So, here it is, December already!!...and MONTHS after I last updated my art blog.  SO MUCH is going on, and that is the main reason why I have not updated.  That's what I tell myself anyway....they don't call me Di Procrastinault for nothing.  Haha.



Anyhow...let's start with the Monster Mash Show.  It was a very fun show at Good: a gallery on N. Mississippi Ave.  This was a group Show that I was pleased to have two pieces in.  This show is now over and these pieces have not sold and are still available!  Let me know if are interested.

Aren't they fun?  I had a blast painting them.  So next up, I was invited back for the 2013 Siren Nation fine art show.  The theme this year was "Then and Now".  I decided to revisit one of my fav paintings I did way back in '94 when I lived at SW 11th and Clay.  We had such a lovely view of The Old Church from the balcony of our apartment.  I painted that church many times, but only kept one of the paintings, "View From #52".  
I decided to incorporate that painting into my Then and Now project.  I first went to google maps and searched out what that intersection now looks like.  The church is still the same, but where the Benson House used to be, now sits a 26 floor condominium.  (Needless to say, the view from #52 ain't what it used to be!)  Using the google map images, I made a black and white image of the intersection.  (Have I ever mentioned how much I love sharpies?!)  I posted the image on a board set on my easel and then projected the image of my old painting over the top of it.  I then took a photograph of the image that was made on the board.  That became this:

I like how the "Then" part came out all ghosty and slightly blurred, much like our old memories can be.  This show, at Albina Press on SE Hawthorne,  is actually ending tomorrow.  Sorry for the late notice, but whaddaya gonna do?   This piece is spoken for, but the beauty of this technique is I can make beautiful prints.  Let me know if you want one.

I currently have a bunch of my paintings hanging up at the Kenton Family Wellness Center at 8315 N. Denver Ave.  If you are over that way, I hope you will stop in and take a look.  Most of the paintings hanging are available for sale, so contact me if you want one.

So, just today I dropped off my three pieces for another Good:a gallery group show.  This show is called "The Art of Giraffe".  Scott Foster, the gallery owner (and fantastic artist himself) always has the funnest group themes.  This show opens up next Friday, December 6.  Hope you can come out for the opening reception 7pm-9pm and check out all the awesome Giraffes!
Good:a gallery 4325 N Mississippi Ave Portland Oregon.

Also, the Big 400 is coming up.  Some of you may remember the 10 pieces I did for the Big 300 of last year.  Well, the show has grown again!  Super exciting is the fact that my daughter Leni was invited to paint for it, too!  We both took ten boards each and had a blast working together in the studio.   The opening is Saturday December 14th, 2pm-9pm, at the Peoples Art of Portland Gallery, located on the third floor of the Pioneer mall (700 SW 5th Ave).  This opening is OVER THE TOP!  Really, ya gotta be there to believe it.  Over 400 artists means almost 4000 pieces, all 8" X 8" , hung in two galleries.  Add music, including opening ceremony bagpipes, beer, wine and crowds all searching the walls for a treasure.  All paintings are $40 each, cash/credit and carry, no matter who painted them.  Part of the proceeds go straight to the Oregon Food Bank, so this art event is a true winner.  Hope you can come out for it.  Oh, and please bring a can (or two!) of food for the OFB collection!

FINALLY...just for fun.  I participated in a group event called "Flood the streets with Art".  The idea was to leave a piece of art in a random location for someone to "find" and keep.  The day after Thanksgiving  was chosen as "Drop" day.  I thought it would be fun to do so I made a small (7" X 8") copy of my "View from #52: Then and Now" and mounted it to wood.  On drop day I left it on the yellow MAX line in downtown Portland.  I hope whoever found it enjoyed finding it as much as I enjoyed making it and leaving it.  So fun.  There is a page on facebook where you can check out some of the stories about the art drop, which ended up being an international occurrence.  check it out here:  

Well, I think I'm about caught up.  So excellent to be busy making art.  

I also wanted to mention that not only are my paintings available for sale, I also have prints, photos and note cards available.  There is nothing like giving a local handmade gift, and 'tis the season for giving coming right up.  Please feel free to contact me if there is something I have made that you would like to have in your life, or in the life of your loved ones!  Cheers!

Anna Bannana's has a new location they just opened up!  You can find it at the corner of NE 24th and Alberta, where they are serving up awesome coffee, pastries, sandwiches, beer and wine.  I feel honored that they invited me to hang up my paintings in their new, bright space for the month of May.  Please stop in to check it out if you are in the neighborhood!