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

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

Artist Profile: Michael Orwick

The always popular and prolific Michael Orwick is showing in the Gallery. Michael’s ability to capture the subtle nuances of familiar locations throughout the Northwest and beyond, make his work highly desirable. Michael’s mastery of capturing light and mood is well known.

Growing up in the Oregon Cascades and the Willamette Valley, nature and the landscape have had a profound impact on Michael Orwick. He has always been inspired by the ability of landscapes to tell stories.

Michael’s career in art started in animation at Will Vinton Studios and moved quickly into illustration, where he enjoyed bringing the ideas of others to life. As is true for many creative people, Michael was drawn to develop his own signature style of “Inspired Expressionism,” painting his ideas on canvas and inviting the viewer to provide the narrative.

Orwick is a master of creating mood through atmosphere and color, utilizing space, a sense of place, and time of day to convey his vision. His work hints at a story and it is what he leaves untold that that engages the viewer in the creative process of storytelling. He often hears that people feel as if they have “seen this place before”.

Orwick says of his work: “There is a reason we are drawn toward beauty. It is the language of God and nature. Nothing more provocative than beauty ? it inspires deep reflection and motivates me to create. I blend from a primary color palette, painting wet into wet and with layers, to both reveal and hide what lies behind; in this way I entice you into the painting. I love it when people share the feeling and stories my paintings evoke. It is my sincere wish that you will want to revisit these beautiful locations and painterly stories again and again.”

Orwick’s paintings offer the chance to return and explore a special place that lingers in memory and imagination. Be sure to visit the Gallery during the Christmas season and see Michael’s newest paintings.

Image: Lavendar Sky; Sunset View-Ruthton County Park

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

First Friday in February

We are pleased to be showing Colorado artist, Cynthia Feustel, in her show “Be Still” during the month of February. Be sure to join us for First Friday, February 1, 5-9 pm.

Colorado artist, Cynthia Feustel helps usher in 2013 with her exhibit of figures and still life. Feustel refers to her style as contemporary realism and will show an amazing body of work that includes a variety of stunning portraits and still life pieces. The image shown here is “Summer Solstice”. Most recently Cynthia was featured in the December issue of Southwest Art Magazine for her Honorable Mention award for her entry in Artistic Excellence 2012 .

Rip’s sculpture of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz is in progress and on display. Take advantage of this great opportunity to see history in the making–literally. The monument is set to be dedicated in August 2013 at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii.

It’s not too early to think about Valentine’s Day. Ali Peret can help you select the perfect piece of jewelry. Remember, February’s birthstone is amethyst so keep that in mind when shopping for your special Valentine.

If you love artisan jewelry, Katie Hovis of Whimsy will be here with her gorgeous new rings. Very cute and affordable! Katie uses fine metals and gemstones for her unique wire wrapped jewelry.

As always, we will have entertainment and wine tasting. Local songwriter and vocalist, Crystal Lariza will sing and our friends from Phelps Creek Vineyard will offer FREE wine tasting. Make sure to start your weekend off with us! Festivities start at 5 PM and most Troutdale merchants participate. Troutdale has great shops, restaurants, and plenty of parking.

We still have several pre-cast opportunities, so ask us about them when you’re in the Gallery. Remember, Caswell Gallery offers a simple layaway plan!

Rip is also offering a Sculpture 101 class starting  February 4. The class will meet twice a week for three weeks from 6:30-8:30. This will be a unique opportunity for aspiring sculptors to learn about sculpting and lost wax casting with acclaimed sculptor Rip Caswell. You will begin working in Rip’s Studio at Caswell Gallery in Troutdale. Using your own design, Rip will guide you through the sculpting process and you’ll learn about the casting and patina process first hand when you finish your piece with Production Manager, Lonnie Paola at Firebird Bronze Foundry in Boring. When you take home your own miniature bronze sculpture, perhaps an heirloom, you might even be inspired to start your own artistic journey. For more information call us at 503-492-2473.