Getting ready for his upcoming exhibit starting September 1 at Miro Tea, artist Matt Bazemore was seen painting on the sidewalks of Ballard Avenue this week.

Bazemore said "The Ave" is one of his favorite topics along with other Ballard favorites like Golden Gardens and trains.

"I do get out of the neighborhood a couple times a year but everything I need is right here in Ballard," Bazemore said as he continued to work on a painting of the Ballard Hotel.

"That's one of the reasons I like Ballard. I don't have to travel far for business or pleasure," he added.

Bazemore said he 's drawn to the old Americana.

"I feel it's vanishing on us. Examples are the old Denny's building and the gentrification of this strip," he said pointing at the various eateries and boutiques along Ballard Avenue.

A graduate of the fine arts program at Western Washington University, Bazemore started doing illustrations like the cover art for the Bellevue heavy metal band, Queenryche in the 1980s.

After years of supplementing his income with landscaping work, Bazemore is now working as a full-time artist.

"I refocused on my art in 2000 and I have been working professionally since 2004," he said.

Bazemore is a plein air painter and works primarily with acrylics, using a bold palette and style.

Bazemore said he's most frequently commissioned to paint people's houses and businesses like Madame K's and Cugini Cafe.

Bazemore's art will be on display at Miro Tea (5405 Ballard Avenue) throughout the month of September.

for more information in Matt Bazemore and his art, visit his website at http://mattbazemore.com/