Open Studios Are Coming!

October is a busy time with both Portland and Washington County open studio tours taking place. If you've never taken a tour, you should add this to your bucket list.

Four AOB artists are on the Portland tour, which includes a total of 106 artists and takes place on two weekends - October 8-9 and October 15-16, 10 to 6. Visitors can purchase a tour guide at New Seasons markets for $15. I got mine on a Wednesday with a 15% off senior discount.

The guide is organized by communities and contains detailed maps, an alphabetical listing of all participating artists, and images/information/directions on each artist. Art On Broadway Gallery is a premium sponsor of the tour this year - check out our ad on page 73. Be sure to include the studios of Linda Baker, Gretha Lindwood, Wendy Robinson, and Carli Schultz when you plan which studios to visit. Our gallery will be open both weekends during this event.

Washington County Open Studios takes place on October 15 and 16 and five of our artists will have their studios open - Linda Baker, Gretha Lindwood, Pam Nichols, Virginia Parks, and me, Donna Sanson. The guide for Washington County is free and available at the gallery while supplies last.

These artists offer visitors an opportunity to see where and how the artists make their art, and in most cases, visitors will see the artists actually making art.

Leonardo da Vinci once said, "An artist's studio should be a small space because small rooms discipline the mind and large ones distract it." (1) I'm not sure that the majority of today's artists would agree. Below are images from several famous artists studios - which one most suits your way of working? 

Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch N.M. Studio

Studio of David Hockney

Studio of Pablo Picasso

Studio of Alexander Calder

Chuck Close's Studio

Studio of Jackson Pollock

There Is Still Time...

Yes, there is still time to see the September featured show "Ceramic Constructions" at the gallery. Thom Caccamo has presented a truly unique collection of unglazed low fire earthenware sculptures that are made to hang on your walls. The show continues through Saturday, October 1 during regular gallery hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 to 6 p.m.

Pedestals by Thom Caccamo

The Other by Thom Caccamo

Wall of Thom's Sculptures

The exhibit includes a total of sixteen sculptures; it captures Thom's views on politics, the environment, and life's lessons in arrangements of various geometric and organic shapes.

CraneAge Fundraiser - October's Special Exhibit

We are honored to partner with the Beaverton Arts Commission to present an October fundraiser at our gallery for the nonprofit, CraneAge.

Patrice Demmon is the founder and force behind this wonderful organization which raises money in support of families who have come to Portland seeking medical treatment for their critically ill children. One hundred percent of all proceeds go directly to these families to assist with expenses: housing, food, transportation, etc.  Patrice describes this mission as the "dearest thing to my heart."

To achieve her goal, she came up with the idea of folding origami paper cranes and selling them for $1 each. She has personally folded over 30,000 cranes which she displays and sells as chains of cranes. In addition, Patrice has written a book for elementary school age children, Today I Will Be and invited prominent Portland artists to illustrate her story. The original artwork for the book will be displayed and for sale during the month of October at AOB Gallery.

Chains of Cranes Created by Patrice

Illustration from Today I Will Be

The exhibit opens on Wednesday, October 5, and continues through Saturday, October 29. An Artists Reception to celebrate the show will be held on Saturday, October 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. with complimentary refreshments and a chance to meet Patrice in person. We encourage you to attend and help us raise money for this important cause!

Patrice Demmon and some of her 30,000+ cranes

To learn more about Patrice Demmon and CraneAge go to:  https://www.facebook.com/craneagefund and/or http://craneage.org

A Jigsaw Challenge

I love jigsaw puzzles. My kids brought a 1000 piece puzzle of Gustav Klimt's The Kiss to the house we rented last week in Sunriver. I stayed up twice through the night working on it and almost got it done before we had to head home.

Working on puzzles is a great way to study the details of a painting - the variations of the values, hues, and texture. This one was a real challenge but very satisfying to get so many pieces in the right spots. Another way to better understand and appreciate what the artist has achieved!

Jewelry for Art Lovers

Wearing classy jewelry is one way we express our appreciation for artistic design. It makes us feel special and can change a simple outfit from daytime wear to a look suitable for an elegant dinner or evening at the theater.

We have four jewelry artists at the gallery - each one has a unique approach to the choices she makes in materials, texture, line, and style. But all four create jewelry that makes a statement and identifies with the designer's individual aesthestic.

We offer one-of-a-kind glass pendants and earrings by Carli Schultz; classic natural and semi-precious stone necklaces and earrings by Elaine Tan; stunning felted wool and beaded neck wear by Wendy Robinson; and silver/copper necklaces, bracelets, and earrings embellished with Swarovski crystals by Bert Cohen.

A sample of the selection you'll discover at our gallery is shared below:

Artists Reception on September 10

In case you missed the reception on Saturday night, here are a few photos from the event.

Thom Caccamo's exhibit, "Ceramic Constructions" continues through October 1. I hope you'll have an opportunity to stop by and see this outstanding collection of wall sculptures.

"The Other"

While you're there, you'll discover an extra treat on our guest wall where Paul Tice has paid tribute to his love and muse Michele. His tribute on Saturday night included a love song which he wrote and performed especially for her. In return, Michele rewarded Paul with a kiss!

Virginia Parks & Pam Nichols

The Silloway Sisters

Thom and friends

A Quote from Georgia O'Keeffe

         "A flower is relatively small. Everyone has many associations with a flower - the idea of flowers. You put out your hand to touch the flower - lean forward to smell it - maybe touch it with your lips almost without thinking - or give it to someone to please them. Still - in a way - nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small - we haven't time like to have a friend takes time. If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small.

          So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - "

Georgia O'Keeffe,

"About Myself," 1939


 

September Featured Exhibit In The Gallery

Exciting...Thoughtful,..Unique...just a few words one might use to describe the featured show for September at Art On Broadway Gallery.

Thom Caccamo has put together an exhibit of sixteen unglazed low-fire earthenware sculptures that invite the viewer to study and react. His show is titled "Ceramic Constructions" and his creations begin with a collection of individual pieces of clay that Thom has formed into various sizes of geometric and organic shapes. The creativity comes in when Thom takes these basic shapes and uses them to make a visual statement about the environment, the economy, the human condition, or sometimes just a fun combination of odd pairings that make me smile.

I bought one of Thom's sculptures about a year ago and it hangs on the wall just outside my home office/studio. I see it every time I enter that space, which is multiple times each day. The title is "Tranquility" and it is a welcome reminder to me to let any stress or discomfort slip away. I'm sharing an image of "Tranquility" on this blog and wish all of you stress-free, tranquil moments in your life.

"Tranquility"

To see Thom's latest work, you will need to come to the gallery. I'm not even going to post a sneak peek because you need to see these pieces without a preview. "Ceramic Constructions" is open daily from 11 to 6 through October 1 (Tuesday-Saturday). An Artists Reception will be held on Saturday, September 10 from 5 to 8.

Join us for a glass of wine, some light refreshments, and an exciting/thoughtful/unique exhibit of Thom's artwork.

A Thought From Edgar Degas

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."

Edgar Degas

July 19, 1834  -  September 17, 1917