Before I even had a chance to write my goals for this year–including all the steps to reach them–a goal was met, which dictates all the remaining goals for the year, PAINT!
Here’s what happened–a gallery owner and her husband saw my work in a publication (American Art Collector). Her husband said, “Watch this artist”. She contacted me via email and said, “We love your work”, we met at the gallery on Tuesday, January 5, and the rest is history. I now have my first major gallery representation at Northwest By Northwest Gallery in Cannon Beach, OR.
I feel honored to be represented by NW by NW Gallery, hosts of some very prestigious artists.
The cool thing about this is, “Gallery representation in Cannon Beach, OR” was the first thing I was going to write in my goals for the year. I feel so blessed to be able to check that off my list and move on to the next thing on my list–PAINT–which is exactly what I need to do to reach the goals that Joyce, the gallery owner, and I have set. My focus will be on producing more pieces to add to the bird-watcher series, which means, it’s time to start blogging about the adventures of Orin T. the bird-watcher–something I’m sure you are looking forward to.
Yesterday, I began cleaning an area in my studio for the still-life where the Great Blue Heron will “live.” This is the fourth painting in the series, the creative juices are flowing–it’s wonderful to feel excited about this series again and to have a place where it can be seen by so many.
Heron props–soon to be arranged. Orin T. is feeling overwhelmed by the project.
Most of you who read this blog do not live nearby and can’t stop in and visit, so I’m bringing you a narrative, day in the life of, studio tour to you.
It is a beautiful day here in the Pacific NW. I started my day doing my Doodling Devotional (which I post every morning at DoodlingDevotional@wordpress.com–shameless plug, I hate it when people do that!). Then off to Lewisville Park with my dog, Bekkah, who meet a new golden retriever friend. They romped around while I visited with the dog’s “parents.” I love walking at Lewisville Park. It’s a little like over the hill and through the dale, to grandmother’s house we go. We start out walking a mile through the woods, which in the spring looks different every day. It was as if the woods exploded into every shape, shade and texture of green, with a pop of pink salmon berry flowers here and there as well as a clump of Trilliums dotting the ground. Then we’re down the hill and walking another 1 1/2 miles along the currently, rushing Lewis River. It’s a feast for the senses–especially if you’re a dog.
Let’s get back home….studio tour days are unpredictable so I eat a couple fried eggs and a piece of toast, this had better hold me for a while. Indeed it was a good idea because my next meal didn’t come until 3:45. (We will have to be more prepared with snacks the next couple of days.) The day started slow. I had time to answer a few emails and catch up on things that I needed to do. Around 11:30 everything changed. My first group was ladies from the coffee shop (thanks for bringing them Linda–you know who you are), and it never ended till 5. I had a blast seeing friends who drove an hour to get here and coworkers from a past life, as well as new friends from my gym. It never ceases to amaze me that people would take time out of their day to come see what I do and to take such an interest in it. I am most blessed!!! Thank you everyone–wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. You haven’t seen the tour yet. The entry to my studio as you come into my driveway, and of course, the door going in. (Don’t you love the welcoming, hand-written sign, oh, if you’re tall, duck your head coming in so you don’t hit the canopy.)
Welcome to Kara’s studio. I put a canopy here hoping people will realize they need to come here instead of my front door.Please come in.
Several waves of friends and acquaintances flowed through today. I have been pleased to see the interest people have taken in my plein air pieces. It’s definitely time to paint more as several have found new homes. As you come into my garage/gallery/studio, this is the first thing you see. Two of these pieces have found new homes.
First impressions–Bekkah, my dog taking a nap when she was a puppy and a few framed plein air pieces.
I have painted several new bird paintings this year already and it has been fun to get a vote on the two that I should enter into an international show I’m hoping to be chosen to participate in. This is my new last year “gallery” space.
So far the vote for the paintings to enter has been “Territorial Dispute,” the large painting and the American Bittern piece which is still under construction/wet.“Evening Preen” is also a piece in the running for me to enter. I’m interested in what everyone out there in computer land thinks.
So far I’ve been standing in one place to take the last two pictures. If you spin around to the right you will see that I’m set up to get some painting done–possibly tomorrow. We’ll see if anyone comes.
Maybe I’ll paint!
Now, let’s go into the inner sanctum–where that easel is usually set up–my studio. It’s usually warm and cozy, music is playing (Hey, that’s what I forgot to do, turn on the music!) and the instant I come in I feel inspired. To the right as you come in the door are two pieces I painted in a couple of workshops with William Cochran. Teacher and artist extraordinaire! This is where I learned about values and color and working with a VERY small pallet–the result, vibrant, harmonious paintings. Thank you William.
Top painting done in black, white and sienna I believe. Lower painting was painting with primary colors plus black and white.
Take two steps further and on the right is my desk where I am currently sitting and typing. (I’m invisible and chairless–spell check says this isn’t a word–in this view.)
Above my desk is my wall of inspiration. Lots of stories there. Bekkah’s bed and my pretty tin garbage can that I LOVE!! It was my mother-in-laws. A real antique. Oh, the desk and file cabinet were hers as well, just remembered.
Now, I’m sure you’re tired. Have a seat in the chairs that used to be in the reception area where my husband works. I did a little upgrading. Behind them are my “barn door” display walls. You don’t want to know what is behind them–actually, it’s blank canvases and supplies. These are a few plein air pieces. It’s a great way for me to have a place to set small wet paintings and enjoy them even after they dry. Sorry about the glare.
Take a load off and visit.
While you’re sitting you can look at the other wall. Here you will find a collection of reproductions of my first three in the Bird-Watcher series–what inspired the concept behind this blog.
A few things to look at while you relax. If you’ll notice, under the drafting table is the prop I used for the hummingbird painting. It was sitting up on the shelf where the poppies reside and I stood on a step stool to paint that painting so I could maintain the perspective. I had a light rigged behind the window to shine through onto the still life.
A little more to your left, more things to look at. Two older pieces.
A couple of older paintings. The nest, “Waiting to Crack,” is in acrylic, and the Beware painting is mostly done with my faux finish plasters, spray paint and chalk. The bird area I masked off so it would be smooth. This piece is called, “What City Birds Hate, Scary Graffiti.”
The tour is now coming to an end. I am getting hungry again and should go eat and crash. Thank you for taking the time to walk through my day with me. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. And, if you happen to be in the neighborhood, stop by. I’m here tomorrow and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Some of you may have thought that I, BW, no longer existed and that this blog was solely about the artist. You’ll be happy to know that we have an adventure planned. A picnic!
Here I am preparing to head out.
Preparing for a picnic adventure with Great Blue Herons
My camera is packed, notepad on hand and a tablecloth to sit on, just in case its damp outside (personally I think we need a checkered tablecloth though–maybe Kara will listen to me on that). The only thing missing is my bird book and food, but we plan to collect that when we get to the bird refuge. We will catch creepy, crawly snakes, scurrying mice and flopping fish, all delicacies meant to entice a Great Blue Heron. (Hopefully, Mr. or Mrs. Heron does not mistake me for food.)
During our picnic I will be collecting important information about Herons that I can pass on to you. While studying the Heron in its habitat, we plan to get some good reference photos that Kara can use to replicate our picnic in a painting. Our goal is to have the fourth painting in The Bird-Watcher series done by the end of April. A lofty goal since this is going to be a big painting, but it is attainable…I have faith in her. I’m sure she will keep you posted as this process progresses.
In closing–I thought you might like to see the ‘selfie’ I took last summer.
“A . . . Albatross, your turn Howard.” Grandma announces.
“B . . ., Bobolink”, says Grandpa, “You get C Kara.”
I quickly reply, “Cardinal, your turn again Grandma.”
“D is for Dodo Bird,” Grandma laughs, “Now you, Howard.”
My grandparents and I are speeding west on I-84 from Eagle, Idaho to Walla Walla, WA. We have just completed a couple of weeks of sorting through their home of 40 years. Tokens of their life had been sold at a fraction of their sentimental value, cards and pictures of yesteryear reverently revisited, a farewell party with old and young paying their respect and tribute to the contributions they had made to their community and church family the past 50-some years, and now for the last time, it’s time to go.Continue reading “Birds?…..Here’s Why. The Artist’s Side of the Story”
It was early winter, 2010. I was sitting back taking in the sights, high up on a shelf filled with porcelain elephants, pine cones, old plates, marbles, doll heads, moss and so on, when I was picked up with curious purpose and roughly examined, head swiveled, legs and arms twisted and turned every which way. I was plopped down, stood up, bent over, and given the once over from every direction. Finally, I was inserted right in the middle of a still life scene with a hot light bearing down on me, as if I was about to be interrogated. Again, my assailant couldn’t decide, should I stand, sit, lean or bend over? My little wooden head was swirling with questions and my body was sore from all the activity after years of inactivity. What was I doing here? Then, just as my eyes were adjusting to the light and I’d developed a tolerance to the heat, in swooped a frenzied flock of little acrobatic, inquisitive, feisty, noisy and somewhat obnoxious Pine Siskins.Continue reading “An Unlikely Bird Watcher”
Stories in My Mind 