien sur – we have three in the works. However this week has been about friends and family – as well as some long anticipated medical stuff for Tricia.  Alexis and Joe…

This week – friends, furniture, frames


We have been busy settling in, yet we find time to be with friends. We went to a block party in the Hollywood area of Portland, then had friends over for Sunday lunch. I finally have an area to do some painting. My small Guerrilla Pochade box sits nicely on a tripod in front of…

TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday Tip


Don’t apologize or use disclaimers (excuses). “I just did a quick sketch.” This is a phrase I see quite often in posts, but I know that what tempts me to use that phrase is the sense that what I sketched is not very good and I hope I will be forgiven for it not being…

TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday Tip


It is OK to use tools to get it right. For some reason many people feel guilty if they use tools to help them sketch, but artists from Da Vince, to Van Gogh, and beyond have taken advantage of various things to help. One of the most frequent tools is a grid viewfinder. Here is…

TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday Tip


Learn from other sketchers and artists, but resist comparing or evaluating your sketches with what others do. Art is subjective, not perfection. Develop your own style rather than trying to emulate someone else. If you think your art is not good enough just remind yourself that you share the company of these failed artists: They…