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!

Studio Visit with Rob Bibler

Not many people know this but across the street from the gallery is Rob Bibler's art studio.


It's usually locked but on this day I was invited for a visit to see his latest work. Lucky me.


I couldn't help but notice all these collections of paints, tools and still life objects.




As we sat and discussed his art, I kept thinking how lucky I was to know him and his wife Carol. They both are amazing artists.


I had to take a shot of this pencil drawing that Rob did when he was 25 years old. His wife Carol was his model...just stunning.

The Salem Art Fair

was great this year. Lots to see and the weather was perfect!



Shelley and I decided to check it out by riding down on the little scooter. It's my little orange Metropolitan that only goes 30 mph. We attempted to take this shot showing us as "biker chicks".


Every year we open our home to friends that are art fair artists. Ruth Armitage, Jane Aukshunas (plus husband Karl), and Diane Culhane were our guests this weekend. We live about a mile from Bush Park so there never was a rush to leave the house. Hanging out and talking is high on the agenda in the mornings and when they come "home" from their day at the fair.

We spent our mornings drinking coffee and discussing the "state of the arts" while our evenings were relaxed with toasts to our friendship. Artists do make wonderful friends!

Our Portland Opening

with the works by Katherine Mead was a success! The Opsis space on 17th and Lovejoy showcased the artwork perfectly! Even though it was a hot evening the turnout was great. The space is open to the public for the month plus we'll be there for First Thursday in August! Come on up!


Katherine was celebrating her 50th birthday with 50 paintings. These small landscapes were my favorites!


People watching...


Katherine asked her friends to give her advice for turning 50...Here they are: Boy...can I relate!

1. It's not what you did, it's what you got out of it.
2. Your brain has a longer shelf life than your body-excercise it well.
3. An acquaintance is someone you know-a friend is someone who knows you (and likes you any ways).
4. There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.
5. "No offense" is usually followed by something extremely offensive.
6. As you age, true friends are harder to come by but much easier to recognize.
7. Know yourself. then be someone worth knowing.
8. At least once, everyday of your life, something will happen that was an episode of Seinfeld.
9. Your children rarely notice when you are right, but rarely fail to notice when you are wrong.
10. A true friend is always there for you-even when it's inconvenient.
11. Trying too hard to be young makes you seem even older.
12. Attitude is 90% of happiness-so the odds are in your favor.
13. Staying made will age you, annoy you, and ultimately earn you nothing.
14. What I should have said was....nothing.
15. Putting yourself first sometimes is good for the entire family-even martyrs are boring.
16. It's better to be liked and respected.
17. Maturity and age don't necessarily go hand in hand.
18. Always having to win is a losing quality.
19. Perspective is most valuable when you have it.
20. Fifty is only middle age if you live to be 100.
21. The more you learn, the more apparent it is how little you know.
22. Always being curious, not botox, keeps you youthful.
23. The one thing I know for sure is that I'm not sure about much.
24. Accepting your flaws will make forgiving your mistakes much easier.
25. Multitasking is a way to do a great many things very badly.
26. Every modern convenience creates another inconvenient demand.
27. Do what you love and you will love what you do.
28. Just when we start to slow down life decides to speed up.
29. An older brain is like a full hard drive-it's only slow because it has so much information on. It takes a little time to access the data.
30. DNA determines more about us than we give it credit for.
31. Finding serenity is a hard fought battle.
32. It's not who you know-it's what you know.
33. I want to have character not be a character.
34. When you want things too much they elude you-when you relax they flow to you easily.
35. You have to work hard to make marriage look easy.
36. Our children make us most angry when we realize we are looking in the mirror.
37. Raising children is as much about being an example as anything else.
38. Being nice to people is almost always a good idea.
39. Gratitude is a precious commodity.
40. Make sure you have a really good laugh every day.
41. I need to be nice to a total stranger at least once everyday-it's a Karma thing.
42. Making lists is a good way to purge your mind of the mundane tasks of life and free up your mental hard drive for more creative thinking.
43. Traveling is a fundamental necessity-missing your connections a fundamental reality.
44. Comfort is settling in what you know-growing is getting out of your comfort zone.
45. Saying no and meaning it is much better than saying yes and not meaning it.
46. Never be afraid to ask a question or ask for help. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is a sign of strength.
47. Information is learned, insight is earned.
48. The sheer beauty of 30,000 feet is more powerful than my sheer terror of heights.
49. Raising teenagers will test you and give you strength in unexpected ways.
50. Someone to love, something to do, something to look forward to.

Thanks Katherine.

Pop up gallery in PDX!!!!

Isn't it interesting how things fall into place? I'm not sure if I've mentioned this but I've always wanted to "try PDX"...not just for a visit but to have an art opening and show. We decided to give it a try and hope to see your smiling Mary Lou Zeek Gallery faces at one of these opening events!

Introducing....Katherine Mead.


50@50
50 paintings by Katherine Mead to commemorate her 50 years of living, learning and observing.

Opening Reception & Celebration
Saturday, July 10th, 2010
5:30-9:30
920 gallery
920 NW 17th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97209
(Corner of NW 17th and Lovejoy)

Also...First Thursday, August 5th, 2010
5:30-9:30

If you need additional details...please give us a call!