Meet the Artist: Chris Goldthorpe.

How does an artist get started making art?  Where do they get their inspiration?  What kind of weird things do they use to make art?  And where do they create?

Get the answers and see inside all 41 artists’ studios during the 2015 Washington County Open Studios tour October 17 and 18 from 11am to 5pm.

Here’s a quick interview with one of this year’s new artists, Chris Goldthrope.

What is unique and inspiring about your studio set up?

“I take most of my photos outdoors but when I do shoot indoors I often use the garage – when I move the cars out there is a lot of space and if I want to do anything messy such as splash photography there is no carpet or hardwood floor to ruin. You could say that my studio is the great outdoors although I do shoot indoors also. The Oregon Coast would rank high on my favorite outdoor locations.”

When you begin your work, what inspires you and/or gets you going?

“Everything starts with using the camera to capture the impression I get from being in an interesting location. I find myself inspired when I am at any of the beautiful places in Oregon at a time when the light is perfect.”

How did you find your way to art?

“My earliest memories of photography were as a small child. My father had a darkroom and I was fascinated by how the images would gradually appear on the photographic paper when placed in a tray of developing chemical. I have fond memories of working with film but I am even more excited by digital media which offers endless creative possibilities.”

What odd, weird, different material or technique do you use and how does that inspire you?

“I recently started using Filter Forge which is software that allows you to write your own filters, I've been experimenting with the concept of using a small number of elements repeated many times at different scales to create a sense of depth in my photos.”

When people come to your studio, what will they see you doing …what part of your process?

“I will be using various pieces of software – Photoshop, the Nik Collection and Filter Forge to create finished images from raw digital media.”

Meet Chris and 40 other artists October 17 and 18 from 11am to 5pm during the Washington County Open Studios tour.  Get a FREE tour map and information online at www.washcoart.org

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