The AUGEN is 30!

The AUGEN GALLERY in Portland, Oregon is 30 years old!

Congratulations to owners Bob & Phyllis Kochs for a successful long-term art gallery business within the national and Portland art scene.

Image source: augengallery.com

Note to Self: Wear Sunscreen!

I admire this woman's commitment to the sun.

Image source: image shack

BEARGRASS

Beargrass flowers Xerophyllum tenax (syn. Helonias tenax) are a gorgeous sight!! I recently saw them driving over Oregon's Santiam Pass.

They are a grass-like perennial - related to lilies - and found mostly in Western subalpine meadows.

Image source: gallery.photo.net

POLLIWalks Kid's Shoes

I'd like to wear these too...

Image source: polliwalks.com

IBM Analytics Ad

IBM placed this ad in "The Economist" magazine. I love the geometry and oh yes, the ever hot split complementary color scheme (BG - RED - YG)

Image source: ibm.com/analytics

FREESTYLE - Bliss

A stumbled-upon watch - called the Freestyle Bliss. A magnificent find, and so sweet is the design.

Image source: Freestyle USA

SUCCULENT Wreaths

I am addicted to collecting, looking at and admiring succulent plants. Now I must make one of these!

Image source: www.succulentscactiwreaths.com

Sleeping in JUNE

Every summer, around early JUNE, I want to slumber for days...
WHY IS THIS?

COLOR SCHEME - split complementary

BLUE-GREEN RED YELLOW-GREEN-
this is my latest favorite color scheme.

SYBARITE - Luxury and pleasure

SYBARITE \SIB-uh-ryt\, noun: A person devoted to luxury and pleasure.

Sybarite is derived from Greek Sybarites, from Sybaris, an ancient Greek city noted for the luxurious, pleasure-seeking habits of many of its inhabitants.

I AM ONE. I ADMIT IT!

Armstrong Flooring Ad

The photo manipulation, saturation, shapes, color and of this ad are rich!

Crystal Method's - DIVIDED By NIGHT - New CD Cover

The musical group The Crystal Method clumps speakers together to create the appearance of something organic and 3-D. I love it!

Image source: thecrystalmethod.com

ELLEN GEORGE @ PDX Contemporary Art - until May 30th

Such excellent biomorphic objects floating off the wall.

I prefer her pieces with more saturated color, like the one pictured.

Ellen George's exhibition runs until May 30th at PDX Contemporary Art in Portland, Oregon.

Scatter, 2009
polymer clay
14.5" x 14.5"

Image source: PDX Contemporary Art

House of BLUES

Architecht Peter Kaschnig wanted to see the psychological effects of living surrounded by just one color.

Located in Klagenfurt, Austria, the bathroom and bedroom also blue!

If I were to live here, I would go crazy from the brightness (either that or I'd get used to it).

What a great experiment.

Image source: The Sun

Alessandra EXPOSITO - skulls

Alessandra Exposito's sculptural pieces of fictionally named horses, chickens and pets are creepily beautiful, and appear as a fetish-like objects.

What I admire is the decorative quality of the porcelain antlers, the rhinestone additions and portraits of the "owners".

Her most recent show appeared at Mixed Greens in NYC.

Cinnamon, mixed media on horse skull, 23"h x 56" l x 18"w, 2008

Jacques KNIZDOVSKY - print maker

Jacques KNIZDOVSKY is a Ukranian print maker (1915- 1985) whom I discovered in a recent print making class lead by Barbara Mason.

What I love about his images are their strong graphic qualities and attention to line. The image can either be like a punch in the face or a delicate caress.

Jacques Hnizdovsky. Cactus. Woodcut, 1970. Edition: 98/150. Signed in pencil. Reference: Tahir 93. 16-1/4 x 15 inches. [28103c]



Jacques Hnizdovsky. Bouquet. Woodcut, 1964. Edition: 138/150. Signed in pencil. Reference: Tahir 41. 15 x 18 inches. [28141c]



Image sources: Davidson Galleries, Seattle, WA

FUZZY iPod Case

Envelop your iPod with THIS!

Image source: cute-cases.com

My Fashion COLLAGE

I found the patience to create this composition on polyvore.com. This is my fashion and lifestyle contribution created from a variety of provided imagery.
Spring Wonderland - by ckmosser on Polyvore.com

Spring COLOR!

I just discovered Polyvore.com, which is all about creating a fashion "look". Although I don't have the patience to create such detailed and fabulous compositions, I am glad someone else did! I love the color here!
Pinky Aurora on Polyvore.com

Nice Quote

"Ask yourself what you would do even if you were
never paid. That's a clue to what you should be
doing and of course finding a way to be paid
for it. You can attract more money from love."
— Dr. Joe Vitale: Marketing and Copywriting author, one of the stars of The Secret

Eva Speer's SUBLIME work at Charles A. Hartman

Eva Speer's work at Charles A. Hartman Fine Art creates levity and grandeur using color, shape and deliciously poofy cloud formations.

If one were to peer through a lens into the cosmos, this is an awesomely gorgeous representation of what one might see.

See "Eden", 2009 (above) 18" x 18", oil on canvas

Aside from the clouds and color, I love how she uses brightly colored elements like fireworks in "Stratagem". This directs us to the background using color as our guide. Compositionally, "Stratagem" is stronger than "Eden", but it is also much larger and uses gouache (a matte watercolor) instead of oil paint.

Hartman did depart from the norm by showing a painter instead of a photographer in his gallery this month. The results, however, are well worth it!

See "Stratagem", 2009 (below) 34" x 46", gouache on paper
Eva Speer's work shows through March, 2009.
134 NW 8th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 (DeSoto Building)

Greeting Card from GreetQ

GreetQ greeting cards website has lured some nice designers to create their cards. This gem was created by PaPaYa!

Image source: GreetQ Greeting Cards

WHITE frames

Currently, I am only interested in WHITE frames when framing artwork. The white seems to allow the piece to stand on its own.

Image source: matratrubber.com

Poem from ROBERT FROST - regarding nature

PUTTING IN THE SEED
Robert Frost, 1920

You come to fetch me from my work to-night
When supper’s on the table, and we’ll see
If I can leave off burying the white
Soft petals fallen from the apple tree.
(Soft petals, yes, but not so barren quite,
Mingled with these, smooth bean and wrinkled pea;)
And go along with you ere you lose sight
Of what you came for and become like me,
Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.
How Love burns through the Putting in the Seed
On through the watching for that early birth
When, just as the soil tarnishes with weed,

The sturdy seedling with arched body comes
Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs.

Image source: abm-enterprises.net/frost.htm

ToyWatch USA

This would be an excellent focal point for an achromatic outfit.

Image source: ToyWatch USA

Staff of Life, plus GREASE

If man could subsist upon bread & butter alone, I would be the first in line.

Image sources: top - fuzuoko; bottom: idomsbykids.com

Moss ROCKS!

I stumbled upon some artificial moss rocks today, and fell in love with them. What is it about my fascination with artificial moss? Perhaps it's the ability to bring the outdoors in with such realistic looking results.

The line between fake and real intrigues me.

Image source: www.kaboodle.com

NOUN Store on SE Belmont Street - Portland, OR

NouN is exciting and ecclectic shop/curiosities store on SE Belmont.

If I could describe it, it would be part:
• gift shop
• design store
• personal decoration project
• antiques store

I love Stephanie Sheldon's aesthetic, which appears to be nature/asian design inspired. Shes scours estate sales for unique objects and adds to her collection via gift shows. In addition to her shop, she does design consultations.

3300 SE Belmont Street
Portland, OR 97214
503.235.0078
Image sources: shopnoun.com and shopnoun's facebook page

REMEDIOS RAPOPORT at Olympic Mills

The first time I saw Remedios Rapoport's work, I fell in LOVE with it. The color, the shape, the folk art references, the sign-like quality, the use of decorative elements, the sense of dimension! Why hasn't she received more attention?

Her work is currently in a show called the "Portland Love Show" located at Olympic Mills (107 SE Washington Street, Portland, OR) and lasts until March 20th.

Kristin Cammermeyer at FONTANELLE Gallery

This tiny work on paper by Kristin Cammermeyer stood out among a grouping of smaller pieces at Portland's entertaining, trendy and amusing Fontanelle Gallery.

I love the composition of tightly-squeezed and brightly-colored rectangles against achromatic background lines. Additionally, hints of dimension create interest thanks to a few shooting shapes along the edge.

Stacks-II, 2008 Spray enamel, Opaque pen & pen on paper $180 (approx 5" x 7")

Ghillie Hunting Suit

I WANT ONE! (But only for decorative purposes of course.)

Burton Beanie

Burton has created a truly awesome ski hat! (Both colorful and casually scruffy.)

Image source: burton.com

More Hot Triadic Color Schemes - Portland Monthly Magazine

Here is more evidence of the currently hot C, M, Y color scheme...
A dense illustration by Thomas Cobb for an article about Gus Van Sant in Feb. 2009's Portland Monthly Magazine.

Image source: Portland Monthly Magazine

Overly-Photoshopped?

Is there something unnatural about this child, or is it me? His eyes are very cute, but the mouth appears to be a bit manipulated.

Image source: Viva Towels

Triadic Scheme: cyan, magenta, yellow

Is everywhere...

Fully Bright and Dull

I am convinced that using color - both bright and dull - is the bomb, just like these Fully Laced laces for Nike Dunk kicks.

Sequins & Color

A sample of color possibilities from the sz-wholesale.com chart of sequins.

Is everyone on the same curly brackets bandwagon right now? Currently, I see it EVERYWHERE in design.

Doilies & Martha Stewart

Since I am a great fan of the delicate and lacy nature of doilies, I love the December 2008 Martha Stewart Magazine issue featuring none other than a variety of these intricate creations.

Image source: Martha Stewart Magazine

Mes Amies - Nice Design - Ad

I have yet to visit Mes Amies, a women's clothing store in McMinville, Oregon. Their ads and design elements, however, are excellent. I adore the pulled curtains and tassels.

Image source: mesamies.com

Nice Quote

"The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors;
that which it loves, and also that which it fears."
— James Allen: Author and lecturer on personal and business productivity

40-Second Transitional Video - SEASONS

Check out this video showing a one-year progression of seasons in 40 seconds! This video is a group of merged photographs from Eirik Solheim's back yard. Solheim is a Norwegian project manager for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.
One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

Holidaze

This woman's facial expression perfectly reflects how I feel during holiday season.

Georges SEURAT'S Drawings

Georges Seurat's drawings deft use of value to create the appearance of diffused light are sublime. Having recently read an article in Art in America by Patrick McCaughey, I am now re-enamored of his achromatic work! The small size is also appealing - generally 9" x 12".
Image source: www.nj.com

FAZER - Geisha Chocolate

I usually have my Czech friends send me this chocolate, but now I can get it in Portland (Beaverton) at Scandia Imports.

The milk chocolate is filled with nougat and resembles the texture and taste of the discontinued Japonais chocolate bars from the manufacturer Suchard. IT IS THE BEST!

Image source: www.international-chocolates.com

Matthew Cosby - "Ring Pop" - Augen Gallery

Matthew Cosby's piece "Ring Pop" is the strongest piece from his latest show at Portland's Augen Gallery.

I like his use of vibrant color and shape: how each unit is a variation on hue, intensity and value, and how the black line separating each shape is reminiscent of a European cathedral's stained glass window. In addition, each work in the show carries an exactness and a level of craft which is unsurpassed.

"Ring Pop" (oil on board, 19 7/8 x 18 1/2 inches)

Words to Live By

"Money is the most envied, but the least enjoyed.
Health is the most enjoyed, but the least envied."
— Charles Caleb Colton: (1780-1832) British clergyman, sportsman and author.

Enviga & Transparency

I was struck by enviga's berry-flavored can and its use of transparency and color with while at the grocery store yesterday. I even bought one to look at and try BECAUSE of the color! I supposedly burned an extra 30 calories for my imbibing effort thanks to its green tea content.
Image source: www.enviga.com

The Saturdays

This UK pop group has a good handle on color. Their generally bright hues are set off by grey - a technique I find effective in highlighting hue. Additionally, the intensity absolutely matches their sound!

Image source: www.myspace.com/thesaturdays

Pumpkin

Here is this year's jack o'lantern! The last-minute carving project worked out well!
(BTW, the design is a candelabra).