Fish 'n Chips

"Fish 'n Chips" 11" x 15" watercolor-

In my series of paintings on the life and times of Seagulls, this is my new favorite. I finished this painting while doing a painting demonstration at Haystack Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The couple that bought the painting were watching me work on it and gave some "ideas" of how to finish the painting and give it some more "realism" (specifically to the deck railing directly below the seagulls). :-)

Falls in the Fall

15 x 22 inch watercolor -

I got a chance to do a painting demonstration last weekend at Heritage Gallery here in Vancouver. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet everyone that came by. There really was a fun group of people there last weekend. And thanks to Dann at Heritage Gallery for having me.

This weekend in Cannon Beach, Oregon is the Stormy Weather Arts Festival, which is always a great time. I will be painting in Haystack gallery during the day this Saturday, so make sure to stop by and say hi.

We may end up with a milder Stormy Weather Arts Festival than last year by the looks of the weather, but whether it's raining sideways or sunny and 65 degrees the festival is always quite entertaining.

Sailing in the Puget Sound

"Called in 'Sick of Work' and Went Sailing in the Puget Sound"
30 x 36 inches- Watercolor

[Note: the colors are a bit off on this photo. I'll post another photo of this painting with more accurate color adjustments when I finish the piece).

I'm working on painting larger pieces at the moment, this one is about three feet long and I've got another painting going that's 41 inches long. I actually like painting large, but I apparently need to invest in bigger brushes and a bigger easel before I do too many more large paintings.

This painting is about 80% done as you see it here. I'm currently deciding whether I want to add a few houses among the cliffs before I finish the background and the water.

Another Day at the Oregon Coast

"A Day in the Life of the Oregon Coast" - Watercolor

I've been busy adjusting my website so I haven't had a chance to blog much lately, but you can check out my website at: www.michaeldavidsorensen.com

I'm working on finishing up this Oregon Coast cartoon. I've pretty much had a blast working on it.

Have a great week!

Bike Riding and Dreams of Amazingly Good Donuts

"Exercising to Counteract the Ill Effects of Custard-Filled Donuts" - Sketch

I went rollerblading down at Portland's Willamette Waterfront a few nights ago and did some sketching while I was at it. The paths there are chalk full of people riding bicycles, walking, running, rollerblading, skate boarding or scooter-riding.

An interesting bunch of people gather there to perform their exercise of choice and its fun to observe the different types of characters you find there. Some are obvious fitness junkies who eat, sleep and dream exercise. Then there are characters who I can relate with like this fellow that I sketched. He appears to be there merely to burn the exact amount of calories that one will find in two chocolate, custard-filled donuts and a chocolate milk. And you know he's figured out precisely how much further he needs to ride in order to burn the calories in an extra tall chocolate milk.

A Dog and His Kid

"A Dog and His Kid" 11 x 15 inches - Watercolor

I've been busy working on making changes to my website lately so I haven't gotten a chance to do much blogging.

You all have a great weekend! Go do something fun outside!

Seagulls and Stovepipes

"Seagulls and Stovepipes"
11 x 15 inches - Watercolor

I painted this scene while doing a painting demonstration at Dancing Coyote Gallery in Depoe Bay, Oregon. I had been walking on the Lincoln City beach (at Roads End) and was noticing all of the cool chimneys that the beach-side houses sport. And of course while I was checking out the neat chimneys I was also noticing the many seagulls hanging out on the housetops (causing trouble no doubt).

The Life and Times of Seagulls in a Sleepy Coastal Town

Person: So do you as an artist ever worry that you are having way too much fun painting a particular picture?

Artist: Yes, yes I do.


I painted this picture while at "Spring Unveiling" in Cannon Beach a few weeks ago. I did "research" early Saturday morning by wandering around town seeing what kind of mischief seagulls were getting into to give me ideas for my picture.


"The Life and Times of Seagulls in a Sleepy Coastal Town" 11" x 15" Watercolor

Painting La Conner

"La Conner Waterfront" 22" x 30" Watercolor

This is a painting I did for Champagne Cove gallery in La Conner, Washington. Champagne Cove is in the red building on the left and I generally paint on the deck/dock out front when I'm there. The second building from the right has the Boardwalk Cafe where I generally go for Fish n Chips or Clam Chowder. And of course that's Mount Baker in the background.

Cartoons at the Coast

These characters are also part of the initial sketch for "At Play on the Oregon Coast".

Oregon Coast Wedding Photos

Part of the initial sketch for "At Play on the Oregon Coast".

Its seems like every time I'm at the beach people are getting married and/or getting wedding photos on the beach. It also always tends to be raining sideways while I'm at the beach. . .

Waterfalls and Farmhouses

"Waterfalls and Farmhouses" Watercolor 11" x 15"


OK, so this picture may be a bit of a fantasy. In reality you probably couldn't have your farm this close to that substantial of a waterfall as no doubt the area would be zoned as a scenic area or national forest of some sort, thus limiting any sort of rural or residential building.

Oregon Ducks

"Oregon Ducks" 22 x 30 inch watercolor

This is a scene of Clear Lake, Oregon and true to it's name Clear Lake is amazingly clear for some reason. On a side note there seem to be way too many lakes named Clear Lake in this country. You would think that people that get to name lakes would be slightly more creative with their names . . .

I started this picture a while back after visiting Clear Lake for the first time and recently have been working on finishing it and am currently trying to decide if its done or not.

Note: Yes the guy fishing is wearing an Oregon Ducks hat. Its anyone's guess as to whether he's a Duck football or basketball fan. =)

You Want Me to Paint What?!?!

"Dolphin Meets Lion" Watercolor 8 x 10 inches


A friend of mine asked me to paint him a picture he could give to his girlfriend and his idea was, um, so different that I decided to go for it. It was quite entertaining trying to figure out how to put a creature that usually hangs out on the African savannas along with a animal that lives in the ocean in the same scene.
At any rate my friend and his girlfriend seemed to really enjoy it. =)

Building Canals and Fortresses on Cannon Beach

"At Play on Cannon Beach" 22 x 30 inch Watercolor on Lanaquarelle 300 lb. hot press paper

I spent endless hours constructing castles and dams to divert streams on Oregon beaches as a kid. It was great fun. The kids in this scene still appear to be in the planning stages of their monumental project and no doubt will have the stream diverted a good 10 feet to the north by the time the tide comes in.

This is my second piece painting on 300 lb. Lanaquarelle hot press paper. I like it so far, but it's definitely a lot different than the 300 lb. Arches cold press paper I usually use. This paper seems to work better with layering some how. I seem to be able to put several layers over each other without disturbing the lower layers.

When Meatloaf Inspires a Painting

"Mount Hood Through the Tree Tops" 18 x 30 inches. Watercolor.

I painting this on some hot press paper (which means its rather smooth) that had been given to me. I was quite happy with the results I could get from smooth paper. I almost always paint on heavy cold press or rough paper that has lots of texture.

I painted at Haystack Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon over the weekend and got talking to another artist only to find that he keeps track of which music he listens to while painting a picture (mostly classy jazz or classical musicians). As it turns out my favorite picture of his was painted to the driving melodies of Meatloaf. I should have known! I'll have to start keeping track of the "music that inspires my artwork". (No doubt it will be an odd compilation of cheesy pop tunes, punk rock and the occasional Louie Armstrong).

You Want Me to Paint Something on What?!?!

"My lunch" Acrylic on satin of some sort roughly 8 x 8 inches

I was asked to paint something on a chef's hat for this weekend's Culinary Escape taking place in Cannon Beach, Oregon. It was interesting trying to figure out just how to paint/draw on a chef’s hat. Of course I only had one chef's hat so I had no overs in case things went awry. I bought some satin that was similar to the hat to experiment on. This is one such experiment. The interesting thing about painting on this type of material is that you can't move the paint around once you put it down and you certainly can't lift any of the paint up. But at any rate I had a good time and got to eat my still life after I was done. =)

A Split Window Volkswagen in Tuscany

The first Volkswagen vans were introduced in 1950 and have since been known for being underpowered (the first VW vans came with a whopping 25 horsepower engine . . . I’ve used a riding lawnmower with 25 horsepower . . .), temperamental and shaped like a toaster. Yet millions of us still adore them and wish we still owned one. There is something oddly endearing about the ridiculously-shaped automobiles.

My old ’78 VW’s heater was so close to worthless that I used to use an electric blanket that I plugged into the cigarette lighter, I stored spare gloves and stocking caps in the glove compartment as well as blankets in the closet for any passengers and had to use the ol’ “arm out the window with an ice scraper” to “defrost” my windshield. I had my sliding door fall off onto the ground one day when I went to open it and my embarrassingly wimpy-sounding horn decided to turn on and stay on and I drove home through the suburbs late one night. My rear view mirror flew off on the freeway one day and my side window tried to fall off another (luckily the sink and a few other objects kept it from falling to the floor and shattering long enough for me to save it).

Despite all of the inherent weird problems associated with owning a VW I thoroughly enjoyed it and got way more than my money’s worth out of it. I went camping in it no end and put its couch-like backseat and bed to good use even while in town if I wanted a nap or a cozy place to read during lunch.

So for whatever reason millions of us still love VW vans and no doubt you or someone you know (or several people you know) have owned a VW van at some point and surely have plenty of stories to tell about the crazy old bus.

"A Split Window in Tuscany" Watercolor 18 x 30 inches

A Hungry Watercolorist Enjoys La Conner

“Rainbow Bridge” 11 x 30 Inches

La Conner, Washington is located about 60 Miles north of Seattle on the Swinomish Channel. It is tucked away in the beautiful Skagit Valley famous for its yearly Tulip Festival that runs between April 1-30. (You can find more information about the Tulip Festival at: www.laconner.net )

The town is a great place for a hungry watercolor artist who can generally be found eating fish and chips at the Boardwalk Fish and Chips (conveniently located in the building next to Champagne Cove Gallery, on the North side of town). The said artist is often seen enjoying a hearty bowl of their fine clam chowder or Halibut ‘n Chips as he works diligently drafting elaborate painting ideas in his sketch book. However to the untrained eye it may appear that he is in fact spending his time hassling the wait staff trying to make them laugh while he doodles seagulls on napkins with a Sharpie™, I assure you he is actually working hard (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).

At other times one may see this watercolor artist wandering down to the Calico Cupboard (thanks to Jason for telling me about the Calico Cupboard) for one of their remarkable Snicker Doodles or stopping off at the La Conner Brewery for one of their award winning brews. If you find yourself heading to La Conner looking for a relaxing, fun time of enjoying galleries, shops and restaurants you’re heading for the right place.

Oh, and look for the bald eagles hanging out at the tops of trees on your way into town.

The Moon and Deception Pass

"The Moon and Deception Pass" 11 x 30 inches

The original for this piece is now available at Champagne Cove in La Conner, Washington. 360-466-0202

This is the last in my series of Deception Pass and La Conner paintings that I have painted over the winter. (No doubt I'll do other paintings inspired by the area at a later date, but for now I'm working on some other subjects)

A Series on La Conner, Washington

Here are a few of the originals that I recently delivered to Champagne Cove in La Conner, Washington. (I haven't quite figured out the best way to photograph framed work with glass to avoid glare).

Yaquina Head Lighthouse at Low Tide

"Exploring the Vast Sea Life Below an Oregon Lighthouse" 22 x 30 inch Painting in progess. Watercolor and pastel

There are a gazillion little and some rather large creatures that live near Yaquina head (near Newport, Oregon). My favorite time to be there is first thing in the morning, before anyone else is awake, during low tides.

The tide pools there are great - chalk full of all sorts of strange and interesting sea life. Sea lions vie for a good spot in the sun on the rock islands nearby. Inevitably there is always one sea lion pushing another off the rocks into the ocean. Plus there are three or four different types of birds nesting on the rocks and if one is lucky they will see a whale spouting in the distance.

Reflections of La Conner

"La Conner Evening Looking South"
22" x 30"

I've been working on a series of paintings for the La Conner, Deception Pass area. I've enjoyed the fact that there is a lot water at both locations as water is about my favorite thing to paint. . . well, other than seagulls I mean.

An Oldie: A Porsche, a Barn and a Goose

"Just Another Saturday Afternoon Cruising Around the Countryside" 22" x 30"

I painted this picture quite a while back, probably when I was in Junior High. I have no idea where I came up with the composition idea and why I decided to have a goose standing right in the road. I kinda like this picture though and wish I would have finished it, but by the looks of it I must have gotten stuck trying to figure out how to paint the goose's feet or the shadows or something. Either way this is still my favorite painting depicting a German sports car with wild fowl in a rural setting. =)

The Wind, The Sea and My Little Boat

"Sailing Towards Deception Pass" Watercolor

My experience sailing is quite limited at this point in my life. (I’ve mostly been power boating) So limited in fact that the one time I went “sailing” on the Lady Washington (a square rigger) there was so little wind that we merely floated down the Columbia River for a while until we finally powered back to port.

I suppose I was about 13 or 14 the only other time I’ve been “sailing” where my aunt and uncle dropped me off into Puget Sound on an inflatable sailboat and told me to learn how to sail. After determining that my rudder was the better part of useless and I was pure rubbish at tacking I decided to stick my sail (such as it was) into the wind and see how fast I could go. I had a swell time cruising with the wind out into the middle of the Sound for about the first half hour until I started to consider how I was supposed to get back to where my Aunt and Uncle were anchored. As I recall the return “voyage” was a tad harder and I ended up swimming while dragging my sailboat part of the way (meanwhile the sail was still up and catching lots of wind going the wrong direction). After pondering whether or not the current and wind would truly wash me out to sea I was able to make it back (with a little help from a rope that my uncle tossed out to me to drag me the final leg of the trip). Overall it was great fun!

2006 Christmas Card

Wow, December sure was a busy month! I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Years!

This is the watercolor I did for a Christmas Card (and had way too much fun doing). Special Thanks to Jason a photographer and all around classy guy from Seattle who let me use his pug Lucy to model for me in this painting.

You can see Jason's photo's on his Flickr account Here.