AMHA Open Studio

Several members and colleagues of the American Mental Health Alliance-Oregon Chapter got together today at my studio to play around with art and chat. This was the first in what will be regular Open Studios where mental health types can let loose and make art. Above are a few works that photographed ok with my phone camera, though the real pieces are much better in person. We had a great time and could have gone on all day and night with our fun!

To find out more about the AMHA, go to:
http://www.amha-or.org
This is a dedicated professional group that helps folks find a therapist who is right for them, holds educational and networking events for members and colleagues, and continues to work for privacy for mental health and counseling clients.

As promised, more pictures from PSU class

Here are some more pictures from "Living to Paint/Painting to Live" at PSU.

"Living to Paint/Painting to Live" at PSU

Today I finished teaching another wonderful PSU weekend class on two women artists. This class covered the lives of Sofonisba Anguissola and Artemisia Gentileschi.

Sofonisba, who was born about 1532-35, lived to be in her nineties. She served as lady in waiting and court painter at the court of Philip II of Spain. She began the tradition of genre painting, which refers to painting real people in scenes of their everyday lives. She was known for her wit and her psychologically astute painting.

Artemisia is one of the Baroque periods finest painters. She is known for the strong, bold, and active women that appear in her portraits and mythological works. She overcame many personal and financial hardships to become extremely successful and honored in her time.

Above are some of the projects done by students in this weekend's class. ( Because I can only put up 5 images at at time, see the next blog for more images.) I never cease to be moved and delighted by the energy the students can put in to their projects and the outcomes they achieve. This isn't easy, as they have only a couple of hours or less to produce their work! I'd say this group did an incredible job.

The Abbess and the Entrepreneur Inspire Women Today

Above: Student work from "The Abbess & the Entrepreneur" at PSU

A couple of weekends ago I taught the first in a series of classes on women artists. This is a Portland State University 1 credit series that I proposed and have had accepted for this year. The class was all women students of various ages. For most, this was their first Women's Studies class and the first class about art. We explored the highly diverse and fascinating lives of Caterina Vigri, also known as St. Catherine of Bologna, and Lavinia Fontana, Europe's first woman artist to compete with men in the art marketplace.

Caterina (1414-14630 gave up a lavish life at court to become a nun in her early teens. She later became an Abbess of a Poor Clare convent, wrote a book, poetry, music, and painted.

Lavinia Fontana (1222-1614) supported her parents, her husband, herself, and gave birth to eleven children. She was famous throughout her native Bologna and other parts of Italy for her portraits, religious, and mythological paintings.

The members of the PSU class did creative projects based on the lives and works of the two artists we studied. Several made evocative collages for both women. One student wrote a poem to each woman. The poems were so deeply felt they had several of us in tears. Another student drew her visions of the two artists and said it was "the first time I have drawn in 20 years."

I am happy to see that my belief has proven to be correct; that women of the past can provide inspiration for women (and men) today to overcome obstacles and to create lives full of meaning.

A Bold, Vibrant Show opening First Friday

Sierra Briano, a passionate and powerful artist, will show new work at The Art of Your Life First Friday Art Show on November 2. I've loved Sierra's work ever since I first saw it and she keeps growing as an artist, exploring new terrain with a bold gusto. The upcoming show is called "Immigration Reform" and is a political and humorous look at ethnic and class issues in the U.S.

Sierra received her BFA from Marylhurst. She has shown at many galleries locally and out of state. She has received several grants for public art. Sierra was an inspiration for me in my commitment to becoming an artist in mid-life.

I'll get to see all the work when I help hang it, but I'll miss the First Friday at Art of Your Life as I have a show opening in Seattle that night. I hope all who can will come join Sierra to see this amazing work and to enjoy her bountiful and humorous personality. The First Friday show is part of the Central Eastside Arts District Art Walk. (http://www.firstfridayart.com)

Pictures from Encaustic Romance Show

Eight of us from the Portland Chapter of International Encaustic Artists had a great time at "Encaustic Romance", the First Friday show at The Art of Your Life Studio. Our many guests seemed to be having a wonderful time also. Several were introduced to encaustic work for the first time by seeing the show. Some were just starting their own encaustic paintings, while still others were experienced artist themselves. Many people noted that the show was striking in that it showed such a wide variety of work, all made with beeswax, resin, and pigment. Some of the work introduced collage elements into the encaustic pigment.

I did something weird with my camera later in the evening. I don't know what happened as my camera is too complicated for me to understand fully. Anyway, as you can see, the crowd scene looks like a bunch of ghosts. I assure you, everyone there was real, having a "real" good time.

Two More Workshops in 2007 and Other News

The Nature of the Signs for the Seattle show, Vestiges

Work by first-time portrait painters in previous workshops

Day of the Dead Shrine Box

Here we are suddenly deep into fall. Like most people I know, I'm finding myself unbelievably busy. At the same time I'm going around so darn happy because I am doing what I love.

Right now I'm getting ready for this coming First Friday's show at The Art of Your Life, "Encaustic Romance." The seven other artists have delivered their work, amazing in its variety. I'm also getting ready for a show at Frame Up Studios in Seattle's Fremont District on the First Friday of November. I'll have a solo show there called "Vestiges." While I'm celebrating First Friday in Seattle, painter Sierra Briano will be showing at The Art of Your Life. Her newest work has a political but humorous bent and deals with immigration issues. Look for more about this show soon!

If you want to take some unusual art workshops before the year ends, mark your calendars for these:

October 28: Dia de los Muertos Fiesta

Play and celebrate while you construct a Day of the Dead shrine for someone you want to remember and honor. We’ll have lots of inspiring materials on hand and join together in a feast for our loved ones. Tuition: 60. Bring copies of special photos if you wish. Other materials supplied.

November 10 & 11: Not Just a Pretty Face

Two days of experimenting with paint effects and techniques. Paint fascinating and expressive portraits by learning from the masters. Get to know your subjects and how to use the magic of paint to bring them to life! You will experiment with realistic, impressionistic, maybe even abstract faces as you begin to develop your own unique vision and style. You’ll learn about composition, color, layering, and painting techniques. These days promise to be fun and exciting as you rediscover the joy of painting! You will leave with several studies and a finished painting on canvas. Come inspired and leave even more so! Tuition: 170. All materials supplied! Given at Scarlet Star Studios, contact:http://www.scarletstarstudios.com.

Remember, you and a few friends can arrange to schedule a workshop just for you at my studio or at your home!