Travel blog, Cuba, girls who travel, art, artist
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Artwalk in the Astor Hotel Ruins, February Photography Show, and Hawaii TV Series
I am starting the new year with a solo show at the Astor Ruins in Astoria... this space is epic!! The many design elements of this crumbling hotel lobby will transport you back to the early 1920’s when it was built. My generous hosts have provided this space and will be making sure you feel cozy with lots of room to socialize, a warm fire inside by the couch, and food and drinks for the evening. Please consider hosting an event here, it is amazing for weddings and live music. The host can be reached for booking and questions at www.theruinsattheastor.com.
The large space will be filled with floating tapestries of my local outdoor photographs taken in Washington and Oregon. On the battered walls you will find two sets of images from my early years of darkroom printing as well as my recent outdoor images. If you remember the Pixies album art from the late eighties, that was one of my inspirations for dipping into a style called “photo montage.” You will see layered back and white images with symbolic objects, like old railroad ties or rocks surrounding a photo within a photo. You’ll have to come see it if you’ve never experienced that style, and there’s a poetic story of love and loss behind it - it’s my first time showing these old beauties in Astoria. All my frames are handmade (by me) and are stately in substance, regal in appearance.
You won’t want to miss this one night show from 5 - 8pm Saturday night, January 12, 2019 at 1423 Commercial St. in Astoria, Oregon.
February Photography Invitational Show
Cannon Beach Arts Association will be hosting a photography invitational show in February and March that will include many artists you have probably heard of who sell their work around the Northwest. Please come to this beautiful beach early and check out the tide pools at Haystack Rock. At low tide, Haystack Rock Awareness Program volunteers will be out there to help guide you through naming the creatures you will find and update you on the latest marine biology studies on local species.
Join us for the opening on the evening of February 16 from 5 - 8pm at the gallery located at 1064 S. Hemlock St in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The show runs from February 13 through March 27, if you can’t make it to the opening. I will have several framed prints hung for sale.
Television Set Design
Aloha friends, Astoria take note! You know those old cedar wood floats that get around to half the places you know in town? Well I did a little project with the set designers of the remade television series Hawaii Five-0, which will be airing on February 22. They have not disclosed the details to me, but check out the scenes in that show and see if you can spot the old Astoria floats!
The Hawaii-Oregon connection is real, from one end of the rainbow to the other. I need to see the islands sometime, but for now Cuba is in my sights! More about that later, or just follow my Instagram account link below to see my journey through four cities in the Western part of the island.
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New Arcadia Beach Print Release | April Shows & Magazine Release | Shop at Sea Gypsy Gifts in Astoria
Arcadia Beach Print Release
Winter storms are nothing short of exciting here on the Oregon Coast. We are young and we are old... in geological terms. The Northwest coast of the United States is the newer edge of land on the North American continent compared to the Atlantic side, thanks to the slow force of the Juan de Fuca plate, Ice Age glacier movement, and volcano eruptions in the Cascade Range! While we are talking millions of years and many Ice Ages of lapsed time in terms of it being "new," the coast has been actively changing in dramatic amounts since our beautiful basalt boulders were hardened from magma on the shores of the Pacific, such as this Lion Rock on Arcadia Beach.
Stormy weather brings in pounding surf and dramatic King Tides that bombard softer cliff rock called 'mudstone' which has a lot of clay and slips down in boulder-sized chunks. Thus our landscape is altered and different each time this happens, but it makes exploring fun and the discovery of fossils more likely! Just behind me in the photo above, I was standing on top of a finger of rock protruding towards the ocean away from a cliff that lost huge amounts of its content in a clean 'slip' down the cliff-side. The cove got smaller!
Ask for a signed print from my studio if you wish. A proof will be on its way shortly, and the photograph will then be available on Etsy.
April Show at Cannon Beach Art Gallery
April is officially my month at the Cannon Beach Art Gallery! Well, dang it, I've been a volunteer here for almost a year, and it is finally time I get a chunk of their real estate all to myself! Images of Washington and Oregon will be for sale at very reasonable prices till the end of the month. Your purchases here dually support my continued work and this non-profit gallery, which offers scholarships and grants to our coastal community, as well as workshops for hands-on art education throughout the year.
Cannon Beach Art Gallery is located at 1064 Hemlock Street in Cannon Beach and is open Wednesday thru Sunday, 11am to 4pm. (503.436.0744)
Squid Magazine Release in Manzanita
Just like we have our RAIN Magazine in Astoria, Manzanita produces Squid Magazine, a collection of poetry, prose, and art from coastal residents. Included works, such as my photograph 'On the Bellingham Tracks' above, are on display at the Hoffman Center for the Arts in Manzanita for the month of April. When you visit, you will see three large framed prints of my work for sale. Thanks for your patronage to this gallery as well, because your purchases support the continuance of my work as well as this non-profit community center.
Hoffman Center for the Arts is located at 594 Laneda Avenue in Manzanita and is open April 6 through April 28, every Friday and Saturday from 2-5 pm. (503.368.3846)
Shop My Photo Goods at Sea Gypsy Gifts in Astoria
There's a new kid in town at an oceanic shop in downtown Astoria! Sea Gypsy Gifts is an immediate 'POW' of everything mermaid and seashells, as soon as you walk in the door. You will feel like nothing less than a sea goddess when you dangle their bangles from your wrists and twirl the driftwood, seashell, and glass chimes that hang throughout the store. The shop owner is known for her mermaid tail costumes that she makes on-site. I am happy to say that she will be carrying items that cannot be found in other shops in Astoria, namely the canvas Storm Water zipper pouches, 5" tabletop wood panel photos of local scenes, 5 x 5 loose prints to frame yourself, and vinyl magnets. Check her out for some of the most authentic beach gifts in town.
Sea Gypsy Gifts is located at 1001 Commercial Street in Astoria and is open 11 to 5:30 daily, and closes at 4 on Sundays. (360.510.2488)
Product Release: PNW Photo Coasters and Magnets
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.
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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Direction, Purpose, and Instinct. Just.... Yes.
in art, northwest, photography, Washington
It's hard to not get all warm-caramel-goopy inside when I think about where I am at in my art direction right now. It's like "wow, I just woke up, and here I am doing this!" Well, my idealistic thought patterns can often leave out the ride-along hardships when I finally reach a new pinnacle from my efforts. But the trick is, there is always another pinnacle! So I keep ending up in this place again and again, and the effects on my psyche have been amazingly positive.
When I am waking up and not having to go to a day job (let's hope I can hang in there this winter!!), it allows me the freedom to operate with purposeful direction in effecting my creative ideas by putting my energy towards them as much as I humanly can. Going solo also allows me to operate on instinct, which I find to be challenging at times. Having a new professional camera now presents every opportunity to create, and yet I know I have a slew of other things to do to keep bringing up the rear of my online presence and the time it takes to branch out in person. sometimes it's a tough battle to follow the path of what's right to do in the moment! But the instinct is usually right, even if the brain argues it. (if you are curious, the cute new 4lb. camera baby is a Nikon D750!)
Lately, I have done some day-tripping with my new fancy glass. I drove the entire Olympic Peninsula in two days, fell in love with a Victorian seaport town, and returned just a little defeated from not having correct filter sizes for one of my lenses. I faced the nervous challenge of being totally new at a very advanced device that came with a 500 page manual (I sat and read the whole thing before it even left my house!). But, I give myself grace because this is all so new and amazing, and I enjoyed meeting so many nice, curious, supportive people along the way. Washington, you are one Laid-back state.
When I step out my door, sometimes I even wonder what I am doing -- I think this is a factor of the newness of everything and putting my old gear up for sale, so I'm letting go of comfort I have known. The challenge of being completely alone with my thought processes is panning out into gain -- I have greater understanding of myself. I realize, "Hey, it's all okay. You just gotta do this your way. Nobody's rules or expectations apply." I faced a fear, put the big bucks down, and now this ship is sailing and I'm the captain, wooo! And just like a captain, I am on top of the weather, the road conditions, the hazards, the tides... I feel more connected to the earth than ever before. I keep going to sleep at night hoping for another day to do this. One thing you will never hear me say is, "I'm bored."
I suppose this November writing is more a heady thought-release for you to peer inside the workings of my mind as an artist whom you may follow or even admire (I'm honored if you do!). Maybe you could see that the results from going beyond comfort, facing fears alone, and following your gut is all good in the end. For myself, I'll never have to wonder because I tried.
There's Lots more to come this winter, as I just taught myself a budding new skill in the arts. Can't wait to blog about it later!
My work is for sale through Etsy and Society 6, and you will find many links throughout my site here that will take you shopping if you find a print that you like. I recently added two new 'Galleries'of products and prints here to get you stoked on my work and start looking at more. I also re-vamped the whole look and organization of NYED, and I hope you enjoy the new layout!
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BOLT Coffee Bar in Gearhart and Cannon Beach Art Gallery
Hello!
Well when they say put yourself out there... I got as much as I can handle, and more keeps coming just as soon as I push another project or show to completion. This is really an amazing process, and I know the flow will happen in its own way... I hope I can handle it and still find time to cook and sleep!
BOLT Coffee Bar Show in Gearhart
Yesterday, I hung a show at the new BOLT Coffee Bar in Gearhart. This spot is a quick and easy stop for a road adventure coffee, located on Highway 101 near Pacific Way. The owner, John, has had a passion for owning small businesses, and this coffee bar is his new venture. He serves Oregon coffee (with s'mores additions!) and has a wall of my wood photo panels on display. There are some larger prints framed in decorative pine, too! Really, he is using my work as shop decor, but I'll let it pass for awhile.
The show will run for several months, and plan on a fun gathering for a grand opening later in the summer!
Cannon Beach Art Gallery Representation
Farther down the coast, Cannon Beach Art Gallery at 1064 S. Hemlock Avenue is now carrying several of my smaller wall and tabletop 5 x 5 mini wood panel photos. This is where you will find the Haystack Rock photo, of course! You know... that gorgeous sea stack over 15 million years old that everyone checks out for nesting puffins on top and the tide pools around its base.
Stay tuned for future adventures and new art prints that will become available! My shop is always open at https://www.etsy.com/shop/Sweetsere.
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Wood is Good: Photo Art Panels!
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.
Norblad Hotel on Duane Street, Astoria, OR
Garden Hedges looking down 12th Street, Astoria, OR
Storm Drain design on the streets of Astoria, OR
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Simple Clocks I Designed, How Fun!
Hey, it is pretty fun to be an artist these days, with all the options there are out there for designing practical goods while using my photography and illustrations. There are now 20 of my new wall clock designs available to ship directly to your lil' ole crash pad by ordering from my Society 6 artist collective site (click here). Available in natural wood, black, or white frames, the 10" diameter clocks feature a high-impact plexi-glass crystal face and a backside hook for easy hanging. Choose black or white hands to mix or match your wall clock frame and art design choice. Clock sits 1.75" deep and requires 1 AA battery (not included).
A clock will run you $30 in any color combo, but the site often does a good sale every month for free shipping or discounted pricing. Sign up for their newsletter to be the first to hear about it at https://society6.com.
Oregon Coast's Neahkahnie Mountain and Astoria's Old Red net shed wall clocks
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