Before the Concert

Here's the view of the stage at Portland's Newmark Theater. It's set up for the opening of the Evelyn Nagel Donor Appreciation Concert put on by the Oregon Symphony. In short order the brass ensemble was followed by groups of strings and even a bassoon trio. Sitting in the balcony has its advantages ~ at least in the front row, there's a clear view of the stage as well as the orchestra seating below. That said, there was only one smart phone user in the group, all of the rest were reading their program notes

The Bird as Corkscrew

Wine labels can be plain or gaudy, funny or staid ... this particular bottle attracted my attention because of the nuance of purple and the bird's rather unusual beak. The wine was good, not great but good.

Shop Windows

This mannequin is viewing the pedestrians on SW Morrison as they head towards Pioneer Square here in Portland. Just beyond her is Mel's Frame Shop where Voice from the Couch aka Bill Anderson has a painting in the upper right hand corner of that shop window. My photos are also on on display right next to Mel Townsend's three small oils. The painting on the upper left is by Paula Carlson.

Red and Yellow

Yellow first...

Rational Exuberance that is –– a sculpture by Ivan McLean that used to sit west of the Encore here in Portland. Construction will soon start on a new park, The Fields, and this sculpture needed a temporary home.


And Red ...

This red Metro belongs to Tom, fisherman and reader –– those two activities many times overlap. I've been looking for Tom for months to give him a photo of himself and a very large sturgeon. The truck will take you to the sturgeon ...

After the Concert

Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor is still ringing through my ears. When it finishes Schoenberg's orchestration of Brahms' Piano Quartet takes over and I'm in heaven. To remember the evening at the Oregon Symphony I have my program and the small sketch I did of Itzhak Perlman as seen from the mezzanine.

Mario's Mannequins ~ Two Views

Two years ago I took a photo of mannequins in the window of Mario's an exclusive men's and women's designer clothing store here in Portland. This morning the light streamed in across the hallway from the front window casting interesting shadows and reflections on it...

Mushrooms

Some think of mushrooms as fairy food. Others think of altered states of consciousness ~ perhaps the supplicant from yesterday had a few of those. However, the ones shown below were found on Thurman here in Portland and are probably not either.

Best left alone...

The Decisive Moment

This would be that moment when you are leaving a building and activity is in the air. Here is movement, music and momentum caught by the handy iPhone when all of the other cameras have been left elsewhere due to illness. Somehow I managed to turn the phone on, navigate to the screen with the multiple apps, pick one that would boot promptly and then take a photo. This is the second one. The first one, the fellow is moving and the ambient light is so low everything was blurred. In any case, a religious ceremony of sorts, the supplicant, the idol and the music. Next time he should bring incense!



Manuel Izquierdo
Eye of Orion
Bronze 1981

Cymbeline, Lights and Portland Center Stage

Another day of limited photography being still a bit under the weather. Having two tickets to Cymbeline we felt important to attend so I spent the day in bed. One of the best parts of Portland Center Stage is this wall of light.

Left Holding the Door

When I first saw this door, I thought it was holding itself. But as I went to take the photo, the man moved into view. His friends stepped out afterwards and helped close it.

Christopher Rothko at the Portland Art Museum

Christopher Rothko spoke about the "Artist's Reality" his father, Mark Rothko's book today at the Portland Art Museum. Still a bit under the weather and slightly star-struck, this was the only photo I could muster. That said, I also had Kate Rothko Prizel also sign the book. She was instrumental in the handling of the estate from the young age of nineteen after both of her parents had died within 6 months of each other.

The Turin Horse and a Fiat

What does a Fiat have in common with the rather dark movie "The Turin Horse"? In my case they were what I did between naps today. Napping because I'm not quite well but wanting to keep my commitments... Movie night with Seann, the only person who would see such a bleak movie with me.

Litany for the Whale

When you arrive early for an event, the venue can be strangely empty. Such was the case for tonight's 100 Years of John Cage staged by FearNoMusic at YU here in Portland Oregon. Performances were on both levels of the building with people moving freely between the floors and among the venues. This space filled nicely later in the evening when Litany for the Whale was performed.

Night Vision

The walkway between the two buildings of the Portland Art Museum changes dramatically at night. The effect is even more intense when it has been raining. In this image, you're looking east towards downtown.

Ursa Major

Rick Bartow's sculpture that is... an amazing Native American artist whose work sits on the fourth floor of the Portland Art Museum's Hoffman Wing. He's also represented by Froelich Gallery so if you're interested in his other works including paintings and drawings do give them a visit on Portland's North Park Blocks.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's hoping that everyone has had a delightful Valentine's Day!

Open Heart

Since this is the week of Valentine's Day, we all are exposed to a great deal of red and hundreds of hearts. Here's one open heart to start the week. I took this at the Monday morning docent meeting at the Portland Art Museum.

Passage of Time

This woman looks at me everyday as I pass by on NW 23rd Avenue here in Portland. Today, I decided to take her photo again. You can see how time has aged her as it has with us all if you click on the image.

Celebration of Red

Since it's Valentine's week, stores are including not only hearts but also a great deal of red. While walking down NW 23rd today here in Portland today, I saw this mannequin in Three Monkeys. The store has let her wear this beautiful red necklace! Enjoy ...

Night Walk in Portland

Sometimes it's just nice to be out and about when it's cool and damp and the city lights are shining. Tonight was one of those times...

Breakfast in San Francisco, Opera in Portland

Apologies to Bruce Cockburn with his song Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu... today was like that though. Crepes at the Mystic Cafe in the Castro district of San Francisco and Opera, no dinner, in Portland. Kelly Kaduce, the lyrical soprano, will break your heart with her rendition of Cio-Cio San in the Portland Opera's production of Madame Butterfly.



Tomorrow is another day and it is arriving soon...

Circle of Water

The Tower at the de Young Museum in San Francisco"sGolden Gate Park offers visitors great views of the skyline as well as a bird's eye view of the ground below.

More reflections. This time a couple below a couple at SfMOMA.

Car to Nowhere

Does an empty car have a destination or is this like the tree that falls in the forest? In any case this image was taken at or near the San Francisco International Airport.

Swan Island Birds

Another lovely day in Portland. We journeyed out to Swan Island ~ an industrial part of Portland along the Willamette River. There is a lovely walkway adjoining the Daimler Headquarters. The southern most part has access to the Willamette. We'll go out again. Today though we were quite taken with these birds that were gorging themselves on red berries...

Brewcycle

Where else but in Portland would you find a cycling machine for up to 15 people? This green machine is powered entirely by the legs of its occupant. We found it while walking on NW 18th. Here it's shown on NW Pettygrove heading towards the Lucky Lab on NW Quimby. Lots of fun for everyone!

Smoking Tortillas

Lunch today with my friend LeAnne. She had her first violin lesson over near the Hillsdale portion of Portland. After the fingering exercises, we went to Verde Cocina. My, oh my, is their food delicious. And as all Mexican restaurants should, they make fresh corn tortillas!

Another Portland View ~ Mt. Hood

A most splendid day in the neighborhood!!! We all went for a walk in Portland's Rose Garden. Set high above downtown, the views are extraordinary. Mt. Hood was graced with a passing cloud...

Mt. Hood

Portland Skyline

Today started with a 5 mile run that included this vista seen from the Steel Bridge above the Willamette River. Big Pink is the tallest building to the right... looming over Portland it reflects light in many ways during the day and even at night.