The start of a new piece for the Chronicle

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a few photo's of the Lake Oswego area for the Chronicle Show. I finally decided on "Shoreline Shade". Here is my selected subject I wanted to paint from that best represents the area, or at least my interpretation of the area.

Since this is a very cool toned subject, I used a very warm underpainting to help warm it up and bring it some brilliance. Some may say it's too garish, but I love a lot of brilliance under a cooler piece. So, this is it for now.

On another note, I haven't been on the easel as much as I'd like to because of the transition of Amato Gallery. It's been very exciting to be working with some incredible artists who have the vision and energy to make it sail. Next weekend we will have our Gala and I can't wait to see how that all pans out. Then, and maybe then, I will be back on the easel on a regular basis. Let's hope.

Amato Gallery of Artists Gala Opening

I've got a BIG project I've been working on that I haven't had time to blog much about. I've been fueled by adrenaline, I'm losing sleep over it, but my energy is VERY high and hopeful. In my post on Jan 19th, I mentioned a gallery space that I found in my community. So far, I've spoken to 10 incredible artists to come in on the opportunity and together we are hosting our first Gala Opening. The Gala event is Feb 12th, and we will have wine tasting, fine art, floral work, and fine chocolate....the perfect stop for the guys on Valentines Day.

Many changes have already been put into place to help the business owner convert the space. New lights, new paint, a hanging system is in place, new sculpture and ceramics are in place and also some paintings adorn the walls. We have all had a hand in the improvements, even helping to pay for them. I've been looking for fine artists whose work conveys "Oregon" or has a representational flair to it. There is still room for more artists as the space improves, and older existing product gets sold. Our city really needs something like this, and we are all very encouraged by it. Click on this link to an open invitation on Facebook. Hope to see you there!

Artists to date:

Diane Ahrendt

Joni Mitchell

Gretha Lindwood

Chris Helton

Donna Sanson

Beth O'Mahony

Michael Orwick

Annie Salness

Bert Cohen

John Wisener

Brenda Boylan

Best of America Pastel Series!

It's here, it's here!

Today I received my copy of The Best of America Pastel Artists Volume II.

It's a soft bound, glossy book. You know the kind. It's really nice too. I didn't realize what this really meant until I opened up the book and saw the work of pastelists Dawn Emerson, Alan Flattman, and Albert Handell! Gosh, I'm hanging with the big boys now. But as every art publication goes, it's stuffed with other accomplished pastelists whose names may not ring a bell, like me. My work is presented in the "America Pastel A ~ J" book, but there is also an "America Pastel K ~Z" book that completes the set.

Two of my pieces were selected for this publication and announced back in August of '09 and the book is now available for purchase. You can get yours here. for $42.95 + s/h.

Albright's Donuts, Santa Cruz

"Albright's Donuts, Santa Cruz" 12x9, Pastel on sanded paper

It's been a while since I've been able to post a new painting! I've been so busy with many exciting things in my art community, it seemed like every time I picked up a pastel to finish this piece, I had another phone call! Can I grow another arm please?

Anyway, this little gem is from my trip to Santa Cruz last summer. This coastal community has it's characteristics that identify it as Santa Cruz. Sleepy, older buildings dot the main streets, with side streets full of bungalows from the 40's and 50's. A nice, sunny area to live! This little donut shop is on the corner of Water and Magnolia Streets, just down the street from my brother's home.

So, what's been going on in my art community?

I came across an add on CraigsList for a gallery in my community, and so I had to check out who was doing this new venture. You see, our downtown area doesn't have a nice gallery space to hang our work. But in the city of Portland there are plenty of galleries, but you have to go a distance to get there. This spot is just 2 miles away from where I live, and the shop owner is changing her business into a gallery space that works in conjunction with her floral and wine shop. Naturally, I want a part of this because the location is so perfect and the building is incredible! So I've been helping the store owner convert her shop into this gallery idea along with many other incredible artists. Organizing something like this is fun, but it eats up precious painting time. So that's it! Wish us luck in this adventure, for it is a temporary one that could turn into a permanent space.

Hanging at City Hall

Contrary to the Clint Eastwood Westerns, the title "Hanging at City Hall" does sound a little like a hanging, but it's not. This morning I was at Portland City Hall installing my work for a second round, at Commissioner Dan Saltzman's office. Portland City Hall is classically built with marble and oak. I think this was one of the fastest installations I have ever done, finishing in a little over an hour! You can view the work from 8am~5pm, Monday through Friday on the 2nd floor for the month of January.

"Other Side of Paulina" 8x10" Pastel on sanded paper

On another note, I've had this painting around for some time and had put it into the "I'll get around to that later" pile. It needed work! So I pulled this one out and re-worked the pastel by adding a little more color and contrast. I am donating this piece to my daughter's orchestra, OPAYCO "Winter Cheer" annual Fundraising Concert scheduled for January 16th in Lake Oswego.

Lavender Laps, 11x15

"Lavender Laps" 11x15" Pastel on sanded paper

Sometimes the winter gets a little too cold for me and so to remedy this, I sometimes like to post something that takes me back to the heat of the summer. This one was painted Plein Air a couple of summers ago in late July when the Lavender farmers are getting ready to harvest their fragrant herb. Oooooh, I can just smell the heavy scent of the lavender and hear the bumbling bees....and just feel the hot wind on my skin. Are we there yet Scotty?

Hwy Distractions, 12x9

"Hwy Distractions" 12x9" Pastel on sanded paper Sold

On my long journey across California to Montana this past summer, there were many interesting scenes that intrigued me in some way. There is something about the rural areas that have small hints of beauty. As plain and mundane as this little town was, (and I mean mundane because I don't even remember what it's name was), it had some interesting old signage and buildings that seem lost in time. As we travelled, I took many snapshots. This is one of those shots that had a pretty good composition. I beefed up the color in this one and gave it a sexy sky. Still no name for this small Idaho town, but it was one of our many gas-stops along the way. If you recognize the location...pipe up! I'd love to know.

"Turnip Teeth" Artist Statement and Juror news

This entire week I have been pulling teeth from a turnip! Well, that's what it felt like when I was revising my Artist's Statement. Sure, I can paint and make pretty pictures. But when it comes to writing about my work, I fall flat on my face! So I Googled Artist Statement for some much needed hand holding and found Molly Gordon's site that was exceptionally helpful! Besides the help on writing Artist Statements, she also has a plethora of advice on other areas of marketing. I think this is a site that I will be referring to on a regular basis. After I had the meat of what I wanted to say in my Statement, I found the best advice in step 4, and that is to have a trusted friend or professional give feedback on clarity, tone and more. So I called up my painting buddy Gretha and she helped me grind out the rest. Thanks Gretha! So now I am done. So wanna see some Turnip Teeth? You can find it here.

On another note, I was asked by the City of Beaverton to help in the jurying of the city's public art installations. The city has had several citizen artists and business persons, who are interested in this endeavor, meet over the course of the past 2 years to find a "voice" for the city. The goal is to beautify the city by uniting it with a centralized area where people can gather, meet, rest, play, and just hang. The City of Beaverton will be accomplishing this by installing a monumental sculpture. Here are some examples of large scale public art that you may recognize from other US cities:

If you know of the location of any of these pieces, please comment.

Beaverton Showcase entries

"Duet" 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

"Being Sour Has it's Benefits" 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

I'm happy to announce that I got a painting (or two) accepted into the 28th Annual Visual Arts Showcase. The Showcase is a regional show that attracts artists from the Northwest area and is held in the beautiful Beaverton City library. This has been an elusive show for me for the past 4 years, and it was all my doing, you see. For one reason or another, my work didn't make the cut because of slide prep, secondary work, or I was too busy to enter and let the submission date pass. It goes to show that I have got to be more organized and on top of things. And I thought I was organized! Augh! Confessions of an artist! Anyway, you may have seen these two in previous posts.

The Showcase artists will be honored at an opening night gala on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 from 6:00 till 9:00 pm. More info can be found in my "Upcoming Events" to the right. I hope to see you "locals" there!

2010 Lake Oswego Chronicle Invitational

The other day, I received an invitation to participate in an Invitational Show. An "Invitational" is when the artists are selected and invited to submit to a special show, this one being the Lake Oswego 2010 Chronicle Invitational. Evidently, they found my name and searched me out. I often wonder where, who, or how they find me with so much competition out there to get recognition. Hmmm.

Anyway, I went out to Lake Oswego and thought I'd take some reference photos of some of the city's landscapes. I've been interested in street scenes...the ordinary, boring, unflattering curbsides of our lives. But of course there are the many beautiful water subjects too to select from. Is there one that you like or would like to see for my entry? Don't be shy! Vote by commenting! Thanks!

Roadside, State Street

Riverview

Picnic View

River view II

Shoreline Shade

Little Lava Lake, 9x12 & Studio Sale update

"Little Lava Lake" 9x12" Pastel on sanded paper

As I was preparing for my Studio Sale/Christmas show, I stumbled across a pile of artwork that was somehow squirreled away in a portfolio in my closet. Now, this either tells me that I'm losing my memory or I'm a pack rat! Maybe someday I will find a stash of exotic treasures hidden away next time I'm preparing for a show! After all, I have been clearing out all my "stuff" and it has proven to be a much needed cleansing.

This one (above) was painted last summer on my trip to the Central Oregon area and had somehow escaped me. Like finding a lost friend, I looked at it with fresh eyes and decided it was a nice piece after all! Always the critic within!

Anyway, I'm glad to announce that my Open Studio went very well! We figured around 5o or so visitors that found homes for 22 pieces of art! To market this event I used Facebook, email, and standard mailers. Interesting enough, the most successful method of promotion was primarily a combination of both email and Facebook. The traditional snail-mail had the least amount of return.

Michele, me and Christine at my Open Studio

I always seem to be "laughing' in every post! Gosh, maybe a shot of me with my mouth closed would be nice, huh? As a testament to my friends, they are a great support and am so glad to have such a great group who support me and my ambitions. And now the new work begins!

Studio Sale & Christmas Party!

This is one of my demos from a lesson on color values.

I have been pretty quiet lately, because I have been on vacation (Disneyland) and have been preparing for a big show...let me explain!

As the Christmas season revs up, I have been re-evaluating my year. Some of you may or may not know about my family loss this past summer, and just how it has taken hold of my overall outlook on life. Well, I have been focusing on clearing out my life and starting anew. This means I have been simplifying, lightening my load, and not waiting for "this" or "that" to happen. I have been weeding through my home and have been clearing out those extras things...and it has finally made it's way into my studio. Wtih the Holiday season upon us, I have decided to have an "End of Year" studio clearance sale and topping it off with some Wine and Cheese. It's Christmas time. and I want others to enjoy the beautiful artwork and so I have been drastically dropping my prices just for this one evening event. Everything is drastically priced to move so I can start anew! I am so excited because I want to make new artwork...but not sure which direction this will take me. Stay tuned for a new post. Who knows where this will take me, but definitely a new leaf has been turned!

Oh, and on more personal note...don't go on the Tower of Terror ride at Disneyland!!!!! It was so scary, that I was crying to get off! Comforted by my husband, I laughed at my knee-jerk reaction to the drastic drops. Here I am trying to smile after the terrifying ride.

Evening Reflections, 6x6

"Evening Reflections" 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

This little piece "was" once an unsuccessful painting. Well, at least in my eyes. With all the work I create, there are a number of failed pieces that accumulate in my studio. So with all the clearing out I've been doing lately as well as all the new work being produced, I have been rethinking what to do with the many failed pieces I have on hand. With this one, I just washed off the failed painting from the sanded paper and "reclaimed" it, or what some would call recycled. With reclaimed mounted pastel paper, there is usually a ghosting of an image from the prior piece still on the paper. This can create an interesting color play as it did on this one.

Converging Pears, 9x12

"Converging Pears" 9x12" Pastel on sanded paper Sold

"Out with the color," I say! The fall is taking a back seat to the more colder, grayer days of winter where I live, so I wanted to paint something entirely colorful to brighten my day. I'm now producing studio work due to the season's prohibitive weather. (If you haven't guessed by now, I am a fair weather painter). Oh, the pear! It is so commonly used for students who are learning how to create shape, shadow and volume. On the other hand, I love it's complex layers of color, some of it just flat, and some more intriguingly mixed with layers of reds, peaches, yellows, and warm greens. Because of the cooler light source, I have made the shadows warmer. The shadows may be a bit too warm, but because I intentionally wanted rich color, it is just so. Loosely painted, fun and colorful!

As the Water Rises, 6x6

"As the Water Rises" 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

A few weeks ago, a new blog "Subject to Interpretations" was created for the Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters for sharing painting experiences. The inspiration comes from the incredible concept of Karen Jurik and her successful Different Strokes blog. "Subject to Interpretations" is intended for the Portland group to express and converge online.

Here's my interpretation of the first bi-weekly photo reference. Have you ever noticed when you put an image on the screen, the work looks entirely different and more often you can find the boo-boos in the piece? Looking at this online I find that I need to make some corrections by suggesting the distant trees' reflections in the water. Later, I say, later.