This traveling artist is about to head out once again on an art ministry trip. This time it's a month long road trip around the Northwest. I'm loading up my car to head out on the highway. I'm stuffing my backpacks full of art supplies, throwing in some easels and canvas, packing my sleeping bag and a cooler full of nourishment and leaving Boise for the open road. My stops...Seattle WA, Vancouver BC, Bellingham WA, and Portland OR. Stay tuned for creative blogposts along the way.
FIRST LEG OF THE TRIP:
DESTINATION SEATTLE
FIRST LEG OF THE TRIP:
DESTINATION SEATTLE
After packing the Art Van full of Art supplies and anything else I figured I'd need for a month long road trip, I headed out of Idaho for the open road.
There's something about the open road that appeals to me. Perhaps it's my childhood of growing up in a military family that relocated every two years to someplace new. Perhaps it's my innate American spirit that calls the pioneer in me to exploration beyond what is already known. Perhaps it's my artistic heart that draws me to experience new creative adventures no matter where they take me. I don't know. But I love road trips!
From Idaho to Oregon.
From Oregon to Washington.
First stop: the Pacific Northwest urban metropolis of Seattle!
my home for 13 years. Big city, cultural diversity, lots of water, tons of green trees, huge mountains, fresh seafood, good coffee, historic music, amazing art, fun people...basically everything I love! I lived in Seattle during the grunge phenomena of the late 80's-early 90's and the Rock the Vote Clinton era of the 90's. It was in Seattle that I received 2 college degrees, made friends for life, maneuvered my way through the labyrinth of Christian denominations (some legit, some not so legit) in search of Truth, pursued 4 types of job fields, struggled through some not so good life decisions, and learned that the only thing I wanted to be in life was...me. Boise is my home now (and i do love it!) but Seattle will always hold a dear place in my heart as the place that I "worked out my own salvation" (Phil 2:12)
This trip I get to hang out with one of my best friends who happens to be an incredible published poet. Can you believe we've known each other for 24 years! Where has the time gone?! I think we still look like we're teenagers! Today we took the bus from West Seattle to downtown and walked around University Village, Westlake Center, and Pikes Market.
He took me to the place he works at and showed me some amazing wall murals that were painted by a local artist. I really enjoyed this (as you know I create detailed wall murals myself).
I stood in awe of the enormity of the mural (roughly 15 feet high!) and the vibrant color details! I would've loved to work on something like this.
Next he took me to the Seattle Art Museum.
I was able to see a beautiful exhibit of Pacific Northwest Native American wood carvings.
I am a lover of native artwork (I make it a priority to study and experience the native artwork of the various countries and regions I visit when I travel.)
And then I experienced a treat!
The Seattle Art Museum has been remodeled and now has larger exhibit areas. I found myself weak in the knees as I entered the American Expressionist rooms. Much of my own artwork is influenced by the Abstract Expressionist Period (1940's-50's)
I was able to see an original Lee Krasner painting (the wife of Jackson Pollock). I've never seen her work before in person and this was awe inspiring to me! She was a talented and learned painter as much as Jackson was.
And then I swooned as I was face to face with an original Jackson Pollock painting that sat behind glass! The only other time I've seen one was in the Tate Modern in London back in 2002!
There are 3 main artists that influence my art. All are expressionists in their own way and their own era. JMW Turner (abstract romanticist 1775-1851). Vincent Van Gogh (post impressionist 1853-1890). and Jackson Pollock (abstract expressionist 1912-1956). I've been blessed in my life to view original paintings by each of these painters.
Today was a day filled with art through a good cup of coffee, a local wall mural, native carvings, street musicians and performers, famous paintings, and good friendship. And my trip has only just begun!
A WEEKEND IN SEATTLE
it was a weekend of...
sharing in deep conversations (that spanned numerous subjects from art, poetry, photography, important life decisions, health, difficult situations, and relationship experiences) with good friends while walking amidst colorful fallen autumn leaves.
happening upon mosaic sidewalks that beckoned me to browse inside shops featuring local artwork and jewelry and used bookstores where i purchased poetry and short story.
driving through city rain on the way to an autumn wedding set in the beautiful lush green outdoors of Puget Sound. (while there, i heard beautiful aesthetic music from a classical cello-violin duo, i observed a professional photographer work creative magic with her lens, i admired children dance and play with no fear, i saw a minister allow the words that he spoke from his heart to paint on the lives of the newlyweds. i was enveloped in love. it was a wonderful artistical experience!)
and it was a weekend of painting memorable moments in my travel journal.
this was a weekend FULL of good stuff with more to come.
ART IN THE CITY
i love art adventures. today i hopped on the bus and went exploring for art in the city. not art that is found in galleries or museums...but art that is outside, found in unique and odd places. currently i'm exploring Seattle (a city i used to live in). you might try exploring a new place you haven't been to yet or how about exploring the city that you live in as if it were the first time you were experiencing it. take a camera with you and a friend and go see what you can find through creative eyes. look for the art, the music, the sculptures, the performers, the unique things that might be hidden (remember to look up or down). you might even try and come up with your own creative twist to things. see what kind of fun you can have looking for art in the city.
ART ON THE WAY
Typically on my art travels, I am flying to another country or another region in the US, so I am limited on what I can take with me. Any art supplies I take with me must fit in luggage backpacks and either be carried on or checked in for airplane travel and can be pricey (depending upon weight, size, and how much I'm taking). So what I choose to take with me is usually portable, collapsable, compact, or able to be crammed in somehow. This trip is a bit different, in that I was able to pack whatever I "thought I might need or want" in the vehicle I'm driving. Actually truth be told it was a harder trip to pack for because the part of me that wanted to take practically my whole studio with me fought with the part of me used to being limited on travel space (and weight)that wanted to keep it simple.
One item I usually am not able to pack is an art table. Sometimes it's nice to have a flat hard surface to work on when painting (not all of my work is done on easles). Well, and even with this trip I certainly was not able to load my studio art table into the van I'm driving! Currently I'm unaware of a "portable art table" product that fits nicely in a backpack, but since I was driving I brought a flat piece of masonite with me that I could easily set on my legs (if I'm sitting on a couch or in a chair) or lay on a floor (if I'm spreading out).
I enjoy moments where I can do small sketches and paintings in my travel journal. Depending upon the specific trip, what the schedule looks like, where I'm staying and what my accommodations look like, I enjoy being able to document the trip in word and imagery as I go.
Many artists have their own way of art journaling. Everyone is different in their approach to art journaling. Some write and sketch/paint. Some just sketch/paint. Some fill a journal up and move on to the next. Some have several journals going at the same time. Some teach classes and write blogs to aid others who want to learn more techniques on how to make journaling more creative and memorable. And some don't even know that how they cathart in a journal can be therapeutic or blocking to the artist within. As I travel this world I enjoy connecting with other artists and one thing (when it lends to the occasion) I like to do is ask "can i see your art journal?" If I'm received well and handed the journal (which can take the form of various sizes, shapes, colors, looks, feels depending upon the person, their personality, their life experiences, their culture, their view on life, their skills, etc.) I can enter the "conversation" the artist is having with themselves, their world, even God (and this is just by viewing the journal itself without reading it or diving deeper into intimate waters not invited).
For me...I tend to hand pick a journal for a specific trip. I fill the pages with writing, sketching, and painting. Some of my writing can lend itself almost to a notebook of plans and outlines and preparation for the trip (especially if I'm to be speaking to a group of artists who are interested in art ministry). There can be ideas jotted down for projects (either creative things I'll be doing or collaborative things I'll be facilitating). Some of my sketches and paintings that I carefully create inside the pages of the journal can be either for my own aesthetic pleasure, for memories of the place and moments that i've experienced, or even ideas for projects to be taught or facilitated. Each journal is different in it's look and feel because each trip is different in where I'm going and to whom I'm going to.
The why is always the same...to allow creativity to be the catalyst for entering conversations already taking place in hearts all throughout this world. To encourage, inspire, and collaborate. To love much and love well.
STREET ART IN SEATTLE
when i travel to other cities i love exploring the buildings and alleys in search of street art. street art can take the form of all kinds of things. from latex painted murals, spay painted graffiti tags, pasted paper images, and other types of mixed media. street art can be "organized" as in "legal" where artists are "allowed" to tag and paint areas to help beautify the city, and street art can be "underground" as in "illegal" where artists risk being discovered and are viewed as destructive and a nuisance.
yesterday i explored some of the post alley areas of the Pike Street Market in Seattle. i soon found a treasure of street art that i think probably fits in both categories.
there's an area where street artists have been tagging for years! and it's not your typical art...i found a section where people have been attaching used chewing gum to the walls, the windows, the doors, the pipes, anything that is within reach. a few bits of used gum stuck randomly to a building or street might appear like gross litter, BUT millions of colorful little gum wads stuck purposefully like creative stucco texture...and it's a very unique twist on art.
throughout the alley i found layers of street art that has built up over the years
some of the art was painted
some of the art was sketched
and some of the art was pasted on
i know Seattle holds many other hidden street art treasures throughout it's streets and alleys. there's no way to find and post them all but what i have been able to experience in my short visit has been fun and has continued to fuel my street art explorer within.
MEETING ARTISTS THAT CREATE FROM THE HEART
on my art travels i love to connect with other artists and creatives. i enjoy moments of conversation, learning about what kinds of art they create, what makes up their creative process, (and if given the chance) i love to go a bit deeper and hear about how their art speaks their heart.
on this first leg of my month long art road trip around the Pacific Northwest i've already been able to connect with some very talented and interesting creatives here in Seattle.
Shari Druckman and her husband Bryan Roberts are potters. i met Shari when i was wandering around the many arts & crafts booths at Pike Street Market. I stood and talked with her for probably a half hour...artist to artist. I found her absolutely fascinating! What a treasure! Not only is her pottery beautiful but so is her heart! We seemed to connect heart to heart from the start. And speaking of heart...her pottery business is called From the Heart Pottery with the tag line "art from the heart" . I really enjoyed talking with her as we both had a similar vision...to not only create art, but to help others through our creations.
also while wandering Pike Street Market i came upon the lovely voice of folk musician Carly Calbero. i was drawn in and couldn't pull myself away! Rolling Stone Magazine has been quoted to say "A little dynamo with a powerhouse voice that's distinctive and head turning. Forget about her age, she's been playing the Northwest for years and just gets better. Hear her once and you're hooked." And...they're right! i immediately had to talk with her and purchase one of her CD's! She's A-MAZ-ING!
while here in Seattle i was able to connect with my friend Eric who is a painter, writer, musician, and landscaper. Eric has a wonderful way of allowing creativity to infiltrate every part of his life and he seems happiest when he's able to share that creativity with others (from drumming circles & bell choirs to gardening & art with children) he enjoys connecting with other creatives and encouraging talent.
an example of Eric's painting
i've also been able to connect with my friend William who is a published poet. William creates poems that approach current events and subjects of the heart. he's a bit shy when it comes to his writing talent, but he's agreed that i can share with you one of his poems.
an example of William's poetry:
Beauty
It is a beautiful thing to
Breathe
To let go of life's continuing
Journey
And fall head long into
Release
i'm looking forward to meeting more artists and creatives on my art adventures around the Pacific Northwest. in a few days i head north and out of the country...to Vancouver, British Columbia.
SECOND LEG OF THE TRIP:
EXPLORING VANCOUVER CANADA
I'm now in Vancouver BC! Yay! it was a rainy day as I drove up from Seattle and entered into Canada. Actually, I've got quite the fun story about crossing the border by car. I've been to Canada several times in my life (but typically it's been by either taking a ferry boat to Victoria BC as a foot passenger, or flying into big cities like Calgary and Toronto on my way to other places) this was my first time crossing by car on my own like this and for a week long stay. I can imagine that I might have seemed a bit strange...an artist from Idaho in a van full of art supplies on a road trip to connect with artists all over the Northwest and Vancouver being one of those stops (it's all truth it made for quite an interesting explanation to the customs/immigrations officers at the border). After a brief questioning at the booth I was asked to pull over to the vehicle search section. I was to then go inside and wait to speak to an officer. I had probably 20 minutes of waiting in line and maybe 15 minutes of extensive questioning (along with showing passport and proper paperwork). Through it all, the officer was kind and I was given favor to cross without search of my vehicle.
I'm staying with an artist friend whom I met last year at our VineArts Creative Church Conference in Boise.
Today we traveled by train and bus into the city to go exploring some of the local art and connect with some of the local artists.
The first thing we did was go to the Vancouver Art Gallery where I was able to see original oil paintings by Canadian artist Emily Carr to the First Nations villages in Haida Gwaii and a new roomsize Native carving by Haida Master Carver James Hart. I wasn't allowed to photograph the art so if you'd like to see what the Vancouver Art Gallery is featuring you can go to: www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
Then we went to the Granville Island section of Vancouver where there is a public market and many artisan shops and art galleries and art studios to tour. I got to see a silk shop with a silk loom...
i got to see a broom shop with handmade brooms...
i was able to meet a wood sculptor from Venezuela in his wood shop/studio...we talked about being creatives and being spiritual beings and how both are connected...
i saw a totem wood shop featuring totem poles in the making...
i was able to step into an acrylic artists gallery/studio and talk with her about her creative process of how her work as evolved through time. I really liked her paintings and if you're interested in checking her work out you can go to her site: www.alice-rich.com
I got to see a felter's shop...
I watched a woman blowing glass in a glass studio...
then we set out for other adventures...in search of street art.
Vancouver has some fun and interesting street art pieces that reflect it's unique style, culture and personality.
this week is going to be fun exploring and connecting...so stay tuned, there's more to come.
CONNECTING IN CONVERSATION WITH CREATIVES
so as you've been reading i hope that you've been able to pick up that i'm all about relationship. i love connecting in conversation with creatives that fosters cross-pollination, collaboration, and community. as a traveling art minister, i've traveled all over this world to many different cultures and communities speaking the language of creativity. my desire is to enter into the conversation that is already happening with people all over this world. it's a conversation that God is having with each of us about who he is, who we are, and how much he loves us. the key element is if we are open to listening and entering into the conversation with him. i believe creativity is a Creator given natural language that God created us with to converse with ourselves, with each other, and with him.
while i've been here in Vancouver, British Columbia i've been able to enter into a few key conversations taking place with some creatives who are working towards making a difference in their city through the arts.
i want to introduce you to Jill Cardwell. i met Jill last year at our VineArts Creative Church Conference in Boise, Idaho. she is originally from Northern Ireland but is currently residing here in Vancouver, Canada and is the Artist in Residence Intern at First Baptist Church Vancouver and a graduate Art & Theology student at Regent College. Jill is also part of a company called WeMakeStuff that helps promote local "Christ-following" artists and innovators in Canada.
i was able to enjoy an evening with some of the WeMakeStuff staff where we engaged in deep conversation about the role of the "Christ-following" artist in our culture today. questions like "why should art be in the church?", "what is art?", and "what defines an artist?" were asked and discussed with great passion. i thoroughly enjoyed the conversation we engaged in and could tell that the WeMakeStuff team is used to connecting with a variety of creatives from diverse backgrounds. one thing is for sure, they have a real heart for artists and for their city.
i was asked to speak to the Visual Arts Group at First Baptist Church Vancouver during their leadership training night called Heart and Soul. the Visual Arts Group was started by Jill and is in the beginning stages of creating an arts ministry at their church. Jill introduced me and i was able to share about who i am as a full time working artist and traveling art minister and i was able to share about the VineArts arts ministry that i'm a leader with at Vineyard Boise Church in Boise, Idaho. those who attended the group engaged with me in conversation about what arts ministry can look like within a church and i answered questions about how the arts can be utilized to foster healing in people. our time together was short and thankfully some of us were able to continue the conversation afterwards over a meal.
this is arts ministry at the heart...it's really not about the art. art is the language, the open door, the opportunity to engage, connect, and enter into the conversation (heart to heart) that God is already having with us.
ENVISIONING CREATIVE EDUCATION
i'm a huge fan of Canadian musician/singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan for her music and her charity to the world. her music has been a part of my "must listen to" list since the early 90's. it was a real treat for me to be able to stand at her STAR found on the walk of fame in Vancouver.
i was also able to visit the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver.
"The Sarah McLachlan School of Music provides education to underserved and at-risk youth at no cost. The school is dedicated to helping young people build community and find their voice." "It is an amazing git to see students enthusiastically learning music-how proud they feel, singing and doing so well. They believe in their talents, in their accomplishments, in themselves, and they're gaining the confidence to go after their dreams. Together, may we enrich and inspire the lives of more young people through the power of music." -Sarah McLachlan
i was also able to visit Regent College (an evangelical, international graduate school of Christian studies). it offers graduate programs in Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Mastor of Divinity, and Mastor of Theology. it harolds faculty such as theologians Gorden Fee and Eugene Peterson and alumni such as authors David Taylor and Francis Chan. i have many art minister friends (whom i've met through the Retreats for Pastors and Ministers to Artists held at Laity Lodge in Texas) that have attended or are currently attending Regent.
throughout the campus there are works of art on display that ask for the viewer to engage beyond the temporal into the depths of the transcendent.
"Morning Glow" oil on canvas c.Haitao Yin
there was an exhibit in the campus gallery of works by award winning Chinese Canadian oil painter Haitao Yin. i was drawn into his work and stood staring with my mouth open. he works in layers with lots of texture and i couldn't help but be inspired.
the real treat about being at Regent College today was that i was privileged to accompany a friend who is a Theology and Arts grad student to one of her courses. i was able to sit in on the Imaging Truth-Art and Visual Culture in the Wake of the Protestant Reformation class taught by visiting faculty Pastor James Krohn from South Africa. Wow! let me preface by saying i have always loved education. though i have a years worth of art school from a university in Seattle, 2 Bachelor degrees from a Biblical University in the Seattle area, and a diploma from a 6 month Ministry Leadership Training College in Scotland, i am still desiring that one day i could attend a university once again to experience art education. today getting to sit in a 3 hour art & theology class (hitting topics like art, aesthetics, beauty, culture, and imagination from the perspective of Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli during the Protestant Reformation, while looking at examples of paintings, sculptures, and altar pieces from those time periods) was like opening the wardrobe door and finding Narnia! i was plopped down in the middle of a semester of graduate study having no background, understanding, or idea what was going on and after the first hour i was tracking, eating it up, and really enjoying myself!
today was truly a day of envisioning creative education.
RECONNECTING CONVERSATIONS
i really do appreciate email and Facebook, eNewsletters and blogsites in the ability to stay connected with friends who are located all over this big blue marble. whether we've known each other for years or only recently met, these on-line communications have helped to maintain and cultivate friendships.
Peter and Kelly Passchier have served long term in Thailand and are currently living in Vancouver, BC. I first met Kelly in 2002 in Glasgow, Scotland. I was on my way back to the States (after having lived in Scotland for 9 months attending a ministry college and serving with a churchplant in the inner city), and Kelly was on her to London to attend a Bible college. We had a mutual friend that we were staying with (for a bit of an overlap) and Kelly and I hit if off right away. We exchanged email addresses and here we are...almost 12 years later finally meeting once again face to face. She has since married Peter (who is from Netherlands) and they have 3 children (Lukas, Emmet, and Danai). They've been serving in Thailand for 4 years and are currently on furlough. I have plans to make a future art ministry trip over to them when they return to Thailand. But this art ministry trip I was able to reconnect this side of the Pacific and spend a day with them. I actually had never met Peter face to face till yesterday! But it's been years of emails and Facebook messages and newsletters that have helped to build a friendship between the 3 of us that is deep and long lasting. Our time together was full of intimate sharing and life-giving conversation and prayer time. I came away from the day encouraged and energized.
Derek and Joanne White are New Zealanders who are currently living in Vancouver, BC. I first met Jo at the Retreat for Pastors and Ministers to Artists held at Laity Lodge in Kerrville, Texas back in 2010. I was in a workshop in the art studio on the retreat grounds when I met her. I noticed her nametag said she was from Hamilton, New Zealand (and I was planning on taking a trip to New Zealand Feb 2011 and would be near Hamilton). I started a conversation with her that has continued to this day. We are part of a handful of art ministers that make a pilgrimage to Texas once a year to have the conversation about art ministry within churches and communities. Those who attend have a real heart to minister to creative people. Jo had been doing art ministry in her native New Zealand through community art projects and events that connected artists with each other and with local churches. She has a real heart to minister to artists but especially to minister to those who minister to artists. From that retreat we exchanged emails and continued to cultivate our friendship online. When I traveled to New Zealand in 2011 I was able to reconnect with Jo on her home territory. We spent a day conversing non-stop and it was so enriching to my soul. Today (2 1/2 yrs later) I was able to reconnect with her once again. This time I was finally able to meet her husband Derek and their son JJ. It was a day packed full of inspiring conversation, life-giving encouragement, and deep prayer together. I came away from the time today so thankful for friendships like these.
Truly there is nothing like face to face connection. It is ideal. But in the in between time, online helps to maintain and cultivate.
THIRD LEG OF THE TRIP:
AN ARTISTIC TOUR OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
I'm back in the US. I've been able to stop over for a few days in Fairhaven/Bellingham, Washington to visit some friends and take in the art scene. Located near the water of Puget Sound, Bellingham is home to Western Washington University and a lot of artists and creatives reside in the area.
I've been able to reconnect with some creative friends of mine. Nathan & Bethany are musicians and home brew artists. and when I say home brew artists...I mean it!
They brew their own ROOT BEER called "Nate's Brew" and they are in the marketing phase for their product. I was able to have a taste test and boy oh boy was it good!
Speaking of brews. There's a local chain of coffee shops in the area called Woods Coffee and they make a COLD BREW coffee and sell it in growlers. I had to get me one of those! I've heard of BEER in a growler...but COFFEE in a take home growler...NOW we're talking!
Fairhaven and Bellingham have a lot of street murals to boast.
I was able to tour some of the shops and galleries around town. One in particular "Makeshift Gallery" was very interesting. Upstairs it had an art exhibit of underground art with the theme of Superheroes. Downstairs it had various art studios and a live music venue.
I met a real luthier! Luthier Devin Champlin, repairs and handmakes guitars and other musical instruments. He invited us into his workshop where we were able to learn about his creative process in woodworking and crafting handmade guitars. I loved the look and feel and smell of his wood shop. Wood shavings covered the floor and surfaces, piles of wood, saws, chisels, and sanders were displayed throughout. It was fascinating talking to him. Devin also plays in a band that is featured every Tuesday night at a local venue. You can learn more about Devin and his luthier business at: http://www.champlinguitars.com
I also met another craftsman, Jennifer Dolese and her husband Thomas hand make custom built furniture, wooden/glass lanterns and teach classes at their business Terra Firma Designs. Their artistry is beautiful and they sell here in Fairhaven, Washington and Missoula, Montana. I really enjoyed talking with Jennifer about her creative process in creating the lanterns. http://www.terrafirmadesignnw.com
I was also able to stop into the Fairhaven Rug Gallery owned by Arshia Falthali from Iran. He was really fun to talk to. He is very passionate about Persian rugs. His shop is decorated from floor to ceiling with gorgeous Persian rugs from Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Morocco, and other middle eastern countries. all different shapes and sizes, all different patterns and colors. Arshia knows his business well and will take the time to find just the right rug that will fit your need. Fairhaven Rug Gallery on Facebook
I have found that the Bellingham area of Washington is a beautiful area to stop over at. I've enjoyed reconnecting with friends, experiencing some of the art culture, and exploring a bit of the picturesque forest trails and waterfalls.
Soon I'll continue my artistic adventures south...on to Portland, Oregon.
FOURTH LEG OF THE TRIP:
PORTLANDIA "PUT A BIRD ON IT"
Yes, I'm finally in the Northwest city of Portland, Oregon. Despite Seattle being my home city from the late 80's thru the the late 90's, this is my first time visiting this trendy city. I'm here connecting with artist friends that I met last year when they traveled to Boise, Idaho for our VineArts Creative Church Conference at Vineyard Boise.
Artist and Workshop Facilitator, Valerie Sjodin has opened her home to me to stay. Her home is like a mini-artist's retreat center. Room after room filled with colorful paintings and artwork to stimulate creativity, an art studio that fosters inspiration, and a back garden with a fire pit for community conversation and a labyrinth path for peaceful meditation. Valerie is a visual artist and workshop facilitator who has a heart to minister to artists. Her heart and and spirit speak life into the weary and wounded. http://valeriesjodin.com
Artist, Live Painter and Web Designer, Anneli Anderson exudes joy and love with every smile and stroke of her brush. Her paintings speak of life and hope and freedom to the soul. I've enjoyed many conversations with Anneli about what it's like to be a professional artist who ministers within churches through worship painting. We have a lot in common and I've learned a ton from her in the few days I've been here. http://www.studioanneli.com
Fine Artist and Sculptor, David Anderson is husband to Anneli. I met David and found connection with him in his love for ravens. This trip has revealed a lot of to me through Native American artwork and the symbol of the raven. http://www.ravenscaw.com
I spent some time in the neighboring city of Hillsboro. I took a day to walk around in search of the art scene there. I stepped into the Artist Co-Op, Sequoia Gallery/Studios. http://www.sequoiagallerystudios.org . There I met, Painter, Penny Forest. I found her refreshing as we spoke of the importance of fostering community amongst artists. http://www.pennyforrest.com/bio.html . She introduced me to the Artist Collaborative, The Green Cab that she is a member of. They have formed for the purpose of encouraging the artist's heart to create and to collaborate. Together they can do so much more than on their own. http://www.thegreencab.org
No matter what city I'm in I have a hard time passing up an opportunity to step into an artstore to purchase supplies. I came upon Colours Art Supplies in Hillsboro, Oregon and had to go in. http://www.coloursart.com Graphic Design student, Emerald helped me with some watercolors that I needed and I struck up a conversation with her that was both inspiring and fulfilling as we talked about what it's like to start out as an emerging artist. I had the opportunity to speak into her life and encourage her in her art career and in her life as an artist as she comes upon graduation this next year. She was a delight to speak with.
I visited Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro, Oregon. http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Arts/WCAC/ . They are currently showing the Hillsboro Plein Air Exhibit which was a great chance to get a good flavor the local artists in Hillsboro.
Walking through the back of a gradeschool I came upon a fun colorful mural in Hillsboro.
After exploring Hillsboro, It was time to explore Portland. My feet set out on the streets of the Pearl District of Portland in search of art and artists.
My first stop was in Gallery 903 where I was taken in by the paintings of featured artist Chuck Gumpert. http://www.gallery903.com
And to my surprise I came upon a Chuck Close exhibit at one of the galleries.
I was told by friends who love Portland that I needed to get coffee at Stumptown Coffee. So being the coffee lover that I am I didn't have any problem with that. The particular one I stepped into I was met by the paintings of Abstract Artist, Bradley Streeper. http://bradleystreeper.com
There are a plethora of art galleries in Portland and I was continuously blown away by the color and flow of the art I encountered. Portland has a lot of very talented artists.
But the galleries aren't the only places that feature art. I came upon some fun street art too. This fun sculpture of a painted Indian elephant attracts many viewers.
I also found some wonderfully colorful and creative murals throughout the streets of Portland.
There's no possible way to see and experience everything Portland has to offer art-wise in the short time I'm here. But what I have been able to take in has been enlightening and inspiring to me. Portland is definitely full creative people!
CONVERSE CONVERGENCE
THE ROAD BACK:
ART ON THE ROAD
CONVERSE CONVERGENCE
This has been an incredible month long art ministry road trip around the Pacific Northwest. My Converse have ventured beyond the streets of Boise to the streets of Seattle, Vancouver BC, Bellingham, and Portland. It's been an enriching time of connecting with art and artists from all various cultures and communities. Conversations have been engaged about what is art, art and ministry, art and the church, art and business, art and the artist, art and culture, art and the world, art and God. I've been able to encourage others and others have encouraged me.
I have one day left on my trip...as I drive back to Boise from Portland I will stop off at Maryhill Art Museum (I will try and post one more time about my experience there)...and then it's onward home. Thank you all for following me on this trip as I travel the world speaking the language of creativity. Keep watching for my future trips in 2014...Texas, Hawaii, and ?
THE ROAD BACK:
ART ON THE ROAD
Driving home to Boise from Portland, half of my trip was driving alongside the very large and mighty Columbia River that divides the States of Oregon and Washington.
I took a small detour on my route and stopped in at the Maryhill Museum of Art founded by Samuel Hill. It had been probably 20 years since I'd been to the museum. The museum was built in the early 1900's. It had started out as his mansion but (influenced by a friend, Loie Fuller, who was pioneer of modern dance in France at the time) Sam turned the mansion into a museum of art. Fuller helped Hill fill the museum with works of art from Europe. http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/2013/
There are many ornate pieces that belonged to the monarchies of Romania, Belgium and other countries.
There are many pieces of European art (including work by Faberge). And there are original plaster casts from French painter and sculptor Auguste Rodin.
Currently they have a visiting exhibit of Russian Icons called "Windows to Heaven". I particularly was fascinated by this exhibit and spent a lot of time studying the works close up. I wasn't allowed to photograph them...but this triptyche piece of Mary, Christ, and John the Baptist was my favorite. They each were about 12 inches high painted on wood with egg tempera and gold leaf. I learned that the images of these 3 are common to be placed as the center altar piece in Russian Orthodox churches. I personally experienced this when I was in Lithuania last year. I visited a Russian Orthodox church in Klaipeda. I purchased a small icon of these images. The woman who was overseeing the little book shop in the church told me all about it (of course she spoke Russian/Lithuanian so my friends were interpreting for me). It was really fun to "connect" with the exhibit in Maryhill now that I had that experience in Lithuania last year.
It was surreal to be in the midst of such amazing European art in the middle of the Pacific Northwest! I must say, I enjoyed that rather odd artistical diversion.
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