Habit of Art

maybe it's a sign

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Beach Sky, acylic and gouache on panel, 6 x 12 inches.

Still Lake, mixed media on birch panel, 10 x 10 inches. Sides have been stained and sealed.

Oceanside, mixed media on birch panel, 8 x 10 inches.

Canyon River, mixed media on panel, 12 x 16 inches.

Four new paintings of mine just arrived in London for Lilk Gallery's May show. Three of the works are inspired by places I've visited. Oceanside, for example, is named after a small beach town in Oregon. Canyon River is unique from the others, because it came from my imagination rather than an experience. I had this image in my head of a canyon with red walls and a clear river cutting through it. It stood out to me because I usually paint scenes from the pacific northwest.

I've been to the southwest a few times, but this imagery didn't emerge from a memory. The colors and even the slope of the rock walls are different from the canyons I've explored.

I created this painting before planning a trip to Arizona, so maybe it's a sign. I am headed to Sedona, which is famously known for red rock formations. It's also considered a very spiritual place. My friend mentioned there are several different "vortex" sites- places where the earth's energy is greater. I guess some folks have had some very moving experiences in these places.

I'm not sure what I think about this vortex stuff, but I don't doubt that people have spiritual encounters in nature. When you are surrounded by grand, sweeping landscapes- and man had nothing to do with its creation- it seems only natural that one would reflect on things that transcend us. I definitely feel closer to God when I am in nature.

warming up

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:00 +0000

I tend to use mostly blues and greens when capturing the picturesque landscapes of Oregon. Lately, I've been reaching for some of the warmer hues- bright reds and oranges in particular. I'm sure a great part of this has to do with the change of seasons. It's been unseasonably warm in Portland this month. And with early blooms in the garden, it's hard not to be inspired by such vibrant and beautiful colors.

Neon red (i.e. Acryla Luminous Red) has been the latest rage in my studio. I have literally smeared it onto my last two paintings. Here's a look at my newest work entitled Cadence.

Cadence, 8 x 10 inches, mixed media on Claybord

In a few days, I'm headed out of town to visit a dear friend in Arizona and explore the red rocks of Sedona together. I'm curious to see how a trip to the southwest will inspire my work. I may have to expand my red paint collection when I get back!

I plan to post a bunch of photos on here and on Instagram. If you're familiar with the Sedona area, I'd love to get your opinion on must-see places.

taking risks

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:31:00 +0000

At the end of my eighth grade year, I remember scanning a sea of paper stars on the cafeteria walls for my name. Each star highlighted a graduating student and their talent. There it was, my yellow star. And under my name, it read "Super Writer."

I was disappointed.

I wanted the star to say "Super Artist." I felt that that was my true talent, not writing, which is more of a chore for me. I have an older brother who is a gifted writer, and I've watched him sit at a typewriter and effortlessly craft a short story.

It's funny how our self-perceptions as children shape our adult lives. I still don't look at myself as this "super writer." Even writing a blog post can seem daunting. But here I am, 548 posts later.

I know that many of you can relate to this feeling of inadequacy, and it keeps you from pursuing things in your life that bring joy and fulfillment. This is particularly poignant in the arts arena. So many creative years are lost because people feel that they are not a good enough writer, artist, dancer, or musician.

Honing one's craft involves taking risks. And, often times, these risks are witnessed by others. It's a vulnerable and scary part of the creative process, yet it can also be so exciting and rewarding.

This week, I took a risk with an art work. I took a finished painting of a mountain scene and started squirting tubes of neon paint all over it. My husband looked on in horror.

It was spontaneous, and I could have lost two days of work.

But, now I have a painting I absolutely love and a little bit more courage to take the next risk that comes my way.

Symphony, 12 x 12 inches, mixed media on birch panel.

Stay gold

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:50:00 +0000

Portland sunsets never cease to amaze me. The other evening, the sky looked like it was on fire. Like a moth to light, I was completely drawn to the orange sky. So beautiful, yet so temporary. I'm reminded of Robert Frost's poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

If you've read The Outsiders (one of my favorite books growing up), then you're familiar with the famous utterance based on Frost's poem, "Stay gold, Ponyboy."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Given the tragic event in Boston on Monday, I haven't been very productive this week. It's hard for me to paint a beautiful scene when I feel sad. Art is such an emotional and personal process, even when painting landscapes.

march madness

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:18:00 +0000

Red Moon, oil painting, 18 x 18 in.

If you are a project-oriented person like me, then you probably get utter satisfaction in checking off completed tasks on to-do lists. So you can imagine how I felt when I finally finished Red Moon this week. The two photos above show how the oil painting has evolved over the past few years. The initial painting was based on a memorable sunset in Hawaii. When motivation to finish the painting waned, I scraped and sanded the paint off. And I started a new scene inspired by the Columbia Gorge.

I really do enjoy working in oil, but acrylic paint lends itself more to my painting process and style right now. I like to work on a painting in concentrated times, and sometimes I am just too impatient to wait for paint to dry before layering.

Red Moon and several other original paintings (including those shown above) are currently displayed at Grand Central Bakery on Hawthorne, which is a popular walking neighborhood in Portland. There are a few local stores that carry my art prints, but this is the only place in Portland at the moment that is showcasing my original works.

Although these pieces are showing locally, they are available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

In the midst of my recent painting frenzy, our family spent an afternoon with friends at a sweet little lake in Battleground, Washington. Being out in nature is the biggest stress reducer for me. When hiking through the forest, I can clear my head of pending deadlines and just enjoy being in the moment. It's also where I gather all my inspiration.

Looking out onto the still black lake, I knew that I was going to have to paint the scenic landscape. Here are some shots showing progress on my latest painting:

I have also been busy the last couple of weeks making new weavings.

I'm noticing that I'm drawn to bolder and brighter colors lately.

new shades for summer

It could be the onset of spring, but I think it has more to do with 80's nostalgia. I finished off this weaving while watching Pretty in Pink with my husband. It's amazing how I can remember the lyrics to songs from 30 years ago, but, more and more, I can't remember where I set my keys down!

out and about in Portland

I did officially turn a year older this past weekend, and so did my husband. That's us in the right photo waiting to be seated at a favorite breakfast place. It was a low key birthday, which is the way I like it. No frills and cake. Just nice cards and messages from loved ones.

Happy Spring Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:31:00 +0000

My favorite time of the year is here, hurray! To celebrate, I'm running a special promotion in my Etsy shop for the next few days. Spend $50 in my shop and get an art print (up to $25 value) for FREE! Read more about the sale here.

new work

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:03:00 +0000

new print, Destiny

I finished a new painting this week. I initially wanted to call it Journey Home and then my husband said that it sounded like a movie about a lost dog and cat. So Destiny it is.

Whenever I paint a mountain in a scene, I typically imagine myself on a trail coming towards it . . . as if I'm being called to it. Mountains have a deeper meaning for me than just mighty forces of nature. They are a representation of God and His mighty nature. I believe that God is all around us, but there's something about being on a mountaintop that does make me feel closer to Him. And I don't think it's by coincidence that God reveals Himself and His plan for His people on mountains. It was on a mountain, after all, where God tested Abraham, spoke to Moses, and where Jesus was transfigured.

mini-painting, night radiance

work in progress

Although mountains are a favorite subject of mine to paint, I took a break from it one day this week and started this ocean scene. Painting the ocean can be intimidating, or maybe that's just how I feel when I'm standing in front of it. A mountain is still, whereas the ocean is constantly in motion.

I'm happy that this painting has come along rather smoothly. I think I'll continue with the ocean theme with the next wood panel piece.

Starting in April, my art will be on display in Grand Central Bakery on Hawthorne. So this new painting will be part of the show.

my week

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:31:00 +0000

new painting in my etsy shop

/// big island ///

something about the way the water meets the mountains that reminds me of hawaii

latest vintage find

the cat seems to approve

celebrating birthday no. 13
yup, i'm officially a mom of a teenager

new handpainted rocks and weavings for my pop-up shop at maven collective

:: here thru the month of march ::

image courtesy of maven collective

coveting pretty much everything in the se portland shop

including a hanging skull and cornucopia of small ceramic vessels

portland's garden sanctuary

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 22:33:00 +0000

Perched atop Portland's western slope is a traditional Japanese garden, complete with koi ponds, wisteria arbor, and tea house. Some consider it to be the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan.

We decided to visit Portland Japanese Garden on the busiest day of the year- free admission day. Even with the crowds, the place was still very tranquil and idyllic. I loved all the winding stone paths and lush moss blanketing much of the 5.5 acres.

One of the central features of the garden is the Moon Bridge. The structure and scenery reminded me of Claude Monet's Giverny estate in France. My husband and I were there 15 years ago, and I took this photo of the famous foot bridge.

Monet was an avid collector of Japanese woodblock prints. The large water garden at the Giverny home was inspired by his collection of Japanese art. He planted azaleas, bamboo, wisteria, and, of course, water lilies- which became the subject of 250 of his oil paintings.

My favorite spot at the Portland Japanese Garden was the Natural Garden with its stone steps, cascading streams, and fluorescent greenery. When you sit for a moment and take in the scenery, it's quite meditative and soothing.

The beautiful and peaceful imagery from the gardens has stayed with me these past few days. And, with spring just around the corner, I'm thinking I might try to bring a bit of Japanese influence into my own garden. We don't have a pond, but I can think of a few great spots for some white gravel and moss. I'll keep you posted with any successful progress!

new print, "beyond"

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 05:40:00 +0000

February tends to be a difficult time for Portlanders. After months of gray, rainy skies and the cold, we start looking like Gollum from The Hobbit. Okay, maybe that's a little extreme, but you get the point. We are all chomping at the bit for some summer weather. And I'm no exception.

Our family had a blast last summer exploring the Pacific Northwest. And we hope to continue the adventure in upcoming months. Until then, I'll keep the fireplace crackling and daydream via paper and paintbrush.

My latest vision of summer grandeur is captured in a new work called Beyond. I've made it into a print that's now available in my Etsy shop. And, this week, you can get it for 25% off the original price!

I recently discovered that the sugar cane paper I've been using for my art prints has been discontinued. I have one box left, but I'm transitioning to using premium paper made from bamboo fibers. Although there are a lot of paper options for artists who want to make their own prints, there actually aren't very many eco-friendly choices. Fortunately, the bamboo paper is nearly identical to the sugar cane paper. So I'm relieved that the change hasn't been too problematic and that I can still offer eco-friendly prints in my shop.

a little bit of r + r

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:00:00 +0000

After a crazy holiday season for my husband and I, it was time for the two of us to get away for a bit. We headed to the beautiful and remote Oregon coast. As many of you know, it rains a lot in western Oregon, which keeps some tourists away. But, if you're a true Oregonian, the drizzly coastal weather doesn't faze you and even the horizontal rain is tolerable.

In the three days we were there, we passed just half a dozen folks on the beach. At first it was a little eerie to have the beach (more like the entire town!) to ourselves. But we quickly got over the "left behind" feeling and embraced the solitude. At one point, my husband decided to explore a tunnel in a hillside and I combed the beach for small treasures- one of my favorite things to do. I found some shell pieces and a couple of small driftwood to use with my latest wall hangings.

The three on the left are my newest additions. This week, some weavings and art prints are headed to a shop in Moss Landing, California, which is between Monterey and Santa Cruz.

I didn't find any new rocks on the beach to add to my collection, but I did find some time to paint a few stones from a previous trip.

The one remaining rock in my Etsy shop is the little black one, and it'll probably be awhile before I paint more rocks. This month I'll be working on an exciting new project. My art will be on a product! I'll share more down the road once the process has commenced. I also regularly post updates on Twitter and Instagram if you want the latest news or listings of available work.

be my valentine

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:50:00 +0000

I may not be much of a romantic, but I do look forward to going on dates with my husband. One of my fondest memories out together was on Valentine's Day. My husband was actually out of town that week, and I was invited by a few of my high school students to a birthday celebration. The girls picked me up at my house and we headed to my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. As we were being seated, the waitress led me to a secluded, candle-lit table for two, and there sat my husband with a single red rose in his hand. I was surprised to see him there, and by the time I realized the high school girls were all in on it, they were already gone.

I usually catch on to surprises, but my husband is a well practiced schemer. It ended up being the perfect evening, definitely one of our best dates.

I'm guessing all the Valentine hype (thanks, Etsy) is making me a little sentimental this week. So when I sat down at my art desk yesterday, this is what came from it. I'm calling the new piece, My love for you. As in, My love for you is a mountainside from that great love song by Little Willie John. It's currently for sale in my Etsy shop.

The new painting also inspired me to make Valentine cards.

The cards are printed on nice letterpress paper, and there's room to write a sweet note to that special someone. My girls have already requested several to give to their teachers and friends.

The Valentine cards are just available in my shop thru February 14th. Click here to see the listing.

my crazy busy week

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 03:40:00 +0000

I have a pretty high tolerance for stress, but this past week proved to be one of the more challenging weeks in recent years. I was simultaneously working on three major projects: the completion of a third painting for a London gallery, the fulfillment of a large wholesale order of art prints, and the launch of my first sample sale in my Etsy shop. There wasn't much room for error with such a tight schedule, and yet, some things went terribly wrong.

I could rant about all the ways my printer gave me grief this week, but the lowlight of my week was the varnish drying unevenly on my painting. Some imperfections can be fixed with additional coats of varnish, but I knew in this case the varnish needed to be stripped.

Stripping varnish is always a nerve racking process. And this was the first time I have had to remove varnish from a painting with gouache. Here are some photos capturing the process.

I used cloths soaked in mineral spirits to remove the layers of varnish. It actually ended up going better than expected, but I did have to eventually repaint the top portion of the painting. . . 3000 gold dots and all. To say that this was tedious would be an understatement, but I tried to have a good attitude about it.

I ultimately decided to leave this area unvarnished, because I prefer the chalky matte look of the gouache. Here is a look at the finished painting.

It's titled Alpine Reverie. I'm happy to say that the painting, as well as two other works, are now en route to London.

I also have 80+ prints headed to Dallas, Texas. We Are 1976 is restocking their shelves with more of my art. Yay!

Even though it's been a crazy busy week and my patience and fortitude were tested to the nth degree, I am very grateful for it all. And I'm so thankful for a husband who was willing to take on the role as art assistant for the week- scrubbing dried paint off of palettes, cutting cardboard, running errands to art stores, and making me tea. Thanks, honey. Now, do you mind tackling the mess on my art desk for me?

Sample Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:10:00 +0000

My Sample Sale is up and running! Click here to check out the deals.

my creative week

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:41:00 +0000

After a two day trip to the mountains in central Oregon, I created this 18" x 24" painting inspired by the Three Sisters. The three peaks are the main attraction of the 20 mile drive from the charming town of Sisters to the popular recreational destination of Bend, Oregon. Our family travels often to this area to visit dear friends and to seek a little R & R.

Although my friend wants this painting for her Sisters home, it's headed to London! I am honored to be invited back by Lilk Gallery for their upcoming show on Broadway Market. A few new original works of mine will be part of their group show starting January 21st, including this piece, Pink Moon.

For more information on the January show in London, click here.

This weekend, I also have been getting ready for my first Sample Sale on Etsy. I have a number of near perfect prints and one-of-a-kind works that are just sitting in my studio. Some of these works were done a few years ago. I've entertained the idea of having an open studio, but I realize many of my followers live outside of Portland. So an online Sample Sale it is!

The event will start this Tuesday, January 8. Nothing will be marked over $50, so this is a great opportunity to pick up affordable original art. The pieces below are priced between $24 - $40.

auld lang syne

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:00:00 +0000

2012 brought lots of great memories, as well as a new fish, kitty, and pup. Here are some extra pics from the last year.

As for new year's resolutions, I haven't gotten that far yet. The other day I opened up a fortune cookie that said a pleasant surprise was around the corner for me. Maybe I'll just leave it at that.

Hello 2013.

winter wonderland

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Snow. We can throw it, eat it, build a cave in it, and slide on it. No wonder it brings out the child in all of us. It's a winter wonderland up in the mountains right now. The scenery is so beautiful, it's hard to put the camera down.

inspired by the beach

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 01:13:00 +0000

Recently, I was flipping through some photographs that I took at the Oregon coast last summer. The photos were taken with a vintage camera that I picked up at an estate sale. [Not bad for a metal box that is over 75 years old!]

I snapped a number of shots of the scenery around me. Realizing a few of the photos went nicely together, I was inspired to create a set of mixed media works on cedar wood slices. So, here's what I came up with yesterday.

And I just finished this new work, Beach Mountains.

One of my photographs is layered in this work as well.

Both of these items can now be found in my Etsy shop. These may be the last pieces of the year, at least for my Etsy shop. For the next few weeks, I'll be focusing on creating new work for Lilk Gallery in London. They acquired a space on Broadway Market. So, if you happen to be near there at the end of January, come see my art!

Oh, by the way, there's still time to snatch a free linocut with your order in my Etsy shop. Last day of special promotion is Christmas Eve, or until the linocuts are all gone. About a dozen left!

limited-edition "portland" print

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:35:00 +0000

Today, I hand pulled the first 10 prints of my latest linocut.

The paper I used is made from flax straw + denim and t-shirt remnants. Very cool stuff.

Read more about the new print here. Then watch this amazing printmaking demonstration . . . so effortless!

living in a broken world

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 01:56:00 +0000

The tears flowed down my face when I heard there was another school shooting. Like any other parent watching Friday's tragedy unfold, I thought of my own children. And on the heels of a Portland mall shooting just three days prior, it's hard not to fall into a dark place of hopelessness.

The recent devestating news reminds me of a similar tragedy- the school shooting at Thurston High School in May of 1998. I was a high school art teacher at the time, but at a school across town from Thurston High. There was a district-wide lockdown, and I spent the five hours in a locked classroom helping students process a gamut of emotions.

A year later, there was a mass shooting at Columbine High in Colorado. My husband's friend happened to be in the school's cafeteria that day. He helped get kids to safety.

Thurston, Littleton, Newtown- these are small communities, yet so many of us have been personally impacted by their tragic stories. I want to believe that we've seen the last of these senseless killings, but we live in a broken world. So I turn to God for hope, for He brings light into a dark world. In fact, He willingly entered a dark world to love it and save it.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

Rembrandt, Adoration of the Shepherds, oil on canvas, 1646. National Gallery London.

for the love of calendars

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:58:00 +0000

Growing up, we used to have a calendar in every room of the house. These poster-sized calendars were given out to customers by Korean businesses. My Korean grandparents lived with us, and it was my grandfather who was the biggest fan of these calendars. They were used as his appointment books, so it was commonplace to see circled dates and Korean notes on the side.

My family would have a small stash of these free calendars rolled up and ready to give to visiting friends and family. When I moved into my own place, not a year went by without my grandfather or mother offering me a new calendar. I would try to politely decline, but then my husband would make a nice comment about the calendars. And this always led to, "Oh, you like?! I give you two."

It's been 13 years since my grandfather passed away. I still think of him whenever I see a Korean calendar. If he was alive today, he would be the first to receive my new calendar that I finished this weekend. And I know he'd be pleased. (Although I would have to supersize the dates for him!)

First Thursday event in London

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:24:00 +0000

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Three of my paintings are now on display at the Vyner Street Gallery in London! The group show is from December 3 - 16, with a First Thursday event planned for this week. Images of the three paintings are in this post. For more information on the exhibition, go here.

A number of my latest works have also been uploaded into my Etsy shop, including a few weavings and smaller paintings on cedar wood. Click here to see what is available.

my week

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:47:00 +0000

it's been 15 years since we've brought a puppy home

she's a lot like our first dog- so very sweet . . . but a tad more fearless

she didn't even cry her first night with us

the day before thanksgiving, we took her to the beach

she chased the waves and climbed the dunes

we named her Scout

the november rain has been relentless

but we caught a break at the beach

when the sun was setting, the sky looked like it was on fire

a young man pointed to the colorful display and remarked, "heaven's a million miles that away"

well said

i've amped up production this week

in preparation for the holiday market nov. 30 - dec. 1

whatever doesn't sell goes into my etsy shop on sunday

tomorrow's feat: designing a 2013 calendar

i think i can, i think i can

Limited-edition linocut giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 04:05:00 +0000

I nearly forgot that it is my Etsy shop's anniversary today! I've been quite busy these past few weeks helping out with a church art project and spearheading the Holiday Market at my daughter's school. Oh, and did I mention we got a puppy?! Pictures to come in the next post.

In all this craziness, I've managed to eek out some me-time at my art desk. . . sleep is over-rated, I say. My latest creative output resulted in a batch of hand printed linocuts. Printmaking was my focus in college, but it's been years since I've tackled a hand printing project. My daughters watched me this time as I hand pulled the first lino print, and all the oohs and ahhs from the peanut gallery just added to the excitement.

I used turquoise ink for the first few prints and then switched to a deeper blue (and oil-based) ink. There are only three of the turquoise available, and I thought it would be fitting to give them away in celebration of my three year Etsy anniversary.

If you'd like a chance to nab one of these limited-edition prints, just leave a comment below. On Wednesday, November 28th, I'll randomly choose three winners and post the names here.

I am also giving away these prints with every order in my Etsy shop. You can check out the details here.

11/28: Congratulations to the three winners! David Thurston, Emmel Prutsemieke, and Emma-Lee

weaving 101

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:59:00 +0000

In September, I finally signed up for a weaving class at an arts center in my neighborhood. For years, I have looked through the windows of the weaving class and have long envied the folks working on the looms.

The last time I took a weaving class, I was nine years old. We never got to floor looms, which, as I've been learning these past few weeks, involves a lot of mathematical calculations and tedious threading. I thought that I had decent math skills (and patience!) up until now. Adding and multiplying allowances, shrinkage, fringe, ends per inch . . . huh?

I did manage to finish my weaving sampler, which I had been working on since the start of class!

One of the things that spurred me to sign up for a weaving class was the purchase of a vintage miniature loom at an artist's estate sale. Knowing very little about weaving, I bought the loom on faith that I could get it to working order. I brought the loom to class, and my instructor pointed out that it was missing a heddle, which is the part of the loom that holds the threads in place to create an open space for the shuttle.

After scouring the internet for a heddle, I decided to make my own. I figured if the loom was 80 years old, surely I could macgyver a working heddle. So, I did, out of quilting plastic template and craft wood. That's it, the piece hanging from the top bar.

Here are some photos capturing the process.

You can imagine my excitement when it worked! I finished my first weaving on the little loom just a few days ago.

And I'm almost done with my second piece! I'm planning on selling these weavings at the upcoming Holiday Market in Portland, November 30 thru December 1.