TOPANIEN in Multnomah!!!!

Topanien is this very cool (and colorful!) store featuring items from around the world....and is located in the heart of Multnomah Village.

Thank you Topanien for supporting ORA artists through your generous donation to our raffle. 

To our wonderful blog followers: You must check out this store!!!!! I have shopped there often for gifts (including gifts for myself!) You'll find great variety, reasonable prices, and attentive help!

Peggy Sundays is the quintessential shop for finding gifts!
This shop in wonderful Multnomah Village not only has a wide selection of amazingly beautiful & functional items, but the staff is incredibly helpful!  Shopping is a fun adventure here! Find the perfect gift here....or do what many of us do....buy a special treat just for yourself!

ORA thanks Peggy Sundays for their generous donation to our Art Raffle. 

Take 2 steps into this shop and you will understand the difference between Village Frame & Gallery...and the chain frame shops scattered about town. VF&G understands what fine art, family trasures, and keepsakes mean to individuals and families. The care they show to each project is professional...and they are innovative!
Art is also available for purchase in their gallery. 

ORA wants to give a big shout out for this very special store. Stop by and experience the difference for ourself. Think about the various keepsakes you have. How might they be displayed to capture their beauty and meaning?  Stop by Village Frame and ask!
You'll find answers!

Gratitude Posting #2

I'm trying to think of the number of times ORA members have had lunch meetings at this yummy restaurant conveniently located across from the MJCC.... too many to count!

Seasons and Regions is dedicated to deliciously fresh food and quality service. They also support the arts and we are ever so grateful.

Two gift certificates were awarded to our raffle winners who are so very thrilled!  

Stop by for a yummy meal (or two or three!) Maybe you'll see some ORA artists discussing art over a delicious meal!

Annie Bloom's is our go-to Book Store! It's astonishing how large their selection really is! They have amazing children's books, art books, specialty sections, bargain books, not to mention great works of literature. They host readings, sell calendars, cards, t-shirts and more. If you are lucky, you will meet the store cat! 
This fabulous book shop is located in the heart of Multnomah Village just across the street from another of our sponsors, Sip D'vine!

Thank you for your donation to our raffle, thank you for your support of local artists, and thank you for giving our community the gift of an amazing neighborhood bookstore that draws customers from all over the city!

ORA + Geezer= Great Art!

ORA artists of all ages will be featured artists at the Geezer Gallery in Multnomah Village.

There will be two openings...

Friday night March 2nd 6-9 and Thursday night, March 8 6-9pm.

In addition to our art work, there will also be examples of work done by ORA artists in collaboration with residents from Rose Schnitzer Manor.

Pictured above is Evelyn Hirsch , who collaborated with glass artist Eddy Shuldman.

Come see the final product at the Gallery!

A Breath of Plein Aire

Leslie Elder writes:

I am taking plein aire classes from Aimee Erickson this summer. The class is for artists working in acrylic or oil. The first class is in Multnomah Village July 6-9th. The second class is July 12-16th, and will focus on urban landscape in downtown Portland. You can sign up through the Multnomah Art Center.

I find that oil is a great medium to use outside because it doesn't dry too fast like watercolors tend to do. I really enjoy getting out of my studio in the summer to paint outside. With all the rain we've had lately I like to absorb as much sunshine as possible while the weather is good.

Plein Air Painting

Leslie Elder writes:

This Summer I have been enjoying getting outside doing a bit of plein air painting. Plein air means fresh air (or something like that) in French. It started with a workshop with oil painter Aimee Erickson (Multnomah Art Center) doing plein air oil painting for 3 days in Multnomah Village.

I used my portable french easel and set up in the village to paint with oil for the first time. About ten artists scattered across the village to record the scene, much to the delight (or amusement, in some cases) of passersby. Oil paint is great to use for plein air painting because it is slow to dry. Although I am mainly a watercolor painter, I was eager to try out my oils in this setting. Watercolors dry so quickly out in the open air, they are more of a challenge to use outside, especially in warm weather.

It's hard to go back into my studio with the weather continuing to be so fine. Yesterday, I went with my Watercolor Society of Oregon critique group to paint up in the Columbia Gorge. They didn't seem to mind that I painted with oils.

One of my favorite painters, Eric Wiegardt, said at a workshop once, that painting plein air is a good way to fill up your creative well. If you paint from photos too much, after awhile your 'well' can become dry because you have to work to create excitement in your your painting. When you paint from life, the excitement flows naturally from your subject matter.