2 // COASTWEEKEND.COM A demo and donuts at RiverSea Gallery ASTORIA — RiverSea Gallery will host a special event, “Coffee and Donuts with Hickory,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 24. Hickory Mertsching, a Portland artist known for his edgy still life paintings of humble objects mixed with flora and fauna, will demonstrate his technique by rendering a donut in oil on canvas. This art demo is open to everyone and offers a chance to meet a talented artist and see how he cre- ates a meaningful compo- sition. Complimentary coffee and donuts will be served, and the casual atmosphere is designed to encourage questions and interaction with the artist as he works between sips of coffee. ‘Fishing the Oregon Country’ by Hickory Mertsching, oil on canvas, 14 inches by 14 inches Mertsching’s current solo exhibition at the gallery, “Objects and Ar- rangements,” is a selec- tion of landscapes, small object paintings and tightly composed still lifes that pay homage to the useful object and bounty of the land. All allude to a simpler lifestyle in a pre-digital age. While gazing at his work, one can imagine the scent of coffee, a whiff of wood smoke, damp garden soil and well-oiled tools in a dim corner of the garage. The artist’s subjects draw on his rural roots and speak to his favorite pursuits of fishing, gardening, birdwatching and a bit of brewing. “Objects and Arrange- ments” is Mertsching’s third solo show at RiverSea Gallery and will remain on view through Tuesday, July 10. RiverSea Gallery, 1160 Commercial St., is open daily. For more information, call the gallery at 503-325- 1270, or visit riverseagal- lery.com. IMAGES COURTESY RIVERSEA GALLERY Hickory Mertsching paints on site. SHOP ADVERTISE YOUR Downtown Astoria BUSINESS HERE! CALL HEATHER JENSON M ORE THAN JUST ANTIQUES ! 45+ V ENDORS 971-704-1716 Antiques • Nautical Items Glassware • Vintage Decor hjenson@dailyastorian.com 892 Marine Drive, Astoria ( 503 ) 338-0101 1113 Commercial Street Astoria, OR 97103 503-468-0308