Where Do Artists Make Art In Aloha?

“My studio has a large window that beams with daylight.  My easel is set up beside the window, a small table below the window holds my palette and supplies.  A larger desk sits in the middle of the room for studio paintings, gesso canvases and boards,” says painter, Michele Bufton.

Ana Quinn, ceramic artist describes her studio, “My studio has a deck with a sliding glass door which gave 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. 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 where artists make art in your neighborhood during Washington County Open Studios Tour, October 17 and 18 from 11 am to 5 pm. Over 40 artists will be opening their studio doors for you.  And it’s FREE.

“The magic of silk painting is done in the kitchen on my wide counter with a huge plastic cover and vinyl flooring! I have water available and easy clean up if the day turns messy,” says Patti Isaacs, silk artist.

Encaustic artist, Evelyn Fritz says, “My studio is in my home and it is divided into two areas.  The main studio and my little encaustic corner, which overlooks my patio.”

Inside or outside, upstairs or down, 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. Free tour map and artist information is on the Washington County Open Studios Tour website www.washcoart.org

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

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

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