Portland Art Collective

The 100 Artists Show: The Art of Communication

2012-02-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

Four PAC members are participating in the 100 Artists Show at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in Salem, The Art of Communication. The members are Tory, Steph, Melissa, and Dayna.

Mary Lou's website offers a complete description about the show, but here is brief explanation:

During the month of February, the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery will be presenting “The Art of Communication”, the 10th annual 100 Artists show. Participating artists received a blank letter through the mail and were asked to write a thought, a story, or whatever they so choose and then send to their “partnered” artist. The artists had over three months to transform the writings into their work of art.

A pre opening dinner at a local French restaurant, Napoleon's, with all four participating PAC members: Dayna, Steph, Tory, and Melissa.

The opening reception was Wednesday evening.

Check out Mary Lou's website for photos of the over 100 pieces of art donated for the auction. You can place your bid in person or by calling the gallery.

2012-01-31T16:37:00.000-08:00

Dark River of Stars

I’ve been working on a book collaboration with Paulann Petersen, Oregon’s poet laureate, and Barbara Mason, printmaker. It’s been a busy several months for me, making models and investigating different materials and structures. But we have finally finished the design work and are in "production".

Dark River of Stars is a collection of Valentine’s poems Paulann sent to friends over the past nine years. Every page, as well as the cover and box, is hand printed using Solar plates and every book is hand bound. It is being published in a limited edition of 50.

The book is launching with an exhibit in February at 23 Sandy Gallery. The opening reception is this Friday (the 3rd) and we’ll have a launch reception, with a poetry reading by Paulann and a bit about the book’s development by Barbara and me, on Saturday February 11th at 4 p.m.

You can see more of the book at my website or 23 Sandy Gallery’s. Hope to see you at the receptions.

Happiness Feeds Creativity

2012-01-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

Can we say that The Myth of the Tortured Genius has outlived its day? Wikipedia has an article about Tortured Artists and their stories are well known. From Van Gogh to Janis Joplin we admire their creations but feel sad for their process.

“It’s completely a myth,” says Tom Wilbeck, Associate Dean of Student Affairs at The Art Institute of Houston. “Clinically speaking, there’s really no evidence that most accomplished artists are mentally unstable or have come from an unstable background.”

I suppose the Myth of the Happy Genius just isn’t as fascinating.

Photo by mrfitz

Teresa Amabile, Director of Research at Harvard Business School, and her colleagues have good news for all you reasonably content, untortured creative people. Happiness does more for innovation than does melancholy and ennui.

In an Administrative Quarterly article they describe research performed by tracking electronic diary entries of employees for 5 months. Amabile found that “positive feelings–joy, love-are positively related to creativity, and negative emotions-anger, fear, sadness–are negatively related to day-to-day creativity”. Even better, good moods can increase the flow of creativity for up to three days.

Is anyone surprised?

These and more findings are in Amabile’s latest book The Progress Principle which I’ve admired earlier.

So, do what makes you happy (making art?) and you'll be more creative. Sounds like a virtuous cycle to me!

2012-01-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

A water color workshop I'd signed up for motivated me to start painting more. So while Christmas shopping, the Audubon calendar inspired me to paint a bird a day to prepare to take the workshop. So here are a few examples from my watercolor sketch book. I'm using the Strathmore Visual Journal book. I've been reading a book by Carl Purcell called "Your Artist's Brain" . . . neuroscience meets artist. This book is unlocked something for me. He explains how to "see" in a way that I finally understand. Drawing has gotten easier . . .watercolor is another story. I find acrylic much easier than watercolor. But there is something so lively and engaging about watercolor. It's a dance with the water and pigment. It makes me do what it wants, not the other way around.

winter warmth

2012-01-28T12:52:00.000-08:00

It's a great time to whip up some quilts and other things to keep you warm and cozy over these winter months. In keeping with my own intentions to make quilts this year, I just finished this one to keep on the couch at home. The narrow vertical strips are made of linen scraps; they seem to go well with the colorful print and batik pieces.

This is the first time I've done a pieced back, which really adds a lot of interest to a quilt.

If you're not a quilter, there are other ways to create wonderful coverlets. Around the holidays, I picked up some wool yardage at the Pendleton Woolen Mill in Portland and made 2 blankets for my big kids. If you live in the area, the store is a great place to find the famous woolen goods, some at bargain prices. They also sell beautiful felt binding by the yard, and will give you nifty Pendleton labels to sew into your projects.

Virtual Studio Tours--Robin Olsen

2012-01-20T10:03:00.000-08:00

We are beginning a new feature this month. Each month one of us will post pictures of our studios and discuss how they function for us.

I'm getting started with the first virtual tour.

Name: Robin Olsen

1. What sort of artwork do you do? What are you currently working on?

I work primarily in fabric or paint. Currently I have several paintings going and have been handpainting lots of black and white fabric to use it a larger, graffiti-inspired fabric piece.

2. How does your studio need to function? Give a brief description of your working space.

I need an area where I can stand and paint on fairly large canvases. I also need a separate sewing/cutting area for fiber work. I need lots of storage for fabric.

I have a large room in a daylight basement for my studio. I feel lucky to have a designated space like that. I keep my easel and painting materials on one side, and my sewing/cutting tables on the other. I have large cabinets for storing fabric behind closed doors. I have a design wall on one side for doing fabric work, and an inspiration board on another. My studio is functional rather than beautiful.

3. What do you love about your studio?

I love that I do have a space of my own, and no one in my family complains about the mess. I love the cork floors I put in because I do like to stand a lot. And I'm happy having room for two large tables that I can work on, in addition to a sewing table and a junk catching table.

4. What would you like to change about your studio?

I need better lighting and keep thinking I should hire an electrician to re-outfit the room. Since I work in so many different areas, I would like to have good lighting in each one. Right now I move a free-standing photographer's light around.

And ideally I'd have a large wet area with tall tables and a deep sink for dyeing fabrics.

5. What would your dream studio look like?

It's funny that the older I get the less I like visual clutter--although my current studio certainly doesn't reflect that! I think my dream studio would be a large white box with great natural light, and paint-splattered wood floors that I don't have to worry about. Plenty of table space and an area with a comfortable chair and shelves of art books. Very little in it. I'd love to have all my materials, except the ones I'm using, stored in a separate room. Oh yeah, and an ocean view!

Storage cabinets for fabric:

The mess behind the closed doors:

6. Do you have any organizational tips?

Clean up between major projects or when you spend more time looking for stuff than making something. I can spend all kinds of time organizing every last button in the perfect container, but as soon as I start working, it's all over.

Please join us on the third Friday of every month as we virtually tour more Portland Art Collective studios.

To see more of Robin's work, visit her blog.

Free Online Class

2012-01-15T22:07:00.000-08:00

Three weeks ago I started a free online class sponsored by Strathmore Artist Papers. They have three classes available, visual journaling, watercolor sketching and FORCE drawing technique. Now, I'm not so good at the sketching and drawing, but I wanted to start off my year in a creative way and decided to take Traci Bautista's visual journaling class.

These classes have been very fun and each comes with a video and PDF of the techniques and media that Traci uses for her "Doodles Unleashed." Monday will be Lesson 3 for those of us who have started from the beginning. But....you can still register for the classes and start at the beginning and work through the last lesson. That's the great part about online classes, you can start at any time and work as fast or as slow as you feel comfortable working. There is a lot of help from Traci and the other students if you have any problems, so ask. We also have a Flickr group if you would like to take a look at what people have been doing.

Here are my attempts at the "doodles" that Traci is trying to teach us. Lesson One: Playful Printmaking

These are the steps it took to get to the final picture.

This is the final picture.

I didn't have the correct size paper, but had smaller sheets that I taped together to use as one sheet. I then took them apart when I completed the piece and now have journal covers. They look so different than the whole.

Now...start your year off with a free creative jump and try one of these classes that interest you. I don't paint, but I'm having fun playing with all the media that Traci has suggested for her classes. If you don't have everything, use what you have. That's what creativity is all about. Have Fun!

Out with the Old--Garland Tutorial

2012-01-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

My house always looks so drab after I take down Christmas decorations, so this year I made a little New Year's garland to add some spark.

It was so fun to do and cleared out some of the old to make way for the new. It's kind of an anything goes project, but here's how I did it.

I started with a very ugly painting exercise (maybe to see how many garish colors I could put in one piece?) I had done on watercolor paper. I kept thinking I'd repaint it, but it was better to get rid of it. On top of it, I free wrote thoughts about what I wanted for the new year.

I punched 2" circles out of that and punched smaller circles and shapes out of other old projects.
I wrote some guiding words for the year on another old painting and tore them into pieces. And cut a pile of silk and velvet fabric scraps.

I built little piles on the 2" circles and anchored them with scribbly free-motion stitching.

Then attached two circles together back-to-back and did more scribbly stitching to hold them together.
And finally I chain stitched them all together into garlands. I like the additional scribbly lines that the loose threads add, so I didn't trim anything.

They were very addicting to make and got rid of some ugly past at the same time.

How To Start an Art Group CPS Article

2012-01-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors for January/February 2012 and see an article about the Portland Art Collective written by members Tory Brokenshire and Robin Olsen.

Many ask if they can join our group. Long time PAC members have found their art tribe and want to stay in the group. Opportunities for new members rarely come up. The snswer is to start your own art group. This article offers guidelines on getting started, what works and tips to find like minded artists who want to be affiliated with a group of art friends.

Many blessings come from the wonderful friendships developed and nurtured in a community of artists. For 2012, find your local art group.

An Artist's Thank You

2011-12-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

About a month ago I resigned from a job I was doing for the art group and a few weeks ago the ladies of the Portland Art Collective presented me with a very unique thank you gift. One of the beauties of this group is over the years we have found each others weak spots. In my case I do a lot of assemblage and love the color of age. That includes the beautiful patina on a handle of an old tool, the color of rust only Oregon can produce and all the chipped odd bits you find in the very bottom of a wood box in the back of a garage. In the box they don't look like much but as you can see separated and organized the bits are very attractive. They call to me to use them as a leg, or hat or ???? the possibilities are endless.

Thank you ladies I love it all.

Calm, bright

2011-12-23T23:12:00.000-08:00

from my home to yours...Happy Holidays!

* The Christmas Branch**

2011-12-21T00:20:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Branch is up & hanging. In an effort to minimize clutter and keep floorspace, I purchase a 93 inch Aspen branch. Suspended from the ceiling and connected with white chain (little coffee hooks are in the branch!)
Draped with silver and whites for a crisp look, I must say I love it. Our 16 year old border collie, Domino appreciates one less thing to navigate around.

I love light up stars, so one is hanging near the branch.

Between them is my buffet, a simple vase of branches, and lights.

In my kitchen I have more of the red branches, rose hips and berries collected on walks, I like to see nature in my house.

On the island a couple of pomegranates pair nicely with air-plants and a fresh Rosemary bush. I'm still thinking about getting a Meyer lemon tree, I saw recently full of fruit, to keep me company this winter.

I love putting out little spreads of food, asparagus, cucumbers & olives, little heirloom tomatoes with decadent cheeses and chocolate to balance it all out, it is after all the holidays!

A close up of the Christmas branch, I'm thinking of keeping it up all year, and making it seasonal, next up hearts anyone?
Cheers for a wonderful holiday, no matter how you celebrate!
you can see more HERE on my blog

'Tis the Season

2011-12-14T08:42:00.000-08:00

I've toned down my decorating over the years since the kids have left the house and we no longer gather at our home to celebrate Christmas (in fact, this is the year that my huge collection of Christmas ornaments are being divided among my three children). But I always decorate the mantle using white lights, red berries scattered in the bough, and a wonderful assortment of Margaret Furlong ornaments.

I put up a small tree in our upstairs living space, decorated simply with white lights, red berries, and 39 years of Wallace bells, a new one purchased every year.

Merry Christmas!

The tree is up.

2011-12-13T15:57:00.000-08:00

I will second that Lenall, Christmas is also up at my house. Like Lenall I love to decorate and with 5 grandchildren who will be coming for Christmas Eve it is a must.

The big tree is covered in silver and white. A few years ago I bought all of it to decorate the entrance for our Open Doors Show. Now we use other decorations so I thought it would be fun to use them in my house. The tree is pretty but it didn’t take long for me to decide I love color.

I used some silver pipe cleaners to make spirals, little cork screws coming out all over the tree. Next year they will be made from bright jewel tones.

This little owl is sitting in a real robin’s nest at the top of the tree.

I couldn’t take it I had to have a little corner with color.

Most of the decorations were made by the members of this group so it is a double pleasure to look at.

The tree is metal so I couldn’t resist magnetic jewel tone bugs.

Have a fun next few weeks. Merry Christmas!

Sigh! Christmas is up at my house!

2011-12-11T20:13:00.000-08:00

Decorating at Christmas has always been an art form I have enjoyed. I have a huge collection that I am always adding to just like my art supplies. One can never have too much. Do I really believe this? YES!

I put up two trees that vary from year to year. Above are this years' versions. For more on my decorating go to my blog: Plethora of Color at: http://www.lenall.blogspot.com/

Lenall

A Magical Show and Sale

2011-12-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

The Portland Art Collective hosted a magical Open Doors Show and Sale this past Friday and Saturday. Those who came to the show were enchanted by the setting and the art they got to see (and buy!). Here's a peek into the heart of the show through photos.

We had over twenty artists set up booths this year. Take a look at the beauty and variety we offered.

Our journal table, where PAC artists share the visual journals they have created, always had several people sitting (and sometimes standing) looking at our journals.

There were so many wonderful shoppers and visitors. Here's a sampling.

Thank you to everyone who supported us by visiting our show and purchasing our art!

Last Day "Open Doors" Show and Sale 10am-5pm

2011-12-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day for our 2011 "Open Doors" Art Show and Sale at the Multnomah Arts Center, 7688 SW Capital Highway, Portland. Follow the green arrows to find us in the gymnasium. Twenty four artists show their artwork. View members' personal journals to inspire your creativity.

Open Doors Art Show and Sale - just "hours" away

2011-12-01T16:39:00.001-08:00

Just a few of the new pieces of jewelry I'll have at my space in Multnomah Arts Center (in the gym).
See you at the show!
Jennifer
www.jennifercampbelldesign.com

So Many Good Things! Art By Dayna J. Collins

2011-12-01T09:14:00.001-08:00

The Open Doors Show and Sale opens tomorrow at 10:00 am and all of the artists are abuzz making final preparations. I thought I would share some of what I'll be offering for sale when the doors are flung open in the morning.

I'm bringing lots of original art, most are smallish in size and under $100. I won't share much of the art here 'cause we want you all to come to the sale and see it in person! But of course, a little teaser . . . .

I'll be offering over 120 of my Curious Elements ranging in price from $10-$60 - something for everyone. You can see more Curious Elements by going to my blog.

I love arted up hands so I'll be offering six-card sets in my latest series: Artful Hands.

I'll have a variety of my Fearless Faces cards, journals, and original art. Here's a sampling of how the cards are packaged and one of the original faces on repurposed board.

And of course, I just had to put a bird on something!

Two New Original Christmas Cards---I'M DONE!

2011-11-30T20:57:00.000-08:00

I always love to make new original Christmas cards each year. I tend to make some mid year and then again in December, usually after our Open Doors show. This year I took the time to do two different kinds using handmade painted papers and backgrounds. These are more sophisticated than usual.

Lenall

Putting the Finishing Touches On...

2011-11-30T20:53:00.000-08:00

Just putting the finishing touches on my new pendants...

and a little bit of soldered jewelry

and a little bit of wax...

Hoping you'll come visit my table...

at the show...see you there!!

Z'oodle Color Book Journals

2011-11-30T15:33:00.000-08:00

Last year Volume 1 was a success for my Z'oodle Color Book Journals. They went as gifts to families, friends or just stayed home with their new owners. This year, I'm introducing Volume 2, new drawings, new pages and more fun for journaling. For this show I will have Volume 1 available, if you missed it last year, along with new calendars and bookmarks. Come on by my booth and see what fun I've had this past year with my pens and papers.

Getting ready for the show-

2011-11-29T21:46:00.000-08:00

This is such a fun time for all the artists and I know our guests will feel the excitment this weekend at the show. Here are some items I will be bringing.

Wire and fabric flowers

Story Tellers

Hair flowers

Felted soap and hair flowers

Candles

Some fun items

Guardian

Watcher

Red--- see more on my blog and hope to see you in a few days.

New Fiber Danglies--I hope you like them!

2011-11-29T15:14:00.000-08:00

I am very excited about my Danglies this year. I did three new ones. There are two birds and beaded balls made from recycled fibers. Both birds are rather primitive but unique. One bird was done using an old sweater I probably bought when I was 27. It was handwoven in South America. I was saving it for something special and this seemed fitting. Very colorful and ethnic, but pretty. The other two danglies are made from a Coogie Australian mercerized cotton sweater. They are very special and made the danglies quite interesting and unique. I will use these again sometime!

I also made felted pins and made them into a danglie. You can take the tassel off and voila! there is a little pin you can wear. The threadspool and cork danglies are always fun.
See you at the show!
Lenall

Chaos or Productivity?

2011-11-29T10:15:00.000-08:00

Three days before the show and chaos reigns on my jewelry desk. But the jewelry tree is filling with fresh fruit:

Family members are liking the simple pieces....

but I find I quite like the unusual combinations.

Of course, classics done in amethyst or carnelian are always beautiful.

And this year I'm adding a few holiday pieces.

Ho-Ho-Hoping to see you all at the show!!

Adornments

2011-11-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

The Portland Art Collective holiday show is verrrry close! The fun begins this Friday, December 2nd. Are you ready to find that perfect gift for someone special, or for yourself? I've created some affordable lovelies for my table. One of these pins crafted from wire would add a nice touch to a scarf, shawl, or hat.

I'll have several pairs of earrings to choose from, as well as pretty things to put around your neck. Look forward to seeing you at our show!

Rose Paintings

2011-11-27T22:02:00.001-08:00

Here are some new rose paintings for sale at our Portland Art Collective Open Doors Show this coming weekend.
Each measures 8x10 inches and has a textured border.
Check out my Dreamcicle Journeys blog HERE for more of my artwork for sale.

Open Doors Show and Sale is only days away!

2011-11-27T17:06:00.001-08:00

I'm loving this creative weekend in my studio! Above are three more necklaces I've created for the Open Doors Art Show and Sale this Friday and Saturday (Dec 2nd & 3rd)
Jennifer Campbell
www.jennifercampbelldesign.com

Time Capsules - Steampunk Style - by Jennifer

2011-11-26T14:18:00.000-08:00

These fabulous "Time Capsules" will be for sale at the show! The larger time capsule tins measure approximately 2" x 3/4". I've created each one using a vintage watch parts tin, vintage watch gears and watch faces. The Time Capsule on the upper left is a vintage ladies compact (complete with mirror inside).
See you at the Open Doors Art Show and Sale at Multnomah Arts Center (in the gym) on December 2nd and 3rd! That's a Friday and Saturday!
Jennifer
www.jennifercampbelldesign.com

New necklace for a fiber fanatic or seamstress!

2011-11-25T14:49:00.000-08:00

Do you have a "fiber fanatic" or a seamstress on your gift list? Be sure to stop by my space at the Open Doors Art Show and Sale on Dec 2nd and 3rd! This necklace I've created from a vintage thimble, fibers and charms is just one of the treasures I'll have for sale!
Jennifer
www.jennifercampbelldesign.com

DANGLIES by Jennifer - Open Doors Art Show and Sale!

2011-11-23T13:31:00.000-08:00

My newest danglies - hang one over your mirror, or from a doorknob, or even from a tree! I love the little frame with the Eiffel Tower in it. The crosses with vintage clock faces and gears are so "industrial chic". See you at the show next week - December 2nd and 3rd!

Introducing Four New Fearless Faces!

2011-11-22T16:45:00.001-08:00

Four new Fearless Faces by Dayna J. Collins will be making their debut at PAC's upcoming Open Doors Show and Sale. Two of the faces will be available on repurposed boards and all four will be available on cards.

Fall Colors

2011-11-20T08:01:00.000-08:00

With this gorgeous fall we are having it's no surprise that fall tones are popping up in my work. I'm working on a new line of fabric jewelry this year for our show. I'm always trying to find a way to include fabric with jewelry without it getting too cute. I'm really happy with these bundle beads I came up with.

Some necklaces--

And some earrings. I also made some bundle beads on hoops for larger earrings. I thought I was working with pretty small scraps when I was making my prayer flags. Now I'm down to smaller snippets yet.

Working away on the prayer flags. Here are a few of my favorite fall ones.

Jennifer's finds from Plucky Maidens Junkfest

2011-11-19T17:02:00.000-08:00

Wonderful morning for a drive out to McMennamin's Grand Lodge in Forest Grove - destination - Plucky Maidens Junkfest. So much fun to wander through the maze of rooms finding each cache of treasures - vintage cameras, goggles, compasses, clock gears, a framed mirror from Italy...
Then it was to the tavern in the garden (lit by vintage chandeliers) gazing out the windows to the gold-leafed trees. Drove the back roads home through Scholls - the perfect "artist date"!

Question of the Month--What art activity makes you happy?

2011-11-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

This will be our last question of the month, so we wanted to end with a question central to all that we do:

How do you have fun with art? What art activity makes you happy? Makes you glow with good spirits? Makes you feel good like a soaring piece of music?

Lorraine:

What makes my heart soar and my spirits lift is when I get together with my art pal, who now lives in Walla Walla, and spend 5 solid days being creative together. Her husband cooks lunch and dinner for us so we just have to leave the basement and show up in the dining room! Eating and drinking well is definitely part of the creativity-joy-pleasure continuum. She and I have such a wonderful synergistic relationship that we stimulate and encourage one another's creativity.

Her studio is so large and filled with so much STUFF that I can't help but be energized. We usually assign ourselves one large collaborative project to start and finish while I am there. The final product usually is something to put in her garden or to adorn her home. We will also give ourselves a timed challenge where we select papers and mixed media items for one another and then go to work creating. I have been known to remove a framed piece of art from her wall (a large piece of art that she bought in the 80s?) and go to town on it, adding other materials into it to create a whole new collage for her guest bedroom! We listen to music the entire time, sometimes grooving on old favorites (Joan Armatrading, Rickie Lee Jones, Julia Fordham) but then she turns me on to new World Music as well. You can find us dancing and laughing and scolding one another: ("Who left this brush out with matt medium dried on it?" or "Did you get this ribbon from MY stash over here?")

It is certainly a love-fest: love of the creative process, love of the synergy and support and electricity that flows between us; love of being waited on by her husband in the kitchen (who teases us about not creating enough 'product'); love of the physical activity of going for walks to clear our brains and get the blood flowing or to pick up important crap at the local Goodwill; love of being healthy and alive and able to use all of our senses while being in the present moment. Amen.

Suzie:

My studio beckons with some sort of mini tornado mess left behind by the last project. So I delight in bringing order to the chaos and inevitably can’t resist putting the finishing touch on something. Then it’s as if a dance starts, Art Tango. The papers and pigments beckon. I put a little color here, a little texture there. Sew on a few beads, rummage around to find just the right piece of ephemera, use a stencil and molding paste to give some dimension. I feel like a delighted bystander to the process that unfolds when I just show up, let my eyes discover what gives them pleasure and my hands move on the Ouija board of the canvas to create art. . . . Time stands still, my body sings with delight, all seems right with the world. I feel renewed in the church of art. Life is good.

Jennifer:

Marking a day in my calendar for creativity gets my creative juices flowing. I've turned half of my garage into my studio. Now, I could have my studio anywhere in my home, but when truly taking time to reflect on it, the garage is perfect, and on a sunny day I definitely have that garage door open to the garden view! The recent acquisition of an industrial chic workbench just calls for me to create (and it served as a bar at a summertime PAC party). The photos tell it all!

Cynthia:

I would have to say that my greatest moments of joy come when I am experimenting with some new process that really captures my attention. This usually involves color, like when I am creating decorative papers and feel completely free to try new color combinations. I know when I feel this, and it gives me great pleasure as an artist.

Paula:

I get excited when I come up with a good idea and can implement it. For example, I made some rose cards at ArtFest this year. A friend asked me how I was going to use them. I made note cards with the images but want to do more with the originals. They sat on my desk for a long time. Then a light bulb went on in my brain with an idea on how to use them. I glued each one onto canvas. Now, I'll add a textured, molding paste border, paint and voila- new paintings. I love to combine new techniques that I've learned. My joy in creating art is in the process- experimenting, designing and seeing a piece evolve into something I like.

Suzanne:

The biggest rush I get from art making is when I'm learning to do something new or starting a fresh project...kind of like opening a new box of crayons. The anticipation of a workshop or project, hunting down supplies, making things with other creatives, not feeling the pressure of a deadline or final product--it's all fun. The antidote for the doldrums.

Dayna:

My current obsession is creating what I call my Curious Elements. It is the perfect blend of everything I love: texture, paint, rusty bits, and found objects. I audition pieces on my completed boards until I find just the right combination, then I attach them as creatively as possible. I can spend hours just moving my funky found pieces from one board to the next until WHAM! it can be called complete.

Lenall:

Everything about art makes me happy. When I do it I escape to that happy place. It's like another dimension. I am not the type of artist who over thinks things--I just do. It is like going to the place where the Creative Muse takes over. I particularily like to do art around my friends as I feed off their positive energy too!

Sue:

Hanging out with the women of PAC.

Artist's receptions with friends.

Watching my young nieces and nephews make art.
Winning that blue ribbon at the fair for an art project.

Robin:

I love the feeling of waking up and having a project I can't wait to get to. It usually means the piece has hit a point of coming together--the initial struggles and problems are solved and I'm pretty certain it's going to work, but there are still discoveries to make. That's when I lose all track of time and get fully engrossed in the pleasure of creating. Sometimes it's a dance of color as when I'm auditioning pieces for my prayer flags and have fabric scraps flying everywhere. Other times it's the sheer joy of watching strokes of paint go on the canvas or the relaxation of coming home after a busy day and settling into the meditation of hand stitching. At those time art becomes a spiritual practice that allows me to be fully present in the moment.

Mary:

Art is always fun for me, whether I'm creating it or arranging it. I have a house full of what I consider artful things. Whenever I need a pleasant distraction I move things around and create what I consider my very own stage sets. I have lots to play with and when I'm finished playing around, I'm always happy.

Sandy:

I am thrilled when the artwork in my hands takes on a life of its own and I no longer feel in charge of the journey. I'm just a passenger for the ride.

Another thing that feeds my soul is making art with friends; and better yet, with children. The shared experience of creativity brings magic to the soup.

............

Thanks for reading along with our question of the month. You can find past questions and answers under the tab at the top of the blog.

Simplicity in Glass

2011-11-17T15:51:00.001-08:00

Remember when you were at your grandparents home and they had those cute little hexagonal glass cabinet knobs in the kitchen? I do too. They felt so good in my hand and I have wonderful memories of that kitchen. Now those memories can be there all the time when wearing one of these eclectic necklaces. Who knew cabinet knobs could look so pretty?

Each knob hangs on an 18" gold plated necklace and will be featured in the Open Doors Show.

Jennifer's Sunday - a studio day

2011-11-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

Steampunk Assemblage - this piece measures just 5" high (not including the top gears). Both the tin and the top of the piece open for storage of your small treasures.

A "statement" piece - necklace created using a shield (probably from a vintage trophy) measuring 3" long. I also used a vintage watch face, gear and key.

Jennifer Campbell www.jennifercampbelldesign.com

The 6 x 6 Wild Art Project

2011-11-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

Each year, the Audubon Society of Portland sponsors a Wild Arts Festival. Artists create and donate 6x6 inch canvases with a bird theme to benefit local wildlife.

The 2011 Wild Arts Festival is November 19th & 20th at Montgomery Park. It's a wonderful opportunity to see nature-themed work by Northwest and nationally known artists and writers.

Several Portland Art Collective members are apart of the show this year. Look for their artwork at the festival. Each 6 x 6 sells for $40. Last year, 150 artists participated. It's a fun event.

Tory Brokenshire

Jan Harris

Paula McNamee

Suzie Wolfer

Sue Girard
Sandy Keating
and Dayna Collins

SIREN NATION ART & CRAFT SALE THIS SUNDAY!!!

2011-11-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

SIREN NATION ART & CRAFT SALE this Sunday (November 6th) from 11am to 5pm at McMennamins Kennedy School. Come get a start on holiday shopping and see my newest jewelry designs! Looking forward to seeing you there!!!
Jennifer Campbell
www.jennifercampbelldesign.com

Jennifer Campbell Design

2011-11-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

For this necklace I used a vintage thimble, adding charms, ribbons and fibers. Be sure to come to the Open Doors Show and Sale on December 2nd and 3rd (Friday and Saturday) to see more like it. And take a look at my new website to see other pieces...www.JenniferCampbellDesign.com
Jennifer Campbell

Day of the Dead Show Opening!! & Hanging a Art Show....

2011-10-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

Once again Day of the Dead has rolled around. Opening this Thursday, through Nov 20Th. I have the pleasure of curating the Show again, and one of the best parts is hanging the show!

Here's a peek today, All the art hung up. The public Altar to the left, complete with paper, pens and pins. People leave the best comments and memories about departed loved ones

It all starts with a blank walls......................gulp

I lay out all the art and see what the artists from the 22 person group show have brought in. We never know for sure until game day. I split up the wall pieces and the pedestal pieces

I start at the top and work my way down juggling things here and a few there, I try to get 20 different styles & colors to compliment each other and look cohesive. I had a few helpers, the "is it straight crew" Big thanks to Tory, Gloria and Janet, and the ever patient Donna Guardino , the owner of the gallery, it's a whirlwind of activity, but I stayed the course.

We have three walls and a window to decorate, the big etched printing is form Gene Flores and the smaller paintings from Richard Cutshall, I'll be talking about ALL the artists on my blog all month long HERE http://stephaniebrockway.blogspot.com

This wall is just inside the door, it really came together!

Today I came back to straighten up and check the tags, and marveled at how all the art seems like it was always meant to be together! Come visit us if your in Portland http://www.guardinogallery.com/feature-gallery

Paula McNamee's Jewelry for December Show

2011-10-24T09:04:00.001-07:00

These nature inspired brooches are made with soldered brass and copper, sterling silver wire, beads, charms, and drawings in bezels filled with resin. Stephanie Lee's online class called Homesteader's Metalsmithing is wonderful workshop with great videos and PDF files. All the skills needed to make these brooches were learned in this workshop.

The safety deposit box word keys are flooded with solder, metal letter stamped with added hand soldered jump rings, beads and a bit of fiber. Words become keys to life, a reminder to dream or play. Many artists select a work for the year to guide their artwork. These words can be powerful affirmations and tools for change.

Wrapped leather bracelets feature different sizes, beads and colors. They are fun to wear at any age.
See more of Paula's artwork on her blog- Dreamcicle Journeys.

Portlandia Season Two and Jennifer Campbell

2011-10-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

Many of you are familiar with the Portlandia television series (filmed locally in Portland, OR). In June a “call for local artists” went out. I figured that since I had recent photos of my work I would send them to the Portlandia Wardrobe Department and see what might happen. They loved my pieces, and as they had “Steamkpunk” skits written, they would “try to use them”. In a late September email I learned they had used most of them! Portlandia Wardrobe and Art Department says “it was so great to incorporate a great local designer into the show”.

Several of the pieces I created for Portlandia are pictured here. Each of my jewelry pieces is an original, and most are created using “found objects”. Gears and watch parts are from vintage clocks and watches.

My new website Jennifer Campbell Design.com will be unveiled soon! Watch this blog for the link!

Jennifer Campbell

Favorite Art Blogs and Websites

2011-10-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

We all love reading each other's blogs to keep up on current projects, but our question this month was:

Besides PAC members', what are some of your favorite artist blogs and websites? (You can find links to PAC members' blogs on the sidebar if you'd like to read those too.)

Tory:

This is and will probably always be my favorite blog The Hermitage . www.intothehermitage.blogspot.com/

I love her words, her art and photography. It is educational and magical at the same time. The blog description is best said in Rima’s own words....

Rima

Dartmoor, United Kingdom

Rima's curiosity leads her through the many worlds of words, languages and lettering, books and stories, puppetry, nature and interesting people, music, superstitions, folklore and fairytales, and most of all the otherness that can be found on the periphery of our lives, the strange and grotesque, the absurd and unnerving ... that topsy turvy in between place where things are not quite what they seem...

Rima travelled for a year and a day in a house on wheels to the edge of Dartmoor where she now sits in an old cottage amongst books and paints and writes tales of her days and thoughts of her stories and songs of her paintings here on this blog for you to smile at.

Tammy:

As it is in all art, it is on all artist's blogs to me, samples of their
wonderful art, snippits of their opinions and references, and their
smiling picture - just can't choose a favorite.

Cynthia:

The only blogs that I think of off the top of my head are Alisa Burke alisaburke.blogspot.com/and Jane LaFazio www.plainjanestudio.com/

Maybe because I am too lazy to look up others, but those are two that I go to consistently for inspiration.

Suzanne:

I love to keep up with blogs and among my favorites are those of our own PAC artists. Also enjoy....

Blogs that tell something of the owner's lifestyle as well as their art; where they live and create, how they decorate their spaces, what they cook, where they travel, family life...that sort of thing:

http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/ Alicia Paulson, craft designer and author from Portland. This is the first blog I ever followed. Alicia used to be an editor so no surprise she has a way with words, as well as the camera.

http://ornamental.typepad.com/ornamental/ Nina Bagley, jewelry/mixed-media artist. An excellent writer, and artist.

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/ When you go to Lucy's blog, it's almost like visiting her in the UK. I would imagine she speaks the same way she writes; you can almost hear her British accent. Lots of color here; beautiful yarns and crochet, home dec, life in an English village.

http://www.notmartha.org/ A little bit of everything in the lifestyle category; lots of links.

Sites/blogs of creative inspiration:

http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/ Lorelei Eurto, prolific jewelry artist with a great sense of design.

http://djpettitt.typepad.com/djpettitt/ DJ Pettitt, mixed-media artist and photographer.

http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/ Geninne's Art blog; fine craft and nature-inspired illustration.

http://printpattern.blogspot.com/ print & pattern; just about everything in the realm of surface design.

http://chrisroberts-antieau.com/wordpress/ Folk art fiber artist!

http://hensteethart.blogspot.com Whimsical fiber art and mixed-media

The link for Jacquie Gering (modern quilting) is http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/

Laurie:

There are a number of blogs I follow, but my all time favorite blog is from the book artist Mia Liejonstedt. She has two blogs, creative inspirations and a visual diary. Her books are beautiful and they inspire me.

Z'anne:

Here are my favorite places I like to go for inspiration.

PAC members, of course, are a constant source of inspiration and the energy I get from them spills over to my work.

http://www.zentangle.com and http://www.zentangle.blogspot.com are where I can get my daily fix of Zentangles.

These are great sites for me to add to my collection of tangles and ideas.

Another Robin that I like to go see is Robin Atkins of http://www.beadlust.blogspot.com She is the moderator and orginator of www.beadjournalproject.com where people from around the world sign up each year to work on a beaded "page" once a month for a "journal" that will hold those pages at the end of the year.

After completing my year long challenge of making a pair of earrings a day for a year, I found another crazy womanwho is working on her own beaded challenge. Amy of http://www.atomicrose.blogspot.com is making beaded spiders. Hers are the inspiration for me to start my own beaded spiders, which I will be selling at our Open Doors show in December. Mine will be Christmas Spiders and will also include the story of the Christmas Spider.

Dayna:

I'm keepin' it simple with my response for this month's blog question (I know, hard to believe), but since we aren't sharing the blogs and websites of PAC members, I had to dig a bit deeper. Two of my favorites for beauty AND content:

Roben-Marie Smith: Every Life Has a Story

http://www.robenmarie.com/

Lynne Hoppe: heART & LIFE

http://lynnehoppe.blogspot.com/

Robin:

I can get lost for hours looking at blogs and websites, so I try to limit myself to those that focus solely on art. A few favorites:

Jude Hill at Spirit Cloth documents her slowly developing, hand-stitched pieces. She has a poet's eye for detail, so it's fascinating to hear how her mind works, and what bits inspire her, as her pieces evolve.

I love the soulfulness of Orly Avieneri's journals. Her blog usually contains only the briefest writing and her thoughtful journal pages.

Teesha Moore's blog contains lots of inspiration in her colorful journals and other projects. She often includes good tutorials of things she makes.

Art Propelled is full of beautiful artwork that I love. The author creates her own wonderful carved totems and also gathers great examples of others' work from around the world. It often has an outsider or ethnic vibe that attracts me.

Carolyn Saxby has two gorgeous blogs full of stitching and art she discovers. http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/ and www.love-stitching-red.blogspot.com/

Paula:

Mary Ann Moss writes my favorite blog- Dispatch from LA. She shares her handmade journals, travel photos and daily journeys. Her online classes are the best with great videos, PDF files and her wonderful sense of humor. Alisa Burke shares her art on another favorite blog called redefine creativity. She paints, sketches and sews. Her blog is full of tutorials and lots of photos of her artwork. Two Portland painters that have art websites that inspire me are Flora Bowley and Yellena James.

Many of us have more favorite blogs listed on our own blogs. You can find links to those in the sidebar.

Artist Studio tour this weekend

2011-10-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

I took the leap and decided to open my studio to the public for the 2nd annual Washington County Artist Studio tour, held this Saturday and Sunday from 11-5.

There are 37 artists participating this year, over double from last year. You can download the tour map for FREE at http://www.washcoart.org/.

This might be one of our last nice weekends to get out and about, so while you are, stop by and check out my artist books and journals.

NEW! RINGS by JENNIFER

2011-10-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

I'm creating fabulous fun treasures for the Open Doors show!
Take a look at these rings - just yummy!
Jennifer

Artist Profile--Tammy Vail

2011-10-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

For our last artist profile, we are featuring Tammy Vail. Tammy is one of those sparkling characters who always has the whole room laughing. Her playfulness carries over into her artwork with pieces that are lively, colorful and always very creative.

1. What are the main mediums you use? What do you find satisfying about them?

The mediums I use are anything I can get my hands on. Of course the paints, pencils, and all the wonderful things offered in the stores. As they say, I have spent more money saving 40 percent at Michaels than any other place! I also turn to nature, I dry flowers, seeds, peach skins, leaves and whatever looks fun. I carve on avocado seeds, I string seeds, I include sticks in some collages.

Tammy's found object wall gate:

2. If someone were going to get started in those mediums, what suggestions would you give?

If someone were going to get started in the art adventure, I would advise them to pick up a crayon with their tiny little hand and scribble up the phone book before Mom could stop you. Each day of your life, do something, even if it is a little picture of a bird. Advance throughout your life, trying everything that comes to you. Search out the rest. Take classes, place yourself around other artists, and look for the beauty and wonder in every object you see.

3. A perfect art day would look like_________

a cool sunny day in a beautiful retreat room full of my wonderful friends, and totally trashed tables full of paints, papers, and tons of pieces of stuff.

I would be there for most the time, but go to my own room to create some things alone in the quiet.

Bracelet made from paper beads:

4. Do you have dedicated studio space?

I have a wonderful studio in the bedroom our girls deserted after college in their search for fame, money, and a guy that looks like a Calvin Kline underwear model and has a PHD in tenderness. My studio is light and airy, with windows on one wall, and lots of room. It is my sanctuary.

5. Favorite place you've visited or lived?

I love the forest, especially in a beautiful lodge by a big noisy river. I love the peace of the country in the fall, with fields of spent pumpkins and a convention of crows there to help clean it up. I love the city, with shops full of things I can buy, or look at joyously. I enjoy everywhere when I feel good, and hey, even if I don't!

A fabric book:

6. What inspires you?

Life inspires me, Nature inspires me, my wonderful friends inspire me, the wonder of all things on this earth, the ocean, the sky, storms, blue birds, a tornado that tears up the earth, but doesn't hurt any one inspires me. Guess I'm kinda easy in that area!

7. I still struggle with_____

I still struggle with the fact that I just can not understand written instructions, or math well. Hey, I just don't get it. I need to see things. I can figure out and do most anything by looking and making the directions myself.

A recycled, hand-painted chair:

8. I'd be lost without__________

my glasses.

9. Favorite dessert?

hey let's list the ones I don't like, the list would be shorter. The best of course a hot fudge sunday with chopped almonds, lots of fudge on the bottom and the top

of the dish is required. I even love it when the last little bit melts and runs together and I can scrape it out of the bowl with my spoon and break the etiquette barrior.

One of Tammy's mixed media books:

10. What's on the horizon?

everything of course.

That concludes our series of artist profiles. You can see all of them in the tab up at the top of the blog. After the first of the year, we will begin a series of studio visits to show you where our members create.

Meet Molly: A Creepy Doll

2011-10-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

PAC member Dayna Collins of Alley Art Studio is participating in a Creepy Doll Show at Stone Buddha in Silverton. The show opens on Friday, October 7 and runs through the end of the month. Dayna's entry, Molly, incorporates a well loved doll with gnawed off hands nestled securely into a vintage wood shoe repair box. To see more photos of the assembly process and to read about Molly's story, check out Dayna's blog by clicking here.

A few Pieces from "Collage Your Pet" Class with Susan Schenk

2011-10-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

Friend

Puss
Which do you like best? With or without "friend"?

Jazz

Morning Song

Frosty

New Mixed Media Crow Series on 10 x 10 Canvas by Lenall Siebenaler

2011-10-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

Crowing, I

Hanging Out, I

Hanging Out, II

Hanging Out, III

Gingko Crow

New Crow Series by Lenall Siebenaler

2011-10-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

Buddies

Red Finch

On the Fence, I

On the Fence, II

On the Wire, I

On the Wire, II

High Flying, I

High Flying, II

On the Fence, IV

More Prayer Flags

2011-09-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

I've been working on more prayer flags for our Open Doors show.

Still playing with new color combos. then hanging these on my porch to capture a few last minutes of sun. They make me happy, both to make and to hang. I keep picking a favorite set, then switching when the next comes along.

This black and white with brights:

Or maybe the deeper, earthier tones?

Or the warm and brights?

And a few new contenders in progress--the purples:

And the greens:
I just really love color--all colors, including black and white! You can see more of my prayer flags here.

2 Free Tickets to Creating Hope in Haiti - Tonight!

2011-09-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

We are nearly sold out for our event tonight (have 200 attendees!) and I have 2 free tickets due to a cancellation.

If you would like 1 or 2 free tickets, please email me: diane@artisansforhaiti.org. Or call. Note to PAC members: no time to check Yahoo Group today.

We are going to have a great time! There will be live music and dancing, we will have a presentation of our trip to Haiti, have silent and live auctions, and there are some surprises for everyone.

Just come and have a good time! You don't have to buy a thing. Then again...there's always Bali...

More info...www.artisansforhaiti.org

Diane
(503)-314-6349

Creating Hope In Haiti
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Persimmon Country Club
7:00 p.m.
cocktail casual attire

Prayer Flags

2011-09-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

I've been having a lot of fun playing with pattern and color in new sets of prayer flags. I started some tiny ones back here. I decided to make this set longer, 3"x7", so they would hang more gracefully.

I found a remnant basket at a local quilting shop full of scraps, some odd cut shapes leftover from classes, for .50 an oz. I got a fat bagful and challenged myself to make these 2 sets of flags out of it. I love having a challenge like that--it forces me into some combinations that I might not normally do. I cheated a couple times when I needed a pop of color that wasn't there, but about 99.5% of these came from that bag. It's a fun way to get to delve into those cool, modern fabrics without investing much.

A cool set:

And a warm:

Question of the Month--What makes a great class?

2011-09-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

For back to school month, our question was "What makes an ideal art class for you?"

Cynthia:

For me, a good class is one where the instructor is WELL PREPARED, with a clear outline of what they intend to teach, with materials prepared (or clearly indicated in advance) and a bit of printed information. I hate to be in a class where the instructor rambles, or seems ill prepared, or just unwilling to give freely of their knowledge and techniques. I have learned that a good artist is not necessarily a good teacher. I try to keep these principles in mind when I am teaching, too.

Tammy:

A class where I learn something I will use through eternity. I love it when there are happy talkative friends and other artists to share in the fun of learning. I like lots of room for individual spaces so we are not cramped. A teacher that is fun, and easy going, but knowledgable is wonderful. Jan Harris is one of my favorites. She provides stuff, she knows what she is doing, she is well and soft spoken and helpful. She lets me wander.

Suzie:

I used to take everything and anything and now I’m more selective. First I look at the person's art to see if I enjoy the colors and design and they have a “home tone.” A number of years ago I took a class from a well-known east coast artist because of the technique she was teaching. I learned the technique but I found her art unsettling (along with her voice) and I ended up leaving the class early. It just wasn’t my thing. Second thing I look for are classes that are technique rich. I don’t necessarily want to complete a project, but want to learn a new way to use the same materials or learn about new materials that relate to the type of art I enjoy doing. Classes I’ve enjoyed include

Michael DeMeng's online texture class called "Art Lab":

Leslie Parson's Acrylic class:
Rosie Kelly:

And one I’d love to take is John Lovett’s watercolor class, once I have the courage:

Robin:

Any class where I come out inspired and eager to do more is a good one. At this stage, I really value a constructive critique. At first it was nice to have positive feedback and hear that everything is great, but now I really prefer to hear in detail what I could improve on. Aimee Erickson at Multnomah Arts Center is great with critiques. She even does paint-overs on your paintings, if you want. A lot of people don't like that, but I learn so much by seeing how she would do my painting differently. Pamela Allen does a similar thing online with fabric art classes. She photoshops pieces of your fabric and shows how you could improve the composition. And I learned a tremendous amount in William Park's painting class by having him tell me what was off whenever I got stuck.

Tory:

I have a check list for the classes I take. Do I know the teachers work? What have others said about the way they teach? Will I ever use this technique again? Classes are expensive so I want to get the most out of it as I can. I look for a venue that may have a smaller number of students in the class. What is the kit fee and how many supplies do I need to buy. That’s just the beginning then I go back and ask some more people. I have passed on a teacher because of reviews from my friends. Once I’m in the class room I want a nice hand out in case I forget all that important information in the confusion of excitement. I want room to work, a 6’ table would be nice. I want the teacher to do demos and walk around all day helping us. If I’m taking a project class I want to finish. I also want to use all the supplies I bought. It sounds like I said I, I, I, a bunch of times but I just spent $150 to $800 (for a 3 day workshop) and I want to be happy. I must say I have always been happy because I ask tons of questions. But here is where it came back to bite me-- I teach and with the above list to make me happy I have to make double sure I can make my students happy. Its hard work to run all day. It’s very hard to make every student pleased with their work but most teachers try. Bottom line is to ask the questions and you will be more satisfied in the end.

Sue:

My favoirte class was a $5.00 Cold Laminate Collage class at Peddler's Pack in Beaverton.

I have continued to apply the process in my art work, have sold pieces and taught the techinque several times.

Jennifer:

The ideal art workshop for me is one where the teacher is passionate about creativity and about sharing knowledge. Favorite classes for me have to do with learning jewelry techniques or assemblage art - I'm all about 3-dimensional creativity! I don't necessarily feel like I have to complete a project in a class, but have found that when I dust that "inner critic" off my shoulder and remember to "be in the moment" I am usually very happy with what I complete that day.

I do enjoy Michael de Meng's workshops and recently took 3 of classes at Collage on Alberta. He's got a wonderful sense of humor and I love his work and the techniques he shares so freely with his students. The photos are of Michael de Meng's workshop in June.

Carol:

I love art classes where the teacher is full of energy and excitement about the subject or project they are teaching. It's contagious and can make anything even more fun. But beyond that I love when they bring lots of cool supplies that you can use to make your project so you get a feel for what kinds of things work. And last when they take the time to come by every so often as you are working on your project to give you an idea if you are on track or help you with problems.

Suzanne:

The first and most important thing I look for in a workshop or a class is if the instructor's work or class project catches my imagination; if it calls my name, so to speak. Will I be learning something new or will it expand skills? I like to see actual examples or good photos of what will be done. Secondly, I look at the teacher's background and try to recall anything I may have heard about her or him from other people who have taken classes with that instructor. I like teachers who are prepared, focused on the subject at hand during class, who are good at listening to their students, and willing to share what they know. Size is very important as I've found that I usually get much more out of a small class. A larger group is fine if I'm somewhat comfortable with the medium and I really want to experience a class with a particular artist.

Featured Artist at Friends of the Library Store: Dayna Collins

2011-09-11T13:51:00.001-07:00

In the heart of downtown Portland at the Multnomah County Central Library is a gem of a store run by the Friends of the Library and managed by Portland Art Collective member Lenall Siebenaler. The store offers used books, a variety of artful cards, and lots of handcrafted items.

Lenall invited me to be the featured artist for the month of September and my show is now up and ready for viewing. There are several of my Fearless Faces, six of my small mixed media pieces, and 14 different Fearless Faces cards available for purchase. Here's a few photos of the shop and my art. For more photos of the current show or to see more of my Fearless Faces or other art work, visit my blog at Alley Art Studio.

Dayna is Participating in the Visual Artist Studio Tour in Salem

2011-09-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

I'm participating in the Visual Artist Studio Tour (VAST) in Salem (only a one hour drive from Portland) sponsored by Artists in Action. The tour takes place on two weekends - the first weekend covers 7 studios in Polk County (September 10 and 11) and the second weekend covers 18 studios in Marion County (September 17 and 18). The cost for both weekends and all 24 studios is only $5 (under 18 free) and entry buttons with maps can be purchased from the Art Department, Bush Barn Art Center, or from any of the artists. The studios will be open 10-4 - just look for the white signs with purple lettering and balloons to help you find the locations on the map. For a complete list of artists, studios, and locations, click here.

If you stop by my studio, you'll get to explore inside and out, observe me working on my Curious Elements, ask me questions about my art, and have the opportunity to purchase art right off the walls and from a table full of Curious Elements.

One of the perks of being in the tour is the opportunity to participate in the artist show at Rountree Art Gallery in downtown Salem. Artists were invited to submit one or two pieces to the show that represent their style. I submitted two pieces, Justify (limestone clay on wood substrate with found objects) and Every Day I Will Give You a Color, acrylic on canvas. Tonight was downtown Salem's First Wednesday event so I slipped in to see my art hanging on the wall (and on a mirror!).

Here I am with Carol, the gallery owner and curator of the show in front of Justify.

Found Object Jewelry by Jennifer

2011-09-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

I stayed home and played in my studio today! Just had a wonderful time playing with my treasures and enjoyed the warmth of a late summer day.
Jennifer

New Assemblage by Jennifer Campbell

2011-09-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

"Camera Dial" - assemblage completed on Friday. This is another one that just "flew" together. I love it when that happens! It measures 12" x 5" (wired for hanging) and I used the back of a vintage camera as a base along with the dial from a radio, vintage door plate, photograph, part of a flute, a flashbulb and an old key.
Jennifer

Artist Profile--Suzanne Reynolds

2011-09-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

Our featured artist this month is Suzanne Reynolds. Suzanne is one of those artists who tries a lot of different media and seems to master everything. Whatever she delves into, her work has a wonderful polish to it that we all admire.

1. What are the main mediums you use? What do you find satisfying about them?

Given my crazy collection of materials and supplies, you'd probably conclude there are few mediums I haven't played with. My favorite would have to be fabric, though. The most satisfying feature is that it can be manipulated or embellished to create things that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. I love to use vintage fabrics as well as modern prints from current designers. Other favorite mediums include wire, beads, and metal findings for creating jewelry; ephemera and old photographs for collage, paint--and a new one for me, paper clay. After taking a workshop with Rogene Manas I'm intrigued by the way it can be worked to give the effect of carved wood.

2. If someone were going to get started in those mediums, what suggestions would you give?

If you find yourself falling in love with fabric, own a good sewing machine and know how to use it. Take classes and workshops from artists whose work speaks to you. Don't be afraid to try something new! Browse the library and book store shelves for ideas. The internet is an endless source of information--blogs, websites, Google--but don't let it take up too much of your creative time.

3. A perfect art day would look like__

It would involve a class of some sort, or play date with art friends. Throw in a gallery visit or shopping break, good coffee, food, and music...that adds up to a pretty perfect day in my book.

4. Do you have dedicated studio space? Give a brief description of where you work.

I'm fortunate to have a large space above my garage but now it's serving mostly as a storage room and I'm not spending much time in there. It needs a major "re-do"! The sewing machine and cutting mat are currently set up in the dining room and I have some bins for various projects that help keep me organized and make it easy to work in any area of my house.

5. Favorite place you've visited or lived?

I've been in the Portland area for 21 years and can't imagine living outside the Pacific Northwest--we have everything here. I enjoy visiting our National Parks and exploring cities with lots of charm--and art, of course!

6. What inspires you (or are there recurring themes in your work)?

I'm inspired by nature, graphic design and illustration, fabric, old stuff, religious objects and images, and my artist friends.

7. I still struggle with_______

managing time for making art. There are so many distractions in day-to-day life. I often have difficulty finding time to be productive. And I'm a hopeless dreamer.

8. I'd be lost without_______

the desire to make things.

9. Favorite dessert?

A naked slice of cheesecake is simply divine.

10. What's on the horizon?
Well, I never want to stop learning so it will be interesting to discover what captures my imagination next. I'd love to make loads of quilts, travel more, and play a lot.

See more of Suzanne's work on her BLOG .

My Show @ Flutter is up until Sept 13th!

2011-08-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

Its been a great opportunity for me to have a Encore show @ Flutter .

I decorated their front window with a Circus Theme! You can see their blog post about it HERE.

Here are two new pieces I created for the show.
This is Zippy, he measures 38 inches long, you can read about how I made him HERE

Zippy is posing with Mr. Sparkles, they are ready for their closeup . You can see them in the window until Sept. 13Th.
Flutter is located at 3948 N. Mississippi Ave, Portland

Here I am hanging the window, such a fun vintage-y space, all my puppets and red striped tenting was a great fit.

See you soon!

Treasure Hunting - Oregon City Antique Fair

2011-08-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

Some of the treasures I found at the antique fair in Oregon City on Sunday. Love the compasses!

I found the industrial chic lamp at the antique fair - it is a great fit for my "new" industrial workbench.

A cupcake break was "necessary" at Wrightberry's in Oregon City

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday!

Jennifer

New Hearts

2011-08-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to make every year is the small danglies (or ornaments) that we put in our holiday show. The centerpiece of our show is a bare tree branch, and each artist hangs some of her own danglies on it. I also display some at my own booth.

In the past I've made owls, birds, wooden and fabric houses (which I can't find a picture of), and hearts. I wanted a simple pattern this year, so I returned to hearts again, using a new design.

They will come in 3 flavors. Cool:

Warm:
And earthy:
The design was inspired by this wonderful bag of strips and selvedges that my friend Cindy sent me:
I have bags of strips that I've kept from other projects that I pulled out too. I like the challenge of building something out of such small pieces that might otherwise be headed for the trash.

New Canvas Pieces by Lenall Siebenaler

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Dragonfly Dreams, II

I finished these two pieces for a friend's sister. I thought I might make cards out of them. Which one do you like best? Would both be good cards or just one?

Lenall

Question of the Month--Is Recycling/Repurposing a part of your art?

2011-08-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Our question this month is something near and dear to many of our hearts, so I knew we'd have some passionate responses for this one.

Is Recycling/Repurposing a part of your art?

Lorraine:

"Is recycling/repurposing part of your art? " Are you kidding???!!! That's my middle name: Lorraine "Recycling/repurposing-is-always-a-part-of-my-art" Jones.

Yikes. Is it my Yankee upbringing that causes me to be so thrifty (i.e.. cheap)? Is it a fun game to see what I can use again? Is it a challenge to see something in a new light? Whatever the reason, I get the biggest kick out of repurposing things in my mixed media collages. The "free" table filled with everyone's cast-offs is a treasure trove of weird stuff to be used in something! I often don't know why I am attracted to an item, I just go with my gut. And then, lo and behold, a year or two later, that item becomes that certain je ne sais quoi which makes a collage sing. Luckily for me, I have a very small studio with very limited storage space so I cannot collect too much stuff. (I have to admit, I do covet the studios of many of the women in our group- shelf after shelf filled with boxes, jars and bottles of the coolest, wackiest things. Rusty items, doll heads, old toy parts, marbles, ticket stubs, you name it, they have it all!)

Dayna:

I am an avid user of recycled and repurposed materials in much of my work. I do a lot of 3-D pieces, which lend themselves easily to including bits and pieces and scraps of things from past uses. I especially love using found objects -- things I have picked up from the ground or scavanged from the garbage. Even in my paintings, I often use cabinet doors or recycled pieces of wood.

Cynthia:

I really love to use reclaimed and found materials in my art, and nothing makes me happier than to create something artful from what others may throw away. My favorite scrappy experience was picking up designer fabric scraps that fell from Carnival costumes in a parade in Paris which I used in pins and stitched pieces. People who witnessed that probably thought me a bit mad, but I still cherish those scraps.

Suzie:

Not being a 3-D artist, I use little trinkets in collages, in my pendants, altered books and cards. I sure collect a lot of stuff though. One day I'd like to try my hand at "Michael DeMenging" something and when I do I've got lots of stuff to play with. In the photo, the little danglies hanging off the pendants are repurposed jewelry.

Suzanne:

Most definitely! Few things are more exciting to find than vintage fabric and lace-y pieces. I love to use them for my sewing and stitching projects. Retro prints and linens make great bags, as well as pillows. They are a key component of any fabric collage I would create. There's also a small pile of burlap coffee bean sacks in my work space waiting to be re-purposed.

I'm always on the look out for old chain and small metal bits that can be used to make jewelry; old keys and tags are favorites!

Jennifer:

Recycling and repurposing clock and watch parts into my assemblages and found object jewelry allows me to create stories that blend real history, some science and a sense of romance; similar to a historic novel, but in a visual representation. Steampunk has been described as a magical mixture of fun and funky – an altered image of the distant past, filtered through a dream future world that might have been. The term “steampunk” was coined by writer K.W. Jeter in 1987 to describe an emerging science-fiction genre, and has since spread to music, games, the movies and to art. It also has roots in Victorian England, when electricity had not yet been harnessed and steam was a major power source.

My found object jewelry started over 4 years ago as “Heartwings” – recycled pendants that I created from vintage tins. On my treasure hunts for tins, I found myself gathering gears to add to my pieces. The inner workings of clocks and watches have always seemed to have a certain magic attached to them. One day while surfing the internet I came across assemblages created from clock works with the word “Steampunk” attached, and knew I had to add more of the brass clock and watch parts to my creations. My found object jewelry quickly became composed of recycled watch plates, pocket watch gears and vintage watch faces known as “Steampunk Art”!

Sue:

Yes, recycling is part of my art. I have even gone as far as picking up smashed cans along the side of the road on my walks. I haven't decided what I will do with them but at least I got them:)

My "Barbie Gone Wild" piece is made with all recycled objects.

Steph:

Repurposing is a part of my art--

It's not so much a choice to recycle but the call of old things. The items I carve tend to be old tool handles, furniture parts etc. I use mainly old wood for the carvings, they seem to vibrate with a past life, it speaks to me. If I listen carefully, it tells me what it wants to become. Knives and chisels cut away to reveal the faces or forms. I strive for cohesive pieces, finding just the right salvage material to combine with my hand carved pieces.

Laurie:

Most of the covers of my books are made from scrap or recycled leather: coats, chaps, upholstery. The pieces often have “defects” in them which I incorporate in the design of the book. And the feel of old leather can’t be beat, soft and smooth. New leather can be so boring!

Robin:

One of my favorite things to do is scour Goodwill for old interesting bits of fabric that can be used in my art. At first I was looking only for interesting prints that you can't buy in the stores. But once I started dyeing my own fabrics--a whole new world opened up to me. Now I love to find old linens, chenille bedspreads, worn cotton curtains, you name it, they all get transformed in my dye pots. I also continually work with smaller and smaller bits of fabric, building up new fabrics by putting together little scraps and selvedges, which means I hardly throw anything away. To my delight, I have very generous friends who pass on their fabric scraps.

Sandy:

Always. I was raised by Depression babies and most of my beautiful handmade clothes were made from leftover remnants or re-purposed garments. Both of my grandmothers made quilts from fabric scraps. They would be very confused by the "quilt" industry today with all the coordinating fabrics and fancy pattern books.

I keep every scrap of fabric and paper, and many times they become the inspiration for something that I wouldn't have imagined...out of thin air.

I'm always attracted to broken jewelry, stained linens, tattered lace, and worn-out clothing, especially if it has special trim or buttons. There's something very satisfying about giving new life to the remnants and castoffs of yesterday.

Tory:

I think I have always used recycling in my art, from mud and sticks to macaroni on a string, in our house it was always an acceptable form of art. Today I teach others the value and beauty we can find in cast off items. Some items are free from the street or provided by nature and others are antiques that I try not to spend too much for. Where ever it comes from, I love the challenge of working it into a piece of art that others might enjoy. All you have to do is look down to find a piece of rust or an interesting twig that could be the beginning of your next fabulous art project.

July Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

Rebeca Trevino is the lucky winner of the altered book package offered by Judi Stack. Congratulations, Rebeca! Judi will email you for your address and your package will soon arrive on your doorstep! A very fun giveaway!

Our August giveaway announcement is coming up soon!

Portland Art Collective

The 100 Artists Show: The Art of Communication

Happiness Feeds Creativity

winter warmth

Virtual Studio Tours--Robin Olsen

Free Online Class

Out with the Old--Garland Tutorial

How To Start an Art Group CPS Article

An Artist's Thank You

Calm, bright

********* The Christmas Branch**********

'Tis the Season

The tree is up.

Sigh! Christmas is up at my house!

A Magical Show and Sale

Last Day "Open Doors" Show and Sale 10am-5pm

Open Doors Art Show and Sale - just "hours" away

So Many Good Things! Art By Dayna J. Collins

Two New Original Christmas Cards---I'M DONE!

Putting the Finishing Touches On...

Z'oodle Color Book Journals

Getting ready for the show-

New Fiber Danglies--I hope you like them!

Chaos or Productivity?

Adornments

Rose Paintings

Open Doors Show and Sale is only days away!

Time Capsules - Steampunk Style - by Jennifer

New necklace for a fiber fanatic or seamstress!

DANGLIES by Jennifer - Open Doors Art Show and Sale!

Introducing Four New Fearless Faces!

Fall Colors

Jennifer's finds from Plucky Maidens Junkfest

Question of the Month--What art activity makes you happy?

Simplicity in Glass

Jennifer's Sunday - a studio day

The 6 x 6 Wild Art Project

SIREN NATION ART & CRAFT SALE THIS SUNDAY!!!

Jennifer Campbell Design

Day of the Dead Show Opening!! & Hanging a Art Show....

Paula McNamee's Jewelry for December Show

Portlandia Season Two and Jennifer Campbell

Favorite Art Blogs and Websites

Artist Studio tour this weekend

NEW! RINGS by JENNIFER

Artist Profile--Tammy Vail

Meet Molly: A Creepy Doll

A few Pieces from "Collage Your Pet" Class with Susan Schenk

New Mixed Media Crow Series on 10 x 10 Canvas by Lenall Siebenaler

New Crow Series by Lenall Siebenaler

More Prayer Flags

2 Free Tickets to Creating Hope in Haiti - Tonight!

Prayer Flags

Question of the Month--What makes a great class?

Featured Artist at Friends of the Library Store: Dayna Collins

Dayna is Participating in the Visual Artist Studio Tour in Salem

Found Object Jewelry by Jennifer

New Assemblage by Jennifer Campbell

Artist Profile--Suzanne Reynolds

My Show @ Flutter is up until Sept 13th!

Treasure Hunting - Oregon City Antique Fair

New Hearts

New Canvas Pieces by Lenall Siebenaler

Question of the Month--Is Recycling/Repurposing a part of your art?

July Giveaway Winner!

* The Christmas Branch**