It's the perfect time to let you all know how thankful I am for the support and friendship I've received from you this year! All of my subscribers will be entered to in a drawing to win one of my original paintings! I'll announce who the big winner is on New Year's Day.
Several of you have inquired about whether the paintings I post on social media are for sale. In almost every case the answer is yes. Don't be shy about contacting me (I'm real nice) via messaging or email. Usually the paintings just need to be signed and dry for a week or so.
Exciting news! I've just partnered with Marilyn Affolter Fine Art Studio and Gallery in Mcminnville, Oregon. Marilyn is a well established gallery owner and a fine artist and photographer in her own right. She brings so much depth of knowledge to the gallery and she's just a blast to speak with. I'm so thrilled that my collectors can expect a warm welcome and expert service. A solo art show with me as the artist is in the works! I'll keep you all in the loop.
My big art event over the summer was to Long Beach Island, New Jersey (LBI). I've traveled to many places but I've never spent time on the East Coast. Cross that off my bucket list! I was accepted into the "Island Life" Plein Air Plus competition, along with 35 other artists. At the time I discovered I was invited, available housing was scarce. My brilliant husband Tim called some local churches and one of them wanted to help me out. They connected me with a host home and I was completely blessed by their generosity. Thanks again Joe and Beth McIlmail! You guys are the best. Such an answer to prayer!
Besides producing a collection of lovely beach paintings, some meaningful highlights of the trip were helping a young man surprise his girl with a proposal, a deep conversation with a seventh grader about staying off drugs, getting caught in a monster of a thunder storm and winning first place in the quick draw. For those of you who don't know, a quick draw is when artists are given a set amount of time in a specific location to produce a painting. In this case we had two hours. It was so humid on that day that my epquipment was sweating.
Although I wasn't there for the reception, I was thrilled to find out that I was awarded an honorable mention by Peter Trippi, editor in chief of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, for my painting "Engagement". I bet you can guess where I got the idea for the title.
While the East Coast was new and exciting and I found the locals to be sincere and helpful, I was so glad to come home to the Pacific Northwest. Who knows where my art pursuits will take me in 2020?
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I always enjoy painting in Lake Oswego for the Chronicle Plein Air show. This year I was very fortunate to create some nice paintings right out of the gate, because in the middle of it my poor hubby was rear-ended and his car was totaled. Needless to say, I didn't get as much done during the competition as usual. For a few weeks there my second job was being his chauffuer! I was also glad I was still able to participate in the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, where a couple of my larger paintings went home with collectors. You can still see my plein air pieces at the ArtSpace Gallery through September 20th.
I have a heartfelt connection to the Columbia River Gorge. I grew up in the area, going for hikes off the old highway with my family as a kid. My hubby and I got engaged at iconic Multnomah Falls. So it's always an extra honor to be accepted into the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Exhibition. Not only because I so admire the skill of the other artists participating, but I also get to pay homage to the place that has always been my "back yard". All this being said...OY VAY! The Wind! The bain of my existance is that wind! I know whole industries are built upon it, but sometimes it makes the most beautiful view unpaintable.
On day one of PNW Plein Air my very first painting was done at the Hook in Hood River. Probably the windiest spot possible. I hunkered down in the back of my car and bungeed my easel to the car. Even so, it was still difficult to control everything I did. Sometimes I couldn't hear myself think for the roar of the wind. I felt like the wind kicked my booty. But in spite of this, "Saphire River" was the first of my paintings to sell at the show. So I guess I won the battle after all!
On day two I decided a break from the wind was in order. So I went up to Parkdale, right at the foot of Mt. Hood. This is where I painted "Slow Dance", which is my personal favorite of the paintings I did. You can see my work in person at the Maryhill Museum of Art through August 24th.
Currently I am gathering my strength and getting organized for a plein air competition in New Jersey. I will be painting the sights on Long Beach Island. I can't wait to be inspired! I'm sure my next newsletter will include some highlights, but you can also watch my facebook and instagram for updates.
Also, if you are in wine country, be sure to stop by the RJ Art Gallery. There will be a new show opening on August 16th, "Loving Where We Live~Oregon". A selection of my paintings, including "Vista House" will be there.
I hope we can all take the time to soak in the beauty of God's creation during these last precious days of summer! Thanks for subscribing to my newsletter.
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I think this quote applies to Oregon all year long! As I'm writing this, I've gone outside to paint exactly 0 times. The good weather and life events just haven't lined up yet. I recently found out that I've been accepted into the 2019 Pacific Northwest Plein Air Exhibition, at the Maryhill Museum, for the 6th year in a row! Yay! Doing a happy dance for sure! That being said, the pressure is on to head outside and get plenty of plein air practice in before the big event.
I'm currently working on a series of large skyscapes, which I plan on entering into the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts in June. Here is a preview just for my newsletter peeps!
Hope you can make it. The show runs Friday June 21st through Sunday June 23rd at the Lakeview Center for the Arts.
Looking for a mini adventure? Try a drive out to wine country and stop by the RJ Art Gallery while you're at it. They recently added twelve of my new paintings to the gallery, in a wide range of sizes and prices. And of course I'd love to see you at the show opening on April 26th from 4pm to 8pm. It's the one year anniversary, so don't be afraid to get some goodies!
This week a customer contacted me about a painting of mine that caught her eye years ago. It is of a young woman staring at a dress in a shop window, while her dog waits patiently by her side. She says it reminds her of when she first came to America, and all the dreams and plans for the future she had. She says she can't get the painting out of her mind. Well...it already sold...a long time ago. But no worries! I'm going to do a custom painting for her, and I'm even going to put her dog at the end of the leash! This is the beauty of working on a custom piece of art together. I can partner with you to create something very meaningful to you.
I've overhauled my website and I'm announcing it here first. Take it for a spin and let me know what you think! Use discount code "NEWSLETTER" for 15% your entire purchase, only for newsletter subscribers.
Happy Easter everyone!
"Cherished"
"Cherished" would make a memorable Valentine's gift for some lucky person! It's inspired by all the memories my husband and I have been collecting the last 25 years and we just celebrated this milestone anniversary. Available at KRISTINASGALLERY.COM
Snowpocalypse 2018
Stay tuned for spring events! This time of year I'm usually hunkered down in my studio painting my heART out for the upcoming art season. I will post show previews and event details in future newsletters. In the meantime you can find my work at the RJ Art Gallery in McMinnville, Oregon, the Bush Barn Art Center in Salem,Oregon,online at Saatchi Art, or directly through me at KRISTINASGALLERY.COM