The 2015 Falconer Education Fund :In Memory of our Artists David Falconer and Karen French.

Last year in memory of David Falconer, photographer, father and Washington County Open Studios supporter, we announced a new educational fund.

Our very first sponsor, David Falconer was a tour artist for two years, enthusiastically sharing his love of photography. Well known as an Oregonian staff photographer for 25 years, David’s passion on and off assignment kept him shooting professional and candid shots of family members, neighbors, cats and landscapes.

This year, we add to the Falconer Education Fund with memorial to one of our tour artists, potter, Karen French.

A Tigard area Washington County Open Studios artist, Karen showed the true spirit of our tour.  She opened her studio and demonstrated her pottery process by showing visitors how to throw, glaze and do horsehair raku.  She volunteered her time helping with signs, catalog distribution and event pr.

To both David Falconer and Karen French, service to others was always part of their lives.  They both taught classes, volunteered in their community, mentored other artists and friends.  They both believed in the value and importance of arts education.

And so, it seems fitting to honor the memories of both David Falconer and Karen French with the Falconer Educational Fund.

Donations of any amount can be made on our website www.washcoart.org.

Funds will be used to promote art education and opportunities via the Washington County Open Studios Tour.

Where Do Artists Make Art?

The artists on this year's Washington County Open Studios Tour create in many different media and many different kinds of studios.

Some artists have studios in their kitchens.  Patti Issacs works in her upstairs room studio with acrylics and handmade papers but uses her kitchen to create with silk paints.

Some have a separate studio structure on their property.  Jewel Starz has a newly built studio on her farm surrounded by dogs, llamas and chickens. 

Some create art in their dens. Evelyn Fritz has two areas to work in her home.   She works in her encaustic corner and a space that overlooks her patio.

Some make their work in their basements. Linda Gerrard creates her fused glass pieces in her daylight basement.

Other artists create in the garage.  Susan Gallacher-Turner throws porcelain on a wheel in garage, right next to the car.

Some artists have the world as their studios.  Chris Goldthrope takes his photography outdoors and his favorite place is the ocean.  But during the Washington County Open Studios tour, he’ll be showing how he edits his work in his in-home studio.

Inside or outside, artists find many creative ways to create.  And they’ll show how they do it and where October 17 and 18 from 11am to 5pm.  You can learn more about the artists and their art on the Washington County Open Studios Tour website www.washcoart.org

How do artists create art?

JoAnn Pari-Mueller painting

How do tubes of paint, brushes, canvas or paper become a painting?  What happens to a lump of clay on a wheel that turns it into a porcelain bowl?  Why do the layers of colored wax stick to the canvas?

This is the magic of creation, experimentation and experience that turns ordinary materials into art.

And this year, during the Washington County Open Studios Tour, 42 artists will let you see the magic happen right in their studios.  All across Washington County, artists will be opening up their studios and giving you a chance to see the process of making art. 

In Hillsboro, you'll see Tim Gabriel bend steel into intricate shapes.

Patti Issacs will be painting on silk in Aloha.

In Beaverton, Peg Silloway will weaving colored threads together on a loom.

Virginia Parks will be melting wax into colorful paintings in Tigard.

In Forest Grove, Paulina Kriebel will be making wearable art clothing.

Les Dougherty will be turning native woods into bowls in Gaston.

In Portland, Jo Reimer will be using papers, paint and more to create mixed media collages.

And JM Starz will be painting in acrylics in Sherwood.

There's so much to see!  And all for FREE!   So make your calendar for October 17 & 18th.

For more info on artists and tour map click on this link or go to www.washcoart.org

Pinterest: Take a Peek At Our New Tour Artists.

Linda Gerrard, glass

This year, in addition to this blog, you’ll be able to see our artists on Pinterest.  If you haven’t seen this social media site before, you’re in for a treat.  Especially if you love to look at beautiful pictures, you’ll find plenty to love on our new Pinterest site.

Pinterest is a site full of wonderful images. 

 

Helvi Smith, acrylic

I like to think of it as an amazing collection of inspirations to get my creative juices flowing.  Sometimes I find quotes that guide me.  Sometimes I see sweet animals, delicious treats or amazing art to excite my creativity.  Whatever I see, I can pin it to one of the boards on my personal Pinterest page. 

 

Sharon Orella, copper

I like to think of Pinterest as my online vision board.  You can create one, too.

 

Susan Gallacher-Turner, porcelain

To get started, just visit Pinterest on the web.  Start your own Pinterest page and start pinning your favorite and inspiring images.  And you can use our link to get your creative juices flowing.

Whether it’s a wonderful fused glass piece, dazzling piece of jewelry, watercolor, oil or acrylic painting, wood or iron work, copper repousse, ceramics or sculpture, it’s all there on our Washington CountyStudio Tour Pinterest site.

 

Lynn Adamo, mosaic

Get inspired.  And get pinning on Pinterest!