Portland is Awesome

I have some creative friends who might agree most with the sad facts on remuneration for artists that is part of this story, but I think they’d also agree with the overall gist of this article. It’s not just the books, cafes, food in Portland that stimulate creative minds, but the general openness and tolerance. You can be whatever. Paris was a famous artists’ haven for the same reasons, except in its creative heyday it was also very affordable. And let’s not forget that what Paris also had in abundance was a world famous joie de vivre which it lost somewhat after WWII. Personally, I think about Paris-Portland comparisons all the time, especially when I hear of another creative luminary, like Todd Haynes, moving here to free themselves from the trap of well-scrutinized celebrity. And I detect signs we’re getting much better in the spirit for living. We’re more social. We just have to get to the point where more people love art more and make it possible for young artists to live, thrive and stay here.