Workshops

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Look Closely . . .


The Portland Art Collective is featured in the January/February 2012 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. The article, Str3ngth in Numb3rs: Or How To Start Your Own Art Group, was written by PAC members Tory Brokenshire and Robin Olsen. Here's a peek at the FIVE pages!




Because this is my blog, I will highlight little old me in the article as I appear (sort of) in three photographs.



Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Time Makes All Things Clear


Back in October, I bought several boxes of vintage goodies from my friend Jami, also an avid collector of stuff (click HERE to see the post and photos of the treasures). Jami didn't want to be paid in cash, but rather in Curious Elements. She had carefully set aside some of her favorite found objects and asked that I create a series of Curious Elements for her. I've been working on Jami's pieces alongside the dozens I created for various holiday shows. Today I gave Jami her Curious Elements so I can now post photos of what I created. Here's the whole gang of Curious Elements that are now residing with Jami:


Individual photos of all eight of the pieces.









Jami's leftover bits that I wasn't able to incorporate into Curious Elements.


Today, when my Salem Art Group met for our December gathering, I handed Jami her box of Curious Elements and we all got to watch her open the eight little gifts.





Monday, December 19, 2011

Magical Downtown Portland


On Saturday, we spent the day in downtown Portland enjoying a play day without much of a to do list. A highlight was meeting up with long time friends Dave and Vicki (and by long time, I mean close to 40 years long!). We started our meandering day at the Portland Art Museum.





Howard bought an art book at the museum store and demonstrated how to properly break open a new book (his mother was a high school librarian).


A highlight of the day was imbibing in drinking chocolate at Cacao. We were trying to decide which of three choices to order, when we saw they offered a flight of three -- one of each flavor: Rivoli, cinnamon, and spicy. We all agreed that we liked the deep, dark, pure chocolate of Rivoli. So much so, that Howard got one to go.



While Howard looked a little jacked up on the chocolate, Dave looked a bit chocolate drunk.


A trip to downtown Portland would not be complete without a stop at Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland's living room.



We also got to see some of the renegade Santas heading to SantaCon, carolers at Pioneer Place mall, live music at an immigration demonstration, and endured the longest line ever at a downtown Starbucks!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Art Market: More Curiosity


I finally had a chance to pop over to the Salem Art Association and check out their Art Market where I have some of my Curious Elements on display (and for sale, of course). I'm not sure if they have more under the table, but only nine were left hanging on the wall. Curious.



The Art Market is located inside the Bush Barn Art Center, which is located in Salem's lovely, large Bush Park. The show and sale will be up through Christmas.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A Time to Relax


It is always a treat to attend the annual Christmas Party of the Portland Art Collective. It is especially a treat because it is usually held at Maggie's beautiful historic home (aka mansion) located in the heart of one of Portland's best old NE neighborhoods. Not much need for words when photos will do.







One of several delicious desserts.


Some of the PAC members assembled and ready for the festivities to begin.







I received a beautiful original painting from Lenall in our gift exchange.


A couple of parting shots - it was such a beautiful, sunny, December day.