Natural Forces - Unnatural Talent

The Show is titled Natural Forces and it is on display from June 18 through July 10 at Jacobs Gallery in the Hult Center.

As I walked up to the Hult Center my friend Renee Manford, who is one of the four artists in the show, was having her picture taken outside...

... and seemed pleased with the result.

Walking into the gallery her print titled "Clouds on High" was hung with the show sign.

The show was one of the best I've seen this year...

... and was a chance to see some of Renee's art on display. Some like this beautiful hand painted print titled "Water Falling off Cliffs" was one I had previously only seen on Renee's Website .

"Twilight at South Beach Yachats Oregon" is another new monoprint by Renee I had not seen in person and was happy to see up close

Jacobs Gallery is always a great experience and always has diverse art from some of the best artists in the community.

Lynn Ihsen Peterson's Display was an amazing view of the natural spectrum next to wispy clouds over the plains.

Another of the four artists that was thee tonight was April Waters who had a group of admirers ...

... following her and she was answering questions about her larger than life portraits.

April calls them "Sheroes" because they are women who have made a positive difference in the world. Her favorite of the paintings is Helen Caldicott, M.D (on the right)

"While living in the United States from 1977 to 1986, she co-founded the Physicians for Social Responsibility, an organization of 23,000 doctors committed to educating their colleagues about the dangers of nuclear power, nuclear weapons and nuclear war. On trips abroad she helped start similar medical organizations in many other countries."

You may also recognize Anti-War Activist Cindy Sheehan (on the left) who lost a son to the Iraq war and forced us all to look harder at the human cost of that war.

April's work was a great reminder that beauty isn't just skin deep.

"The Cove" is a very new work for Renee and this is my first chance to ever see it. It is truly a great piece of art.

I think the only thing Renee enjoys more than painting is being able to talk with others about art.

There were several people in attendance for the opening but the real thrill will be the First Friday Art walk July 2 and the opening of the Bach Festival that starts June 23 and ends July 11.

My buddy Ron was there wishing Renee well for the show.

So why is it the Jacobs Gallery always seems to have consistently great shows? Part of the reason the quality of the art and the other part is the Director and staff. Beverly Soasey is an outgoing and talented director...

... who treats every visitor as if they were a friend...

That atmosphere is multiplied to others especially the artists ...and I'm sure the Board of directors.

and I'm sure the Board of directors.

In the end it was a lovely evening of great art and good friends.

Quote of the Day ~ "

Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth." ~ Helen Caldicott

Dancing in the Rain

Yesterday we danced ...

... and Matthew closed on his new home in Arizona...



... and Isaac went through the graduation ceremony at University of Oregon School of Journalism.


Moms and Sweethearts beamed...


... and the house looked inviting ...


... and everyone danced to their own music.

No Scrabble Game

Quote of the Day

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass but how to dance in the rain. " ~
"La vie n'est pas pour attendre que l'orage passe, mais pour dancer dans la pluie."
~ Authot Unknown

Bets Cole Occupies the Governor's Office

We were starting to get some moss on the north roof of the house and since it was the second story decided to go with "Superhandyman" then we took off for Salem ...


... and the Oregon State Capitol...


... with a really shiny Oregon lumberman atop the dome.


The Oregon State Capitol building is beautiful but not overly ornate depicting our Oregon heritage in form ...


... and words.


There are several color murals inside from Lewis and Clarke ...


... to our great industries of Lumber and fishing.


While we came for another purpose we saw marvelous things we had not planned on seeing.


The Capitol dome from the interior was beautiful...


... looming above the many visitors and even more school children.


Sharyn loved the chambers of the House of Representatives with the pine tree carpet.


It is a beautiful room.


The great seal sits just inside the entrance of the building.


The reason we came was to view the work of our friend Bets Cole on display in the Governor's office.


Bets was chosen by the Governor and Arts Council for this honor.


Her work has always caught my attention from the very first picture of Bet's I ever saw.


Bets work is also very diverse from Oceans, mountains and...


trees. Being a Plein Air artist most of her work is created in the open air...


...but it is hung in some beautiful indoor settings.


This is the lobby of the executive suites and very tastefully laid out...


...and it was a rich setting for some beautiful art by Bets Cole.


This is the chambers of the Oregon State Senate...


... and there are the school kids asking questions...


... and here is another group being led in to learn about state government.


Here is a closeup shot of the great seal of Oregon.


There was also a small exhibit of gems I really liked.


Of course there was good security there...


There were also beautiful grounds...


... huge carvings...

... and a very old Elm Tree.


Leaving Salem I stopped for a picture of the ever present Coffee Drive-Thrus - this one called Coffee-In-Motion I got for Doreen.

Scrabble Score Scrabble Queen <> 300

Quote of the Day~

"In the arena of human life the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action" ~ Aristotle, Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scientist and Physician, 384 BC-322 BC

Congratulations Bets - An Honor well deserved