See Art in the Making in Aloha This Weekend. Free.

“I’ll have 3 to 4 painting that I’ll be working on at the same time and each one will be started differently.  Like splatters for one, glued pattern making paper, modeling paste and stencils and so on and so forth.  It will be a surprise and fun to watch so come on by,” says Katrina Fowler, mixed media artist.

Get a free tour map at www.washcoart.org and spend Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm visiting art studios during Washington County Open Studios.  Forty artists will be demonstrating their techniques for you and some are right in your own Aloha neighborhood. 

 “I’ll demonstrate the whole process of silk painting from the initial drawing to painting the silk with the prepared dyes,” says Patti Isaacs, silk painter.

Ana Quinn, potter says, “When you visit my studio you may see me drawing or painting on pots.  You may also possibly see me trimming a ‘leather hard’ piece on my wheel.  Trimming refers to carving a ‘foot’ on the bottom of the pot, which also reduces the weight of the piece.”

You can see art in the making October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm in the suburbs and country during Washington County Open Studios.  Get a tour map and directions FREE at www.washcoart.org 

Meet Katrina Fowler, Mixed Media Artist.

It all began with elves.  That’s what or maybe who got Katrina interested in art.

 “Yes, definitely elves, oh and dragons and well anything fantastical!  It all started when I was in 7^th grade when I was introduced to the wonderful comic books by Wendy and Richard Pini in the series Elfquest.  It wasn’t about superhero’s and it was created and drawn by *gasp* a woman!  I loved the initial series and still have my comic books today.  I’d trace the elves and pixies and make up my own tribe of wayward adventurers. “

But it didn’t stop there, according to Katrina, she got encouragement from family and teachers, too.   

“It also didn’t hurt that my parents were rather crafty themselves.  They’d spin, knit and loom wool from the sheep and angora rabbits raised on our ranch in Idaho.  My father, in his younger years, tried his hand at painting while my mother Tole painted and as us kids grew up she’d create some amazing clothes and costumes.  So you could say I grew in a rather nontraditional manner – heck I’ve lived on a 35 ft sail boat, a mansion, and single wide trailer. I studied painting at Marylhurst University and received a BFA in 2001.  I then went on to studio media arts and 3D animation at Ai and took an advanced workshop in children's book illustration," says Katrina.

When Katrina gets lost, she knows she’s found her way to her favorite part of making art. 

She explains,“Getting so into the painting that I lose track of time and *Poof* 5 hours have flown by and not even realize it.

Katrina lets her mood lead her way to mixing media.  

According to Katrina, “Mixed Media can be an overused term but I do sometimes incorporate ‘other’ items in my work.  From modeling paste to scrapbook paper or glued on gems, or plant material.  I sometimes will finish a piece in Photoshop to give it that final oomph.  It just depends on my mood and if it fits the piece."

Will there be elves or paint or both when you visit Katrina’s studio?   

“I’ll have 3 to 4 paintings that I’ll be working on at the same time and each one will be started differently.  Like splatters for one, glued pattern making paper, modeling paste and stencils and so on and so forth.  It will be a surprise and fun to watch so come on by," says Katrina.

You can see more of Katrina’s work and visit her studio during Washington County Open Studios tour October 18-19^th from 11am to 5pm.  And on her website at www.katrinafowler.com

What Weird Techniques Do Artists Use in Aloha?

“From modeling paste to scrapbook paper or glued on gems, or plant material, I use many things. I sometimes will finish a piece in Photoshop to give it that final oomph.  It just depends on my mood and if it fits the piece,” says mixed media artist, Katrina Fowler.

Ana Quinn, ceramic artist, says, “First, I spray a glaze on a bisqued (once fired) piece, then draw and paint images with colored under-glazes over the glaze. The subject matter of my paintings is often related to anthropology which I studied in school.   I’ve taken images of the visions I saw painted in the Paleolithic caves of France, petroglyphs of NW Indians from the Columbia Basin, and the stylized paintings of the ancient Mimbres Pueblo Indians.”

Wonder what other weird technique or process you’ll get to see during Washington County Open Studios? October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm, 40 artists will be demonstrating their techniques for you. 

“I use a French technique called “Serti”, explains silk painter, Patti Isaacs, “which roughly translated means boundaries.  My paint is Procien dye.”

You can see art in the making October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm in the suburbs and country during Washington County Open Studios.  Get a tour map and directions FREE at www.washcoart.org