Paul Bianchina

ARCHIVES

Bathing Suits in February?

Awards Shows for
The Rest of Us

Ready For Employee Idol?

There are Dog People and
There are Cat People

Can't Be Too Safe When
Mowing the Lawn

One of Life's Greatest
Mysteries Explained

So Much Food,
So Little Ocean

Time Once Again to Bring
A Dead Tree Into the House

Remember When These Were Your Biggest Problems in Life?

Dentists – Masters of Understatement

Cell Phones: You Gotta Learn It Somewhere

With PVC, Anyone Can
Screw Up a Sprinkler System

On Gambling

Can We Get That Dog
to Read?

Is Nicole Kidman Buzzing
Around Your House?

Tracking the Origin
of the Elephant Ear

Television Networks – The New Business Model for Chaos

Don't Argue When the Ultimate Makeover Team Arrives

Stranger in a Strange Land

One Holiday Down,
A Couple Dozen To Go

Imponderables

I’ll Have The Smaller, More Expensive Portion Please

It's High Time for More Warnings on TV Ads

Ah, The Joy of a Relaxing Vacation

There's Nothing like Technology to Make Easier Things Harder

A Puzzling Addiction

More Imponderables

Unique Art Fundraiser Benefits
New Bend Skatepark

The second annual art show and fundraiser, PUSH, held recently at the PoetHouse in Bend featured custom skate deck art from over 50 local, regional and national artists including Adam Haynes, Mark Rada, Aaron Draplin, Jesse Lockwood, Dana Mackenzie as well autographed birdhouse skateboard, complete with trucks and wheels signed by Tony Hawk in support of Division Street Skatepark (DSSP). PUSH benefits a new planned Bend skatepark – and showcases the unique lifestyle and artistic interpretation of the skate community.

A sampling of the show is currently on display at Velvet in Downtown Bend. PUSH is the brainchild of the founders of DSSP, a project that has been gaining momentum and community support over the past two years. Inspired by Portland’s Burnside skatepark and similar DIY parks, DSSP differs from other projects because it will be designed and constructed by skateboarders, without the help of the city, parks and recreation or any other municipality.

The PUSH show has already garnered attention from artists across the region who are eager to contribute their creative vision showcased on such an unusual format. “Art has always been a part of skateboarding, so we feel that a skate-based art show makes perfect sense,” says Travis Yamada, one of the original supporters of the skatepark. Multiple events and opportunities will continue throughout the year to support the skatepark, which has already gathered the support of the Oregon Department of Transportation. Situated on Division Street under the Bend Parkway, the land is currently vacant and strewn with large boulders.

The project crew, comprised of volunteers who have dreamt of such an opportunity for years, has already formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit in order to secure grants and funds for building the park. The founders plan to revitalize a potential blighted area by building a skatepark to the highest standards and maintaining control of the project through development and usage. laurel@14handsagency.com or yamadafkr@yahoo.com. www.divisionstreetparkproject.com, 541 -385-7777

Art by Knight Creates New Paradigm
for Artists

by VALERIE CLARK Cascade A&E Editor

It was a match made in art heaven when sculptor Steven Knight met his wife, painter Laurel, 25 years ago, and the kindred spirits are now working to revolutionize the traditional idea of an art gallery. Both Laurel and Steven have been artists for their entire lives, but only now have they finally reached the point where they can devote all of their efforts to their respective crafts. Laurel first discovered her talent when, as a young child, she drew portraits of the parishioners in her church when they occasionally nodded off during lengthy sermons. Eventually, people began to gather around her after church to see who she’d captured on paper.

“As weeks went by, more and more people were posing, acting as if they were asleep,” she said. Laurel continued to hone her craft, branching out to drawing with pastels and painting. Along the way she married her first husband and raised a family, and although her art took a backseat to the demands of everyday life, she always found ways to express herself visually when she had the chance, whether it was by drawing portraits of friends or making posters for the local PTA. Steven also discovered art at an early age and with whatever “medium” was available at hand. “After I accomplished walking, I started creating, you know, with mud, sticks, cardboard, eventually a pencil or crayon came into play,” Steven said.

Through the next 20 years of his life, Steven had plenty of adventures, making forays into guiding, hunting, fishing, logging, construction and more, and eventually began sculpting three-dimensionally and casting in bronze. His realistic style of sculpting is inspired by a lifelong love of nature, he says. Steven specializes in figurative bronze sculpture, equine sculpture and western sculpture. His realistic technique combines with a flair for the fantastic, as in Life’s a Dance, which shows a man’s musculoskeletal system as he holds a violin and bow with a flourish. Laurel focuses on figurative and portrait paintings, landscapes and wildlife paintings.

She’s now working on a large body of work based on the time period between the 1920s and 1940s, including the Great Depression, based on old negatives from pictures taken by her grandfather. Steven emphasizes that, with his discipline, training and skill level, he is not just an artist but a fine artist, a key distinction. “One thing that I as an artist would like to convey: There is a distinct difference between art and fine art,” he said. “To me, fine art is an incredible responsibility. It is extremely disciplined and requires incredible focus.”

He and his wife are now aiming to challenge the traditional idea of how art is presented to the public. Instead of putting up exhibits in galleries, they are branching out to the entire nation and the world via the Internet. “We’re helping to change the paradigm of art,” Laurel explained. Their goal: “To share, care, get it out there.” Information about investing in the Knights’ business plan can be found on their website. Investment opportunities in the Knights’ business plan are now available and information can be found on their website.

Steven’s sculptures and Laurel’s paintings are currently on display at the new Azura Studio, a self-healing center and full-service salon located downtown on Bond Street. Their hope is that their art will inspire the next generation of artists, and that’s already happening. One little girl, upon seeing Laurel’s paintings and watching her work, rushed her mom out the door to go buy a set of pastels. “It’s been such a joy to see that,” Steven said. Information: www.artbyknight.com, 541-633-7488

Native Art Expressions: Art, Stories & Poetry

Native Art Expressions is the brainchild of two men, Douglas C. Watson who resides in Prineville, and John A. Finch currently living in Warm Springs. Together they have developed a line of art, stories and poetry that is unique, beautiful and refreshing. Bringing the wildlife they both love into their work with each adding their own distinctive styles, they have blended together a vast collection of “must have” art work.

Born in Walla Walla, Washington, Watson spent the majority of his youth in Coos Bay, Oregon attending school and surfing along the west coast. He went on to attend college at the University of Oregon followed by service in the Air Force as a member of Special Forces and later as a physical conditioning specialist. Watson spent much of his life raising, training and showing Quarter horses.

His ability to see and feel what is going on around him makes his writings come to vivid life. His love of wildlife gives his animal writings a unique and inspiring style. For a short while, you can step into their lives, seeing the world from their perspective. One of the most beautiful books written according to Watson is the soon-to-be-released Whispers of Love, a unique and growing collection of his original love poems. Also pending is Growing with PA, a humorous collection of true and “semi” true adventures.

A third book, Ralph’s Story” is still in outline form and is now being researched. Finch was born on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Idaho. He has spent a large portion of his life preserving Native American Culture through his art. His creative ability to capture the true spirit and essence of Native American animals and to illuminate the very souls of his subjects in portraits makes any and all artwork by Finch a true collector’s dream. Finch’s artwork has won numerous awards throughout the United States.

One of his most noted accomplishments was when one of his paintings was selected to be part of the Smithsonian Institute’s permanent collection of Contemporary Indian Art in Washington, D.C. The first editions of the Wildlife Series will soon be released both in the United States and internationally. This collection of posters, cards and calendars will be available in framed, standard and Numbered Limited editions. Finch’s beautiful art is brought even more to life as it is combined with Watson’s vivid stories and descriptions.

The website is now under construction and the texts are being transcribed into Japanese and several other languages. All business is directed through the third partner, Tammy Combs of Prineville. Combs has insured that all business is routed through and handled by Central Oregon attorneys, accountants and printing firms. Percentages of all sales will include donations to select Native American enrichment programs as well as National Wildlife and ecology programs. Information: 541-420-8927

Wildfire Event Staged by Clay Guild of the Cascades

Central Oregon is fortunate to have a large and talented group of clay artists. According to pottery and printmakers Janet Matson the Clay guild of the Cascades (CGC) was formed in 2005 to support clay artists and to give something back to the community. “Our mission statement reads ….as potters we share a passion about clay with each other and the community. Our aim is to promote creative self-expression in clay, share knowledge and experience ..and to participate in charitable projects,” explains Matson.

CGC is a non-profit organization with a membership of 30 plus clay artists including wheel thrown, hand-built and sculptured ceramics. It is based in Bend but its membes are from all over Oregon from Eugene to Baker City. The group is dedicated to furthering the education and appreciation of ceramic arts in Central Oregon. “Our effort to promote self-expression through clay has led us to bring several nationally known clay artists to our area for workshops for our members as well as free workshops in area high schools and college,” explains Matson.

CGC has also been instrumental in the charitable community event, Empty Bowls. Central Oregon potters donated over 1,200 handmade bowls, which were then sold with homemade soup to local diners. “In our first year CGC was able to contribute over $2,000 to the Oregon Food Bank program, which helped feed over 22,000 families in Oregon,” said Matson. CGC has produced four cooperative all-clay shows called Wildfire Potter Showcase, which is very like the OPA in Portland only smaller, thirty ceramic artists from around Oregon come together to show and sell functional and decorative ceramic art.

The show also includes a children’s clay area, continuous demonstrations and a gallery, that includes a student gallery, where artists put their best work. The professional look of the show along with a great variety of wonderful original ceramic works of art and a committed all-volunteer support of the artists, has helped create great sales and an enthusiastic response from visitors. This year Wildfire will be held at a new venue at Highland School in Bend on November 14-15 at 701 Newport Ave.

BGA Celebrates 10 Years in Supporting Arts Education

In support of Arts Central Educational and Resource Center the Bend Gallery Association came together for a group exhibition and auction fundraiser to benefit arts education programs for disadvantaged youth. In addition the Bend galleries are celebrating working together for 10 years adding visibility and awareness of the vibrant arts community in Bend. Currently made up of 12 member galleries, the BGA is responsible for putting together and distributing the annual Gallery Guide and hosting First Friday Gallery Walk.

Karen Bandy conceived of the idea to have the members do a special painting to commemorate the Oregon 150 with the proceeds going to Arts Central. Members of the Bend Gallery Association thought this was a perfect way to honor the 150th anniversary of Oregon as well as support the much needed arts education for disadvantaged youth. The BGA has been hosting the monthly First Friday Gallery Walk from 5-9 pm every first Friday of the Month, and all of the members have been supportive advocates of the arts community here in Bend for many years. Works available at auction include original paintings from artists represented by the gallery and/or the gallery owner and were done specifically for this special Oregon 150 event.

The organizers hope that the tradition can continue and people will be able to purchase a painting by well known artists, while supporting Arts Education in our community. “This is a special opportunity to have the community come together and support all of our arts in Bend. The arts are a vital part of our community and it is good to see all of the Galleries work together collaboratively to help support that,” says Shelley Hall, an independent art appraiser and consultant in Bend.

“We are very fortunate to have such talented and well respected artists and galleries here, and it is important as a community to show our support.” Galleries and associated artists include Atelier 6000 and owner Pat Clark, Glass Symphony and owner Kate MacLeod, Michael Cassidy Gallery and owner Michael Cassidy, Sage Gallery and owner Denise Rich, Mockingbird Gallery and artist Ken Roth, Karen Bandy Studio and owner Karen Bandy, Tumalo Art Gallery and artist Janice Druian, BICA Gallery and artist Alexis West, Art Impressions and artist Mary Hodges and Lubbesmeyer Gallery and owners Lori and Lisa Lubbesmeyer. Silent Auction bidding has been going on throughout July at various galleries. Bidding will continue at Arts Central and culminate with an open house and group show on First Friday, August 7. www.bendgalleries.com

Jill's Wild Women & Friends Return to Bend

by PETER WALL THOMAS A&E Feature Writer

Jill Haney-Neal is a well known artist in Central Oregon who ran her own gallery, Jill's Wild Tasteful Women & Friends, in downtown Bend for five years before closing up shop in January of last year. During the summer of 2008 she started anew and opened warehouse on Nels Anderson Road in Bend. This new evolution of her business includes a variety of products with her signature bodacious Wild Women designs taking center stage once again. Merchandise lines include mugs, tapas plates, magnets, wine plates, with recent additions including new martini plates and coasters.

Haney-Neal's current endeavors can be traced back to "years of requests to have a giftware product lines with the 'bodacious' women. I had an agent in New York at one time, who loved the work, but said the buyers were 'afraid' of the women, saying they were too 'sensual' for mass market. Still I had numerous requests, and finally started the process two years ago," she explains. With momentum for her business increasing she decided to fly to China to inspect the factory where her products were being manufactured. Her goal was two-fold: inspect the conditions of the factory and see how it was being run.

"It is run by women, and with good and clean working conditions. The work they produced was exceptional," explains Haney-Neal. She even went so far as to visit where the clay was produced and found similarly excellent conditions in a well run factory. After a year of refining the details of production, including making sure the finished product was up to specs of color, quality, was lead-free and microwave and dishwasher safe, she proceeded with her first shipment.

Currently the Wild Women product line can be found in 75 stores in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, and Nevada. In Oregon, her merchandise can be found in Made in Oregon stores, various wineries and gift shops, and locally at WineStyes stores, Maragas Winery, and Sisters Drug and Gift. Of course, she explains "We also sell out of our little showroom, and very few people even know we have one! We will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays this summer, as well as a few 'special events'.

The first one will be June 20, 10am to 5pm. Instead of discounts at the warehouse, we give a percentage of sales to the Bethlehem Inn." There is also a line of Wild Women gift cards, distributed through the Seattle Company of Emery-Burton. According to Haney-Neal sales have been very strong, with cards selling nationwide, and now in Canada. The original artwork is also being sold nationwide wholesale, mostly to framing galleries. She has also expanded her images to wine bottles including Kiona Vineyards in Washington and recently on a series of Wild Women wines for D'Vine wines in Texas and Colorado.

"Due to all of the varied activity, we haven't promoted locally as much as I've wanted. But we are still here! We had the absolutely BEST customers at the gallery, and I miss them. Since we have moved on, I would love to have them know that we're still around," she explains enthusiastically. With fantastic products, and ever evolving product line there is no reason Central Oregonians shouldn't take full advantage and support one of our own. Jill Haney-Neal, Wild Women Gallery open Tues/Wed, 20512 Nels Anderson Rd. Bldg 3 Unit A, Bend,541/617-6078, www.jillnealgallery.com

Tumalo Art Co. Fine Art Collective Expands to the Old Mill

by SONDRA HOLTZMAN A&E Editor

Over a year ago, The Old Mill invited Tumalo Art Co. owners Susan Luckey Higdon and Tracy Leagjeld to consider moving to the Old Mill so when a street-level location opened up it was too good to pass up. Tumalo Art Co., formerly located on Greenwood Avenue in Bend, is moving to the Old Mill and will be open for Art Walk on June 1.

“In an endeavor to support the arts and add even more local color to the Old Mill, we were presented with this great opportunity,” says Luckey Higdon. “We didn’t get a lot of foot traffic at our old location on Greenwood, so we decided to trust ourselves and move forward.” Tumalo Art Co. is a collective of artists who operate the gallery space. Leagjeld explains, “When someone walks in the door, they are greeted by an artist, someone who knows and is passionate about the artwork, as opposed to a salesperson.”

Luckey Higdon adds, “we think the reason our collective has worked so far is the way we’re organized. Tracy and I handle things like the bookkeeping, public relations and marketing, so the artists don’t have to think about that.” Though Leagjeld and Luchey Higdon handle management duties the move to the Old Mill was a total group decision. “After discussing our options everyone was on board…we didn’t lose one artist. We’ll be open seven days a week, so we’ll all be working more days than before. It was a risk considering the state of the economy, a leap of faith,” they say.

A trip to the Tumalo Art Co. is worth every minute. Patrons can choose from a wide variety of artistic representations, including oils, watercolor, pastels, mixed media, photography, encaustics, monotypes and limited edition gliclees, in addition to ceramics, glass, mosaics and a limited amount of jewelry. Stop by Tumalo Art Co.’s new location June 1 at the Old Mill and stay tuned for a grand opening later this summer.

“We plan on painting outside upon occasion and want the space to be colorful and active,” says Luckey Higdon. “One of the nice things about the Old Mill is it’s clean with nice wide sidewalks, so we can leave the door open and have events outside.” The Tumalo Art Co. has grown steadily over the years in its former location on NW Greenwood. “This space has been our foundation,” says Tracy Leagjeld. “We’ve grown strong here and feel like the move to the Old Mill just makes good sense. It’s where we need to grow in the future.” Information: 541/385-9144 and www.tumaloartco.com Tumalo Art Co.450 SW Powerhouse Drive, #407 Bend, OR 97701 Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday 11-6

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