Open Studios Inspired Our Artists To Open Their Own Studios.

First, they were tour visitors.  They were inspired.  And then, with the open studio seed planted, they began to see the possibilities of becoming part of an open studio tour.

“Being in another artist’s studio space, watching them work, gave me the creative juice to go home and create something myself.  Learning little tips, seeing how they organized their studios was always inspiring to me,” says Pam Nichols, encaustic artist.

Potter, Karen French adds, “When I lived in Corvallis, I went to another artist’s open studio.  It was different from what Washington County Open Studios does.  It was more of a sale atmosphere.  But it did make me wonder how I could do something like it but offer more for people to do.”

“I visited many artists’ studios long before I ever thought of myself as an artist.  I loved watching and learning about different media.  But it was the artist’s stories that were most inspiring to me.  It made me see the possibilities of doing my own art.  And here I am, a few decades later, showing my work and doing my own open studios,” says Susan Gallacher-Turner, ceramic artist.

To Pam, visiting taught her so much about the importance of having a good feeling in a studio space and how that makes her art better.

 “Looking back on it now, I feel that artists, who were successful in their careers, had amazing spaces that you wanted to just be in.  Their studios were a work of art in itself.  I know that for my studio, it is important for me to have it feel good, no clutter, clean, great light, possible great view, having my things easily ready to use.  I think you can create this kind of space from beautiful large room to a part of a dining room.  Building a comfortable studio space can be an important step in making your art.”

Inspiration is everywhere on the Washington County Open Studios tour.  It not only gives both artists and art lovers a chance to share, learn and grow.  It also gave these artists encouragement to keep going and become successful artists.

Susan adds, “It just amazes me when I look back and see how far I’ve come in my creative life and I hope that I can inspire the creative spirit in all who come to my studio.  Because, you just never know, someday, they could be doing an open studio tour, too.”

Get inspired this weekend on the Washington County Open Studios Tour.  It's free.  Artist studios open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.  Tour map and information online at washcoart.org

See Art in the Making in Hillsboro. Free.

  

 “I’ll be cutting stone, or glass, and using thin set mortar to affix the tesserae to a work in progress,” says Lynn Adamo, Mosaic Artist.

Watercolor painter, Catherine Bede describes, “Hopefully they will get to see a bit of the whole process. From creating a painting and studying my subject matter to beginning sketches, a complete drawing and the finished painting.”

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 Hillsboro neighborhood.

“I will be painting a watercolor still life and creating jewelry in my studio,” says painter, Bonnie Burbidge.

At Valerie Sjodin’s studio, “People will experience a warm welcome into a space that feels like a kindergarten classroom for adults. It’s so fun and invites spirited conversations and questions. We may look through journals, ask and answer questions, “show-n-tell” and more. Interacting with people who visit during open studios is a highlight for me. “

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 

Ask an Artist: Sierra Lonepine Briano, Mixed Media Painter.

Ever wonder how an artist becomes an artist?  Why they make art? Where they get their inspiration and what you’ll see when you visit their studio? 

Here’s your chance to get find out.

Why do you love what you do?

“I love what I do because when I'm in my studio I don't have to think about anything else. It's an escape into another world that is only inhabited by me!

What weird and different material or technique do you use?” 

“Most recently I have begun making handmade paper from mushrooms. The kind that grow on dead wood. I have also used plant skeletons in some of my collage work. Oh yes and "Road Kill", don't forget "Road Kill" a line of jewelry I made from things I found on the ground. Once I passed up the banded leg of a dead pigeon--it was just too over the top! But if I saw it now, I would probably pick it up!”

What’s your favorite part of your process?

  

“My favorite part of making art is getting new ideas. Sometimes they come in dreams, sometimes from something I see in my wanderings or something I am inspired by in the art work of some else.”

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

“No telling what they might find me doing. I could be painting on an old board, on canvas or reverse painting on glass. I could even paint them if they stand still! Or I might be tooling tin or making handmade paper or fabricating a piece from natural materials I have found.”

You can see more of Sierra’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 sierrabriano.com

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