Give Art (This is Not a Sales Pitch)
'Tis the season of giving! If you hate it, skip to the next paragraph. But I love it! I love the hustle-bustle, the crowds, the lights, the baked goods...oh, the baked goods! And I love to find gifts that those on my list really like to receive. It's so easy to buy for children-- toys, crafts, clothes, it's all new and exciting to them. But what to get for adults that already have everything they need? Well, how about art! Even the smallest town usually has a boutique or gallery with hand-crafted items that are so much more interesting than a tie or a gift card (unless it's for art, of course). And you just might hook them on original art! Here are just a few of the wonderful things available at my local gallery, Art on Oak:
enameled light switch plates
handmade soaps and lotions
leather mug/glass insulators
hand-tooled leather-bound journals
ceramic tea pots/cups
metal sculpture/coat hooks
maple wood-turned bowls
felt "stuff" bowls
hand-crafted jewelry
original paintings (natch! including some priced less than mine) :)
In the non-holiday world, I have been juggling commissions with getting ready for my first 2018 show. I'll be heading down to Palm Springs at the end of February. As an Oregonian, born and partially-bred, I'm completely disloyal in the wintertime. After Christmas, that is. And I am already looking forward to leaving the rain/snow/sleet/slush/grey/etc. of Oregon in February for sunny southern California. But I digress.
I've also been busy writing. Yes, writing. I secretly (i.e., told only my husband and kids) participated in the November Novel Writing Month thingy (you can look it up online) and wrote fiftythousandwordsofsomethingthatisdefinitelynotanovel. But it might be something... someday... I'll let you know! I have some ideas percolating, which I might share with you at some point. Are any of you writers? What do you write? Tell me!
Warmest regards,
Rachel
Feeling Christmas-y
|
|
|
|
Like a Heart Needs a Beat, 20x45 inches, oil on canvas, SOLD. Another commissioned painting for a client who, like me, is not afraid of the darks. I love it!
|
|
|
|
Close to the Heart, 36x36 inches, oil on canvas, $2750. Some day I shall learn how to use a camera. This image totally fails to pick up the complexities of color in the background hills and sky. It has to be seen in person to be appreciated, and it is one of my current favorites.
|
|
|
|
I thought you might enjoy seeing the progression on this recent 20x60 inch painting. I frequently get asked about "how" I paint-- do I start with the darks, or at the top, or with a sketch, or do I tone the canvas-- and the answer is I do all of the above, depending on the painting. Here is one in which I made a mimimal sketch (you can see it in the first image), and then painted onto bare canvas until I got towards the bottom. I then thought I'd tone the rest a bit, I don't know why, it felt right at the time. :) I was thinking of bringing some stronger orange/red tones into the foreground, but changed my mind. It needs a title!
|
|
|
|
Falling In, 60x48 inches, oil on canvas, $4500. Just to keep all the trees on the horizon from getting monotonous, here's one of trees in a gorge. :D Thanks so much to my friend, Todd P., for the reference photo. It's rare for me to paint from some one else's image, but I couldn't resist this one. Title credit: Rebekah S.
|
|
Rachel! Your reflection pieces are stunning and I appreciate your telling of being a juror. Well done and insightful. AND what an honor to have your Autumn piece be on the display at PAM. Oh, and your Emily Dickinson poem warms my heart. I must say I always wait to read your newsletter so I can take my time, reflect on your writings and latest works. -Marilynn R.
Thank you, Marilynn. I can't tell you how much it means to me when I hear from readers, and this was a particularly nice message. :'} I'd love to hear from others-- is there something you'd like me to talk about, expound on more? Any and all comments or suggestions welcome.
|
|
|
|
The painting,Vast Domain, above the mantle in this client's Bend, Oregon home is 80 inches wide, which gives you some idea of the scale.
|
|
|
SHOW SCHEDULE
Fall Open Studio: TBA It is seriously looking like I *might* be back in my studio by the end of the year, but it's a pretty sure thing that the "Fall" Open Studio is going to turn into a "Winter" Open Studio event. I'll keep you posted. If you can't wait, shoot me an email or text and come on out to see me in my 11-months-so-far-temporary space.
On-going: I have work at Art on Oak, Hood River, and PAM's Rental Sales Gallery & ECOpdx in Portland. Check them out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
ABOUT MY NEWSLETTER
New pieces, works in progress, notifications of art shows and other happenings, insights into my artistic process and always, some philosophical ramblings thrown in. You've been warned. :D
|
|
|
|
|
|
