Last Thursday in Portland

Mr.Mr. and I headed over to Alberta street last week for the famed Last Thursday Art Walk. We had heard a number of conflicting opinions on its popularity and were hoping to swing by the stand of a fellow Scrap-er to check out her crafty wares. Little did we know, the entire street was closed to traffic and event staff had been hired to coordinate the evening's vendors and visitors. Needless to say, I've never seen more people in one place in Portland like this. It was the capacity equivalent of a large annual street fair like those held in Seattle (think Fremont Solstice Parade, UDistrict Street Fair, or the Ballard Sunday Market on speed)... only this happens every month.

One artist we spoke to seemed to think the event was on the verge of collapsing in on itself due to the size. According to him, the event had evolved dramatically over the past five years and both patrons and vendors were reaching a saturation point. Adding fuel to the fire, the Last Thursday event is a largely unregulated free for all when it comes to setting up and maintaining a booth. It's first come, first served for space on the busy sidewalks and there are no entry requirements or booth fees. If you're picking up what I'm laying down, this means the city of Portland is both opening themselves up to potential safety/legal issues and passing up a big opportunity to turn a profit on this year-round, popular event.

Logistics aside, we made the grave mistake of parking on the East end of the street which resulted in our walking directly into the sun for the entire length of Alberta, shielding our eyes with the Noir issue of Bitch magazine we picked up for free. The discovery of the evening was the work of the very talented Yellena James on display at the Together Gallery. Ms. James crafts gorgeously vibrant pen and ink drawings on clay board that seem to be a combination wandering notebook doodle and naturalistic illustration from some psychedelic hiking guide. Bright colors pop out among undulating tendrils and cellular shapes, creating a fantastic combination of pattern and color. I am absolutely smitten with her work and will have to begin saving some serious pennies to add one to my collection sometime soon. Check out Yellena's work or visit her blog to see for yourself.

What, What!?

Be there or be square on June 27th! This will be my first trip to the barn and I absolutely cannot wait. Just take a gander at the site to see a sampling of the gorgeous wares on sale. Drool-tastic!

Somebody better start saving their pennies... You and me, both!

Photo courtesy of Queen of Tarte.

I can't wait

Tomorrow night I will have the esteemed honor of hearing this man speak on the subject of "The Transformative Power of Reconciliation in Society." Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is a well known religious, political, and social figure renowned the world over for his equal rights work. I'm not certain I can bring a camera to the event but I'll definitely be taking notes because... and I'm just guessing here- he's probably got some very important things to say.

If there are tickets still available I'd highly recommend joining me. Er, I mean, me and Mr. Tutu.

Getting framed

A couple of weeks back it crossed my mind that a smart artist on a limited budget (that's me) would get crafty and learn how to frame their own work. Given my past experience framing some Flatstock posters by Chicago's Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine, I learned the hard way that framing is not cheap. Don't get me wrong- framing is not the easiest thing in the world and using good materials like attractive moulding, ph-neutral matting, and museum glass will never be inexpensive. But- there's definitely another way.

Scouring the interwebs for tutorials, I came across the Portland Free School- one of many community-run organizations dedicated to offering instruction on a variety of subjects, taught locally by people in the know. I don't specifically say, "experts" because pretty much anyone is welcome to "teach" a course through the Free School. Have you mastered the art of macrame plant hangers? You could teach a class. You get the picture. So the downside is that your "teacher" may be the guy from the coffee shop. The upside is that you can meet people and learn new skills that you might otherwise be unable to afford to learn in a traditional setting. I'm a fan thus far.

It was through the Free School that I came across a class being offered at a place called Artery (disclaimer: there's not much on the site yet). This gallery and frame shop aims to offer a more creative solution to framing than your average U-Frame It, and a more affordable alternative to folks in the price-range of say, Museum Quality Framing. Their plan to accomplish this goal is to offer the space and materials for artists (and Joe Public) to choose the bones of their project (frame, mat, & glass), and then guide them along a path to customizing their frame.

For me, this meant that I chose a 5" x 7" unfinished wood frame for $12 and was given free reign to use the brushes, paints, dryer, masking tape, and finishing sprays to create a decorative finish. I began with something resembling an upscale Ikea frame, and finished with this:

It may not look like much but I started with a basic red acrylic, and used a flat brush with a combo of gold and bronze paint to create a vaguely fan-shaped, all-over pattern over the base. Finally I created a black border around the edge of the frame closest to the wall to add interest.

Honestly- I was really pleased. And I get the impression that the possibilities are virtually limitless and entirely dependent on just how much time and money you want to spend. Of course- had I wanted to frame an actual photo or piece of art- the price would have increased with the mat (about $7), the glass (about $7) and the fitting (up to $25). All prices are based on the size of your frame and there's a decent selection of pre-made frames as well as custom materials.

Since the workshop, I've finished another frame at home using my cordless dremel, some black and white acrylic paint, and a satin varnish spray. (I repeated the graduated pattern shown on the opposite side of the frame as well.) At this point, I'm thinking the techniques I learned could prove very valuable in elevating the frames I use for my collage work and that the friendly and knowledgeable staff at Artery are at the ready should I need some additional support in the construction arena.

On December 5th, Artery will host another frame clinic geared toward holiday shoppers looking for creative, affordable gifts. The word is, for $10, you can decorate and frame a photo or other work in a 3" x 3" ornament-style frame with help from Debo Kerr and Artery staff. Space is limited but I've already reserved my spot. If you're interested, follow the link. Cheap is definitely the new black this Christmas/Non-denominational December holiday.

Artery

4114 N. Vancouver Ave.

Portland, OR, 97217

Market fresh

If you live in Portland- tell me... promise me you'll go to the Saturday Farmer's Market down at PSU. Mr.Mr. and I have been enjoying this visual feast for the last two months and I'm convinced it's the best place to be on a Saturday morning- hands down. Having endeavored to make the pilgrimage from Capitol Hill to Ballard Farmer's Market every Sunday when we lived in Seattle, we were die-hard market fans before we moved and have been so happy to find a thriving agricultural outlet locally.

Best of all, there's a congregation of vendors in the center of the square that sell fresh meals in the way of soups, biscuits, sausages, tamales, etc. Our favorites by far are Tastebud's fire roasted bagels with fixin's and Pine State Biscuits with their assortment of sweet and savory toppings. On our last trip, I enjoyed a sesame bagel with plain cream cheese, topped with sliced pears. Crisp and slightly sweet, but definitely second-rate in comparison with my favorite: plain cream cheese, cilantro pesto, and fresh tomato slices. The tomatoes are always so bright and succulent that I can't resist their wet, rubescent glow. ...Ew. Something about that sentence creeps me out. Anyway. I wish tomato season would never end.

So if you want to support local farmers and food producers (lest we forget the bee keepers, vintners, and chocolatiers)- check it out. November through December 20th, the market runs from 9:30am - 2:00pm in the South Park blocks between SW Harrison & Montgomery. Go forth and build that food pyramid.

Yes we did

Republican... Democrat... we made our voices heard at the polls and via mailboxes across the country. And Barack Obama is the next President of the United States of America. For the first time in eight years I feel only pride on November 4th.

I voted

Did you?

Hear ye, Hear ye San Franciscans!

If you live in SF or know people that do, please allow me to live vicariously through you and attend the You Bazaar on November 2nd from 10am - 5pm. Admission is totally free which is great. This crazy awesome crafting event is brought to you by the clever people of Bazaar Bizarre and it's a great opportunity to put all your pre-election energy to work on an art project, shop handmade for the holidays, and meet creative people in the Bay area.

Mr.Mr. and I will be in SF shortly thereafter to visit his brother and check out the Plush You show opening at Double Punch Gallery on November 7th. Our friend Kristen from Schmancy is the creater and curator of the show and this is her first foray back to her old haunting ground for a follow-up to her wildly successful Seattle show. If you don't know Kristen yet, make it a priority. I hope you can make it.

Double Punch
1821 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

Don't miss it: Portland

I've been soooo behind in keeping up with my little salties but I have a fun event to reward you for all your patience. Drop whatever plans you have tonight and go to the grand opening of Ink & Peat. On one of our last exploratory trips to Portland before we officially relocated (you know, back when we were using Crate and Barrel boxes as tables...), we stopped by Pam's shop on the suggestion of my sister-in-law and we were wowed. What a beautiful place. I took some quick snapshots just to get a feel for the space but never got around to posting them. So at long last, here they are. Ink & Peat is a great little shop specializing in fresh flower arrangements and home sundries ranging from sweet soaps to clever antique-style containers and baubles. I love it.

To top it all off, Mr.Mr. even found something to satisfy his growing interest in home design/furniture in a book called, "Old House, New Home." You can pick up a copy at Ink & Peat or vicariously enjoy Pam's fantastic taste in books at a distance and pick one up at a store near you.

I'm going to swing by to say hello and you should too if you're in the area. Here are all the details:

Ink & Peat 3808 N Williams Ave, Suite 126 Portland, OR 97227

Don't miss it: Seattle

Grab your debit/credit cards and head on over to Nancy's Sewing Basket for their 30th anniversary sale. All their delicious fabrics are 25% off for only two more days. ALL fabrics are on sale and just for showing up they'll toss you a free seam ripper to boot. This could be a good time to pick up that $75.00/yard fabric you've been lusting over for the last six months or even to stock up on some clever Amy Butler prints. If I were in Seattle today or tomorrow I know I would be poring over the ribbon room and justifying some extra purchases with my 25% savings on everything else.

Just know that I'm super jealous. ...Think of all the new pillows I could make. ::sigh:: Enough said.

Nancy's Sewing Basket
2221 Queen Anne Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
9:30 to 6 on Saturday and 12:30 to 5 Sunday

Quick update

Just a quick dispatch from the coffee shop around the block from our new place stop have moved in to new apartment stop have had requisite breakdown and subsequent blow out argument with husband stop will surely recover stop have resolved to drink more stop just kidding stop sort of stop more later stop

August First Thursday show

This Thursday, August 7th I'll be showing two or three new collage pieces at the LuxCollective gallery as a part of the monthly Redstripe [first Thursday] artwalk. The gallery opens at 6pm and since I've got another job interview in PDX the next morning (yay!), I'll only be around for about an hour and a half before I hit the road. BUT- there are several other great artists who'll be showing new work so consider checking it out if you're free. There will be music, drinks and plenty to see.

It would be great to see you there.

LuxCollective Gallery
Prudential Building
114 Alaskan Way South
Seattle, WA

Sneak peek

Thursday, August 7th I'll be showing a couple of new pieces at the LuxCollective gallery as a part of the monthly Redstripe [first Thursday] artwalk. It's a group show curated by my friend Jessica and we'll be meeting next week to pick out which pieces are going to work best together with the other artists' work. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for more details to come. It would be great to see you there.

Oh and you can use the email link in my profile to send me your name and email address if you'd like to get regular updates on what's going on with my work. I'd be happy to hear from you.

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch passed away on Friday, July 25th of pancreatic cancer, a ruthless killer.

He's most well known as the Carnegie Mellon University professor who doled out a hefty dose of life advice on pursuing childhood dreams as part of his final lecture to students and peers before he retired from teaching. His sense of humor, timing, and delivery are amazing. Not to mention his candor regarding his illness at the start of the presentation is simultaneously humbling and inspiring. His courage in the face of certain death is exemplary.

Please check it out. It's the best seventy-six minutes you'll spend this week.

Second careers

A mutual friend of Mr.Mr.'s and mine recently celebrated his 31st birthday by throwing a full-on Mexico themed party in his backyard. He trucked in some sand, bought two pinatas, stocked the bar with tequila and prepared a taco stand replete with steak and stuffings. I drank some, gorged myself on pinata meat (candy) and enjoyed the feeling of sand through my toes without even having to sport a bathing suit.
Sadly, I think my fallback career as a major league pitcher isn't going to happen. I didn't even graze the pinata once out of four tries.

It looks like I'm destined to rely on my fallback, fallback career of luchador. I can scrap with the best of them.

Everyone's doing it

You should too. (Click on the image for more information.) I'll be there with bells on.

Green is the new black

This week over at Apartment Therapy's green kid-sister, Re-nest, they're searching for a new blogger to add to their roster of cool-hunting eco-chics.  And while I'm still in my nascent stages of blogging (this time around)- trying my hand at their challenge was a good way for me to see what kind of content-specific chops I might have.  Unfortunately with all the drama at work and the stifling heat this past weekend, the last thing I wanted to do was sit cross-legged reading blogs with my laptop slowing burning my thighs as the cooling fan worked to keep my hard drive from imploding.  So I didn't know about the challenge until today.  Monday.  The 30th.  And the deadline for submissions (two posts, with photos and a short bio)... uh... tomorrow.  Right.  

So I busted out a couple of short posts that I think were fun and would be interesting to their readers but I'm guessing I'll fall a bit short of the mark.  I think my tone may have been a bit too sales-y and a lot of their writing is of the "I just happened to notice this cool thing" vein.  But good practice all around.  Now that I'm heading into my second month of Properly Salted, I'd like to try and establish some semi-regular types of posts.   Cooking experiments always make for good times and I may throw in a couple of interviews just to spice things up.  But mostly it'll still be just me.  The same old Salty.  

We're moving!

Just a quick announcement that Mr.Mr. and I have officially decided to pull up the stakes and move camp to the biggest little city south of Seattle. (No, not you Tacoma.) Portland! For those of you who may be getting tired of the very Puget Sound-centric coverage of news and events, this should be a relief. However, I can't promise there won't be a similar preponderance of posts focusing on Portland.

So if anyone has any tips, hints, job leads or good reads for the Portland, OR area- let me know. Our official move date will be no later than August 15th. Holy crap!

Don't miss it

Tomorrow night from 6-8pm I'll be joining several other local creative and web types for the third installment of The Lab at Velocity Art and Design (South Lake Union), featuring Kristen of Schmancy (and Plush You!), Moxie (real name?) of Made by Moxie and Hansi. While I don't have the kind of income that allows me to shop at Velocity on a regular basis, I find much of their inventory to be the kind of art and design work that inspires. And in truth, The Lab is an direct extension of that very idea. So if you're a local like me, come check it out.

Oh, and there are door prizes for the fortunate types.

Weekend in photos

For the first time ever I indulged in some hedonistic paradery (yes I made that up) at the Solstice Fair this past weekend.  And let me tell you, nothing says hippie like face paint, papier mache and shameless nudity.  But, for fear of a pornographic spike in traffic- I'll keep the photos clean this time around.  Take a look.

This butterfly was amazing to see in person.  I can't even imagine the amount of work that went into building those wings but the multiple panels were truly a sight to see.  
These little monkeys were milling about a float made to look like a giant bed.  Most of the kids were in half costume (mostly ears and tails) and sat at the edge holding onto bed posts as the larger parent-type monkeys pushed them around.  According to Mr.Mr. at one point they stopped and all the kids- er, monkeys began jumping on the bed which I was sad to have missed.  There's nothing cuter than baby monkeys.Kids went wild over this clown.  He had strung together utensil trays and would dip them in a bucket of soapy water before flinging them around with windmill arms.  I'm not kidding when I say kids were running into the street to follow this man.  I think Santa may have competition.Ukuleles are tiny instruments.  I know because we recently bought one in Kauai.  And see, there's really no place to hook a guitar strap so it can hang comfortable while you play.  So- it looks like... to be a really consummate ukuleleist, I'm gonna have to drink more beer.  And become a hobo.

The Solstice parade is a cultural mashup and this woman is a great example.  She was wedged in between a group of naked girls covered in chocolate (or at least brown body paint) with gilded breasts, and these ladies below.  A massive number of pink sequin and pom-pom clad belly dancers that moved en mass as if straight out of a bollywood movie.
::Blink, blink:: Is that the girl from the Blind Melon video?  I never knew bees turned into butterflies!And finally, a dude sandwich.  There were two pieces of bread, one swiss cheese, a lettuce and tomato.  Every so often along the parade route they would draw people out from the crowd and smother them.  But I was left wondering- why no mayo?

All in all I had a good time.  We walked around the fair, visited with a friend selling some crafts at the I Heart Rummage event and enjoyed a barbecue with some other friends to wrap it all up.