Sunday, September 28, 2008

Ed's 39 - again

Autumn is coming on fast but not here yet.

The elections are a short time away and I find it hard to believe some folks are already voting. We get our ballots soon here in Oregon and Sharyn ever the action person is helping lead the Obama campaigning here in Creswell. 


With all this going on we added some soil to reduce the natural slope of our front lawn and a small section of the back. Rexius blew in the soil and I smoothed it out added seed and covered the area in peat moss. At this point (four days ago) the grass is kicking in and looking good.


The lichen is doing well on the Hazelnut trees in the field next to the house.


The new grass looks good and in a week or so I can cut it down.


I took this shot of a very old Maple tree and threw in in the blog just for fun.


Well today was Ed's birthday so we took him ...

...to the Village Green Resort for a nice birthday lunch.


Sharyn decided to walk him over in his wheel chair (it was only two blocks away) but I wanted to take the car over and take a few pictures.


The Village Green Resort is being renewed and it's coming along great.


It was once the place where movie stars came to relax in the beautiful Oregon countryside.


The gardens are looking great although this is not the time to come to see the blooms it is beautiful.


I looked in every direction in the courtyard and was impressed by the simple beauty of the garden.


There were graceful arches, a gazebo and ...


... a  fountain.

There was also this cute mailbox.


I was fascinated by the seed pods on this plant.


I also liked the bee inside this trumpet plant.


I even liked the trumpet plant without a bee.


There was another fountain out front that was one of those hole in a boulder fountains I really like.


While standing out front I saw this guy riding his recumbent 3-wheeler across the street probably on his way to the Walmart a block to the East.


When we got Ed into the Restaurant he was given his birthday cards.


We had a great conversation about his birthday finding out he was 39 again.


Then Sharyn pulled out the cell phone after we ordered and called Jilly and Jesse then Vivian and Monica and all gave their happy birthdays. Jesse even informed Ed he and Janelle were making him a great grandfather - again. We can't wait for the pictures of Colton (the baby's name when he emerges into the light of day. 


We were in a very delightful booth and Ed and I had the coconut shrimp while Sharyn had a very nice salad.

Then Sharyn wheeled Ed back home. Ed's room is behind Sharyn and behind the tree with the yellow top. We had a very nice time on a very nice day. After getting home we knocked on some doors for the Obama/Biden ticket and the side benefit was getting to meet our neighbors in Creswell.

Scrabble Score - Scrabble Queen 290 ~  The Contender 339

Quote of the Day ~ 
“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” ~  Lucille Ball

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Mayor's Art Show & Some Flowers

I did something I'd never done before this day. I went to the Mayor's Art Show.

The actual show was below the Hult Center Lobby where the awards were presented. They had speakers and some live music and I took a few pictures. I was waiting to meet an artist I knew, Bets Cole, to give her some pictures I'd taken at an art show she was in at Maude Kearns. It was a great place to wait and one I had wanted to take my camera.


I like the interior of the building for it's huge open space and combination of cold grey concrete and warm brown wood. With a little green for our Emerald City.


Banners were hung for the major events/programs of the Hult Center:

  • Eugene Ballet Company
  • Eugene Concert Choir
  • Eugene Opera
  • Eugene Symphony
  • Oregon Bach Festival
  • Oregon Mozart Players
  • The Shedd Institute

I moved from behind the piano (upper right of this picture) to the next level up some stairs. There was a very large crowd for the opening ceremonies.


Our Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy gave a fine opening presentation expressing her appreciation of the arts and the artists of our city.


After cutting the ribbon the crowd were down the stairs in a flash to go through the exhibit. I had found Bets and given her the CD of images and then took one of her entry in the show a beautiful rural scene.


I couldn't believe how crowded it was in the Jacobs Gallery and it reminded me of the Van Goth exhibit in Los Angeles. 


Bets painting is called "Morning Valley Vista" is an Acrylic and I like the placement at the entrance to the gallery between two very complimentary paintings.


And here is the artist with a big smile and ready to get on to meet some friends I appreciated her stopping for a quick picture.


It was very crowded and I figured I was getting more carbon dioxide so I took some shots on the way out.


This was a very interesting piece I am still looking at the larger image to understand a bit better.


I especially liked the portrait here and the layout of the wall was very nice.


Back at home I took a few flower pictures. These are so new I didn't even know what they are.
 

Some are reaching their last days.


Some are still blooming and ...


... some were just pretty leaves.

Isaac found my camera and took the next two pictures and they came out great like this pink and yellow Dahlia...


... and this beautiful blue and red morning glory.


Scrabble Score ~ Scrabble Queen 332  -  The Contender 329

Quote of the Day ~ 
If you elect a matinee idol mayor, you're going to have a musical comedy administration. ~ Robert Moses

Saturday, September 06, 2008

9/2008 - Art Walk ~ Faye Nakamura and Steven Lopez


It's another First Friday Art Walk in Eugene and I'm in town and hop in the Mini-Musemobile and head north to Eugen.

I got a great parking spot and walked over to the Karin Clarke Annex on Willamette to see what and who is on display. I looked over the gallery for familiar artists. I saw some Mark Clarke paintings that feel like old friends now. There were also artist's works I didn't recognize.


David McCosh did these two wonderful paintings the top one is called "Parade" and the lower one is "Bargain Basement."


Then there was a wonderfully colorful forest scene called "Walk Through the Woods" by Bets Cole. I had met Bets before at a Plein Air Paintout and later at a show she was in at the Maude Kearns Art Center. As I walked out of the annex later who do you think I saw but none other than Bets Cole. We had a nice talk about art and her new web site [Click Here] designed by her son. Beautiful site and great work, I suggest you drop by if you get the chance.


Adam Growsowsky had a piece on display I'd not seen before and like all his others I really liked this one.


I left the annex and walked over to the Hult Center where the Jacobs Gallery is located, and took this picture of a wall painting at the Hult/Convention Center.

I also took this one of the unique architecture of the Center.


I liked the view looking back toward Willamette and noticed the crescent moon low in the sky.


Jacobs was closed since they are hanging for the Mayors Art Show so I headed back to the Main Karin Clarke Gallery to see the works of their featured artist, Faye Nakamura.


This work by Faye in clay and, I believe, some fabric is called "Conversation in Chinese"


"Flower Head" is the title of this whimsical ceramic piece that had many patrons stopping and smiling.


This beautiful piece is called "Moon in Pices." I got to meet Faye and tried to get her in a shot with this piece but I think she was shy about pictures so I'll just describe her as a witty, creative and very engaging person with a great personality.


I think these next two were my favorites if I were forced to give a quick impression. This one totled "Flying" and ...


... this one titled "Twin Island Cats" captured my imagination immediately.


Then I saw this piece titled "Pink Ginger" and my breath was taken away.


"Figure Vessel" Faye is certainly not shy in her work the female figure was beautifully displayed in many of her works. I sometime wonder if the ability to portray the human figure so tastefully is a key to an open and creative imagination.


"From the Ocean" is a striking work of art perhaps telling us of the origins of human existence.


"Haku Lei Offering" was a work I walked by several times before I looked back and saw it there almost in the center of the gallery. After so many light hued works it stood out as a real change of pace and the detail of this bust is fantastic.


This work is called "Cherry Blossoms" and demonstrates Faye's ability to both separate and elegantly combine several elements in her art.


Faye was looking at the pictures I had shot and said I should get happy and happier. Well being too introspective I was wondering if I looked glum. I did know I didn't feel glum and after looking at her art I was pretty much ecstatic but I went back and checked out the north side of the north wall. Then a light went on when I saw this piece called "Happy" then next to it was...

... the piece called "Happier." Geeze did I feel dense but that's normal.


"Black and Blue" is yet another delicate piece in a style I've come to really appreciate, and very much admire the use of clay, acrylic, fabric and wood. Multiple elements stirred by her hands and mind into a brew of beauty.


"Lau'ea" was another I liked in it's simplicity. In showing the pictures to Bets Cole later she also remarked on the beauty and simplicity of this piece.


I almost didn't post this image because I didn't get the entire picture but I like the playfulness in it so much I changes my mind. I like very much the missing sock on the floor and in looking at "Moon in Pices" (One of the earlier images) I noticed they were the same socks. I don't know why but this picture shows a humanity in how life for us all is both different and the same.

Thank you Faye for the wonderful work. Thank you Karin Clarke for your kindness allowing me to take these pictures on such a busy night.


I walked out of the Karin Clarke gallery I took a shot of the Hotel Smeed and the White Lotus Gallery housed there. I've only been in the gallery a few times but it has some wonderful prints on display.


I hooked up with Vern at the Clarke annex and walked to the Fenario Gallery one block south. This is the "hipest" gallery in town and by the looks of the DJ playing music inside you would think it would be all young folks. I like Fenario Gallery a lot mostly for the color and energy that's always there on "First Friday." The artist on display was Steven Lopez. He's young and is in this picture second from the right. The red thing on his right ear is really a reflection in the window, I was outside.


Steven Lopez is what I consider a vivid innovator (my term nothing in the text books) who loves the energy of contrast and saturation of hues and mixes that with innovation that is pure imagination. I liked this image immediately. I think my mind was trying to put it into a familiar known place and the best I could do was the remake of Metropolis and a touch of Boris Vallejo. Even at that his work defied both and took on a life of it's uniquely Steven Lopez touch. For more on Steven and his work go to http://frustr8.com/

"I do not paint to be somebody greater than myself. I’m a son, brother, lover and friend first. The real work resides in the relationships I have with people. My paintings are bi-products and extensions of myself. I utilize my art as a vehicle for telling stories." ~ Steven Lopez



Steven sometimes combines smooth and angular. The face of the woman and fish it this electrifying painting titled "I Focus I Want This" show that playing off of styles.


I really didn't get all the titles here so forgive me Steven. I like the prismatic coloring in this very subtle painting that creates an imaginary world and a story waiting to be written.


Finally there were several diva paintings like this one of Chaka Khan that would be a real find for the right music aficionado. Thanks Steven for a great show.

Some of the lyrics reflected here are from the song "Stay"
"Stay please stay with me now
don't you let me go
I'll make it somehow
I got to let you know"


Scrabble Score ~ Scrabble Queen 367 - The Contender 301

Quote of the Day ~
"Progressive art can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society in which they live, but also about the intensely social character of their interior lives. Ultimately, it can propel people toward social emancipation." ~ Salvador Dali

Copyright

©Paul Viel