Last Thursday night was Guardino Gallery’s 8th Annual Day of the Dead opening reception. Attending Last Thursday on Alberta is always fun, but Guardino’s openings are even better, especially when the guests dress up in celebration of Dia De Los Muertos.
I created several assemblage pieces for the show.
The show runs through October 26. Guardino Gallery is located at 2939 NE Alberta in Portland, OR.
I was invited by Kristina Trudell, a Washington artist I had met in a previous workshop, if I would be willing to teach my plaster/oil/cold wax class, Abstracted Play, either in Salem, Portland, or Washington. Since I have a daughter in Tacoma, I decided to make it a road trip. Of course, if I’m on an art road trip, it usually involves Tory Brokenshire. I invited Tory to join me, and she did the driving; we picked up two artists along the way and made the trip north last Friday afternoon.
The class was held at the home of Kathie Vezzani, who lives in Gig Harbor. Oh my. She prepared a wonderful space for the workshop and provided several gourmet meals. (Side note: Kathie arranges art trips around the world, so check out her blog and get on her mailing list for information on her upcoming trips.)
Friday night we prepared our boards with paint and plaster.
By morning, the plaster was dry and ready for sanding and more paint.
Before noon on Saturday, we were laying down layers of oil and cold wax.
The food Kathie prepared was delicious, and the weather was perfect.
Then back to it.
Saturday night we took a little road trip to the Key Peninsula for dinner at Leslie’s house. It was a magical and dream-like evening.
Sunday was our final day. A time to work on our pieces, resolve problems, start over, scrape back, scritch, scratch, and finally, lay out our pieces for show and tell.
What a great weekend. And this was our view on the drive home Sunday evening.
My Scattered By the Wind Prayer Flag Project has come to an end. I submitted my proposal to the Salem Art Association in March and in May learned that my project had been selected for Project Space. I did my first blog post about the project on May 27th, and then offered regular updates throughout the summer. I didn’t know what to expect when I started, but it sure took on a life of its own and exceeded any expectations. When I submitted my proposal, selling the flags wasn’t even part of the plan. One thing led to another, and three months later, the project has come to a close.
THE FINAL NUMBERS . . . . . .
Flags mailed or handed out: 165
Flags distributed at Project Space: 33
Total flags distributed in one way or another: 198
Received back from those distributed: 164
Flags created at Project Space venue: 116
Flag-making sessions: 6
First Wednesday events where flags were created: 2
Special flag-making sessions: 2
Made by me: 28
TOTAL FLAGS RECEIVED AND HUNG: 308
Flags sold through Facebook and at venues for $10 each: 169
Flags sold at other venues at reduced price of $5 each: 33
Special donations made to the project: $400
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED FOR HILLCREST YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: $2,255.
The final piece was deciding what to do with the flags that did not sell – and there are still lots of beautiful flags. Several suggestions were made, everything from flying the flags outside to allow them to disintegrate in the wind, to tucking them away for selling in the future. I’ve decided to send them on their way to another project, a project that was inspired by this one. The flags will be going to SARC, where my daughter Amy works. Here’s information on how this project continues to be scattered by the wind.
The Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) is a non-profit organization founded by two sexual assault survivors in 1977. SARC operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. SARC is funded through government grants, foundations, and private donations. Our mission is to promote social justice by eliminating sexual violence in our community through education, support and advocacy.
For the past five years SARC’s Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) program has worked diligently to meet the individual and systemic needs of sexually exploited youth in Multnomah and Washington Counties by providing a victim-centered approach through our 24-hour emergency response advocates and long-term support case managers. To date we have served over 450 unduplicated teens find safe and secure shelter, gain access to physical and mental health care services, procure clothing and hygiene supplies, re-establish educational plans, build job skills, and through the process build a community of caring and supportive individuals who help the youth move towards their dreams.
Flags are being sold for $10 each, with proceeds going to SARC’s CSEC Prevention Program, a program that works to end exploitation of children, before it begins.
This past weekend was the Willamette Valley Open Studio Tour and it was a wonderful success. I blogged about my preparations for it in a post published last week, then this weekend was the event. I was ready.
Thank heavens my sister came to help both days! (So did my husband, but he was feeling camera shy.)
Then the visitors began to arrive. The first through the door were two friends from my Portland Art Collective group.
And then it was a steady stream of friends, acquaintances, and new friends. We captured a few in photos.
A huge hearty thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by, say hello, and buy some art!
My artist friend Ruth Armitage invited me to participate in a blog hop. I’ve never done one before so I decided it would be fun to accept. I met Ruth many years ago and our paths just keep crossing. Ruth has an amazing, active, colorful blog, a beautiful website, and writes an energetic newsletter. She is a master of keeping connected using technology. Ruth is truly the epitome of a working artist; she is always creating new work and is not afraid to experiment and push the envelope with color and new materials.
So, as I understand how this works, Ruth has written a post answering three questions and she has tagged three artists who, in turn, will write a post answering the same three questions, and then they tag three artists, and on it goes with the idea that we all get to meet new artists and create a new networks of artists. Here goes.
HOW DOES MY CREATING PROCESS WORK
I always have several projects in process and because I work in different mediums, it depends on which medium I’m working. I don’t jump back and forth too much; if I’m in a painting phase, I concentrate on painting. If I’m working on found object assemblages, I immerse myself in the process of laying out and auditioning vintage materials. So maybe a quick peek at the two areas would be fun.
PAINTING
When I’m painting, I first prep multiple boards. It is amazing how meditative the prep work can be. And there is something invigorating about the repetitive motions of not having to think “too” much during this initial phase: paint/plaster/sand/stain
After I have a nice stack of prepared boards, I’m ready to paint. I usually work in a series and on multiple boards at once. Last year I did a series about the loss of memory, so my focus was on building up surfaces, then tearing them away revealing portions of previous layers. Since I work in oil and cold wax, I have to allow for drying time, which is another reason I work on multiple pieces at once.
When I’m in my painting studio, I always have music playing. My friends tease me because I’m usually listening to the Flo Rida station on Pandora.
ASSEMBLAGE
I create assemblages using found objects, the fancy word for junk. I’m always on the lookout for cast off rusty or interesting bits, worn out wood, or old tins. Going to estate sales, antique stores, or vintage markets is an on-going, part-time job for me. My raw materials are all organized (more or less) and arranged in my basement studio. When I’m feeling the urge to create my Curious Elements or my Funky Junkyard Birds, or if I’ve been invited to participate in a show, I clear off the work tables and begin laying out possible compositions.
It is a trial and error process, a series of auditions – this bit here, that bit there. Once I determine I have a winner, then I begin the attachment process – glue to hold the pieces in place, then always some sort of cold connection for a more finished look.
HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE
Regarding my paintings, people consistently comment on two things when they see my work: my use of color and my depth and intricacy of layers.
My assemblage pieces differ because of the variety and uniqueness of the materials I use. Some components may be similar to something other artists are using, but the way I’ve designed my pieces makes them totally original. My Curious Elements differ in that it is about a 16-step process that is unique to me.
WHAT AM I WORKING ON
I have so many projects right now (and so many deadlines) that I have a big calendar in my studio to help keep me on track. Here’s a listing, but I’ll spare you the details.
Contribution for Serena Barton’s book on oil and cold wax
Prayer Flag Project
Day of the Dead show at Guardino
Day of the Dead show at Stone Buddha
Prototypes for pitching a possible 2015 show
November show with the Salem Art Group
Studio Tour pieces for sale
December Show and Sale
Ricochet Show with Cynthia Herron
And finally . . . . .
Proposals for teaching (yes, I hope to teach in 2015!)
Hey, this list makes me hyperventilate. I better wrap this up and get to work.
Before I do that, I have the privilege of introducing you to the three artists I’ve invited to participate in this blog hop.
Stephanie Brockway is a close, personal friend. We have traveled together, we have extensively junked together. She is one of my cheerleaders and a huge supporter of me as an artist; those kinds of friends are rare. Steph is an amazing artist. She is a painter (and it was in a painting class at Oregon College of Art and Craft where we met). Steph is also a prolific carver and she has had several feature shows. She just had a show at Guardino Gallery in Portland and has a new show opening at RiverSea Gallery in Astoria. Steph’s blogging is sporadic, but her intentions are there, especially with the pressure of accepting the invite for this blog hop!
Jennifer Campbell is a fellow scavenger of interesting metal and wood bits and we always run into each other at vintage junk fairs and markets, usually grabbing for the same thing. I met Jennifer when I joined the Portland Art Collective several years ago, and was introduced to her beautiful, fascinating found object jewelry and assemblages. I remember buying a metal flaming heart necklace as she passed it around during our monthly show and tell sessions. Jennifer’s jewelry has evolved and morphed over the years and she sells all over the Northwest.
Paula McNamee is a quiet woman who dabbles in many mediums and anything she does turns to gold. She is a painter, a jewelry maker, an art journaler, a textile artist, and a thing maker. She has a beautiful sense of color and is bold in her experimentation, which always makes for lovely and often unexpected results. One year she designed keys with stamped words, put them on a long chain, and added a bit of sari ribbon. I think I bought ten of them to give as gifts. I asked Paula to participate in this blog hop because I think more people need to be exposed to Paula’s art!
The 2014 Salem Art Fair and Festival has concluded, but I was lucky enough to be invited to lead an activity in the kids area on Saturday. The activity was painting and decorating a 16″ muslin Bendi doll. I led this workshop for the Salem Art Association back in October, 2013; here’s a link to that post: I’m Nuts For Art. Both art doll sessions were sponsored and generously funded by the Bush Barn Gallery Guides.
I’ve done lots of planning over the past couple of months in preparation for yesterday, with the most important being rounding up 60 dolls!
I got all of the supplies to the Salem Art Association and then on Saturday, arrived early enough to get everything ready.
Kids purchased tickets for the various activities . . . . .
We immediately had kids ready to make a creature and for the next four hours, there was a steady stream of activity. (PS We even had some adults creating dolls, some under the guise of helping their child and others blatantly creating!)
It was a wildly fun and successful day. But boy, was I tired that night.
I have hardly had time to do an update on my Scattered By the Wind prayer flag project. In a nutshell, anyone can make a flag, which is then hung in downtown Salem at the Salem Art Association’s Project Space venue. Flags are for sale for $10 each, with proceeds going to art programming at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility. For more information on all of this, please check out my previous posts.
May 27, my initial post about the project
June 15, an update on the project
June 24, the idea to sell the flags
All three of these posts were done before I was even set up in my area at the Project Space venue in downtown Salem. Since getting set up, I have hosted a First Wednesday, two community flag making days (four more to go), and received dozens of flags. That’s what this post is all about. Here is what it looked like as I was moving in the first of July.
Then the fun began. The public was invited to make flags in July during the First Wednesday art walk and reception.
I’ve hosted two community flag days. Here’s a look at the first, where so many great flags were created (and sampling of a few flags).
Then, last Thursday, a second community flag-making day (and again, just a sampling of the flags that were created).
To see all of the flags and more photos as the project progresses, please visit my Facebook page: Scattered By the Wind. Flags can be purchased by getting in touch with me to make payment and pick up arrangements.
Oh, I almost forgot. The most recent statistics for the project. Here they are:
Flags sent or given out: 177
Flags received back: 59
Flags hanging: 114
Flags sold: 47
There is still time to make a flag! They aren’t due back until the end of August, so shoot me an e-mail if you would like to participate: dayna@daynajcollins.com/curele.
Last Friday was the opening of the Salem Art Association Radius 25 show, a show for established and emerging artists living with a 25-mile radius of Salem. The theme for the show was Walkabout: Paths, Journeys & Destinations, with creative interpretations of this theme encouraged. I wrote about my pieces and how I chose to interpret the theme in a previous blog post. You can see it by clicking here.
I didn’t take many photos, but here are a couple.
The reception was so crowded and I did so much visiting, that I never got to see the entire show. I want to go back when I have time to enjoy all of the wonderful art. The exhibit, at Bush Barn in Salem, is up through Friday, August 29.
The Journey Home. My three paintings were accepted into Salem Art Association’s annual Radius 25 show, a show open to established and emerging adult artists living or working with a 25-mile radius of Salem. The theme for this year’s show is Walkabout: Paths, Journeys & Destinations. I immediately knew that my theme would be The Journey Home, the journey home for my dad, who died May 17.
I decided to use a previous painting (that my mother has hanging in her kitchen) as my inspiration. Here’s a page from my working art journal.
We were asked to write a process statement, describing our process and subject matter. Here is what I submitted:
My three Journey Home pieces were created by painting cradled wood panels with acrylic paint, applying a layer of plaster for texture and interest, sanding, scraping, then staining the plaster with watered down acrylic paint. All of this was in preparation for painting, which I did using a mixture of oil and cold wax applied with a putty knife. The subject matter is a further exploration of working in layers and its relationship to memory, something I began experimenting with over and year ago in response to my father’s descent into dementia. My dad lost his battle with Alzheimer’s just a few weeks ago and these pieces were created in response to his death.
Lots of layers and contemplation went into these three pieces.
The finished pieces.
The show runs from Friday, July 11 through Friday, August 29, at Bush Barn in Salem, Oregon.
My prayer flag project, which I outlined in a previous post, is gaining momentum. It officially begins in July, but I’ve been doing posts on Facebook about my project and inviting friends and acquaintances (or strangers) to join in by making a flag. So far, I’ve sent out and distributed about 100 flags, which means lots of ripping, ironing, and sewing is going on so I can send out the flags.
All of the flags will eventually be curated and strung together, then hung for the Salem Art Association Project Space opening reception on September 3. My initial idea had been that after the reception, I would contact the library or a school and see about having them hang somewhere public for a while. Then a friend asked if the flags would be for sale, which got my brain to swirling and I’ve decided that I’m going to sell the flags with proceeds going to the Salem Art Association’s art program at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility in Salem. I’ve also been invited to offer a class to the boys teaching them to make a prayer flag.
I’m thinking out loud here, but my thought is to sell the flags for $10 each, making them affordable to purchase. As of today, I’m thinking the flags will be available for purchase on September 3. More on all that later, but I’m excited to think that the flags will serve a greater purpose.
In the meantime, I’ve been painting and creating flags myself. I have three series going. One is crosses and cruicforms.
Another focuses on black and white (with a spice of red).
And finally, a whole series where I’m using vivid color and lots of line work.
Want to make a flag? E-mail me your name and address and I’ll send you prayer flag kit. I’ll even include a stamped, self-addressed envelope to make it easy to send your flag back to me: dayna@alleyartstudio.com