Busy Weekend

It was a very busy weekend of art activities for me. On Friday the 6th the Rental Sales Gallery of the Portland Art Museum, celebrated 50 years of growth with a Gala event in the grand Ball Room. here is a view of the party when I arrived.

The crowd is mainly member artists,gallery volunteers,patrons and museum staff. A beautiful coffee table book was published which tells the history of the gallery and has reproductions by over 100 of the gallery artists. This is the painting that I have in the book.
"Edge Incidents" 36x36 Acrylic on Canvas

Then on Saturday morning I had breakfast with family members at the Jory, the restaurant in the Allison Inn. They furnished the property with all original art by Oregon artists and I was fortunate to have 8 of my paintings purchased for their collection. After a leisurely meal we toured the spa; the men's lounge has two of my paintings and here are pics of me next to them.


with "Pleasure Trap"



with "Yellow Sky"

Sunday I enjoyed an Oyster and Wine tasting event. Different oysters and preparations with different wines. Raw, barbecued, and oyster stew made for a full afternoon if you liked oysters. I'll spare my readers from pictures of that happening.
As always thanks for looking, and feel free to leave a comment or share this post with a friend.
Bruce

In the Flow

I thought I'd share a painting the is still in the thinking it might be done stage. Last week I got back into my painting routine and began this 4'x4' canvas.

Autumn Reflections 48x48 Acrylic on canvas

I began the with palette knives and heavy body Utrecht paint and modeling paste so there is a lot of texture and surface variation, The first stages were hard edged bands of a warm pink and purple blues with yellow orange for accent. I liked the colors yet it was not working over all so on Monday I scumbled over everything with a mixture of white gesso and neutral gray. It changed the whole concept that began the process to one that reminded me of reflections in ponds. The initial layers added richness and depth while the subtle greens,blues and golds some how recall my thoughts about Monet and his garden paintings.

My photo was not able to capture the colors and metallic golds in this painting; if I still like it in a week or two it will be professionally imaged.

While this was drying I got back to working on a still life setups and small 6x6 size. The exercise builds eye-hand and color mixing skills and I strive to finish in 2 hours or less. These are like musical scales for painters, the bonus is sometimes you get a keeper. I 'll add those later,

As ever thanks for looking and feel free to share this with your friends, and or leave a comment.

Bruce

New Works

Jambon, 30x30 Mixed Media

This is yet a further iteration of Jambon. I added the dark circle in on layer then sealed it with a resin pour and added some torn rice papers on the left side corners and another layer of resin.
Resin is a two part mix that is poured and spread in a 1/8 to a 1/4 inch layer like 50 coast of varnish at once.

While I was changing Jambon, I reworked a start into this version that is called Out of the Void.

Out of the Void, 24x24 Mixed Media

I'll live with this painting awhile to decide if any changes are needed.
If you are in Lake Oswego by the Thriftway on McVey at the south end of town, there is a fine coffee shop called the Coffee Nook. Traci the owner is now showing some of my wine and golf paintings.

Thanks for looking and let me know what you are thinking.
Bruce

I'm Back

I've been quiet for over a month now and the rest may have done me good . I have been reorganizing, cleaning up the studio and in general taking it easy.
On Friday the 16th, the Rental Sales Gallery at the Portland Art Museum, had their fall opening and here is a better late than not photos of that event.
This is Jennifer Zika the gallery director, underneath one of my new paintings(the top one).



This is a crowd shot of the gallery.



The Art Museum has several good shows on now which I hope to seen this weekend.
The China Design Now exhibit and a one painting show of Raphael's renowned painting La Velata (The Woman with the Veil).
I will do my best to be weekly if not biweekly in my updates.
Thanks for looking and let me know what you might want to read about.
Bruce

This Weekend

Since the last post I've been to Bend for Art in the High Desert a well run show where I met many good artists. This weekend is the West Linn Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday. I will also be at the Allison for there grand opening form 3 to 7. This is the new inn and spa in Newberg for visiting the Oregon wine country. They purchased all original art from Oregon artists and I was fortunate to have eight of my paintings selected for their collection. So I will be running between venues on Saturday and ending my day in Newberg.
Here is an updated image of one of the newer paintings.

36x36 Mixed Media

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think of the painting.
Bruce

FineArtViews Painting FAV15 (July 2009)

I had a nice surprise in my in box this am, a note form Clint Watson. He's the founder of FASO the company that hosts and designs the templates and features on my web site. .For the last three or four months he has sponsored a juried online art show and contest; and as a member I have one free entry. Anyone with online access may enter as often as they want and can afford. The good news is that my painting made what Clint is calling the FAV15, an Honorable Mention by another name. It was not in the first 14 spots but there were about 750 entries in all media, (oil,pastel,acrylic,watercolor, colored pencil) all judged by Josh Elliott, an oil painter, I'm very happy to have made his short list list. Here is the painting: Summer Cranes, a watercolor 22x30 image.

This Friday, the 20th, I will be at my Gallery in Welches to paint for 1-2 hours and give a talk at 7:30. Sandra Palmer always has the best snacks and something to sip so please stop by and say hello.

As ever than you for looking and let me know what you think..
Bruce

It's Too Darn Hot

If you live in the Northwest you are well aware the the weather has been much warmer than usual these past two weeks. I had a warm time at both Salem an Bellevue Art Fairs. It was nice to see old friends, collectors and meet new folks at these events. I look forward to working on the commissions that were discussed. I found it tiring in the heat to do two back to back 3 day shows; so my hat and heart goes out to all the hard working artists how do 3 and 4 shows per month. My 9 or 10 fairs this year is easy in comparison.
It has been over 90 in the studio the last three days which makes me look for other things to do in locations that are cooler.

Another 8 days flew by since I started this post and yesterday and today we have had showers in the Portland area, a welcome change.
It is amazing how time slips way from me in the summers--back to back 3 day shows plus drive time the a 5 day intensive training session a weekend to "relax" and a month is gone.
This weekend I will be at the Silverton Art Fair 10 to 7 on Saturday the 15th and 10 to 6 on Sunday in booth 31. If any reader is in the area say hello please.
On the 28th to 30th I will be at Art in the High Desert in Bend Fri- Sat hours are 10 to 6 and Sunday 10 to 4. I am in booth 71.

Black Red Gold 36x36
I had time to finish this painting this week.

Thanks for looking and I hope your summer has been full of fun.
Bruce