Grotesque Halloween

 Last night, Halloween, was the year's last Last Thursday on Alberta, here in Portland.  And. . . it was grotesque!  While on all other Last Thursdays the street was closed to traffic, yesterday it was re-opened and it seemed like the public said, "Let's go elsewhere" . . . Those of us who very much needed to add some sales to our bottom line were there only to watch kids trick-or-treat in the early evening and contemplate the empty streets once it was dark.

What's so terrible is that, we, the artists, who have for years helped to get people interested in Alberta's Art Walk every Last Thursday, have been forgotten as the event has been transformed into  a "Drink Fest".

Hello Portland, . . . how about reinstating an Art Walk on Alberta or elsewhere in the city, to thank Portland's art community for its efforts to put Alberta's Last Thursday on the map.

This weekend, come visit the Mesman Images booth #208 at Portland Saturday Market, beneath the Burnside Bridge.  By the way, the Market is also open on Sundays!

Visit us at the Portland waterfront

On this sunny weekend in Portland, Oregon come to the waterfront and add a visit to us at Portland Saturday/Sunday Market at

See you there!!

Fall Maple at the Portland Japanese Garden

Here is our new 4 panel framed "quadtych" of the Portland Japanese Garden's maple that overlooks the upper pond.  Measuring 33" x 84", it's perfect for offices or homes with large walls in need of color.  Check it out

Shop for Mom at Portland Saturday Market

Portland Saturday Market is the perfect place to buy a special gift for Mothers' Day.  Buying high-quality hand-made products directly from the artisans who made them is not only much more original and thoughtful than buying mass-produced products at the mall, it also keeps a maximum of your dollars here in the local economy.  The Market is open on Saturday from 10-5 and on Sunday from 11-4:30.  Spend $25 and get a free Tri-Met ticket or two free hours of parking at any Smart Park garage.  Mention this post and receive 10% off any purchase at our Mesman Images booth #208, beneath the Burnside Bridge at Waterfront Park.

More Portland Christmas Ornaments

© Mesman Images

Here are some more of the Portland themed Christmas ornaments that we've recently listed on Etsy.  They are Portland Japanese Garden, the Evolution of the White Stag Sign, the International Rose Test Garden, and Oregon Landmarks featuring Mt Hood with the Portland skyline, the Portland sign, and Vista House at Crown Point.

Small Business Saturday a Bust?

Multnomah Falls, Oregon in Autumn                             copyright Mesman Images

We're small business owners.  Along with nearly 300 other small businesses, we sell directly to the public every Saturday and Sunday, ten months a year.  So, Small Business Saturday would seem like a slam-dunk, no-brainer perfect event for people like us.  This year, we promoted the heck out of it.  We had a special 20% off sale that day.  We put up the special signs generated on the SmallBizSat website.

In talking with our colleagues and customers, though, one question kept coming up:  How could Small Business Saturday be scheduled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?!  Everyone spends their money at big-box stores and online that weekend.  Let's hope that, next year, Small Business Saturday gives struggling small business owners a chance to actually make some money!  www.mesmanimages.com

This is our new ornament, featuring Portland's iconic White Stag sign.  It measures 2.5"  square, with "Made in Oregon" on one side and "Portland Oregon" on the other.  You can buy them on Etsy for $12.00 each in the MesmanToo shop.