Newest Painting

My cat Mufasa always cozies up to me when I'm writing in my journal. He throws his paw over my arm as his way of saying pay attention to me. It's an everyday occurrence that I totally love.

(Painting: True Romance, 16x12 oil on canvas panel)   

'Fall into Art': November 1, 2019

(Delta Dawn, 36x36 Oil on gallery wrapped c)anvas

Thirteen of my large oil paintings are part of of the Newberg Artwalk 'Fall into Art': Friday, Nov 1, 5-8 pm. If you are in Newberg Friday check out my work at Coldwell Banker Professional Group. It's a fun time with live music, wine tasting and food. 

503.538.0468

616 E First St, Newberg, OR 97132 https://www.newbergartwalk.com/artwalk-flyer.html

'Beautiful Lives Lost' July 5, 2018

Quin Sweetman, Originator of Beautiful Lives Lost Portrait Project

(Press Release, Portland, OR)

After the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 58 people dead, Quin Sweetman, a full-time artist, felt helpless in the face of yet another national tragedy of senseless gun violence. She had a brilliant idea to help us all grieve. Quin gathered 55 artists together via Facebook to make portraits of the 58 people who were killed.  She called the project “Beautiful Lives Lost”.

“We really don’t like referring to the people who lost their lives that day as victims,” notes Sweetman.  “All of them were people, not statistics, living rich, rewarding and beautiful lives. They were invisible to the perpetrator, but all the artists who committed to this project clearly see their humanity. The artists recognize, remember and honor those lost lives with their artworks. They volunteered their time, materials, and talents as a loving gesture to bring some comfort to the families, loved-ones and communities by showing that people care about their loss”.  Following the exhibition all portraits will be given to the families.

There is powerful visual impact created by showing all of these portraits together. All 58 artworks will be at The Marcia Policar Gallery in the Art Institute of Portland during July.

The art styles shown are as varied as the subjects of the portraits. Sweetman contributed a canvas of off-duty police officer (and 34-year-old Military Veteran) Charleston Hartfield, “a true blue American guy” depicted in soft oil brush strokes.  Celeste Bergin’s portrait of Special Education teacher Sandy Casey captures her optimistic and ebullient nature. "I learned a lot about her while painting her, Bergin said, I read somewhere that if you met Sandy just once, you loved her.  That is exactly right, through this project I "met" Sandy... and now I love her too. 

Sweetman noted, “Kindness begets kindness. and 'Beautiful Lives Lost' has created a heartening experience for all the participating artists. The portraits serve as tangible proof that these 58 people will continue to be remembered in the most positive light. Art helps us all heal”. 

Art Institute of Portland

1122 NW Davis

Portland

Overall exhibit dates July 5-July 27

https://www.facebook.com/beautifulliveslost/

https://vimeo.com/243359480

http://www.kptv.com/story/38583003/oregon-artists-honor-the-58-las-vegas-shooting-victims

Reception photos (thank you, David Burbach)

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"Beautiful Lives Lost" (Reception, Thursday, July 5, Art Institute of Portland)

(16x12 Painting: Sandy Casey by Celeste Bergin)

Sandy Casey (age 35) was originally from Dorset, Vermont. She was a special education teacher for the Manhattan Unified School District in Redondo Beach California. She was extremely kind-hearted and had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved the simple things; country music, running, soccer, bowling and yoga. Sandy is survived by her fiancé, her parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as a legion of friends and students who will remain forever inspired by her unbridled optimism (and famous puns).
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This project, “Beautiful Lives Lost" was started by my dear friend @quinsweetman to commemorate all of the beautiful lives lost in the meaningless Las Vegas shooting. All the artists have volunteered their time and effort to create a portrait for each of the 58 people lost at the concert.

Reception and Exhibit: Thursday, July 5 (5-8pm) at the Art Institute of Portland, 1122 NW Davis, Portland. Overall dates July 5-July 27. The paintings will then be gifted to the families. #sandycasey #sandycaseystrong #lasvegasstrong#beautifulliveslostportraitproject #beautifulliveslost #artforhumanity

Selfie !

I'm still doing the daily drawing, but I apparently can't get myself to blog it everyday. This is my self portrait drawing that I did at our most recent sketch group meeting at Prosperity Pie. (and yes, while there I did also have pie).

(Photo: Self Portrait Drawing, pencil in Sketchbook)

Day 3

From a sketchy reference: pencil in sketchbook

New 100 day project

I'm joining my friend Bhavani Krishnan in drawing a portrait or figure every day for 100 days. 

(Drawing: "Dave" charcoal in sketchbook)