Weekend recap

A portion of the display of my work at Caswell Gallery

Coming down from a very busy weekend of holiday art events and I'm beginning to consider that I need a vacation from myself.  I had 5 events on the calender from Thursday to Sunday but I only made 3 of them and I'm feeling pretty tired, but very happy.  On Thursday, the Caswell Gallery VIP and quick draw event with artist Michael Orwick was a lot of fun. Caswell hosted their past clients to a fun evening of food, music and a quick draw/silent auction of our works created within about an hour. 

Artist Michael Orwick and myself preparing to paint a quick one.

Finished painting, sold painting, happy artist.

 Finished work ...  (Can't remember the title) 10x8" Oil  Sold

Then on Friday, Caswell Gallery had their First Friday Art Opening. I had a competing event at Art Elements Gallery that same evening, but I opted to return back to Caswell due to the following of customers and the amount of work hung. Thanks to all those who showed up to the First Friday opening, you made my evening!

Cathedral Park Place Holiday Sale

Then back at it again on Saturday morning for The Cathedral Park Place Holiday Sale.  I had several beautiful works for sale at reduced prices.  The paintings are framed in a style that I no longer employ and it is just too expensive to replace them for my future shows, so I have reduced the prices.  Here are just few of the pieces remaining for sale with FREE shipping in the Continental US.

Three Muses  9x12" Pastel  $250

Sentries of the Gorge, 16x12" Pastel  $325

Sun Pickers  12x16"  Pastel   $350

Today I'm headed into the studio to work on a few pieces and then off to pick up the kids. No vacation plans yet, but perhaps a nap would help.

Marshland Overlook, 12x16

"Marshland Overlook", 12x16" Pastel

Last Wednesday I painted this pastel demonstration for a lively group of artists at the Sequoia Gallery. It was a lot of fun as the organizer of the event, Claudia, also scheduled a dinner out at The Venetian prior the demo. Those who made it to dinner all had a great time eating and talking about art. I couldn't think of a better way to start off a "working" evening. In the studio I was honored with a large audience with loads of questions. I'm hoping that it spurs some on to study this medium as I have learned so much about color with it.  I first started this painting out with a analagous under painting of warm reds and oranges and took a photo of it, but darned that I had that image, somehow losing it in translation to  my computer. Oh well.  

Anyway, I am preparing for a First Friday Art Show and will be unveiling my newest works in oils and pastels.  I do hope you find the time to come by on Friday, December 7th at Caswell Gallery from 6-9pm. Event listed on the right side bar --->

Bolts of Lavender, 16x12

"Bolts of Lavender" 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper

©2011 Brenda Boylan

This has been one of those weeks where the days wiz by way too fast. Then BOOM, it's gone! I spent a lot of time preparing my daughter for a trip to a law forum in D.C. for a week. She's growing up too fast but letting her stretch her wings is wonderful to see. I didn't have much time to finish up the oil that I started last week, but I did get out twice to plein air paint. This one above was painted at the same lavender farm as in the last post and pretty much the same scene. So beautiful to be there looking at such beauty that it was intoxicating. The fragrance of lavender, the sound of the bumble bees, and the hot sun on my skin. Ooooh summer is here...finally, in Oregon! Our warmer season in the Northwest started late giving the lavender a delayed bloom, although some of the varieties were in full color.

Then last Friday was the Caswell Gallery First Friday Art Walk where 5 of us gallery artists (Michael Orwick, James McGrew, Christy Perrine, Bev Joswiak, and myself) painted our hearts out over the course of the evening. Here I am having a most interesting conversation with my easel, painting from a photo of the same scene as this painting above.

'The stance'...or is it a dance?

Next weekend is the Lavender Paint out show in Beulah Park, Yamhill. Stop by to see some beautiful art and of course to smell the lavender! Info in the sidebar to the right --->

Archway to Jackson Bottom, 12x9

Archway to Jackson Bottom, 12x9" Pastel on sanded paper

This week has been pretty busy with wrapping up all the loose ends from my trip to Los Gatos and preparing for more upcoming events. I did have the liberty to go out and plein air paint (this one above) just once more before my kids are home from school for the summer months. At this point in my life, I'm just wishing I had a wife to do all the little things that I'm asked to do while I'm working on my art. If anyone knows where to get one, without all the strings attached, then just holler, wouldja?

On a more serious note, this little colorful one was painted in the thicket of a forested area (Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve) looking out onto a more open area. When I had completed this piece, I came out from under the shadows and the color just blew me away. With all that grey in the sky from the overcast sky, I just had to let the color ride, working mainly with value in mind. A good day was had by all!

This Saturday, I will doing a painting demonstration at The American Art Co from 12-4:oo pm. I plan on painting a large 24x24" from this small study...

Rise From Water, 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

Upcoming events include a pastel demo at The American Art Co. this Saturday, a solo show at Elsinore Gallery in Salem, OR., a group show "From Sea to Shore" and a Quick Draw (July 1st) at Caswell Gallery. So if you are in the area, come on out and surprise me like some of you have graciously done!

Caswell Gallery 'Cityscapes' reception

Discussing with gallery sales, Whitney Layton, the art of framing pastels.

This past week I was in bed with a bad cold topped off with some sort of allergy, so I didn't do any painting for the bulk of this week. I always feel 'odd' when I'm not in my studio creating. Almost a sort of guilt thing going on here. But by Friday I was finally feeling well enough to attend the 'Cityscapes' show at The Caswell Gallery. Artists Gene Gill, Mike Kowalski and Christopher Mooney also had work in this show, all of whom are well known for their city themed work.

Rip (the owner) had wine and some incredibly smooth chocolate tasting along with live music for the First Friday Art Walk in Troutdale.

Gene Gill with a celebratory hug!

You can see the huge space that hosts Rip's incredible bronze sculptures, you can get lost in there! What a gallery! Anyway, I'm still taking it easy resting more than expectedbut hope to produce some work this week. Until then, keep healthy!

Rio on Soquel, 20x16

Rio on Soquel, 20x16", Pastel on sanded paper © 2010 Brenda Boylan

I'm still painting like mad in the studio in preparation for the Caswell Gallery "Cityscape" show for February. I have 2 more to go, so here is the 4th in my themed series. The reference photo was taken from an emergency trip to the Bay Area last year in July. It was a horrible time for my family because we had a sudden death. This is my family taking a much needed breather of a walk in Santa Cruz to the beach by way of The Rio Theatre. I have always loved that retro look of oceanliners and diners and I was so taken by the shape of the neon sign that I had to record this moment in time or forever miss it. I have wanted to paint this scene since I took this shot and now I have good reason to put pastel to paper. All the while painting, I was reminiscing about the warm summer glow of the late evening light and the sadness and confusion my family was going through. A time-lapse video of this piece will soon follow.

An added note: The marquis originally had another performing artist in lights but because I didn't have a personal connection with that artist and promote whomever it was, I decided to put the title of a new book my daughter wrote and recently published through Lulu.com: The Hidden Temple.

Caswell Gallery, Quick Draw

"Lavender Pickers", 9x12" Pastel on sanded paper, Sold

Last night was the Caswell Gallery Quick Draw event in Troutdale, OR. The participating artists Michael Orwick, Pam Flanders, Mary Lou Epperson, Rip Caswell, and Eileen Holzman and myself had 1 1/2 hours to complete a piece as the patrons placed their silent bids and nibbled on goodies and sipped wine. It was a very festive event decked with holiday trimmings and live classical guitar music. When our painting time was up we ran back to Rip's studio to frame them, then bring our framed work out for the conclusion of the silent auction. Of course you can imagine that the oilies had a framing advantage over any pastel, but I must let you know that it only took me a sheer 7 min to frame it all up! I had staged the frame with all it's pieces ready for the final art, and in a jiffy was ready for the bidding war to begin!

Right from the studio with Gallery Director, Kathy Toynbee.

I was sure pleased with the final piece, and later found out it took the highest bid from the show! Now some of you may recognize this painted scene from a prior post because I have painted it a few times over....but let me tell you, it gets better every time. With a pastel in my right and a glass of red in my left, it was plenty fun!

Miniature Art Shows

Sauvie Viewpoint, 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper, Randy Higbee Gallery

During the holiday season, many galleries offer miniature works of art at affordable prices for the gift giving season. The Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa, CA. is no exception to this idea and is hosting a show of 6x6" works of art this coming Dec.

6" Squared Show

Dec 4th~23rd, 2010

The Randy Higbee Gallery

102 Kalama

Costa Mesa, CA

Now a collector or would-be collector can have the chance to grab a painting from their favorite artist at a reasonable price because of the miniature format and price.

Evening Reflections, 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper, Randy Higbee Gallery

Perhaps a small painting is a study, as are my entries, and are blessed for the larger format. Two of these, Evening Reflections and Satin Slopes, were eventually painted in a larger format that I have posted before. Regardless of the size, the smaller renditions or studies often show an intimate process and thought than the larger ones do. I myself like the studies better albeit their size. There seems to be a freshness about them that a large work of art doesn't. This is because the time involved often dilutes the artist's first intentions and excitement. The challenge of working large...keeping the freshness and excitement in the work is just that, a challenge.

Satin Slopes, 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

I will also have small works for sale during the holiday season at:

Caswell Gallery

Little Art ~ Big Music

Nov 5~Dec 31st, 2010

210 W. Columbia River Hwy,

Troutdale, Or.

Marathon Show Schedule!

Roll Call, 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper

I'll be in a new gallery this coming November for the holiday months. This will be a new venue for me at:

Caswell Gallery

201 W Columbia River Hwy

Troutdale, Oregon.

The show dates are listed in the "Upcoming Events" to the right.

I will have 11 pieces in this show that includes all the pieces posted below and then some, all miniature in nature. Most of them are 6x6" which makes for a nice gift for the holidays. If you are a serious bloggofile of "Dusty Fingers" then you may recognize some of these little pieces from past posts. The November reception is this coming Friday evening Nov 5th, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

On December 1st, I will be participating in their exciting "Quick Draw" event to cap off the month (listed on the right) of December. I've got my holster on and target set for this highly fun event following an auction of the newly created art. After one hour, I will be quickly framing it for the auction, a sure heart pumping session and I can't wait! This is a ticketed event that includes past collectors and patrons of this gallery. If you are interested in coming out for this one, let me know and I can see that you get tickets.

Caswell gallery was at first the foundry of the bronze sculptor Rip Caswell. He has since moved his foundry and made the existing building his gallery space. It is a huge gallery, with plenty of space to showcase his incredible bronze work.

Hope you can make it!

Orange Mist, 6x6", Pastel on sanded paper

Autumn Song, 6x6", Pastel on sanded paper

Autumn Sedge, 6x6", Pastel on sanded paper

If that is not enough for you, then I'll also have two additional showings that you can run on out to this very week! Kinda crazy I know...but hey, when opportunity and preparedness meet, there is success. At least that's what my mentors tell me. Anyway, listed on the right again for Artisan Renovations Showroom and the Art Reach Gallery, (not listed) located in Downtown Portland. Crazy, a lot of partying yeah I know, but hey, it's the only occupation that is often celebrated!