Sunday

February 18, 2018 at the Seaside Convention Center from 10 to 4pm

Oregon Coast Women's Expo | Three Cups Astoria Show | Wholesale Newsletter

February 16, 2018 in art, home decorating, northwest, product design

Oregon Coast Women's Expo

Hey hey! Well if you haven't heard yet, there is a new event on the coast for female business owners to showcase their work and talents. Come to the Seaside Convention Center this Sunday to hear about the goods and services that are offered on the North Coast of Oregon. You will discover hidden talent! Follow this link to find out more: OCWE. I will have a vendor booth with lots of my landscape photography and photo good for you to purchase and ask about. You will be able to ask me questions first-hand about custom tailoring of my product lines for your event, wedding, or business. My work is available for wholesale, and my images are available for licensing.

Three Cups: Spring 2018 Art Show in Astoria, OR

If you are in Astoria, you can view my current two month show, which will be up through the end of March. Hanging there are several large framed prints of my photographs, as well as some smaller photo wood panels, marble magnets, marble coasters, and tote bags. All are for sale and available for you to take home immediately with payment!

Wholesale Newsletter

Lastly, if you are a retailer or hotel, send me your contact info via my Contact page so I can get you on my wholesale newsletter! Anything you could want to know about my products and their pricing is there.

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Product Release: PNW Photo Coasters and Magnets

December 19, 2017 in art, Oregon, product design, photography

Pacific Northwest Magnets

Woohoo -- new things are here! A late acceptance into my first Washington Coast holiday market at the Adrift Hotel this winter inspired me to really go for it! I created three new product lines in three weeks, from research and development... to actualization. These handmade two inch square magnets are the cutest small expression of my work so far. Each keepsake is made with one of my Pacific Northwest images that I transfer by hand onto marble. I chose very strong rare earth magnets so they stick to your fridge or vintage locker or whatever you put your magnets on! I hope these put a smile on your face every day... let art make a friendly invasion into your life and lift your mood on these grey days. Hey, keeping the positive perspective of having something to always be grateful for is a must in life, and we are so lucky to have such beautiful surroundings to live and thrive in.

Magnets will be available in themed sets in my Etsy shop soon.

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Pacific Northwest Coasters

And no less satisfying are these matching marble coasters! I make these the same way as the magnets, and each four inch marble slab has its own unique character which it imparts to the image. I have a catalog of over 100 images to work with, from scenic landscapes to cultural icons. Cannon Beach Art Gallery will be the first to carry coasters, and you can find my magnets in Astoria at the Riverfront Trading Company.

I tested these puppies out with hot coffee mugs and sweaty beer glasses, even gave them a good clank or two, and they survived just fine. Each magnet and coaster has a double coat of protective sealant to last you a long time. These will also be in themed or matching sets in my Etsy shop soon.

Holler if you want a set of something, I'd be happy to make them for you or your business!

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Cuba's Infrastructure
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When I visited Cuba in 2019, I met kind people who were willing to help me find anything, who always said hello, who care about each other, who gave #besitos the second time we met. I see the struggle for #humanrights and fina

Making tea for the winter!
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#flowers #garden #tea #plants #gardening #poppy #fushcia #mint #astoriaoregon

Find my handmade PNW coasters stocked at these great places in Astoria this summer!

🌺 Gathered at 512 12th
🌊 SeaGypsy at 1001 Commercial St
🌈 West Coast Artisans at 160 10th

#handmade #gifts #gallery #shopping #nature #pnw #northwest #madeinoreg

Banana Slug Heros
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This morning I found myself propped on my elbows in dewy grass around 6:15 am, capturing a view for a commission on Coxcomb Hill from a low angle. I noticed several of these crew hard at work, nibbling away at the invasive Scotch

One thing I would really like to stop this year is the use of the word "White" to describe skin color. It leaves me feeling like I have no identity. I have pigment. In fact, I am pale olive (kinda yellow) with freckles (dense pigment) and t

Great Horned Owl Rescue Story
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What a strange coincidence today that I was working in a yard on the south slope and got a call to transport a great horned owl that had been caught in a volleyball net at a local school nearby! The construction worker

Intentions can be called prayers, wishes, hopes, dreams, thoughts, words, art, song, and vibes. I don't think personally it matters who you are talking to - the air, your god, a rabbit, through cigarette smoke... Intentions set our tone of thinking,

Lucifera + Fuschia + California Poppy + Peppermint Tea.... Colorful and handmade this summer from a Zone 8! Three of these plants were "discovered" as "volunteers" in the yard, the Lucifera was gifted from extra bulbs in another y

Johnny 5 says hi! Yep, that's the bridge the famous robot rolled on in the movie Short Circuit. If only lighting could also humanize dictators into being more human. (Lighting strike is how Johnny "came alive!")
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Anyway, handmade Astoria b

There are a lot of beautiful things about Cuban culture that I experienced in 2019. One of them is that kids play in the streets at night. Es seguro? Si, es seguro. These kids said yes, it's safe to play outside at night. Thumbs up, we want to be fri

What do I write about when I am feeling a lot of personal peace in the life I've worked to carve out of trauma, when what's on my mind is also my concern for Cuban friends? Strangers across the world are just friends you haven't met yet.
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I think i

Sunrise and coffee, a magical time of day. Coasters make great gifts and are made by hand (by me!) right here on the cruisin' Columbia River. Let me know if you need some! These are being stocked this week in shops across Astoria.
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Etsy shop is open

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KALA Hipfish Gallery Opening, Summer at Reach Break Brewing, and July 'Open Studio' in Astoria!

July 03, 2017 in Astoria Oregon, art, product design, shopping

Things are rolling along with lots of road trips and new landscape images, and I can't really say I'm ever bored working for myself as an artist! It's been ten weeks since I struck out on my own, and I actually paid rent last month... can you believe it! Click HERE to begin following my Instagram for adventures and art projects. Click HERE to shop my newest designs on Etsy.

Many great things are keeping me busy this summer. I'll get you all caught up...

KALA Hipfish Gallery Opening

This Saturday, July 8, is Astoria's own Second Saturday Artwalk. I will have two walls in a group show with a few other local artists at KALA Gallery at 1017 Marine Drive. Artists will be there in person from 5pm to 8pm. They have a mini bar and a stage for live music. I'm showing a collection of north coast Oregon and southwest Washington photographs on wood panel, and as a special treat, I'm pulling some old paintings out of the vault! I recently began painting again after about 8 years absence doing other things, and I finally got back into it! So there will be these two new 'Succulent Mandala' paintings to add to the older works from 2009.

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Summer Show at reach Break Brewing

Summer is happening, and Reach Break Brewing is generously hosting my work in a long extension. It's been really fun finding out which pieces sell and to whom they now belong... I like to get to know my fans, so don't be surprised if I look you up on social media with a friend request after you have purchased a piece! New works are added each time one sells, so it's always freshened up.

July 'Open Studio' in Astoria

July 29 thru 30 is Open Studio (event map to be posted soon), a huge artist event in Astoria, which I am participating in this year for the first time. HiiH Lights barn in the Lewis and Clark area will be hosting me along with a bunch of other artists... this should be fun! I'll have a new tote bag display I built recently, so lots of totes will be for sale. I'll also have a few pillows with my designs, as well as some zippered pouches, my last few sets of the limited edition cherry wood 'Astoria Storm Drain' coasters, and a slew of mini desktop wood panels set on my table with some larger wall-hanging photo panels. Oh yeah, and I guess I'll tote down my painted rock collection for gifts under $20! Most of my work will range from $25 to $80, and I'll be able to take cash or charge on my new Square card reader.

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There's lots more to share in the future about some upcoming shows, but then this post would be even longer, so I'll save that for the next one.

Come say 'hi' at any of these events or venues!

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Open Studio, Gallery Work, and Reach Break Brewery Show Extension

May 12, 2017 in photography, art, Astoria Oregon

Open Studio in July 2017

My my, it's been a busy month! I got the balls rolling in a few directions, and they seemed to have fallen into deep prolific canyons of adventure!

Well, let me tell you what that poetic talk means...

Every summer in Astoria for the past six years, our esteemed Astoria Visual Arts (AVA) group has welcomed and encouraged visual artists to open up their studio doors and gather collectively to show and tell about what we do (and hopefully make a little money and new fans in the process!). This will be my first year joining a bunch of artists at the HiiH Lights Gallery/ Barn in rural Astoria. I will have a table full of my photographs and designed goods to show you a spectrum of my work. As with other artists, I will be there to talk about my creative process and hopefully get to answer some mind-expanding questions from you all that will help me learn even more about myself and my community!

AVA is currently building their page for this year's included artists, and we will know very soon, since deadline is May 15. For now, HERE are the current AVA members.

Cannon Beach Gallery Work

Secondly, I entered one of my screen-prints into a group show themed 'Text + Image' with the Cannon Beach Arts Association, and I came away with great news as well as an opportunity that has got me super excited. They did accept my piece into the show, which is up through June 12 at their gallery at 1064 S. Hemlock St. HERE is a link with more info about the show. I missed the opening night due to a really rocky, late plane landing in SLC ... let's not talk about it, or I may get queasy again.

Best thing is, I was asked by a gallery docent to join their team of volunteers, and I start next week! I have been pushing myself farther in the direction of art since I left my day job a month ago, and I am so excited to be able to learn the ropes of gallery sales and representation of other artists. I get all starry eyed when I think of all the great stories and histories I will get to learn about each individual and their creative processes. Plus, the gallery shares the building with a popular local coffee shop, and it can't hurt to have espresso when expressing my enthusiasm for art!

Reach Break Show Extension

At home in Astoria, Reach Break Brewery has extended my coastal photography show another month, and I've been super grateful to have sold a piece just about very week. They have extended their business hours to five days a week now, and the sun is coming out, so it's time to go on over and check out their beer, the food carts, and my art if you haven't yet. All pieces are under $100. Artwalk is Saturday, May 13th from 5 to 8pm.

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Inaugural Artwalk at Oregon's Newest Brewery: Reach Break in Astoria, Oregon

February 06, 2017 in art, Astoria Oregon, photography, product design

Well holy boilin' grains, Reach Break Brewery is open and the beer is flowin'! Lucky me, the owners (Thanks, Finn, Josh, and Jared!!) have tagged me as their inaugural artist to show my work during the February 11th Second Saturday Artwalk, held in downtown Astoria, Oregon.

These guys have founded their establishment on a love of the outdoors, and I believe this is going to be a favorite spot for many outdoor enthusiasts who want to cruise through the open parking lot this summer, when the inviting smells steaming from food carts will float around the block and the sour beers will be flowing inside. I will definitely be there! There aren't many things better than having a pint outside on a sunny day in the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, except maybe having one in the forest on an Oregon coastal trail (Or Mexico). And Please recycle if you do! They make the whole carry-in, carry-out routine easier with their ability to give you beer to-go in a 32 oz. can, made for you right on the spot! Going out on a chilly day? They've got sweet hoodies, too, with their water-centric Blue Reach Break logo!

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The art displayed will be from a selection of my coastal photography from the past five years of calling this place home. You will be able to view photo wood panels, a couple of larger fine art prints, and coastal/Astoria photo tote bags. You may take home your purchases same day, as I've got more to put up as it goes! Price range is affordable, from $25 to $120 for art pieces and $34 for tote bags. Please inquire about custom work or other prints you see on my website that you may be interested in. Here's a small click-through gallery below.

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Ok, so I really hope at least five people give this page a little heart by clicking below, because damn, the internet loading speed today was about like getting 25 kinder-gardeners to put their little wrists in a rope line and getting them through a door to go inside....I'm gonna need one of those beers soon! Or better yet, tequila in Mexico again. Say hello at the event from 5 to 8pm on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

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Wood is Good: Photo Art Panels!

October 10, 2016 in art, Astoria Oregon, photography

The time came last winter to diversify and try a new method of art display. I can say I'm pretty dang happy with not only the way these lovable panels turned out, but also with the lower cost of making them (and less materials required, too!). So that means more affordable art for you, and more love for the planet's resources. And more simplicity for me. It's a win-win-win, and that's how I like to roll.

I finally have had the time to try out lots of images, through displaying them at a local art show covering Oysterville and by listing them in my Etsy shop (Sweetsere), and the time has come to proudly add them to my Product Design repertoire as well. I think it's a good method, and I'll probably keep this up for future photos to come. Be looking for a second art show announcement this year with more of these Astoria-oriented photos on display.

Here's a few you can now find on Etsy.

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Norblad Hotel on Duane Street, Astoria, OR

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Garden Hedges looking down 12th Street, Astoria, OR

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Storm Drain design on the streets of Astoria, OR

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A Designer's Saga: From Foundation to Destruction

July 24, 2016 in art, product design, Astoria Oregon, coasters

Well, that title sounds really foreboding, so let me just roll into this story of how a new design project/ line of product/ effort at making a bit of scratch this summer all went to a quick grave. It's been quite the journey.

As an illustrator-designer, it all starts with having a multi-sensory 'vision' of what a dreamed up THING will look like in the flesh. So, two years ago, a sweet Astoria public works project caught my eye, and I began popularizing and celebrating it through art and design. This is the newer storm drain cover that graces the re-paved streets of Astoria. You know, look down below your shoes, it's the one with the native salmon jumping up to catch a dragonfly - that's right, a nice lady made dang sure that the adipose fin on the fish was present in the design.

After I got approval to use it, I drew it in two dimensional form with pen and paper. It was really gratifying. Then, I sent that design off to an Oregon engraver/ manufacturer to decorate little pieces of wood with it! That worked out swell, as the proofing process began, wood choices were made and stain colors were tested, and it all came out so nicely.

As time went on, I created interest in my product through social media, in-person conversations, and cold, hard marketing by pounding the pavement. And you know what happened after all that? The company wouldn't supply the wood anymore. Followed by, "we're ceasing operations soon, so we can't fill any more orders."

So as an artist who has already seen some profit on all this effort, do I look for another manufacturing company or move on to another inspiration? Because the journey is certainly fun and rewarding when I make people happy with my work, but I'm also one to change directions when I feel the pull.

And I feel the pull. So what's the great dilemma as an artist/ designer? Do I jump into the next thing to make money? Or do I satisfy myself, making art for my own sake, for the sake of purging my soul and expressing the beauty I see in my inner eye? It's a toughie for sure, since we all have those "bills" that need to be paid.

Well, stay tuned for the next big thing if you want to see where I go, and thanks for coming along this far with me. And if you want one of the remaining, now SUPER LIMITED EDITION coasters sets, you can buy them HERE in my Etsy Shop. Sorry, but the aqua stained sets have been sold out for a month now! Thanks to a nice city councilwoman who bought the last set ;)

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