Seeing through your hopes and dreams

"Delight of the Dreamer"  12x12" Pastel on sanded paper, $1,650
Available through The Mission Gallery

Enter into any room that is flooded with filtered light, and you might sense your mood shifting, and perhaps your eyes might even begin to moisten. For me, I am always in touch with my senses, especially my sight, and perception of how people relate to one another. It's almost funny to say this, but to me, I am on the observation deck of life.  A few years back, I came upon this scene inside the Swan House at the Atlanta Historical Museum after a thunderous Spring downpour. Upon entering into this one particular room at that very moment, I felt a compelling sense of elevation by the light that was wrapping around this young girl. It evoked feelings of hope fueled by anticipation, curiosity, and dreams. And now, now more than ever, this piece seems more poignant. One might question if she is isolated in an empty room along with an empty chair to sit, be still and think, or she is waiting for good news that will bring brighter days ahead?.  Whether we look at life through either a kaleidoscope lens or a magnifying glass, we still take light in.  So what do you see in this piece? I'd love to know!

Moving along...    

Laguna Plein Air Invitational final recap

The Gala Event and following show days...

(Sorry for the odd formatting, not sure why Blogger won't flush left.)

So it's Friday and the pressure to produce is off, making for a very low key day followed by the big artist's Gala. What does an artist do when they have time to burn? They paint some more! I headed out to Laguna's Main Beach and I spotted the iconic lifeguard tower and set up my gear, then along came participating artist Michael Obermeyer and then Jennifer showed up to paint too. It was a spontaneous, chatty time, with good laughs and sunshine

.

Painting the Life Guard stand of the Main Beach
with Michael Obermeyer and Jennifer Diehl.

"Day Watch" 11x14" Pastel  (sold) ©Brenda Boylan

After a great time painting, we headed out for some lunch and then home to shower up for the Gala. We had to be there an hour early so we could chill and see the work prior the guests.

My piece "Intersection on 1", 16x16" Pastel (sold)
Honored the Edward H. Boseker Award.

What an honor! Caught off guard by the big ribbon.

The Artist's Library:  artists' extra pieces painted from the week

 s well as from their studios.

Celebrating artists Lt to Rt: Brenda Boylan, Paul Kratter, Hiu Lai Chong, Aimee Erickson, 

Mark Fehlman, and Suzie Baker

My two favorite flirts, Jean Stern and Albert Handell.

The second day of the showing, the artists had to attend the event from 9-6:00 pm, so what do artists do when there is a lull in the day? They get out their painting gear and have a impromptu paint out.

Jennifer Diehl and Colin Page painting a portrait of a willing model.

Jim McVicker and Ned Mueller painting Alber Handell's portrait

A willing subject, sunflower still life from the surrounding table tops.

"Sun Day Bouquet" 12x9" Pastel

available at Attic Gallery.

The event ended on Sunday, Oct 24th around 3 and then all the artists and organizers said their final goodbyes. What a wonderful week! I had very little time to gather my remaining art from the walls, get something to eat, share a piece of art with my gracious hosts as a "thank you" for their kind hospitality, and then pack up to catch my flight.  Whew, what a day! What a week!

Thanks for following along. I'm hoping you imagined yourself in this special place called Laguna Beach. Perhaps I will fortunate enough to be invited back to paint again next year.

Thanks for sticking with me!
~B

Amato Gallery of Artists Gala Opening

Well, it finally happened! Last night we celebrated a months' worth of hard work preparing for the Gala Opening of Amato's Gallery. We had an incredible turnout of around 100 visitors during the extent of the opening. With that kind of a turnout, we could only expect some great things will be in store for the Gallery. What once housed a gift shop, Amato's now holds some incredible sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and paintings from the Southwest area of Portland. Amato's also is well known for it's unique floral designs and wine selection. It's a "One stop guy shop" for your valentine!

Here's my video roundup of the event with all us artists celebrating the joy of the occasion!

Artists included in the show:

Diane Ahrendt

Linda Baer

Bert Cohen

Sheri Gorman

Christine Helton

Gretha Lindwood

Rosie Long

Joni Mitchell

Beth O'Mahony

Michael Orwick

Christy Perrine

Joe Pogan

Annie Salness

Donna Sanson

John Wisener

"Buoy Dance" 7x5"

This little marine gem "Buoy Dance" was painted quickly at a pace of 1/2 hour as a demo for my Open Studio in October. I since have touched it up a bit, adding detail and measuring values, making sure I have a focal point, cleaning up edges, softening edges, stuff like that. I'm offering this piece in the free drawing at Hillsboro's First Tuesday Art Walk this December 4th at Art Envy's Artist's Reception, 125 SE 3rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123. I will also have many of my smaller pieces that are very reasonably priced for this show as well as my entire line of note cards. Stop by from 6 to 9pm and enjoy a sip of wine with me! Oh, so because I worked on it some more, that brings the time creating up a notch to around 1 hour! :)

Taste of Art celebration

Me and Jayne Scott at the black tie event.

Last night was the Taste of Art celebration that I mentioned in one of my earlier blog entries. The evening was a fundraiser for The Beaverton Arts Commission and hosted two artists, Andrew Loomis and myself. A guitarist was there to perform for us and a silent auction kept us entertained. The generous hosts Steven and Megan Thompson had a delicious spread of gourmet food prepared by the host himself. The photo above is of me and the Beaverton Arts Commissions Executive Director, Jayne Scott.