By Living Room Realty, October 30, 2018
I received a call from an unknown number. It was the daughter of a previous client asking about a property that her partner had wanted to purchase. It was a behemoth! Over 5300 sq ft of “home” and a large 12,000 sq ft lot. It was owned by a church and used as a church, then as part of the school, then again as a temporary church for other communities. Over the years it fell in disrepair and was not used for several years. There were roof leaks, overgrown landscaping, broken windows, used syringes, and of course a scary basement in which we found a Pillory. We’re not really sure why it was there; and we didn’t ask. But there was something about this place that connected with my buyer, Jesse. It needed a bathroom to make it a residence and multiple upgrades to the furnace, electrical, plumbing, roof, and even the sewer…YAY!!! Even with all of these “issues” it felt right. We had multiple bids for all of the item’s to make it “livable” for him and his family but also for it’s intended purpose.
Jesse and Melissa are artists. They have been making and selling art for many years now and were renting space on Burnside for their gallery and studio/art school: TRUE MEASURE GALLERY. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging with Jesse and Melissa and see their passion in what they do. The new space will be big enough for their home and new gallery as well as storing hundred’s of paintings. Abundant classroom space and a great location in SE Portland off of a main road all just “fit”. And no the Pillory is not for sale (but they may rent it out for Halloween)!
I can’t believe I get to be part of their journey and I look forward to visiting them and enjoying their art in a new space. New space, new friends, new experiences. Please check them out at and support your local artists:
ig @jessereno
fb jessereno and jesserenoofficial
youtube – https://www.youtube.com/user/k
i am a self taught mixed media painter. i’ve been supporting myself from my art for the last 12 years. in that time i’ve created over 4000 paintings. my prices have risen 1000%. i have sold almost 90% of everything i have created. i have been the sole manager of my career with no business background. i have shown in over 100 galleries. i have taught my techniques and ideas about painting extensively in the us, canada, australia, and mexico. i do not do commercial work. i only take on work where i am free to create as i wish and be myself. i have never pre planned or conceptualized a painting in my entire career. i could tell you alot of stories..
–Jesse
ig @melissamonroeart
fb hernameismel and melissamonroeart
youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channe
From a young age I have been haunted by my need to find something that i was passionate about.
In 2012 during a time of my live that I had voided myself of emotion
I started painting one night as if someone had whispered in my ear that I should.
Passion came inside me and I made a mess of my canvas, shattering glass, pouring paint, using my hands as the brush.
I continued to paint every chance I got, using broken objects as inspiration.
I finally felt I had a reason to take action in my life and over the next year made changes with out hesitation or fear.
Once I was free of the parts of my life holding me I started painting everyday with acrylic, oil pastels and pencil mostly on wood.
Without the influences of any art background or art knowledge all my paintings came from within, refusing to finishing a piece until it made me happy. –Melissa
