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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 13, 2010)
10 community july13 2010 The Art of Randal Harvey By Randal Harvey and Erika Paleck this old machine that would pump out hot lead through pipes to make the large letters and a new computer thing (at the time), that we would type in the small columns and then we would paste everything down with hot wax. It only lasted a very short time because I moved stint with Mark Jezierny, who showed me the effects of Light First Friday has taken a different and Shadow and Perspective twist in cooperation with the Blue House and Grids. BUT, then I met Café at 919 Bridge Street in Vernonia. two incredible artists (and The First Friday events will now be teachers) to whom I seriously the opening for a series of month-long owe so much, Gary Bergren exhibits by local artists while and Margaret Bromstrom. other artists and crafters will Gary hammered into be displaying inside as well. my head what a good painting Other activities, demos and should have. The A, B, C’s of information will be held painting, all the rules and regs in the VCLC Courtyard in of how to do it. His portrait conjunction with the Open class or “Creating an Illusion,” Air Market. changed how I painted or will The first exhibitor in ever paint again. He taught this series is Randal Harvey. me how to listen to a critique Since she was instrumental without my ego getting in the in creating this program way. He said to me once that you had to along with Sam and Eleonora know the rules before you could break Semerjian, I’ll let her tell you them successfully. He was right, of about herself: course. He was and still is a wonderful First and foremost I would have back to the Bay area. I also worked for and giving teacher, and just a plain to call myself an “Outsider” artist, but the Oakland Tribune newspaper doing fantastic person. having said that, I don’t consider myself display advertising. I worked and lived a Primitive, because of the wonderful in San Francisco. I worked for Wells teachers I’ve had the privilege to learn Fargo many years as a forms designer from.” and manager. My husband and I moved I have always loved arts and to the East Bay from San Francisco to crafts. I have always loved color and the help take care of our aging parents. It interplay of colors. was at this time I started having the time I am a mid-century model, born to get back to what I have always loved, and raised in the San Francisco Bay Art. Area. Graduated from high school and I was first drawn to stained glass have about 2.5 years of college, but alas, by the strong and vivid colors. After never graduated. a few years, I decided to move on to I’ve worked a number of painting; it seems a natural progression. jobs over my lifetime. One here in I began watercolors with a Vernonia, a long, long time ago, was as delightful teacher, Pat Strout. I also a typesetter for The Eagle newspaper. took classes in California Impressionist It was interesting, because they had Painting with George Holmes and a short Margaret Bromstrom taught me to be free and brave with my painting, and the gift of time to do so. I spent over two years with Margaret and a little over one year with Gary. I feel my style, if you were to put a name to it, would have to be somewhere between Realism to Surrealism. I’m still evolving. I started with watercolor; I like watercolor and still do it occasionally. I tried oil, but soon found out I was allergic to it. So, I now paint in acrylic. The Pacific Northwest is a great place to paint with acrylic, with all the moisture in the air. I Handmade in Clatskanie can keep my sponge palette workable for using the ancient art of Japanese up to a month and, on occasion, longer. paper marbling called suminagashi. Really! My style? I have tried impressionism, but my style and colors (503)490-2549 seem to end up more realistic and dark. etsy.com/shop/RubyCrownedKinglet But who knows what the future holds? Beautiful one of a kind greeting cards. My current body of work is my “Vernonia Series.” Some examples are: The painting I have donated to the Lions Club for a raffle is called “Dogwood Blossoms on Texas Avenue, Vernonia, Oregon.” (Tickets will be available during First Fridays until the last First Friday on October 1st. Also, “Treasures from Julie’s Garden: ‘Beets and Squash,’ Vernonia, Oregon” and “Christmas Pomegranate from Sentry Market, Vernonia, Oregon.” These are the ones I had on display at the first First Friday at the Scout Cabin. I currently have nine in the series, with more in planning stages. How many will be in the “Vernonia Series?” I have no idea. I love and am influenced by many artists. To name just a few, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Vermeer-- I love the darkness vs. light of their portraits. John Singer Sargent, whose brushwork just blows me away, so loose up close, but stand back and it’s magic how he makes it come together. Salvador Dali, because his body of work just sings. Anything from the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Dante Rossetti being one of my favs and John William Waterhouse, who some say isn’t a Pre-Raphaelite, but I say he is, so there! And I can’t leave out Henri Rousseau, one of my favorite “Outsider” Artists. Well, Erika, I’m not sure if this is what you were looking for from me. But, I’m sure you’ll be able to glean something out of this. One thing before closing this: I must say I have enjoyed looking at Sam Semerjian’s artwork. I think he is very unique. I also enjoy Walter Neuman’s work. I love seeing the work of the young artists in town, also. I want to see more, please. Mosquito Lodge Lavender U-Pick Lavenser $5 bunch Lavenser plants, sries Lavenser, Lavenser crafts Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace Phone (503) 429.2617 Kitchen Countertops Fax (503) 429.0941 Fireplace & Furniture ABSOLUTE@AGALIS.NET Tubs & Vanities www.absolutemarbleandgraniteinc.net Open 10-4 July 16th - 25th or by appointment Open House Celebration July 17th 58329 Wilson Cutoff Roas (503) 429-0589
