Ana Quinn: A Peek into her Process.

How do artists make art?  The answer is as unique as the art and artist.  And on the Washington County Open Studios tour on October 17^th and 18^th, you get a peek behind the scenes into the art making process.  Every artist is opening up their studio to you, showing you their materials, inspirations and demonstrating what they do and how they create art.

Ana, when you begin your work, what inspires you?

“My cats, ancient art forms, and the life cycle of the salmon as well as how colors play against each other. I make both functional and decorative work.  I just finished a dinnerware set for a niece and am working on a series of fantastic birds.”  

Ana, do you have a weird, different material or technique you use and does that inspire you?

“I enjoy altering thrown forms by stamping and darting them, as well as cutting apart and rearranging enclosed forms to create sculptures. Inspiration has come from cave images, petroglyphs, and designs employed by the ancient Pueblo Indians, as well as the life cycle of the salmon.  These images are drawn and painted over a glazed surface.”

How did you find your way to art, Ana?

“I've always loved clay and working with my hands. I used art, especially clay as a middle school teacher at the daVinci Arts Middle School in Portland. My first wheel was a Soldner kick wheel, which I carted from Colorado to the northwest.  At one point we had to  build a fence around my wheel as goats were slurping up  the clay!  When I retired from teaching the clay became my art, as the students are the art in any classroom.“

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

“I may be trimming a 'green' pot, designing a piece of glazed pottery, sculpting a bird head or drawing a design on a nearly finished vessel.  I'd be happy to explain whatever I'm doing at the time.” 

Ana, what is unique and inspiring about your studio?

“My studio has a deck with a sliding glass door which until recently has given me a view of my garden, however, I just purchased an upload gas kiln which now sits on a palette in front of my deck!  This will allow me to be totally self-sufficient !  Besides my new kiln, I have an electric potter's wheel, two utility sinks, 2 work tables, and an electric kiln in the garage to bisque my work.”

See Ana’s art and get inspired during the 2015 Washington County Open Studios tour October 17 and 18 from 11am to 5pm.  Get a FREE tour map and information online at www.washcoart.org

Inside the Studio: Darla Boljat

Creating art takes more than talent and inspiration, it takes time and space.  Every artist’s space is as unique as the art they create.  And that’s what makes the FREE Washington County Open Studios tour unique, too.  You get to visit the artist and see them create in their studios across Washington County. 

Today, you can get a quick inside look into one of our 41 artists on this year’s tour.  As well as an insight into their art process and what you might see on our tour, October 17^th and 18^th.

Darla, tell us a little about your studio.

“My studio used to be my son’s room which my husband and I remodeled after he enlisted in the Marine Corps and moved out. Now my studio is my entire house, as well as my back yard occasionally. I usually set up on our table in the dining room so when I go about my daily activities I can remember to work on my art, and thus have no excuses not to create.

I believe the most inspiring part about my studio is that I am able to create in any circumstances because I have my art accessible and available. I am prepared to create anytime, every day even when obligations are keeping me busy. Through this set-up, I can balance my family and my art.”

When you begin your work, Darla, what inspires you?

“The challenge to recreate the beauty that I see in a subject is what drives me to create. I really enjoy re-creating details I see in nature.”

Darla, how did you find your way to art?

“I was a single mom in the 80’s and learned perseverance as I worked full time in customer service to support my son and I, ultimately purchasing my own home as a single mom in 1993. After 2005, when I became a professional artist, I have learned to say no to things I used to do which consumed my time and energy, and to embrace the fact that it is a priority at this point in my life to be here for my family and also create art.

Although some people may disagree, I believe I need to create every day. I still have friends today to whom I have to say no about getting together all the time but most of my friends have happily stood by me and supported my art and the time and commitment it takes to be an artist.

I had obstacles early in my life before I even knew I was an artist, including having undiagnosed ADHD as a child. Today, I use the boredom from my ADHD to continually create, learn and experiment in my art.”

What weird, different material or technique do you use, Darla, and does that inspires you?

“I have tried many techniques in creating and made a lot of my own techniques. I have created art using Polyurethane mixed with paint. I have created paintings incorporating real leaves and recycled items, as well as foil embossing created to imprint wine bottle labels.  I included it in my art and I have even painted over the foil embossing. These pieces allow me to play with new materials to create entirely new looks, textures, and finishes.”

Darla, when people come to your studio, what will they see you doing?

“I have no idea at this point what I will be working on during open studio in October but I am sure it will be fun!”

See Darla’s studio and get inspired 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

What Inspires Artists in Aloha?

 “I get inspired to paint by looking at paintings sitting on my easel.  Passages in the paintings draw my attention and lead me into painting.  Before long, the hours have passed.  I like to leave the painting up and reflect back on it after a day of painting,” says painter, Michele Bufton.

Encaustic artist, Evelyn Fritz says, “I love to experiment so any new tool or method that helps me to create texture sets me into a creative mood.”

You’ll get to see the magic of creation and inspiration that turns ordinary materials into art for FREE.  During the Washington County Open Studios tour, 41 artists will be opening up their studios  October 17 and 18 from 11am to 5 pm right in your own neighborhood.

“Inspiration comes to me in many ways. An idea or word, something I've seen or a feeling I want to express. I will sometimes wake in the middle of the night or be unable to fall asleep due to a deluge of ideas spilling out of my mind.  I also find being with other creative individuals keeps me motivated and inspired,” says silk painter, Patti Isaacs.

Ceramic artist, Ana Quinn says, “My cats, ancient art forms, and the life cycle of the salmon as well as how colors play against each other. I make both functional and decorative work.  I just finished a dinnerware set for a niece and am working on a series of fantastic birds.”

There's so much to see!  And all for FREE!   So make your calendar for October 17 & 18^th from 11 am to 5 pm for the Washington County Open Studios tour.  For more info on artists and tour map go online at www.washcoart.org

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