I have been invited to, and accepted to participate, in three shows this spring.  I am very honored and excited about each one!

Fire on the Water: Dragon Boat Art Show is a Group Art Show inspired by The Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races.  This show was created by my friend, Alea Bone, in 2014.  An amazing artist, and Dragon Boat racer, she conceptualized this show to coincide with the annual Rose Festival.  This is a great show to be in!  This year's show is split between two venues.  One venue is right downtown by the water where the Dragon races take place, The Little River Cafe atthe Riverplace Marina 0315 SW Montgomery, The other venue is Atomic Pizza at 1936 N Killingsworth St. I have TWO pieces in this show this year, and you can find my pieces at the Atomic Pizza location.  Show runs May 1st – June 30.

The next show I am doing is also very exciting for me.  This is the first year I have been invited to participate in this show.  The Little by Little Show is the brain child of Portland legend Chris Haberman.  (The same super hero that brings us the Big 500 every year!)  This show will open on Friday, June 1st in downtown Milwaukie.  The art will be hung in four venues, The Beer Store Milwaukie/OneDer Gallery (10610 SE Main),  Milwaukie City Hall (10722 SE Main), Wine:30 Bistro (10835SE Main), Painted Lady Coffeehouse (2045 SE Washington) 

This show is going to be really fun.  Show starts promptly on June 1st at 5pm, when sales begin. ALL art is $40/each, Cash/Carry, First come first buy.  200 artists. 10 pieces each, 2000 pieces.  Super psyched to have been invited to paint for this.  

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Finally, the third show I am participating in, is one that is dear to my heart.  The Recycled Rain Project Art Show. The Recycled Rain Project is a non profit organization formed by local artists to share art and to increase awareness regarding water issues.  We all need clean water, people!  This will be my fourth year participating, and I am always so honored that I receive an invite to be in the show.  One cool aspect of the show is that the piece you submit has been made using....recycled rain water!  I collect my water in mason jars during our rainy spring.  There is always plenty of gorgeous art in this show.  The opening for this one is June 2nd and the Ford Gallery, 2505 SE 11th Ave, Portland, 6pm -9pm.   A portion of the sale of all works from RR2018 will be donated to Columbia Riverkeeper.

So, yes, I have been busy in the studio!  I hope I will see your face at some of the upcoming art shows.  Thanks for reading!

I'm slowly getting my painting groove back.  I felt like I needed to back away from painting this past year.  I had a piece in Last year's Recycled Rain Project, and I did seven small pieces for the Big 500, but that was it.  Those few pieces were hard...I felt like I had to pull them out of myself.   The fun was not there.  I felt frustrated and uninspired.  All those cliches you hear about "the Angsty Artist"?  Yeah.  No.  I'm not about that.  That is not the best "work" mindset for me.  I do much better when it's a "play" mindset.  It was time to walk away for a break.

I all but abandoned my studio, but I did pick up my cameras.  Since I was having painting issues, I focused on capturing images with my camera.  It's relaxing and I've always loved the instant gratification of a good shot.  It was a wonderful thing to do during my respite from painting.  I will be updating my Photo section of this website soon.  

I ventured back into the studio about two weeks ago.  Everything was in it's place and for the first time in several months, I felt like I wanted to play with some paint.  So, I did.  I've been playing every day since and it's been fun.  So fun, that I have accepted three different show invitations this spring.  I'll be trying some new techniques and I'm trying for a looser style than where I was previously coming from.  I will not be giving up my bright colors.  That is what I missed the most during my break.

I know I always say this, but I will try to update this blog more frequently as I get my groove back.  I have 12 paintings due in the next few weeks, and instead of feeling overwhelmed, I'm feeling pretty excited.  Yeay!

Due to the herculean efforts of Alea Bone, Fire On The Water: A Dragon Boat Art Show, is back for it's second year!   I am pleased to say that the piece I submitted for consideration for this show was accepted!   This Unique Group Art Show, sanctioned by the Rose Festival, is inspired by the rich tradition of Dragon Boating in Portland. The purpose of this show is to highlight one of the most glorious spectacles of Rose Festival: The Dragon Boat Races (which are held on June 11 and 12 this year)

Over 75 Artists have created work inspired by the Rose Festival Dragon Boats. Representing a diverse cross section of Portland Talent, this show is a stunning collection of artistic interpretations, including oil paintings, acrylic, water color, pen and ink, encaustic, mixed-media, batik, wood burning, wood carving, ceramics, assemblage and photography by both well known and emerging artists.

The opening for this show is Thursday June 2 at Portland'5 Center For The Arts  (1111 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97205)
Starts at 5pm....I hope I see you there!!  More deets can be found at this link:  
Fire On The Water: Dragon Boat Art Show


I call my piece "Lord Qu Had Drowned".  The research I did regarding the origins of dragon boat racing was quite fascinating.  Here is some background on Lord Qu:  The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the life and death of the ancient patriot-poet Qu Yuan who lived from 340-278 B.C. Qu Yuan was a minister who advocated reforms in his home state of Chu. The King refused to listen to Qu Yuan's advice and instead banished him from the state of Chu. In exile, Qu Yuan wrote poetry expressing his concern for his country and people. In 278, when Qu Yuan heard that his home had been invaded, he drowned himself in the Mi Lo River.
The people of Chu rushed to the river to rescue him. Too late to save Qu Yuan, they splashed furiously and threw zung-ze, steamed rice wrapped in reed leaf, into the river as a sacrifice to his spirit and to keep the fish from Qu Yuan's body.
Since that time, some 2,000 years ago, dragon boats are raced on rivers in China and people throw zung-ze into the river to honor the memory of Qu Yuan.

The Dragon Boat races themselves are a beautiful event, so it is easy to imagine how the pageantry and excitement of the races will be conveyed in Art form by the fine artists participating in this show.  I am honored to be among them!!  Come get your Dragon on!!

Next up, we have The Recycled Rain Project!  This is my second time being included in this show and it is an honor to have been chosen to participate.  Water issues are a cause dear to my heart, and The recycled Rain Project has been partnering with local artists and educating the community on water issues for five years now.  This show entails a group of Portland artists coming together to create original works using collected rain water.  Each artist is selected by a jury of fellow artists and other people who are connected to the local art community.  This year, the line up is amazing, so you can imagine how excited I am to be included!

You can find out more about what the Recycled Rain Project is all about at this link:   

www.therecycledrainproject.org


So, the opening for this awesome show is Saturday June 4th, at the Ford Gallery.  Opening details can be found here:   
Fifth Annual Recycled Rain Project





One of the cool things about this show is using collected rain water to make your piece.  Since I paint with acrylics, rain water lends itself very easily to my work, and since we had a pretty wet early spring, I had plenty of water to use.   What's cool to see at the show are the different ways other artists have used their rain water in their different techniques.  I hope you will come out to see this beautiful show!


I decided to do a triptych for my project this year.  I wanted to do a painting based on a quote I read years ago and took to heart by Loren Eiseley.  "If there is Magic on this Planet, it is Contained in Water."  That statement rings quite true to me and, perhaps due to my upbringing on a large lake, touched my soul, so to speak.   To convey the quote and to try to bring it to canvas, I envisioned a fantastically beautiful water cycle.   I use color primarily to set the mood of a painting, but I also like to create a place that is so peaceful yet so visually dynamic that the viewer of the piece would want to "BE" there.  Anyhow, I hope I have succeeded in conveying the Magic on this Planet in my piece.  Below is a slide show of my process for this work.   

Well, first off, the "Fire on The Water" dragon boat themed group show is still hanging and it is a gorgeous sight to behold.  Opening night was fantastic fun and seeing all the beautiful art work was magical.  HUGE KUDOS to Alea Bone for dreaming up this great show and making it happen.  This fiery, dynamic Art Show was sanctioned by the Portland Rose Festival, and the sheer volume of people who attended the opening are proof of how popular the theme is.   Very cool.  The show will hang until June 30th and it is at Antoinette Hatfield Hall, 1111 SW Broadway.  There are still beautiful pieces available for purchase.  Do yourself a favor and go check it out and see if one of the Dragons calls to you!

I should also mention that if you cannot physically go to the show, it is now available to view on Pinterest.  You can make a purchase that way as well!  Check it out at this link.....     https://www.pinterest.com/alpngal/dragon-boat-art/

I am participating in several new shows that are opening this month that I want to give you the deets on.  This past weekend, I dropped off 12 pieces that will be shown in the "Maker's Dozen" show at People's Art of Portland.  This is a great show and I was so excited that Haberman invited me to participate.  Twelve artists each choose twelve pieces for this show.  There is no theme and anything goes.  I chose several of my favorites plus some new work.  Did I mention that I was so excited to be invited for this show!?  Haha!  The opening is this Saturday, June 20th.  Doors open at 5pm and in true People's Gallery fashion, the opening will be a sweet event with food, beer and a dj.  I hope you can go check it out.  (If you can't make the opening, the show hangs until July 12th.) People's Art is at 700 SW 5th Ave (Pioneer Mall, 3rd floor)

Another exciting show that I am doing is called the 88 Strong show.  88 artists are given 8 boards (8" X 8", of course!) and 88 different themes to choose from.  All art is framed by Po'boy Framing.  Opening night is June 25 at the Goodfoot Art Lounge,  (2845 Se Stark) starts at 5pm and goes till midnight.  All art is cash and carry ($50) and the art goes fast, so get there early-ish!  This is also a fun opening with lots of people, dj, and cool art.



I had alot of fun with these pieces.   The 88 themes had something for everyone.  I chose eight different themes, but tied them together with the use of animals as my subjects.  I went for a fun illustrated look.  Really enjoyed myself with these and I hope to do this show again next year!  Below are my eight...you can click on the images to see what the theme for each piece was...

Finally, I am participating in another Siren Nation event called, Paint your Art Out.  This is a great show and the second year I have participated in it.  It is also a fund raiser for Siren Nation and half the proceeds from all art sales go towards this great organization.  I have four of my matted and framed photographs in this show and I hope you will go to the opening and check out the art and perhaps buy a piece or two to help out the cause.  Siren Nation's mission is to inspire and empower women of all ages to create their own art and to highlight the many achievements of women in the arts. Siren Nation promotes and showcases the original work of women artists by creating year round performance, exhibition, and educational
opportunities.  The show is at Olympic Mills Commerce Center, 107 SE Washington St.  Opening reception is Saturday, June 27th 6-9pm.  If you can't make the opening the show will hang till August 8th.  Hope you can make it over there.

Well, that's what's happening, art wise, with me for the near future.  I will be spending some time on the east coast again this summer and I hope that when I return home to Portland I will be newly inspired and will have some new paintings coming out for the fall.  Until next time!  Have a great summer!

So...in true Di fashion...it's been several months since I've checked in.  Ahem.  Well, here's a quick update....quick because I have deadlines, baby!  

First off....I have a piece in this year's Star Wars show at Good: a gallery.  Scott Foster has curated yet another great collection of all things Star Wars.  It's a great show and I'm so happy to be a small part of it.  Check it out, it will hang for the rest of May.  Deets at this link...... http://goodpdx.com

I have a painting hanging at the Arbor Lodge Coffee shop right now.  They are having their annual Sasquatch show.  It's also a contest.  If you are in the neighborhood, check it out...have a great cuppa coffee and vote for your favorite rendition of Big foot.  If you vote for mine, well, THANK YOU!  haha!   Deets at this link....  http://www.thearborlodge.com

I am currently painting my little brains out to prepare for two shows I've been invited to participate in.  The first one is a Dragon Boat themed show.  This has the added excitement of being a sanctioned event of the Portland Rose Festival, and I am so honored that I am included.  This show is the Brain child of the uber talented Alea Bone, and her hard work is so appreciated!!  Deets for this for this show can be found at this link.... www.rosefestival.org/event/dragon-boat-art-show

 

I have also been invited to submit 8 paintings for the 88 Strong Show at The Goodfoot Art Bar and Lounge.  (2845 SE Stark)  So honored to be considered one of the "88 strong"!  88 artists get eight 8" X 8" boards and are given a choice of 88 themes.  All pieces are priced at $50 each at this awesome cash and carry show.  This show opens on June 25, at The Goodfoot.  Doors open promptly at 5pm and the event will go on till midnight.  It's always a fun event with DJ, tons of cool art, interesting people, and beer.  I will post more details about this show as the event gets closer.

Finally, for something completely different....

I was extremely honored to be approached by my friend, Fred Swan, to write an essay for his very cool web zine.  Fred is a fantastic artist and author, and he is also a mentor to so many of us artists here in Portland.  Here is a link to his website, and my essay....enjoy....  http://fredrickswan.com/knee-deep-in-spring/

....2015 already?  Happy New Year, Lovelies...even though we are already a month into it!  

This time of year there is always many awesome art things going on.  The Big 500 ended about two weeks ago and it was an amazing show.  The people who make that show happen are absolute rock stars because it is a daunting endeavor, indeed.  On pick up day, after the show came down, I was happy to only have three of my ten still unsold.  One of those is already spoken for, but these two are still available....let me know if one of them speaks to you.

I recently spent a few days away, having fun with some friends that I have known for almost my entire life.  What an amazing reset of my energy!  After laughing maniacally for four days, I returned home with a sense of serenity and focus that I definitely didn't have before I left.  I am hoping to put this mind set to work in the studio and bust out some new work.  There are a few group shows coming up that I want to participate in, and I will update more on them as they grow closer.

I have eleven pieces currently hanging at Peter's Bar and Grill, which is located at 5701 NE Fremont street.  (Corner of Fremont and 57th) If you are up around that area, pop in for a look.  The food there is actually very good and they have delightful specials and a nice happy hour as well.  If you pop in for lunch do tell them that I sent you!

Oh, before I sign off, I want to mention something sort of cool.  Last summer, my big-foot piece was selected to be used for the Refer Badges for the Oregon Fair.  Not a huge deal, but it made me happy to know that all the lovely behind-the-scenes people making the fair happen were all wearing my big-foot image around their necks!  Ha!

Ok....now to get back to work in the studio.  I hope to have some exciting updates for next time I check in!  Tah!  

Good day!  Just want to get the word out that this Sunday, November 2nd is the Siren Nation Art and Craft sale.  This sale has become the only sale I participate in anymore because it is just so fun and the other artists I meet during the sale are so awesome.  SO...I hope you will come on out to the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave) and check out the art and say hello.  The sale will be held from 10 am till 4pm and we will be in the gymnasium.  I will be selling a bunch of my tree themed art as well as some of my notecards and prints of my photos and paintings.  I do have some exciting news for those who have been asking...I just had my painting, "Family Tree", professionally scanned and I now can offer super high res copies of this painting at a fraction of the cost of the original.  I will have a sample of the print, on canvas, with me at the sale so do stop in to check it out and see if you want to order one.  I will only be printing a limited number of this painting.   The amazing thing is the scan is so fine, that the printer can actually make the prints even bigger than the original painting and not lose the integrity of the image.  It's pretty amazing, and it looks great on the canvas.  

Do feel free to contact me if you want to discuss a print.  (Or just to say hi, too...I love that.)  Maybe I'll see your beautiful face at the sale this Sunday....ta for now!

Well, in my true fashion, it has been a snake's age since I have written here.  That does not mean I haven't been creating things, however!  Have been pretty busy since the middle of summer.  I had a nice solo show at The Arbor Lodge coffee shop. A beautiful space that is always filled with lovely people.  Sold four paintings and a print, all told, so that is always super cool.    

I also had some photographs in the Siren Nation "Paint Your Art Out" show.  It was a lovely show and I am always pleased to participate in Siren Nation Functions.  Speaking of which....I am honored to be participating in the upcoming Siren Nation "Natural Wonders" show!  The opening will be Thursday, November 6th at Albina Press (5012 SE Hawthorne)  I have submitted two pieces for this show, and they will be in fabulous company, so come on and check them out!

Another Siren Nation event I am participating in is the yearly Art and Craft sale held at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd in the gymnasium) on Sunday, November 2nd 10 am till 4pm.  I am going to be selling some of my tree themed paintings this year as well as some of my handy notecards.  Come on out and say hi!

I have a fun, spooky little painting hanging right now at the "Things That Go Bump In The Night" show at The People's Art Gallery (700 SW 5th Ave, third floor), as well as my "Lacerta Iridi" piece.   The gallery is showcasing the super cool and rad poster art of Zoltron, plus works by 100 other artists.  I was lucky enough to be one of the 100 invited to submit work.  Go downtown to check it out and see all the creepy, spooky art.  (Great halloween show!)  Show hangs until November 9th.

Speaking of People's Art Gallery...I hope you will save the date for the Big 500.  YES!  You read that right...the Big 400 is now the Big 500 this year.  I have my ten boards and once they are done, they will be hanging in the gallery for the biggest craziest show of the year!!  The opening is December 13th 2pm till 9pm.  It's total mayhem as people swarm the galleries (all the galleries on the third floor are used to hang this immense show) looking for a treasure from their favorite artists.  All pieces are $40 cash and carry and part of the proceeds go to the Oregon Food Bank.  Win-win!!  Mark your calendars!!

Last, but totally not least...one of my fav galleries has issued yet another fun, challenging theme.  Good;a gallery is having a Bill Murray themed show that opens on December 5th.  I am very excited to be participating in this show and who the hell doesn't love Bill Murray?!  I hope you can come on out for the opening and check it out.

Well, sorry to unload all that info on you at once, but that's what happens when I slack off the updating.  I know I always promise to keep up, but let's keep things real here, right?  ha!  Thanks for reading and I hope I see your face at some of these cool events!!  As always, if you see something on my site that catches your fancy, please feel free to contact me about getting it into your life!  Ta!

Well, been sort of slacking on the blog updates, but that does not mean I have been slacking on the art stuff!  Been pretty busy, honestly, and it's been nice.  I recently had 6 photographs in the (now over) Printmaking And Photography Show at Splendorporium (3421 SE 21st St)  It was a great show and I was thrilled to be a part of it.  Had a sale, too, so that's always a nice bonus.   

I've got a bunch of new stuff happening for this month so let me fill you in.

Good Gallery is at it again with another Star Wars themed show.  I can't help myself, I love this theme and I have a new piece in this very fun show.  As many of you know my penchant for Yoda, he is once again the subject of my new painting.  I hope you will come out to the opening this Friday, May 2nd!  Opening is 6 -10pm and Good is at 4325n. Mississippi Ave.  I would love to see your face there, but must tell you that I will be there on the earlier side since I have ANOTHER opening that same night.......

....This opening will be another group show called "The First of May".  It is a circus themed show and my submitted piece was accepted.  Yeay!  This event will be THIS Friday, May 2nd, at AFRU Gallery, 534 SE Oak St, 6pm-midnight.  Aside from some fabulous art, there will be performances by Wanderlust Circus and Awall and music by Professor Gall.  Sounds like a fun evening to me, so it would be great to see you there!

The Recycled Rain Project was founded to help bring awareness to local artists and the various water issues facing both our state and other’s abroad.
The Third Annual Recycled Rain Show will take place on Saturday, May 10th 2014 at the Olympic Mills Gallery in Portland, Oregon. All juried artists will create original works using only collected rainwater. While the subject matter in the art is varied, the over concept is to bring to light simple ways that we can rethink the way we use water. Part of the exhibit will also highlight local and national water group's everyday ways that individuals can do to make a difference. A portion of the sale of any works will be to The Human Access project, a local non-profit focused on making the Willamette a safe, clean and accessible for both wildlife and humans.  

As you may guess, I was accepted to create a piece for this show!  I am pretty excited about this one, not only because my work will be shown along side some extremely talented artists, but I like the concept of using art to reach out and highlight the importance of our water. 

Hope you can come out for the opening of this show.  I've seen some sneak peeks at what some of the other artists have been working on, and it's going to be a beautiful show!  The Olympic Mills Gallery is at 107 SE Washington St
Portland, OR 97214.  Please plan on attending!  The Opening is Saturday May 10 and runs 6 - 10pm.

I've also been working on a few other projects and commissions, but these gallery events are where I get to show the public eye what I've been up to.  As always, I would love to see your face at the openings of these shows.  The hoopla is just so exciting and fun, but remember, you can always check out the show at a quieter time during the regular gallery hours.  These shows will hang for approximately a month, so there is time to see them at your convenience.

I plan on posting my new work on my painting page after the openings, so you can always see them there if you can't come out for the actual event. 




Now, to tell you about a few other cool events that are going on...

The Art beat show is still going on down at People's Art!  This show is absolutely incredible.  Every single artist that has ever been featured on the awesome show, Art Beat, has a piece in this show.  The show is so large and varied, it is not only hung in People's but also The Mark Wooley Gallery and what used to be Place Gallery.  (Place has since moved to a new location)  It took me almost two hours to take this show in and it went so fast.  It's one of those must sees!  Showing till June!  700 SW 5th ave, third floor!  Get there!

Another feast for the eyes is currently hanging at the Goodfoot.  The 88 Strong Show is aptly named.  88 artists, 88 themes.  That means there is ALOT of art on those walls!  Each piece is 8"X8" and framed.  Each piece is $50 and it's cash and carry.  There is a ton of awesome art still there, including some work by fellow artists and friends, Peggy Pfenninger, Alea Bone, Sylvia Mann, Caroline Green, David Guardado, Fred Swan, Chris Haberman and many more!  It's a great opportunity to purchase some great work by your favorite artists for a very good price!  Go check it out!  Goodfoot is located at 2845 SE Stark.

This next show openings this Thursday, May 1st.  This is going to be very cool.  A friend of mine, Katie Welch, has organized a showing of super cool poster art.  Her parents, Tin and Carol, started a theater company in Portland called "Slabtown Stop Theatre". They were both very active in acting, directing and producing. Tin even had a part as an inmate in "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" filmed at the Salem State Hospital. 

With this show, Katie will share her collection of her parents' theater posters from the early 1970s and a little history of what NW Portland was like before the Pearl. The collection, with works by great local artists like Henk Pender and Jere Harley, will be up for the month of May, but the opening should be fun this Thursday, because a lot of people who were involved in the scene will be there, memorializing Tin and Carol. 

Should be an excellent opening and I hope you will go to check it out.  
Opening Reception
First Thursday, May 1, 2014
6 to 9pm

Crawford Gallery at the Friendly House
1737 NW 26th (at Thurman)


Well, that's about it for now.  There is always more on the horizon, but I will check back in when the time is right.  Till then, Cheers!

So, I dropped off my pieces for the "Mounted" show this past weekend.  Yep...PIECES.  Plural.  I felt extra inspired by yet another of Good Gallery owner, Scott Foster's, brilliant and fun themes.  This show is going to be a real feast for the eyes!  The opening reception will be this Friday, March 7, 7pm-10pm.  Come on out to good:a gallery, 4325 N Mississippi Ave to check out my pieces.  (They will be in GREAT company!!)  I hope I see your smiling face there!

There is still time for you to catch the "Wild and Woolly" show at Arbor Lodge Coffee House.  (1507 N Rosa Parks Way)  This show really is a hoot and the Bigfoot art is awesome.  If you have a soft spot for this Cryptid with the huge dogs, be sure to get over there to check it all out.  While you are there, cast a vote for your fav.  (If your fav happens to be my piece all the better!  ;-)  )  This show ends on Saturday March 15 at which time there will be a closing reception from 6-9pm.  I'll be there, and it would be awesome to see you there, too!

Oh, I guess there is one more thing!  I currently have eight of my photographs, matted and framed, hanging in the reception area of the NW Women's Fitness Club.  (2714 NE Broadway)  They are available for sale.  If you work out there, be sure to check them out!  Even if you don't exercise there, if you are in the neighborhood, you can pop in for a look see.  

Duh...ONE MORE THING.  Last summer I was honored to have four of my paintings chosen by the art curators who stage the sets for the show, "Portlandia".  It was all very hush hush and they had my paintings for the entire filming season.  Well, turns out they used one of them and it came back to me with all these production notes written on the box I packed it in.  This Thursday, March 6th the episode my art was used in is set to air.  Look for it hanging in "Kath and Dave's" bedroom.  Omg, right?  30 seconds on national TV?!  Pretty neat.

Ok...I think that is really it now.  Yep, so that's where I'm at.  I have a few new projects I'm working on and there are some more fun themed group shows coming up on the horizon.  I'll write about them when the time comes.  Until then....xoxo