Friday, January 13, 2012

"The Art of Communication"

100 Artists Show - 2012 - Mary Lou Zeek Gallery
This years show is a bit different. Mary Lou partnered artists together to create a multi level show and experience. I was fortunate to be partnered with Ruth Armitage. She wrote me a beautiful letter that contained thoughts that were in both of our minds - that it is much easier for us to create an art piece than draft a letter to someone we haven't had a personal relationship with. She also wrote an exciting tale with the events from one of her days. I was immediately drawn in and endeared to her as our sensibility's to nature, solitude and wildlife are so similar. I could see the events of her day take place as if it happened in my own garden.
Here is an excerpt from Ruth's letter...
"Should I write about the weather it's touch upon the trees and fields or should I write about more dramatic shocking events here today.
 As I lay reading in the bath tub, my sweet young hen was sunning her self below the south facing window beneath the tub. Suddenly I heard a ruckus of screeching cackles flapping there, and looked out, saw a cooper's hawk fluttering over the lawn in hot pursuit of Snowflake the hen. I tapped on the window and rushed to dry off, throwing on a robe and running out to the lawn in my robe and bare feet with the dog at my side. The hawk flew off and the poor stunned hen hobbled to shelter beneath a weeping hemlock bush. I couldn't get her out without more trauma, and the dog threatened to intervene. I decided to let her rest and investigate her injuries later. When I came back latter in the day, she was still beneath the hemlock and I thought perhaps she had died. But when I touched her she sprang to life and ran off to join the rest of the flock."
Below are a few photos of the process....

 Sketches to build ideas on...
 Snowflake perhaps...
 the final sketch and first of many cuts.
 Don't mess up now, keep in mind what is black and what is white....
On the finished piece I enlarged a portion of Ruth's letter to replace the all white back ground.
Bidding opens Feb 1st. See Mary Lou Zeeks web page for details and  I hope you can join us at the artist's reception Feb. 2nd - Salem's First Wednesday.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

A whirl wind

Here are some photos from the show, it was so much fun and at the same time tons of work. A big THANK YOU for all of you who came out to support us.
The set up and some play time.
Melissa brings the crew coffee at the show, baby in the sling coffee in the stroller.
My table
Fran’s mirror reflects some of our shoppers.

Dayna’s space gets some smiles.

Natalie finds and keeps one of Tammy’s birds.
 Part of our sales team and they are still smiling, what a team.
Here are some random shots of part of the group I wish I had the rest of the gang.


Now on to Christmas…..




Monday, November 28, 2011

It's This Weekend !


I have the good fortune to be in one of the best holiday art shows in the Portland area. What show is that you might ask?  Open doors 2011, held this coming Friday and Saturday at the Multnomah Art Center in Multnomah. Here are a few photos of some of the items I will have in the show. And visit the Portland Art Collective blog to see what some of the others will be showing.


My Art is also being shown at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery and Guardino Gallery this month. I hope you can get out and visit one of the gallery's or come to the show this weekend.






Saturday, October 29, 2011

Day of the Dead -and a -Trip to the Coast

 Last Thursday on Alberta St. was a party. Stephanie Brockway above on the right curated the "Day of the Dead" show at Gaurdino Gallery.
 Janet, Steph, Tory, Dayna, Melissa and little Olivia.

 From the street
 The dead danced that night.
 The show will be up till the end of November drop in there is a lot of great art to see.
 ____________________________________________________________________
Beach trip with Suzanne, Debi, and Dayna
 First stop Astoria and a quick visit for coffee, art supplies, and as always the odd junk shop.
 Not so much junk but antiques in the old John Jacob Astor Hotel. The walls and ceiling are missing parts and paint but so wonderful to look at. I would love to go back for a real photo shoot.
 Most of our time was spent doing art in Suzanne's lovely beach house. Dayna and I did get out for a short walk and some goofing around.
 We had a rule to stay in our jammies all day.
 My PJ's are under my clothes.
 Dayna did a wonderful post on the beach trip and Day of the Dead. Visit her blog if you want to see more.
There were so many birds out on the beach I want to return with a long lens.
Today it's gray and cold but I'm thinking how lucky I am to have such friends and fun things to do.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Salem Art Group

 The Salem Art Group met today at Kathy's house. We met there so we could enjoy her beautiful garden and do a little art but the weather had us stay inside. Above Kathy shares a piece she is working on at our show and tell time.
Katy shows a wonderful painting that I just fell in love with. I wish my photo was better of it.
 Dayna explains the process of this piece.
 Joanna brought some of her fabulous quilt work, I can't wait to see it all put together.
Jami and I didn't bring anything this time so we lucked out with no photos, (hee hee).
A few photos of Kathy's garden.

Kathy's garden is so beautiful even on a dark drizzling morning.



 This is a candle near a sitting area but from far away I thought it was a flower.
 Yummy color.
 Before I left Kathy gave me a bag of pears to share with my family this weekend at my Mom's 80th birthday gathering. They will  really enjoy them, wonderful fresh Oregon fruit.
This last shot is of Kathy's work desk....I wish I had looked in that book.