2016 Pacific NW Plein Air Competition and Exhibition, Mary Hill Museum of Art, Reception, Friday, August 26

Dear Friends:

The 2016 Pacific Northwest Plein Air Event begins Monday, August 22, 2016. 

For the first time the show is hosted by the prestigious Maryhill Museum of Art.

40 artists will paint at various locations throughout the Columbia River Gorge for four days beginning August 22 through Thursday, August 25.

The Opening Reception at Maryhill Museum of Art is a free event and open to the public Friday, August 26, 5 to 7 PM

You are invited to view the paintings the artists created en plein air, to meet the artists and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres. All of the paintings will be available for purchase.

The exhibition continues Saturday and Sunday, August 27 and 28 at Maryhill Museum of Art.
Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM. (Over the weekend the exhibit is free with paid museum admission).

More information on the event is at www.maryhillmuseum.org

See you at the Reception!  

Celeste

P.S. Check out my paintings throughout the week on my Instagram page.

(Painting) Celeste Bergin, oil, "Pebble Beach, Stevenson, Wa" 12x9 on canvas panel, 

Artist Reception, June 3, 6-8pm Borland Gallery, Silverton, OR (You are Invited)

Intimate Grandeur

Images of Northwest landscape

Eric Jacobsen

Celeste Bergin

Carol Hansen

Erik Sandgren

Ulan Moore

Helen Bouchard

Jim Shull

Borland Gallery

303 Coolidge Street

Silverton, OR 97381

Opening Reception

Friday, June 3, 2016, 6pm-8pm

Artist Reception, Friday, May 6, 5:30-7:30pm

(Click to Enlarge)

Happy Weekend!

This is one of those scenes where you just have to go with what is there. All I had was a bunch of bushes....but luckily the sun came out really strong and lit it up. It's just a practice piece, but I wound up pleased with it. I took it to the art discussion meeting recently because the subject was backlighting (or rim lighting). To see what everyone else brought go HERE. (Additional other weeks HERE and HERE)  Have you been busy painting?

(Painting) Celeste Bergin, Sun-struck, oil on 12x9 canvas panel

Saturday!

I've been painting on Saturdays at "Fine Art Saturday". Today the model wore a big beautiful sun hat. This is after a few hours. I might resolve it further, because I think it is a good start. 

The weather is starting to be really nice here in Portland, so I hope to start painting outdoors soon too. What have you been doing? I'll go check out some blogs now. 

(Painting) Celeste Bergin, Model S, oil on 16x20 canvas sheet

I'm back...! AGAIN

Well, I haven’t had so much to report. My life pretty much came to a grinding halt while I tried to find out what to do about the intractable daily headaches I have been having for a full year. The situation just got worse and worse. Last week, after months and months (and months) of conservative treatment I had sinus surgery. I’m so grateful to my wonderful Doctor Timothy Smith at OHSU and I am optimistic that I am going to be back 100%. Aren't we lucky that we live in an age when Doctors and nurses can help us so much? It just feels like a miracle that the daily headache chapter might actually be coming to a close.

Ok!  By way of catching up….despite all the trouble I’ve had I did manage to get to Studio one-eleven at the Troy for a couple of life painting sessions. This is Sean. They also call him “Boss”. He definitely gives off an air of a man in-charge.

Another week at Studio one-eleven.  This model wore a lovely backless dress, but my view of her was from the front. I loved the hits of color from the lighting on her face. 

 Headache or not, I always make a concerted effort to get to Art Discussion Thursdays. This is an “experimental” painting I brought. (I realize now that it looks like an ad for Headache.  Haha)!
(To see what others brought...go here, here and here)

Sinus surgery recovery is no cake walk…I literally had to take to my bed and just stay there. I’ve done a batch of self portraits in my sketchbook (from photos). This one is one of my favorites where I am contemplating cutting my hair.

Finally today, I felt well enough to set up a little “sketch station” in the bedroom. I like drawing and I’m going to make it a daily habit…(like my friend Jim King does).  Now you are all brought up to date….Next, I’ll be checking in with you on what you’ve been doing! (And Thank you facebookers,  for all the well wishes on my Facebook wall).

(Photo 1): Painting, Celeste Bergin, Oil, Sean, 16x20 oil on canvas sheet
(Photo 2)  Painting, Celeste Bergin, Oil, Young Lady, 16x20 oil on canvas sheet
(Photo 3)  Painting, Celeste Bergin, Oil, Waiting, 16x20 oil on canvas sheet
(Photo 4)  Drawing, Celeste Bergin, I should cut this #2 pencil in Fabriano sketchbook, 
(Photo 5)  Sketch corner in the bedroom

Painting in Gallery One-Eleven at the Troy Building

Last Saturday a few of us painted in Gallery One-Eleven at the Troy Building. This is where Joanne Radmilovich-Kollman has a studio and she and Sean McGonigal are going to begin offering Saturday open figure sessions (no instruction). This was a "Beta-test" to see if the space seems right ...we decided it is just great for model and still life sessions. Above is my painting "start".

Joanne talks about her own effort here.

The Troy building has traditionally housed a lot of artist studios (and originally it had something to do with Laundry).

So, if you are in Portland and want to know more about these upcoming Saturdays contact Joanne: joradart@comcast(dot)net. 

To see what everyone brought to art discussion on Thursday go HERE

(Oil Study) Celeste Bergin, Tony, oil on 16x12 canvas panel