Watching the Surf and Seagulls

"Pacific Tides" 28" x 40" - Watercolor.

I did and painting demonstration at Champagne Cove in La Conner, Washington last weekend and as always had a great time (it was 65 degrees and sunny on Saturday so it was pretty hard not to have a great time). Pacific Tides is the largest watercolor I've completed so far and the original (it is unpublished so there are no prints) is now on display at Champagne Cove.

I also go to do some camping while I was up in La Conner. Camping this time of year is the best because not only did I get a camp spot at Deception Pass on a Saturday night without reservations (Which I've heard is Washington state's busiest campground), but I also got the state park campground near Gig Harbor almost completely to myself. That campground has to be about the creepiest campground I've been to. I always get there way late at night night when it's dark and foggy, it's always deserted, it's way out in the boonies, is situated in the midst of a dense rain forest with towering trees and thick underbrush and invariably all sorts of wild creatures decide to start howling/growling/hooting/barking loudly in the middle of the night. (it's the kind of place that you would expect to see Bigfoot) This time some owls decided to get in a brawl directly above my tent at about 1am and did some hooting at the top of their lungs (they can be pretty loud). Overall I thoroughly enjoy the creepy camping experience. :-)

Silver Falls

"Silver Falls" 15" x 22" Watercolor

I actually started this painting a few years back, but just recently decided to work on it again. It is now finished, framed and will be on it's way to Champagne Cove in La Conner, Washington soon.

I believe this is Lower North Falls at Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon.

"Distant Waterfalls Far from the Land of Email and Offices"

I did a painting demonstration in a Portland Wine shop last Friday night. I needed something to paint while I was there so I found this painting that I started a few years back to work on. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to do any wine drinking, but I did have a good time finishing this painting and chatting with the folks there for a wine tasting (it was a busy place on a Friday night!).



Also I'm moving my website to a different web hosting company this week, so it should be unavailable and off line for the rest of the week.

The Oregon Coast

Where Land and Sea Meet - 15" x 22" Watercolor

I'm working on some more Oregon Coast paintings at the moment. Here is the first of them. (More to come)

Winter Dreams of Summer Time Camping

An 80's vintage Volkswagen Vanagon at Trillium Lake with Mount Hood in the background - Computer illustration.

I can't wait for some good old fashioned nice camping weather. Sure I'm a true Northwesterner and will camp in high winds and sideways rain with a smile on my face, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like some nice camping weather now and again. Especially since it's been raining for a good 4 months straight, it seems like we're due for some sun.

First Light at Mount Rainier

22" x 30" Watercolor -

I've been wanting to paint this scene since I saw a great sunrise over Mount Rainier when I was up near Gig Harbor, Washington. The body of water is an inlet of Puget Sound.

Christmas Bug

This is the Christmas card I made this year (although I'm a tad late at posting it here). It's a computer illustration (drawn with a mouse of course).

I know what you are all thinking: "Those bugs don't have very good heaters! The hearty souls driving the classy little Bug must be either freezing or wearing a lot of clothes!"

I'll have you know that old-style VW drivers are resourceful folk! Heck, I used to have a cigarette-lighter-powered electric blanket in my VW bus, not to mention a wide assortment or gloves, stocking caps, blankets and fuzzy animal slippers that I kept in the closet (including matching pink garb for any females brave enough to ride around in the V-Dub during the height of winter).

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. =)