Today's "Breakfast in the Gallery" at Amato's, Beaverton

The March event at Amato's Gallery is a series of Saturday morning artist demos, complete with coffee and pastries from Beaverton Bakery. Today, visitors observed Gretha Lindwood work in pastels and Chris Helton in acrylics. Visitors had lots of questions for our artists and lots of interest in studying the work on the gallery walls. Comments included: "The art is great." - "I plan to come back." - "Food was a nice touch." I've posted a couple of photos.

Mark your calendars now for the remaining three Saturdays. The event takes place from 9 to 11, at Amato's Gallery, 12320 1st Street, Beaverton. Future demonstrations include jewelry design, oil painting, pastels, and clay. Plan to attend one or all three.

Another Workshop Painting

I finished the third painting I had started in Kitty's workshop last weekend. This was a value/temperature exercise with a specific palette - warm lights and cool darks. The reference was a black and white photo supplied by Kitty. I wasn't happy with it when I posted it on the workshop studio wall - something wasn't quite right. After several days of observation - and time spent painting on the Mendocino piece - I was ready to tackle this image again. I added closely related values to the large bluff on the left which softened the extreme contrast of what had been an extremely dark, solid mass. I'm happier with the new result. Had a good day today - hope you did too.

Nearly Finished Pastel

I worked this evening on a pastel that I started Saturday in Kitty Wallis' pastel workshop. My reference was a photograph I took years ago of a simple backroad in Mendocino, CA, a town of many charms and numerous photo opportunities. I've enjoyed working on this piece. Had a good day; hope you did too.

Change of Artwork at US Bank Lloyd Center Branch

I removed my paintings of Italian scenes from US Bank this morning. Just want to remind you to see Karen Lewis' oil landscape paintings during the month of March at this same site. The bank's staff commented on how much customers enjoy their rotating art display provided by members of Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters. And, we're happy to have the exposure.

"Breakfast in the Gallery"

Every Saturday morning in March, Amato's Gallery in downtown Beaverton will host "Breakfast in the Gallery," from 9 to 11 a.m. Coffee and continental fare will be provided, along with artists' demonstrations in a variety of media. Mark your calendars and start your Saturdays with a dose of artistic inspiration. Amato's Gallery is located within Amato's Florals, 12320 SW 1st Street, Beaverton.

We celebrated our official opening on February 12, with an artists' reception that was lively and very well attended. I'm exhibiting my work there along with sixteen other award-winning area artists; you can imagine how excited we all are to have a permanent fine art gallery in historic downtown Beaverton.

Stop in Monday through Saturday, 10 to 4, to see sculptures by Joni Mitchell, Joe Pogan and John Wisener; glasswork by Diane Ahrendt; ceramics by Beth O'Mahony; jewelry by Bert Cohen, Sheri Gorman, and Rosie Long; oils by Linda Baker and Michael Orwick; pastels by Brenda Boylan, Gretha Lindwood and Christy Perrine; acrylics by Chris Helton and Annie Salness; and watercolors by me. It's a very talented group and I'm proud to be a part of this exciting venture.

Chris Helton will be "up at the easel" on March 6; she'll be happy to share her process and field your comments and questions.

No need for reservations - just show up. Hope to see you there, Donna

Pastel Workshop with Kitty

Why do I always have to start off my blog entries with, "It's been a long time since my last blog." Isn't the point of a blog to make entries on a regular basis. I aim to do better in the future.

With that said, I had to share the delightful experience of the three-day pastel workshop I just attended with Kitty Wallis at the helm. We started Friday morning with color exercises based on value and temperature, and worked on transforming black and white photos into paintings using specific palettes. Of course we worked on Kitty's fabulous Wallis pastel paper - the best ever made. The hours flew and by the end of day one I was hooked. Too much fun - too much color eye candy. Day two started with Kitty demonstrating her pure pigment underpainting technique, followed by application of pastels. We each followed suit, this time working from our own color photograph. Day three was reserved for creating an array of handmade pastels to share and take home for future masterpieces!

The class was small but energy was high, and we all went away with smiles on our faces. New ideas, new materials, new friends - what could be better. I had a wonderful weekend - hope you did as well.

Upcoming Shows

It's been awhile since my last blog. Happy New Year to all and may 2010 be filled with good health and good creative experiences.

I wanted to share two new exhibits of my work, one is for the month of February and the other is installed and ongoing.

The first show will open on the 1st of February at the Lloyd Center branch of U.S. Bank, 1601 NE Weidler Street, Portland 97232. Hours are Monday thru Friday 9-6, and Saturdays 9-2. This exhibit will feature watercolor images of Italy.

The other exhibit is at Amato's, 12320 SW 1st Street, Beaverton OR 97005. My watercolors and mixed media pieces are currently installed along with paintings by Michael Orwick, Brenda Boylan, and Gretha Lindwood; and sculpture by Joni Mitchell and John Weisener. An opening gallery reception will take place on Friday, February 12, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. This is an exciting group of award-winning Beaverton artists whose work is varied and engaging. On behalf of owner Karen Amato and the other artists, I hope you will stop by and enjoy our opening reception. Gallery hours are currently Monday thru Friday, 10 to 5 p.m.