Valley Art Grand Reopening is April 9.

Valley Art Gallery is undergoing redesign and remodeling at present, as you can tell if you pass by Main Street in Forest Grove.
The gallery's grand reopening will be April 9, 2009, from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.
There will be work by Northwest artists, music, food and great company.
Come help us warm up our brand new gallery, which has "grown up" to meet the increasing needs of regional artists and the educational needs of our community.
Valley Art has been around since 1966 and has no intention of going anywhere but up, up and up!

Gallery Is Under Renovation.

RENOVATION or destruction? Hard to tell in this picture, but we can assure you: The gallery will be the gem on Main Street in Forest Grove.
Open for your viewing pleasure on April 9, the grand re-opening!
Come enjoy the newly refinished gallery, new art, music, great food and good company!
We can't wait to entertain you in our "new" Valley Art building.

Annual Artist Event Is Coming - Nov. 4-16.

THE Annual Artist Event will actually begin on Nov. 3 with Member's Night - a special early opening so members of Valley Art and their invited guests will have the chance to purchase the new work of Northwest artists.
Valley Art members should check their newsletter and special mailing for information. There will be a party on the evening of Nov. 3, with the theme "Vote For The Arts." Dress in something patriotic ... or not. Just be sure to come and shop.
The evening will start at 7 p.m. Bring a goodie to share if you can. The reception committee will have other treats available.
Come early, shop late - that's what we'd like to see.

First Wednesday Tonight.

TONIGHT was First Wednesday in Forest Grove. Along with crowds coming in off the street from the farmers market, Sake One had a tasting at Valley Art. Roylene Read fixed up the reception table beautifully. Look at those beautiful grapes from her garden!
Isabelle McDaniel was gallery sitter and there were quite a few people coming in to shop and look at Michael Orwick's and Barbara Hertel's artwork.
Catherine Wildt, her husband, Nick, and her gorgeous nephew from New Zealand (ooh la la! that accent) were also in attendance. Lots going on in our beautiful gallery.

Fun With Lark Brandt and Batik

ON September 27, Lark Brandt led a workshop on painting watercolors on daphne paper and using wax and India ink to produce a batik like effect.
The six of us - Marcia, Jeanne, Mary, Carol, Linda and Livia had so much fun.
The paintings went onto the daphne paper (from Nepal), which came in three weights/thicknesses. We "saved" some of the natural paper's color by dripping wax here and there on it. Lark is at above at left with an example of her work.
After saving some of the natural color we painted flowers, chickens, landscapes and faces with watercolor paint. We then let these paintings dry by hanging them up. After they were dry we could then take them back over to the hot pot of melted wax and "save" some of the colors we wanted to keep because the next step was painting them with black India ink. Oh, and before that, we rolled them up and pinched them so the paint would seep through those cracks and give the paintings a batik effect.
So here is one of my paintings getting rolled up so it will "crackle."
Next is the scary thing - to paint it all over with ink.
You can see the eyes of my lady's face - she's not quite believing what I've done to her! And I can't say I blame her. But have faith. Sometimes things turn out better than expected and one of the fun things about a lot of art techniques is "unexpected consequences." Many times, when we can't really control the medium, or try something "weird," we come up with something beautiful - or at least interesting.
This next step used up quite a few telephone book pages while we ironed out the wax to reveal the finished product. Here she is!
There were many great paintings turned out that Saturday and we were all surprised at how much fun it was. We learned a lot and before we forget exactly how we did it we should try it again. We are hoping Lark will consider teaching another class at Valley Art. If you get a chance, take this instruction from her. I guarantee you will have the time of your life - just playing away! (Remember: You can click on the photos and see them larger.)
Above, at the right, I hope, is a slideshow of the day. Enjoy!

Here Are Chalk Art Pictures. Enjoy!

I AM hoping this Chalk Art slide show will show you just a bit of the fun we had Sept. 20th. Join us next year and try a chalk art square for yourself.
For now, click on this link to enjoy a slide show of all the images I was able to take ... and still do a square myself - and dance. I forgot how much fun I had dancing to Big Mama Gayle and Her Sugar Daddies.
(To enable the slideshow, look for the word "slideshow" in the upper left hand corner above the pictures and click on the arrow. The slideshow will start (should start) automatically.

Chalk Art Festival Was Spectacular!

WOW, what fun we had. September 20, 2008, is come and gone now, but the 18th annual Chalk Art Festival turned out great. The weather was nearly perfect (no rain).
Over 380 people participated and chalked up squares of sidewalk with brilliant designs and pictures. What imaginations we humans have!
American Gothic - the chalked square - was done by Lillian Read.
There were lots of others and they will appear her soon in a slide show presentation. Stay tuned ... and mark your calendars for next September's third Saturday for the 19th Chalk Art Festival.