“Improbable Dreams of a Tree” has been juried into the 2020 BAM! Virtual Show & Sale. COVID-19 pushed this one online too, and it’s good news considering that it could be just canceled.
There were 544 submissions this year, and the show has been made bigger than usual because there are no physical space constrains. I am so excited to see others’ creations, even though it will not be an in person experience!
The show will run for the entire month of October, 1-31, 2020.
I love drawing with limited palette. It’s a great exercise in coming up with colors for which I don’t have a pencil. It eliminates the agony of going through a hundred and a half colored pencils trying to figure out which ones to layer (and in which order!) to get what I want. And as a bonus, it feels a bit like doing magic.
Here, Kirsty Partridge shows how to approach one of the most complex subjects, human skin, with just a few carefully selected colored pencils.
Digital collage with a blackbird, a joint effort of ArtFlow and Painter (both are Android drawing apps) and Photoshop. The bird took forever and some to get right. I could draw it on paper times faster, but somehow “digital” translated into “quick” in my mind. It’s not quick, at least not if you were born way before computers, tablets, and digital pens.
Although the show was affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Alberta Street Gallery managed to sell 29 small artworks. One of them was my “Blossoms I.”
I am sure there would be more happy visitors and buyers if things were normal. The gallery is going to do the show again next year, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
Got a word yesterday that my 12 x 16 cm drawing made it to the 10th Twitter Art Exhibit that this year is helping Horry County Disabilities & Special Needs.
The show was going to be held in Myrtle Beach, SC but is now in limbo due to the COVID-19 outbreak. I do hope that there still be an option to buy the cards online like in previous years, no matter what the fate of the live show. Then we still do good and all is as well as it can be.
Every volunteer who helped with the show is very much appreciated, as are many artists who sent in their little creations.
Updated on March 17, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 emergency and the closing of the Water Resources Center through the end of April, the SWA 2020 Spring Show is canceled.
“Ravishing” and “Improbable Dreams of a Tree” will be a part of the 2020 SWA Spring Show & Sale in Vancouver, WA.
Show dates:
Thursday, April 30, 11 am – 5 pm
Friday, May 1, 12 pm – 8 pm
Saturday, May 2, 12 pm – 8 pm. Reception 5 pm – 7 pm
Sunday May 3, 12 pm – 3 pm
Show location: Vancouver Water Resource Center / 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA (directions)
More information on the Society of Washington Artists’ website: https://www.swavancouver.com/
I will be at the reception and may come earlier to pick up my art on Sunday. If you can attend, it will be my pleasure to meet you.
These two new artworks were delivered yesterday to the 6 x 6 x 6 art show at the Alberta Street Gallery. Artists were free to create whatever they wanted as long as their art fit within 6″ x 6″ x 6″, and my choice was to do something related to spring that was all around me already.
I’ve spent more time experimenting with background collages than actually drawing and had to stop experiments at some point while I still had time to finish the pieces. It was fun, and I now have notes to continue playing with new ideas as time permits.
The Alberta Street Gallery is located at 1829 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR (directions)
The show is open March 1-22, 2020, Monday – Friday 11 am – 7 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 9 pm, Sundays 9 am – 5 pm.
If you can, stop by for the opening reception on March 1st.
I will be in the booth #14, Cascade Ballroom, with my drawings and jewelry. Come if you happen to be around Mt. Hood, meet local artists, and see their creations!
The first weekend of December means the annual Holiday Art Show & Sale with the Three Rivers Artists Guild! I will have the same booth #32 as before, and it will be full of drawings and jewelry.
Show runs for only two days: December 7 from 9 am till 4 pm and December 8 from 10 am till 4 pm.
Address: Pioneer Community Center, 615 5th St, Oregon City
This will be my last show for the year. If you have time, stop by to see great local art and talk to those who create it!
The Holiday Art Show & Sale t the Pioneer Community Center in Oregon City will open in just two short days. Have a look at what will be there!
These are some of drawings and jewelry that I will have in the annual Holiday Boutique show at Art on Broadway. The guest show accompanies the “In a Holiday Mood” show for all gallery members.
Both shows run from November 5 till December 24, 2019.
I will be there for the reception on November 8, 5 – 7 pm. Come to enjoy great giftable art, good wine, apple cider, and nibbles!
Art on Broadway is located at 12570 SW Broadway, Beaverton, OR (directions)
Dropped my new drawing, “Ravishing,” at the Oregon Society of Artists today. It will be a part of the annual “200 for Under $200″ art show. 125 participating artists from the Portland area and beyond, over 200 12″ x 12” canvases and cradled boards priced at or below $200. The opening reception is on November 1st, 6-9 pm. Come if you can!
The show is open from November 1st to December 5th, 2019, Monday – Saturday, 1 – 4 pm.
Oregon Society of Artists is located at 2185 SW Park Pl, Portland, Oregon 97205 (directions)
See more show details on Facebook
My insect themed garden sculpture collection is gradually expanding for no good reason. I do not collect this kind of art and not in love with insects beyond appreciating them in general. Still, two years ago a metal dragonfly by Doug Moore practically inserted itself into my hand, then my neighbor gifted me with a ladybug kindness stone, and this weekend the odd collection expanded with a praying mantis by Ian Beyer that I got at the Corvallis Fall Festival.
The weather seems to always challenge artists at this event, but this year it took the cake with heavy rains and even hail. As I walked through the show, part of me really enjoyed the art, but another part kept whispering “thank goodness I am not doing outdoor shows anymore.”
I do so appreciate every artist who does this, both those I know personally, saw before, or met for the first time ever. You are all amazing, resilient, and very motivated people.
“Fortitude” has been accepted into the Beaverton Art Mix! show. So glad to be included into it once again!
Beaverton Arts Mix! will be held October 3-6, 2019 in the Beaverton City Library (12375 SW 5th Street, Beaverton) (map) .
BAM! artists will be honored at an artist reception on Thursday, October 3.
A free Quick Draw event on Saturday, October 5 will be open to artists (BAM! and non-BAM!) of all disciplines and media.
Hope to see you there!
The artist reception will be on Thursday, October 3, 7 pm – 8:30 pm.
I will also be volunteering that day 1:30 pm – 7 pm. Stop by whenever your schedule permits, it’s going to be a good show.
Dropped my “Fortitude” along with matted prints and greeting cards for the Beaverton Arts Mix! yesterday. It was so well organized that I was in and out in no time. Much appreciation goes to organizers and volunteers!
Picked up my remaining items from the Beaverton Art Mix! show today. I was on the fence about bringing so many of my horse drawings, not knowing how well they would be received there, but to my surprise most of them have been sold. Thank you, horse-loving people! Thank you everyone who came to see the show, to the Beaverton Arts Program people who organized the show so well, to all the volunteers who helped them! I would love to be a part of it next year.
Brought “Daydreaming” to the Bush Barn Art Center for the Salem Salon “100” art show yesterday.
The show features emerging and established artists in Salem and neighboring communities within a 75-mile radius of Salem. It coincides with the Salem Art Association’s Centennial Year and the annual Salem Art Fair & Festival, so there is a lot to see for you.
I was enjoying this art show for a couple of years as a visitor and am now thrilled to be a part of it!
Salem Salon “100” runs from July 5 till August 24, 2019.
Reception is on July 5, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. I hope to see some of you there!
The Bush Barn Art Center is located at 600 Mission St. SE Salem, OR 97302 and is open Tuesday – Friday, from 10:00 am till 5:00 pm, and Saturday – Sunday from 12:00 till 5:00 pm.
This is my first experience with Polychromos, and I probably would not splurge on them if lovely people from the Campbell Artists’ Guild haven’t sent me a very generous Blick gift card for looking after their website. It’s too early to see where these pencils stand in comparison to other brands I’ve tried.
Current state of things with the rose.
I like working with Polychromos so far except for one thing. There are tiny particles in some leads that make scratching sounds and make it feel like paper is being actually scratched. There are no scratches though, I’ve checked for that. I know it’s not the paper because I drew on this Canson Bristol before without this effect. So far it’s been more of an annoyance than anything else, and it’s not ok for $4+ pencils do that.
The rose is still unnamed. I thought I would come up with a title by now, but no. Not even anything to use as a starter.
Relations II and IV are on their way a new happy home in Silicon Valley, CA. Thank you, Vickie! Both are 8″ x 8″ mixed media on stretched canvas.
Both are 8″ x 8″ pen and ink drawings of Japanese maples in spring, with young leaves not fully unfolded yet. Each drawing sits on top of a paper collage secured on a stretched canvas.
Very happy to announce that my 8″ x 8″ mixed media piece on canvas has been juried into the Around Oregon Annual 2019 show.
“Relations I” is a part of the “Relations” series of four drawings that were originally created for the Four Eights show benefiting the Sherwood Center for the Arts. I’ve documented the creative process for it here.
Around Oregon Annual 2019 show will be held at The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333 (map) from June 20 till August 9, 2019.
The Arts Center hours are: Tues – Sat, from 12 pm till 5 pm.
I will be at the opening reception on Thursday, June 20 as soon as I can get there after finishing my shift at the Three Rivers Gallery and Gifts.
The reception is from 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm and is a part of the Corvallis Art Walk.
Please come if you can!
See the full list of participating artist below:
I will be participating in the Damascus Open Studios Tour May 17, 18, and 19, from 10 am till 5 pm each day.
Local artists and their guests will show awesome and diverse art in 6 studios in and around Damascus. You can find the map of the entire tour with all details here: https://damascusopenstudios.com/studio-map/. This is a wonderful opportunity to see how art is being created and talk to the artists.
Talented clay artist Brenda Scott will host me and a fine jewelry designer, Cheri Bosserman, at the studio #6 (25251 SE Bohna Park Rd, Damascus, OR 97089).
Stop by to see my original drawings, giclee prints, and greeting cards!
A big thank you to to everyone who came to see my art and beautiful creations of my fellow artists Brenda Scott and Cheri Bosserman this past weekend. The Damascus Open Studios were great. Wonderful company, lots of good talks, and many sales. Could not ask for more!
Got notified that my card for Twitter Art Exhibit 2019 safely arrived at Edinburgh, UK. Phew! I was so unbelievably late this year that I was not even sure it would make it in time for the opening night on May 11.
For my artist friends who would like to participate next year, here is the TAE website: http://twitterartexhibit.org. This year they support an Edinburgh based charity, Art in Healthcare, that organizes workshop programs for patients.
Just got notified that my card has been sold! Yay!
The live Twitter Art Exhibit is over, but their fundraising for Art in Healthcare continues at https://www.artinhealthcare.org.uk/tae19.php
@YelenaArt Congrats your #TAE19 card has been sold https://t.co/3HhiMtyDBE Fantabulous news and thanks again for supporting #twitterartexhibit fundraising for @artinhealthcare
— Twitrartexhibit 🌏 (@twitrartexhibit) May 15, 2019
My little Jay that got sold at #TAE19 looks all pretty in its new happy home. Thank you for sharing the photo, Sharon! Great choice of frame!
Delivered my latest drawing to the Sequoia Gallery today. It is for the HIP 2B Square show that benefits this nice and cozy cooperative gallery and its artist studios. The show opens on April 2nd with a reception and award announcements and runs through May 3.
Sequoia Gallery is located at 136 SE 3rd Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97123. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm.
The gallery provided an option of a 12″ x 12″ Blick canvas or primed and cradled wood panel, and I chose the panel.
After the fiasco with an Ampersand panel it was interesting to try something different. To my delight, the texture of the gessoed wooden surface was strong but pretty even and was almost as easy to work with as good textured paper. I will do more with it, just maybe without cradles. Not a big fan of working edges of those things.
One of my very favorite things to draw after horses are dead trees in different stages of returning back to elements. This one still holds up pretty well, a final testament to how high and wide it managed to reach in its lifetime.
“Changing Colors” is going to the silent auction at the Oregon City Chamber of Commerce annual celebration night on February 23 at the Pioneer Community Center. The auction is going to help support the Chamber. OCCC is very supportive of arts in the local community, of TRAG where I am a member, and of events that TRAG organizes. It’s a pleasure to help them a little too.
Two of my drawings, Newborn and Sun Kissed, have been accepted into the first quarter of this new year-long, daily series showcasing artworks via social media to inspire the community to take a moment to reflect and appreciate art and artists. I love the idea and am pretty happy to be a part of this program.
One artwork will be posted per day and artists will be credited using the artist’s name, title of work, year created and mediums. All posts will carry the #YourArtMoment hashtag. Watch for it for your daily moment of local art!
And here is the first of selected images shown by the City of Beaverton on Instagram:
My little foal featured by the City of Beaverton!
The biggest problem with pencils is that you can never use all of them. There are always leftover stubs that become too small for your hand and must be thrown out. It may be not a big deal with graphite, but what about colored pencils that can be quite expensive?
I learned to split the stumps and either crush leads from them for backgrounds or use them whole in a clutch pencil. But apparently there is a better way to fight stump waste: a Tsunago sharpener that actually creates a never-ending pencil. I need to try it!