yes...this is a plug

for a dear friend who I think is FANTASTIC! okay...you want a photo that really shows "who you are". A shot that captures character, personality and a unique pose and of course, something that is artful...not just a photo with that plastic smile.

This is my plug for William Bragg, a incredible photographer who just opened shop right next door to the gallery! Lucky us.

This first shot is of "lovely Hannah". Of course we are prejudice because she's the daughter of Shelley (she works with me at the gallery!). If you knew Hannah you would say..."My God Will....you captured the girl!" Sweet, darling, beautiful...wow.


Here are a few more shots that Will took for senior photos. Don't you agree? He's got talent! Just check out his website at http://WilliamBragg.com

Letters and Lunchboxes...oh my

I recently visited Anne Furr's studio and viewed her work for our upcoming show...Letters and Lunchboxes.
Her studio is huge and has amazing tools...total envy by me!



As we sat and contemplated the show, Anne told me about each piece and her "hidden meanings".

Such as "Bullies on the Bus", a very personal experience when she was young.
"Bullies on the Bus is a real life story piece for me because I rode a school bus to school every day. These are some of the kids that rode on my bus. The bullies sat at the back of the bus and the girls sat in the middle, but not too far away from those "bad boys"-after all we had to have some fun. I sat with my best friend Audrey; she had blond hair that flipped perfectly. Our bus driver always looked unhappy and I wondered sometimes where he really wanted to take us - to jail or to school? But the bus would then screech to a halt, the door would swing open and the school bell would be ringing.


As I looked closer I had to chuckle when I she told me about this one: "Stuck at Home!"
You're stuck at home, staring out your front window. You wonder if you made the right decisions. You wonder if the ice skating would have been more fun than the ironing contest, even though you won by ironing more pillowcases than anyone else. You are the envy of the neighborhood with your rooftop award, your enormous gorgeous flowers and your perfect man. You have so much to do, but he tells you, "let's sit and have a cup of coffee and I'll tell you again about the evolution of clubs and balls."


And who doesn't LOVE Dick Tracey? "Call me for Lunch"
Of course this is Dick's last case. Three ruthless gangsters are just around the corner, waiting for him to show. It's a setup and he knows it. He needs time. He needs an out. He needs for you to call him for lunch. You know his number-go ahead and press the red button and call him.


Last but stunningly the coolest is Wonder Woman...who wouldn't want to be her!
She even has flashing lights! (it took me several shots to capture them on)

My day off started

with going to the dentist. I realized that I could walk to the appointment and get some much needed "visual time"... which I did. Walking downtown and seeing little glimpses of nature, buildings and signs kept my mind off my appointment.
I think that artists often see differently. We see compositions, color and texture in almost everything around us. Today was one of those days...with my ipod and camera I was off to my appointment and destined to get some "visual stimulation".

One of my first discoveries was this wonderful little piece of nature down by Mill Creek. At the base of these steps was a rock where one could sit and watch the water drift by. I wondered if very many people knew about this treasure. I envisioned having dinner at this little table.


As I walked along the railroad tracks I had to stop for a self portrait, a "shadow" self portrait.


Next was this train with graffiti splashed on all the cars, rushing by with blurred images.



I survived the dentist! On my way home I walked through the grounds at the State Capital and photographed Bill Blix's beautiful sculpture. What a monumental water feature.


and more "shadow sculptures" (that's me on the left).


I stopped along the way to photograph bits of orange, one of my favorite colors.


I remembered about this hidden show at the Oregon State Library. My friend Rick Yurk from BAM agency told me about it so I had to stop in. The work is by artist Hugh Hayes. Hugh designed many of the signs and brochures for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Worth seeing.






I was easily distracted and took a little detour. I have always loved these two buildings, the shapes and colors are beautiful against the sky. Being a potter, these building shapes remind me of working in clay. I saw slabs, stains and textures.



After walking behind the large buildings, I walked down a railroad track and came upon a few treasures...one was this giant number 4. Quiet moments were spent discovering.


Some interesting graffiti!


AND this giant button that begged me to push it and run. Nope...wanted to but I didn't.


On my way out I looked down to see this sign...oops.


Before leaving I came upon this little gem. I think it's used for trains??...I loved the sculptural elements of the shape, the peeling paint and the shiny lock. This was quite the find.


Just for comparison, this is a bad visual...why oh why. ugh.

Proud Mama

My son Adam lives in PDX and was part of First Thursday with his artwork.


This large painting is by Adam and his friend David.


I love this picture...I have a feeling he takes after his mother...loves to create but hates to clean up.

First Thursday!

We are "Popping Up" in Portland tonight for First Thursday! We will be at the opsis architecture building and will be showing the work of Katherine Mead. Please stop by if you are in Portland tonight...I'd love to see some familiar faces!

Why not?

Today we wanted to "shake things up" in downtown Salem. We added grass to our front sidewalk and created our own little "Art Park". It's pretty funny to see the various looks from those that walk by.


Our lovely Tina relaxing in the "Art Park"!


Stop by on First Wednesday and visit our "green space".

After many hours...

we finally have our next show hung and ready for this next week.


We are showing various foundry molds that were made in the 1920's along with artwork that has been created using these molds as the starting point for the art. Chris Giffin, Emily Stuart and Carolyn Garcia have paid tribute to these pieces by creating one of a kind artwork.


Wooden Foundry molds are getting harder and harder to find. Foundry molds were created by craftsmen/pattern makers pre- Industrial Revolution. The molds were pressed into compact sand where its image was left and then wax was first applied to the cavity and molten iron was poured in making cast iron parts for machines or tools. The old ones are made mostly of wood many are painted with India ink.

Here is a glimpse at some of the pieces which are unique, transformed and ready to hang on any wall! Give us a call or stop into the gallery starting Tuesday, August 3rd!