Collector's Art Event success!

James McGrew, Eric Bowman, Brenda Boylan(me) & Thomas Jefferson Kitts

(photo by Harold Hutchinson)

Over the past few weeks I have been working with a small group of three well established artists to host a show different than any other. With the local collector in mind, we gathered our lists of nearby patrons to a private showing of a mix of recent works, including many paintings unveiled for the first time, as our thanks for their patronage. Because none of us have local gallery representation in the area, we thought it would be a little fun to hold a party for those collectors in the area whom we know and to reward them with an art inspired evening of conversation, wine, music, and well, some new work! Our show was a success and many new friends were made over the course of the evening. Many thanks to James McGrew for the concept and providing the office space for the show. It was such a pleasure to work with each of these incredible artists, each bringing their ideas and help to make the show a success. Please visit their websites to see their incredible artwork.

James McGrew

Eric Bowman

Thomas Jefferson Kitts

Brenda Boylan (me)

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 --->

Auction recap, Red Blueberry Rows, 16x12

Red Blueberry Rows, 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

A huge success for the MHCCF Auction last Saturday night. Here is my piece that I painted at the event before 450 attendees. You may ask, 'Weren't you a bit stressed?' No, not really, and that is because I prepared for it. Giving me the comfort that all will run smoothly. I do this by pre-painting the subject (days or even months before) and having all my framing ready for the art, including the glass, backing and wiring. You've probably seen this one before and that's because I painted and posted this scene plein air last fall. In recap, it was a great event with many admirers and a lot of fun with artists Michael Orwick and James McGrew.

1/2 hour into the work...the crowd was just beginning to fill out.

Once the auction ended, I began framing the piece only to find out that the work was off by 1/8" and wouldn't fit into the frame. I ended up having to take the piece back home to adjust it, but that was nice because I was allowed more time to make sure it was framed with care. Next time, Brenda, check to see if it fits first! Augh! Anyway, I also donated a larger piece that was offered in the live auction. You can view the finished piece here.

The winners Robin and Loretta with my larger piece, 'Reflections on Blue' 21x30"

Now, a little about auctions and art:

If you donate your art, the law will only allow you to deduct the cost of materials for taxes. This doesn't fare well for artists, but then again I suppose the IRS is trying to keep us from over pricing our donations based on a perceived value.

Another thing to consider when you donate is that you might ask for a reserve on your piece. These charities may not like it, but really, there is no way else to secure that it's final bid will even match the value...and this could be really bad for business as an artist.

And finally, one more issue with auctions. When donating, ask if you can get a percent of the sale...kind of like a gallery commission. Again these charities will not like this, but if you can get a percent, say 40/60 or maybe even 50/50, then at least your efforts will not be lost. Otherwise, just 'give' and feel good about it.

There is almost no financial benefit to doing auctions except for the fun and the rewards of giving. Just maybe the rare chance that someone will like your work so much that they just HAVE to contact you! I don't think this happens very often, but there is always the likely chance it could. So before you say "Yes" to an auction benefit, ask yourself why you want to do it, and you will find the answer from within.

Larkspur Overlook, 8x8

Larkspur Overlook, 8x8" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

The Northwest finally had some spectacular weather for ONE DAY! Wow, it was so beautiful that a few plein air buddies and I took a 1 hour drive to Catherine Creek, WA. to paint the wildflowers in bloom. The blue Larkspur was beginning to show it's color along with some beautiful low laying pink flowers and sunflowers too. I've never been to this location and was happy to spend such a day there painting in the warmth and surrounded by great views. Catherine Creek is right on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, across from Hood River, Oregon. Then it was back to overcast today. Yuck!

I'm excited for this Saturday's quick draw at the MHCCF's auction event 'Springtime in Paris'. I've been told there will be around 450 attendees who will see my work in progress which will make the live auction at the end of the evening. Should be an interesting night and will let you know in my next post how it all pans out. My other artist friends Michael Orwick and James McGrew will be painting in the event, so should be a lot of fun!

Back from the Gorge; a plein air painter's paradise!

Looking west down the Columbia River in the late afternoon. Notice how light the water is than the sky.

I'm back from the Pacific Northwest Plein Air event and finally posting my experience. The region is so beautiful I didn't want to come back home to suburbia, but I missed my family ever so much. Let me tell you...the scenery is intoxicating, and makes me itch to return to paint more. Everywhere I looked, there was another painting to create right before my eyes! The terrain is varied with high cliffs, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, golden hills full of blonde grass, farms with fruit and vineyards rowing the hillsides under the warm sunlight...and wind! Oh yes, the wind! Luckily I didn't lose my painting hat over this cliff!

"Blueberries, Pears and Adams" 10x8 Pastel on sanded paper (incomplete)

"Hillside Patterns" 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper

The first day out was spent at the Gorge White House. It is an old farmhouse that serves as a wine tasting room with a fruit stand, scenic views of flower fields, fruit trees and dramatic views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. I painted these two pieces and by 1:00 the gusty wind started to pick up. Packed up my easel and I set out to visit with fellow artists Thomas Kitts and James McGrew on the upper summer porch of the White House over a complimentary glass of wine. (Thanks Thomas!)

The wind finally died down a bit so we set out to paint a very quick 1 hour piece just before our taco dinner with the other artists.

"Dark Clouds Over Color" 8x6" Pastel on sanded paper

The 2nd day the artists split up and went their separate ways because the proposed location (Mt. Hood) was hosting it's Hood to Coast event. Not a great idea of peace and beauty when there are 12,000 runners launching from this location. So I spent a most quiet day with my wonderful host and artist friend Christine Knowles. We toured the scenic Hwy 30 and stopped to paint at 2 different destinations.

"Lyle Passage" 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper

Painting water and marina scenes were on my wish list, so Christine took me to Meyers State park looking East on the Columbia River. We both painted and afterwards we headed out to the Hood River Marina and bravely took the challenge to paint boats. We thought we'd give it an hour at best, but we ended up painting much longer than intended. The wind picked up as we began to tear our easels down. What timing!

"Hood River Marina" 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper

On day 3 the artists met at a most beautiful location. At first glance, I wondered what the heck I'd paint, but as all the artists seeked out their real estate, it became clearer to me that this was a magical place. A distant walk through a field of wild blonde grass revealed a most beautiful view of dramatic cliffs. Artists began to line up here to paint, some deciding not.

Elio Camacho, Michael Orwick, James McGrew, Jeanne Young, and her friend Karen Whitworth overlooking the cliffs.

Can you say Gangsta Artists?

And now onto some more serious stuff... Michael Orwick shared his "Value Glasses" with those on the ridge. We started our value under-paintings while viewing through those red film specs and here is what came of the colors.

Value study with red value finders. Not much to the color, but here is what came of this little experiment....

"Morning Cliffs" 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper

"Sentries of the Gorge" 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper

And my final piece of the event. The late afternoon came, and sadly, to an end for me. I came down the hill and into Hood River for an artists' reception at Springhouse Cellars. The next morning I framed and delivered my 6 pieces and returned home to my family. The Preview Collector's Party is this coming Thursday, Sept 2nd at Columbia Center for the Arts. First Friday Art Walk is on Friday Sept 3rd. I will be attending both events so please come on out! Info listed to the right.

For more pics of the event, click here.