more, more, more...

cans have been arriving today...just take a look at our UPS driver, one great guy that LOVES the art...always walks by the gallery and yells out "ZEEK!!!!" Gotta love this guy.
When looking at these images you will see a couple "close up shots" of the insides....yup, some people made their cans with lights inside so you can see an image and one even made a kalidesope...what great imaginations!!!!!!

Late night stress....

with my photographing all of the pieces that have arrived for the 100 Artist show. I drag out my makeshift photo studio at the front of the gallery, hang up paper, adjust my tripod and then attempt to take the pics.

Another stress factor.....I'm also trying to learn how to manage my new website. My explanation for this learning curve is like pinching myself until I want to scream in pain and then the relief when the pain starts going away. My agonizing over the "paths", appearance and adding pages" have me stressing but when it works...wow! success! Maybe it's not THAT painful.

So...instead of adding the images to the website right now I thought I would just add a few of these for the blog. All of the images will be added in one lump right before the show but now you can get a "taste" of these incredible pieces! Get it? A taste? Raising money for Marion Polk Food Share? ok, ok...I know, I've been at this computer way too long, forgive my humor.
Just take a look...pretty cool! Again...lucky me, I LOVE all of these artists!

100 Artists Show

is almost here and we are busily preparing. Today I spent part of my day photographing the work that has been delivered for the show. Amazing pieces! This photo shows William Skrips artwork, the image was shot by the one and only William Bragg...photographer extraordinaire! Lucky us to have this talented guy living in Salem!

While walking this morning

I couldn't help but take my camera. Shadows again were intriguing me.
I also loved the contrast...freezing temps but wonderful sunshine.

More shadows...

I love taking pictures of shadows. I've been intrigued with taking shadow pictures for years and never tire of seeing how light filters through the windows. I think my favorite images are of Cooper and his crazy looking shadow.

Cooper's spot

is right in front of the fire. Each morning he can hardly wait to take his nap....

My sunny wake up

when I walked into my kitchen this morning. I loved the amazing shadows that the sun was casting onto my cupboards.

Driving to Portland

I just had to take this picture from the car window. I love Oregon.

Particularly in this joyous season,

when art brings so much extra in our lives, I hope you’ll consider the value of art, every day in our community. Our downtown has lasting visual interest because of all its historic buildings. Salem’s cultural nonprofits provide year-round programming that deepens daily life and ignites imagination in our children. Art and culture give so much to community, now’s the time to give back. Please consider donating to any cultural nonprofit. When you do, you’ll have the opportunity to earn the reward of a 100% tax credit by matching that donation with a gift to the Trust. You give twice but it only costs you once, since your entire Trust gift returns to you on your 2009 taxes. On December 23, the Statesman Journal praised the value of this remarkable program, http://tinyurl.com/yd34ul2. By December 31, double your cultural support at no additional cost: www.culturaltrust.org
Merry Christmas and thank you all for supporting the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery and our wonderful artists.

For our latest project...

we are helping our son and his girlfriend remodel a 1908 home in Northeast Portland...when I say "we" I mean my husband and the two kids. I usually go up and ooooh and aaaah at all the hard work that's gone into this project.
I love remodeling. Usually when my husband and I plan a project I get to have fun with creating the ideas while he does all the work. I leave in the morning for the gallery and when I arrive home I see things transformed. Lucky me.

Now with this new house project I have been able to watch my youngest son do some transformations with the guidance from my husband. Bringing two individuals together, working on such a massive project has been astonishing.

First I must say that my husband is the linear thinker, sequentially starting at point A and moving in an orderly fashion. My son is the creative one, the child that moved me to tears with joy when he wanted to cover a refrigerator with astro turf. At that point in time I felt like I had succeeded in raising this child. No...he wasn't going to Harvard, but he was a creative thinker...I couldn't have been more proud.

This house started with rough floors, ripped wallpaper, boarded up windows and many other problems. Now the kids have moved in and are creating their own memories. Adam couldn't have done this without Kristin. Everyday I see their creative minds coming up with ideas and I can't wait to see the progress.

Gallery girls...

Today the gallery staff celebrated the holiday together at my house. It was great getting together to talk about families and life.
From left to right....Tina, Mary Lou, Shelley, MiKayla and Roz. These great people are the creative glue that holds the gallery together. I couldn't do it without them, they ARE the best and are also wonderful friends.

Nice things do happen....

in these economic times. We recently were contacted by Holly Eyre for a unique gift idea for her husbands business, Jim Eyre Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. She wanted to stimulate the local economy and buy handmade artwork from our artists. She arranged to purchase 80 pieces for gifts to be given to clients.
We contacted 4 talented artists (Pat Horsely, Natalie Warrens, Barb Campbell and Cindy Jenkins) and had them create 20 pieces each. This shows Holly with all the packages! Thank you Holly!

Silly fun....

Some days we have a bit of fun while working at the gallery. Lucky for us we know a wonderful photographer friend named William Bragg, he stops in every so often slinging his Brooklyn accent throughout the gallery.
On this day we twisted his arm to take this crazy photo of Shelley and myself to help in one of our promotions. Of course we found a zillion things to correct when viewing the photos.....wrinkles, "do I really look like that?" or....we can't use that photo cause my eyes look crossed! After much fuss we realized that our friend William was a master with photoshop...Thanks Will.

Opening reception in Mary Lou Zeek Gallery 2

Last night we hosted our first reception in the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery 2 with work by artist John Van Dreal and Rachel Sabin.
Great fun, relaxed and filled with an art crowd.

MLZ Gallery 2

We are almost finished with our Gallery 2 space for "Appointment only" clients. Our first showing will be recent works by John Van Dreal and Rachel Sabin.
Rachel is the recent recipient of a Willamette University Carson Grant. Through this grant, she studied the traditional techniques and methods of oil painting under the tutelage of Salem painter John Van Dreal. Using imagery drawn from the Masters, both John and Rachel painted together through Summer and Fall months, expanding Rachel's artistic skill and exploring common figurative themes. This show, the culmination of that mentorship, offers a view of Sabin's impressive emerging style as well as a glimpse of Van Dreal's new work.
Please give us a call if you would like to take a view, phone: 503-581-3229

Yikes!

I can't believe it's this close to the holidays and I'm scrambling to get ready. This picture will show you just how we feel...."Got Art?".
We have our "wish list" waiting for you to fill out and would love to drop a hint to those who need it.

We hope that everyone takes the time to stop in to see the work by all of our fantastic artists! Buy Local, Buy Art.

Carolyn Garcia

must have patience of a saint. Her paintings and drawings are the most amazing pieces I've seen in a long time. I find myself just standing and staring at each of her pieces when working at the gallery. Her her paintings and her works on paper show detailed line quality that just stops me in my tracks. If you see me just standing when you walk by...take me by the hand and lead me back to work...I just can't help myself.

Lynn Whipple

Our show for the month shows works by Carolyn Garcia and Lynn Whipple. As you can see, this little "ninny" by Lynn should raise a little chuckle from deep inside. Her old photos have been painted over and have created stunning images that will make you want to sit down for a long study...a must see in person. Also...if you are a "bird nut"...Lynn's largest piece shows a bluebird casting a shadow onto her assemblage. Tweet.

Seeing color on a grey day....

just makes me want to smile. These sweet little pins of color were created by Suzanne Vinson. They seemed to practically jumped out of the box with their layers and tiny stitching...they took over the gallery with saturated color. yum.

Art Mail!

Art Mail

By Mary Lou Zeek

Book Preview

We published another book on blurb.com showing postcards from our summer show at the Project Space. Check it out by clicking on the book image and it will take you directly to my books on blurb. You can also click on "Author's bookstore" to see my books from previous shows!

A face to love....

We are working on a house in Portland as of late we are in the demolition stages....at least the dogs were happy.... well sort of.
Maddie in the front is always happy. Gramps has the puzzled look because he's wondering why I haven't brought him his chicken treat and Cooper (dashing blue sweater boy)...what can we say...he would rather sleep through all the noise.
To be a dog.

Eight Oregon Potters Association potters...

..have shown their work in the Governors Mansion (Mahonia Hall) for the last 10 years.
Each year I have been coordinating a showing of pottery by OPA members in the formal dining room cabinets. The pieces stay in the cabinets for one year. The pieces are then given back and a new group bring work for the following year. Yah Potters!!!!

The official staff show off the artists work when giving tours and having functions at the home. We've been told that this has been a highlight for many of the visitors.