Cascadia Taphouse
Artist install
Cascadia Taphouse is designed to be a space for our community organically designed by our community. We’ve learned quickly our community is full of unique and talented artists across mediums. Having the space to share local artist work hopefully inspires others and helps our space feel and look pretty rad.
Our walls currently showcase Pacific Northwest inspired photographs captured by Joe Simon. Joe has been a close friend of ours for almost a decade. Over some beers Joe unleashed his passion for learning about and developing his photography skills. Joe aims to capture calm and simple images to provide reprieve to the viewer. We think Joe did a hell of a job doing so and we couldn’t be more proud and honored to provide the space at Cascadia Taphouse for Joe to present his art to the masses. Joe’s photographs can be purchased, with custom framing, by reaching out directly via the buttons below.
Tough Tree
“I thought this tree’s story was rather inspirational. Despite all the challenges blocking its growth, this tree quietly succeeded and became quite the interesting subject.
It’s interesting how certain photographs will often cross my path during a time in life where only a landscape or subject in nature can most directly explain anxieties heavy on my mind. This tree was no different. I encountered this tree the exact moment I needed a reminder to keep pushing and be tough despite circumstances I can’t control.”
Vista View
“This image is quite special. It was the first time all the practice and planning came together in perfect execution. Vista House is a rather iconic and often photographed image in the Portland Oregon area. It is difficult to have new takes on subjects such as Vista House. However, on this day, the conditions couldn’t have been more perfect and rare.
As the sun started to set it cast this incredibly bright orange light directly on Vista House. The cloud formation down the Gorge lit up with hues of pink and purple. Finishing the scene by framing the subject with vegetation in shadow, this is still one of the best images the best experiences in my personal landscape photography journey
Puffy Path
Landscape photography is funny. The weekend I encountered this scene, I had limited time to get out and make something happen. As I poured over maps, weather reports, and trail restrictions trying to make a plan, everything was telling me this was not the weekend to get out. With clear skies, full moon, and doggos being regulated to certain areas, I almost thought I should just stay home. I went anyway.
I woke up early to get some shorts at sunrise and there was nothing by clear skies and rather boring compositions. So I decided I’d make breakfast and head home. As I walked out this spot with my hot freeze dried food I saw this cloud inversion had formed and almost spilled that food, which was scaling hot, all over me.
I scrambled to set up and shot the scene for the next hour. It doesn’t always go that way. Actually, it’s quite rare. However, when things go surprisingly well it’s always a bonus.
Quite Giant
The Pacific Northwest is full of volcanoes that poke out and form massive monoliths that tower above the valley floor. Amongst all the volcanoes, Rainier stands the mightiest and it almost never disappoints as a photograph.
It was an incredibly atmospheric day when this photo was taken. The juxtaposition I felt as the clouds slowly make their way around this monstrous sleeping giant gave me a sense of true awe. Using the glacial waterfall as a leading line this image is abstract in nature but formulated enough that it casts the same inspiring, exciting, yet calming feelings every time I look at it.