Artist profile: Lillian Pitt

Lillian Pitt will be joining us for First Friday on May 2, 2014. A Native American artist from the Big River (Columbia River) region of the Pacific Northwest, Pitt was born on the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. She is a descendent of Wasco, Yakama, and Warm Springs people.

Pitt is one of the most highly regarded Native American artists in the Pacific Northwest. Her works have been exhibited and reviewed regionally, nationally and internationally, and she has been the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions. Her awards include the 2007 Earle A. Chiles Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the 1990 Governor’s Award of the Oregon Arts Commission, which declared that she had made “significant contributions to the growth and development of the cultural life of Oregon.”

Primarily a sculptor and mixed media artist, Lillian’s lifetime of works include artistic expressions in clay, bronze, wearable art, prints, and most recently, glass. The focus of her work draws on over 12,000 years of Native American history and tradition of the Columbia River region. Regardless of the medium she chooses to use, Lillian’s contemporary works are all aimed at giving voice to her people.

“Everything I do, regardless of the medium, is directly related to honoring my ancestors and giving voice to the people, the environment and the animals. It’s all about maintaining a link with tradition, and about honoring the many contributions my ancestors have made to this world.” While glass is her most recent medium, Lillian continues to create works in all of the various media she is known for, including clay, bronze, jewelry, prints, and mixed media.

Lillian’s works are found in personal collections, art galleries and museums. They are also found in numerous public spaces including parks, schools and cultural institutions throughout the region. Her most recent public works are featured at the Vancouver Land Bridge, one of the seven “confluence” projects along the Columbia River, designed by internationally renowned architect Maya Lin.

Just as her ancestors would have done, Lillian makes creative use of whatever materials are available and appropriate to the task at hand. Lillian’s most recent works are made from the mediums of cast glass and fused glass.

Lillian says, “I love using glass because of the sense of depth I can create in my sculptures, and because it helps me to create the kind of spiritual quality I’m often trying to achieve.”

Be sure to join us on First Friday and meet this unique artist and learn more about her work and technique.

Images: Shadow Spirit in the Grasses; Dreamer

Artist Profile: Sally O’Neill

The paintings of Sally O’Neill are vibrant and impressionistic. Her subjects include landscapes and still life. We’re happy to report we have quite a selection of her work in the Gallery right now.

A native of Southern California, Sally O’Neill has lived in the foothills of the Northern Oregon Cascade Mountains since 1991. As a child, she enjoyed painting and drawing in addition to music studies. She majored in music in college and is an accomplished pianist. Sally worked in the medium of watercolor for a period of time in the 1980’s. In 1998, Sally went back to painting seriously working solely in oils.

“As soon as I started painting with oils I knew I had found the perfect medium to express my artistic vision. As an admirer of the impressionists, I am obsessed with light, color and atmosphere. Through the layering of colors and texture I’m trying to achieve the effects of light at different times of the day. Overall, I want my paintings to bring the viewer into a world they would love to be in, that of beauty and sun drenched days.”

O’Neill’s plein air and studio paintings reflect her enthusiasm for life and an appreciation for her subject matter. O’Neill has been the recipient of numerous awards. Her work can be seen in a number of private as well as corporate collections. She also teaches group workshops in addition to private art students.

We think her work has wide appeal. Visit the Gallery and take a look. You might just find the perfect piece to give for Christmas.

Image: Gorge Crest Vineyard View; October Sunset

First Friday in December

Celebrating First Friday with work by our most popular artists. Back in the Gallery with gallery favorites Michael Orwick, Brenda Boylan, Jm Brodrick, Sally O’Neill, and Phil Smith. Jackson Hole artist, Carrie Wild will be in attendance and have some new work on display. We have also just received new work by Lillian Pitt. Get a closer look at new work by Rip, including sculptures from his “Simply Wild” series.

Be sure to visit Ali Peret in his studio. Ali has a vast selection of fine gold jewelry and gemstones, as well as gorgeous selection of cameo carved glass vases. If you’ve always wanted to design a custom piece of jewelry, be sure to talk to Ali. Ali has been based in Troutdale for 23 years.

We also have new jewelry in the Gallery by Katie Hovis of Whimsy. Christmas is just around the corner!

First Friday festivities in the Gallery include FREE wine tasting with Phelps Creek Vineyards. Vocalist, songwriter and guitarist, Quincy Blanchette, will entertain.

We have lots of ideas for Christmas gift giving, including jewelry, pottery and wood. Take advantage of our precast opportunities for Rip’s “Simply Wild” miniature sculptures. They are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to reserve one of these adorable pieces.

First Friday, 5-9 p.m. Downtown Troutdale celebrates First Friday with most shops and restaurants staying open. Plenty of free parking, too.

Caswell Gallery
253 & 255 E. Columbia River Hwy.
Troutdale, OR 97212
503-492-2473
http://www.ripcaswell.com

Artist Profile: Brenda Boylan

Most of you know Brenda Boylan’s pastel work, but Brenda has been working in oils for the past few years. She has developed her own unique style in this medium and has also been painting city scapes as well as landscapes and still life. New in the Gallery is a series of 6 x 6 inch still life oil paintings. Her new work is guaranteed to have her signature appeal.

Biography
Brenda Boylan began her artistic career in California as a graphic designer, working with such notable clients as NIKE and Columbia Sportswear. She is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and the Northwest Pastel Society, and is an award winning and published pastel painter. Boylan is currently featured in the April/May 2012 issue of  Plein Air Magazine, where she discusses and demonstrates her unique technique. Boylan has an affinity for painting ‘en plein air’, which she describes as a combination of joy, poetry, and spirituality that uses all her senses to capture the landscape’s beauty. She also enjoys creating studio works when the winter months keep her indoors. She is often inspired by reflection on water, the seasonal color changes in the landscape, and the occasional urban scene. Boylan’s work can also be found in private corporate collections throughout the U.S. She resides in Portland, OR with her husband and two children.

Artist Statement
Painting is my refuge and my source. It is where I lose myself and find myself, again. As I layer pigment down in the form of pastel or oil, I am transformed to another level of consciousness, much like meditation, where I develop a joyful, poetic conversation with my subject. Each painting measures another step in my journey as an artist that often results in a never ending discovery of my visual world.  Working both outdoors and in my studio provides room to communicate color relationships, light, and form. This desire to create and interpret what I see around me is a gift, a treasure, and the road map to my best and truest self.

My move into oils has been an expedient one over the course of the year. The oils compliment my pastel work, and on some levels, influencing my technique with pastels, making them loose and more gestural.

Brenda’s most recent awards include:
Second Place Award, Pacific Northwest Plein Air, Sept 2013
Best of Show, Purchase Award, Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, June 2013
Best Farm Scene, Pacific Northwest Plein Air, Sept 2012
Second Place and Honorable Mention, Yamhill Lavender Plein Air, July 2012
Third Place Award, Los Gatos Plein Air, June 2012
Pongson Espada Memorial Award, Northwest Pastel Society 25th Annual International, Nov 2011
Pastel Painters of Hawaii Award, Pastel Society of America 39th Annual, Sept 2011
Honorable Mention Award, Pacific Northwest Plein Air Festival, Aug 2011
1st Place Award, Yamhill Lavender Plein Air Festival, July 2011
Blue Ribbon Award, Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, June 2011

Images: Pink Peonie; Turp, Bestine & Phalo

Lillian Pitt is back in the Gallery

We are pleased to have artist Lillian Pitt back in the Gallery. Lillian Pitt is a Native American artist from the Big River (Columbia River) region of the Pacific Northwest. Born on the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon, she is a descendent of Wasco, Yakama, and Warm Springs people.

She is one of the most highly regarded Native American artists in the Pacific Northwest. Her works have been exhibited and reviewed regionally, nationally and internationally, and she has been the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions. Her awards include the 2007 Earle A. Chiles Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the 1990 Governor’s Award of the Oregon Arts Commission, which declared that she had made “significant contributions to the growth and development of the cultural life of Oregon.”

Primarily a sculptor and mixed media artist, Lillian’s lifetime of works include artistic expressions in clay, bronze, wearable art, prints, and most recently, glass. The focus of her work draws on over 12,000 years of Native American history and tradition of the Columbia River region. Regardless of the medium she chooses to use, Lillian’s contemporary works are all aimed at giving voice to her people.

“Everything I do, regardless of the medium, is directly related to honoring my ancestors and giving voice to the people, the environment and the animals. It’s all about maintaining a link with tradition, and about honoring the many contributions my ancestors have made to this world.” While glass is her most recent medium, Lillian continues to create works in all of the various media she is known for, including clay, bronze, jewelry, prints, and mixed media.

Lillian’s works are found in personal collections, art galleries and museums. They are also found in numerous public spaces including parks, schools and cultural institutions throughout the region. Her most recent public works are featured at the Vancouver Land Bridge, one of the seven “confluence” projects along the Columbia River, designed by internationally renowned architect Maya Lin.

Just as her ancestors would have done, Lillian makes creative use of whatever materials are available and appropriate to the task at hand. Lillian’s most recent works are made from the mediums of cast glass and fused glass.

Lillian says, “I love using glass because of the sense of depth I can create in my sculptures, and because it helps me to create the kind of spiritual quality I’m often trying to achieve.”

Lillian will be present at our next First Friday on December 6, 2013. Take advantage of this special opportunity to meet this unique artist and learn about her work and technique.

Images: Shadow Spirit in the Grasses; Spirit Bird Standing Alone

First Friday in November

Celebrating First Friday with work by our most popular artists. Back in the Gallery with new work are Michael Orwick and Brenda Boylan. Get a closer look at new work by Rip, including sculptures from his “Simply Wild” series.

Be sure to visit Ali Peret in his studio. Ali has a vast selection of fine gold jewelry and gemstones, as well as gorgeous selection of cameo carved glass vases. If you’ve always wanted to design a custom piece of jewelry, be sure to talk to Ali. Ali has been based in Troutdale for 23 years.

We also have new jewelry in the Gallery by Katie Hovis of Whimsy. Don’t forget, Christmas is just around the corner!

First Friday festivities in the Gallery include FREE wine tasting with Phelps Creek Vineyards. Vocalist and guitarist Bryan Arakelian will entertain.

We have lots of ideas for Christmas gift giving, including jewelry, pottery and wood. Take advantage of our precast opportunities for Rip’s “Simply Wild” miniature sculptures. They are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to reserve one of these adorable pieces.

Images:
Simply Wild Collection by Rip Caswell
Pink Peonie by Brenda Boylan
Sunrise in the Gorge by Michael Orwick

First Friday is October 4, 5-9 pm!

Celebrating First Friday with work by Gallery favorites, Jm Brodrick, Phil Smith, Sally O’Neill, and Bev Jozwiak. Here’s a preview of what’s in the Gallery now:

      

Images:
Luminesce by Bev Jozwiak
Franciscan Villa by Sally O,Neill
12 x12 paintings by Debby Scott
Metal wall sculpture by Donna Yde

Be sure to visit Ali Peret in his studio. Ali has a vast selection of fine gold jewelry and gemstones. Choose from something already created or talk to him about custom designing a specialty piece. Ali has been part of Troutdale’s business community for 23 years.

We also have new jewelry in the Gallery by Katie Hovis of Whimsy. Come by and start thinking about Christmas.

First Friday festivities in the Gallery include FREE wine tasting with Phelps Creek Vineyards. We have jewelry, pottery, wood and other wonderful work by local artists!

Enjoy the smooth sounds of Ron Hughes on his baritone guitar as he plays and sings favorites from the 60’s and 70’s.

What about wine?

If you’ve been a fan of Caswell Gallery, then you surely know of our long time friendship with Phelps Creek Vineyards of Hood River. More often than not, Jon Wadman of  Phelps Creek Vineyards, joins us on First Friday, and other special occasions, to share his knowledge and recommendations during our complimentary wine tastings. At the Gallery, we all have varying degrees of wine savvy, so we thought it would be great to ask Jon Wadman, our perennial wine rep, to share some of his expertise.

Caswell Gallery: What makes a great wine?
Jon Wadman: A great winemaker. Each palate is different, and with so many wine philosophies, the most important thing is finding your great wine and why you like it.

CG: Is Rosé really making a comeback?
JW: Definitely, but they are dry and more sophisticated; and more experimental with regards to the grapes used—if it’s coming from one varietal or blended.

CG: What wines do you recommend for the fall?
JW: My favorite fall white wine is a Chardonnay with baking spice notes, it suites the chilling weather and hearty foods well. We bottle several great ones, but I love the Chardonnay from Celilo Vineyard on Underwood Mountain, WA.  Also, a really earthy Pinot Noir, with that great cigar box notes found in 2008 from my own collection.

CG: Blends or varietals?
JW: Varietals, personally, but there are many wonderful blends. I like varietals because of the educational aspect of learning about the specific characteristics of the grape, vintage, and vineyard.

CG: Bottle or box?
JW: Bottle, no question about it. All romance is lost in the box!

CG: Cork or screw cap?
JW: Depends of the wine and the producer. I have had great and bad wines with both.

CG: Should we store wine laying down or upright?
JW: Laying down, if corked, which helps prevent the cork from failing due to dehydration. This is for longer period storage. Vertical is more than fine in the short term.

CG: Does the shape of the wine glass really matter? Why?
JW: Yes, based on the wine you’re enjoying. For example, Oregon Pinot Noir glasses, being tulip shaped, are better for experiencing the nose and spreading the wine across your palate.

CG: What wine is Phelps Creek Vineyard most excited about at the moment?
JW: We just bottled our first ever Sauvignon Blanc!

CG:  Are there any rules to pairing wine with food?
JW: Sure, but who would enforce them? A wine dinner I recently attended paired two wines with the same dish. One wine contrasted flavors, the other complimented.

CG: What is the most incorrect assumption you hear about wine?
JW: Rosé is for women.

CG: How should we read the wine label?
JW: With both eyes open, starting at the top left, working your way down to the bottom right.

CG: What is your background?
JW: I studied Middle Eastern politics and Arabic and fell into the wine industry.

CG: Does Phelps Creek have a tasting room?
JW: Yes, located at 1850 Country Club Road in Hood River, OR. We share space with Hood River Golf Course Club House. We are open from 11-5 every day.

CG: Would you share a few interesting facts about Phelp’s Creek Vineyard?
JW: Our winemaker, Alexandrine Roy commutes from her family vineyard in Burgundy, France to make our wines. We are the only vineyard offering multiple on-site wine country experience tours, taking guests through the vineyard to where the magic happens. We also have one of the most active and accommodating Wine Clubs. Members enjoy our famous annual “Salmon and Lamb Bake Dinner “which takes place just before harvest!

CG: Clearly you’re a wine lover, but do you ever drink beer?
JW: I’m an Oregonian! Of course I drink beer! Two personal Oregon favorite breweries are Double Mountain in Hood River and Crux in Bend.

First Friday at the Gallery

Celebrating First Friday will new work by Bev Jozwiak, and our regular artists, Sally O’Neill, Phil Smith and JM Brodrick.

Bev Jozwiak has shown many times at the Gallery. We love her ability to capture common subjects and their everyday environments and somehow make them seem exquisitely unique and special. Bev has acquired national acclaim as a watercolor painter. Her work is impressionistic and she strives for realism while expressing the love and energy that goes into each piece. Bev has been the subject of many one-woman shows, has earned signature status into the American Watercolor Society, NWWS, Watercolor West, and the National Watercolor Society. She has won multiple awards and been featured in numerous magazines including American Artist, The Artist, Watercolor Artist, The Collector, and International Artist; and even had calendar published by Hallmark.

   

Be sure to visit Ali Peret in his studio. Ali has a vast selection of fine gold jewelry and gems. Choose from something already created or talk to him about custom designing a specialty piece. Ali has been part of Troutdale’s business community for 23 years.

Also during First Friday, free wine tasting by Phelp’s Creek Vineyard.

Images:
CEO’s Caucus by Bev Jozwiak
Blackberries in Vase with Lemons by Sally O,Neill
Spring Cycle by Philip Smith
Peet’s by Jm Brodrick
Diamond engagement ring with 1.25 diamond solitaire and tsavorite set in 18k yellow gold by Ali Peret

Two very special events in Troutdale

Unveiling and send off of the Admiral Nimitz monument at Mayor’s Square
July 31, 2013, 10am to noon and August 2, 2013, 5 – 9pm

“Five-star Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz is arguably the most important  American Naval Officer of the 20th century.” Rear Admiral Douglas Moore, Commander General of the Naval Order of U.S.

July 31, 10am to noon: Honoring the past, the present and the future
Join us as we celebrate our U.S. Naval history which includes the legendary Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and now the completion of a national monument that will grace the entry to the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor; now a museum of the Pacific War. We have a very special morning planned in Mayor’s Square in Old Troutdale and are honored to announce the following:

Rear Admiral Douglas Moore (ret.), now Commander General of the Naval Order of the U.S., will give an address and assist with the unveiling of the monument.

Rip will also speak about the project and give insight to an artist’s perspective and about what this major artwork means to him. Our local Navy Color Guard will perform the flag ceremony and we will celebrate the future sailors in attendance!

Local news personalities, Shirley Hancock and Mike Donahue will emcee.

Recording artist, Gino Vanelli, will open the ceremony with our National Anthem. Gino has made Troutdale home to his studio for several years and we are honored to have him involved with the Admiral Nimitz Bon Voyage!

First Friday Art Walk “Bon Voyage”
August 2, 5 – 9pm

We will be celebrating “Hawaiian Style” with hula dancers, food, wine and music in the park and at the Gallery during Art Walk. First Friday festivities in the Gallery include free wine tasting with Phelps Creek Vineyards and live music by Crystal Lariza. We have jewelry, pottery, wood and other wonderful work by local artists!