Painting 42: Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant (Vancouver Chinatown)

Here is a painting I did last October 2014.  I painted on Pender St. in  Vancouver Chinatown, right across the street from a cool run down restaurant called Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant.  The area is starting to get gentrified but it still has some interesting people.  From local Chinese residents to homeless people to hipsters to working professionals to tourists.  A little bit of everything.  All types of people stopped by me while I was painting.  There were a few times where I felt a bit uncomfortable because of the reputation of the area.  But I was in a relatively busy street so it was fine.  Not too far from Pender St. is a street called Hastings St. which certain parts can feel a bit uneasyfor most people, but I tend to be fine.  I think I blend in with most crowds.  The highlight of painting this scene, was when this homeless guy came up to me and offered me money.  He said he noticed that I was here for awhile and that I should get a cup of tea because it was a bit cold.  I thought that was so nice.  I told him thank you but that he should give it to someone else who might need it more. I've had a lot of interesting characters pass by me to chat, but this one goes on the record! 

Painting 41: Stanley Park Totem Poles (Vancouver)

This was the first painting I did in Vancouver last October. It took me awhile to get comfortable with not having a car to hold all my painting supplies.  I started to only bring the essentials since I was going to be walking for miles with a backpack full of supplies.  It's not too bad once you make the commitment.  Nowadays I'm used to it!  Anywho, this painting was done in Stanley Park in Vancouver.  I always appreciated the structures of the totem poles.  They are so tall and interesting to look at.  So much symbolism  in each section.  I told myself since I'm in Canada I have to make sure I paint them. 

Coin Laundry drawing

Here is a drawing I did last week for Avenue 50 Studio.  I didn't even know that this gallery existed until  I met these cool artists while painting on Colorado Blvd.  They had told me that there was an art opening for the Mt. Washington Plein Air Painters group at the Avenue 50 Studio gallery and that they had a studio next door.  So I decided to visit them the next day.  It was really awesome to meet other artists in the community.   I was also excited that there was a plein air group in my area!  I ended up going to the opening the following weekend and met some of the artists.  One of my favorite artists of the  group show is actually in the vfx industry and will be working for the same company that I will be working for!  He even knew some of the same plein artists that I met in the plein air convention!  What a coincidence!  It was all meant to be!  The group even invited me to paint with them!  Too bad I will be heading to Vancouver  for a few months, but I will be back!

Painting 40: Oinkster

This is a Filipino owned burger joint called Oinkster in Eagle Rock.  Represent!  Unfortunately I'm vegetarian, but they do have a really awesome veggie burger!  I really like the simple shape of the red building against the green trees.  I was very fortunate to find a shaded spot underneath a tree across the street.  It's been a pretty hot summer to paint outdoors, but nonetheless I'm having a fun time being outside doing what I love.  The locals were very nice when passing by seeing me paint.  People were giving me bottled water and asked if I needed a chair to sit.  I also met some local artists that invited me to their studio.  I've been having a lot of positive feed back. It feels really awesome!

Painting 39: Verdugo Rancho Market

Painting 38: Bagdad (Portland Oil Painting 11)

Last day of painting in Portland with my friend Nathan.  I had an awesome time.  I definitely want to come back!  People were so excited to see us paint in the streets. 

Painting 37: Signal (Portland Oil Painting 10)