A New Adventure

I've just completed a five day workshop at Bullseye Glass in Portland called"Painting with Light." Through the use of powdered and crushed glass and other glass structures we constructed imagery that was fused in the kiln. I have so much to learn, but I enjoyed the class and am looking forward to playing around with what is a new art form for me.

Something New

It's finally time for an update from the studio. This painting is based on some photos taken last summer of reflected trees near Neskowin, Oregon

Upcoming Events

I will be participating in two fund raising events coming up next month. The first,"Uncork Joy," Saturday,November 7, from 7-11 pm, will be held at Thirst wine bar at Riverplace , Portland, Oregon. A variety of art and other items will be available for purchase in a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Children's Cancer Association of Oregon. A limited number of tickets are available, and more information can be found at the Thirst website. Friday evening November 13th, as well as Saturday and Sunday will be the annual Sitka Art Invitational, benefiting their ongoing programs in art and ecology. Always a fine show. Contact the Sitka website for more information. More details to follow.

Commission Finished

The painting for Lebanon is finished. I'm looking forward to seeing it installed above the fireplace in the library. Time to move on to other paintings.

A Work In Progress

The commission for the Lebanon Public Library is coming along. The painting began with a light blue toned ground. Next came the blocking in general areas of color. This was followed by some color adjustments and refining. Today I will continue refining and adding textural details.

A Good Book To Read

I'm nearly finished with a great book of interviews with David Hockney called "True To Life." He talks about his photographic work, painting, his theories on the use of camera obscura and photo lucida by the Northern Dutch painters, and his return to plein air painting in Yorkshire. Fascinating and inspiring stuff.

Rested and Inspired

I'm just back from a week on Galiano Island, BC. My husband and I spent a relaxing and restorative vacation on this beautiful island soaking up the amazing scenery and marveling at the wildlife. The island has wonderful cedar tree forests punctuated by madronas, a small lake, grand vistas, and uncrowded shorelines of carved sandstone for watching seals and sea birds. Magical.

Something For Lebanon

I just received the news this week that my home town, Lebanon, Oregon, has selected me for a commission for their brand new public library. I will be doing a 4'x6' painting for the fireplace wall. I was born in the building that for many years was the library and before that the Lebanon Community Hospital. It is gratifying to know that I will have a painting in this wonderful new community building. As a staff member of the Friends of Multnomah County Library in Portland, and having been born and raised in Lebanon, this is doubly rewarding.

An Invitation

It is my pleasure to invite you to an open house art sale Saturday June 27th from 11-9 and Sunday June 28th from 11-4 at my home and studio, 1705 SE 41st Ave, Portland Oregon. Party time for all from 6-9 on Saturday. Also showing work are Keaney Rathbun, who will have prints and sculpture, Mary Real, who will have paintings and prints, and Chi Meredith, who will have paintings and prints. I will have note cards, prints, and paintings. There will be something for every price and taste. I hope to see you, and please bring your friends.

New and Improved

This week I finally updated my website with new images. You can have a look at at www.angelitasurmon.com.

A Touch of Summer

It's been beautiful these past few days. We found time to get the vegetable garden in and a few flowers have been added to our yard. More to come. I have done some studio work, but the pull to be outside has been winning the battle most of the last few days. My daughter had an escape to Outdoor School for a day of teaching and I had a few photo ops on the drive back home.

New Acquaintences

Thanks to all of you who came to the Laurelhurst Artwalk last Saturday. I very much enjoyed the chance to meet new people and share some time getting to know you and sharing my work. Mark your calendars for the second annual 4 on 41st show at my studio, 1705 SE 41st Ave, June 27th and 28th. Details to follow.

Laurelhurst Artwalk

Next weekend I will be participating in the Laurelhurst Artwalk in Portland . The event takes place Saturday May 9 from 10 am to 5 pm.
I will have prints, paintings and note cards at the home of Ellen Nielson, 625 NE Laurelhurst Place. For more information on the event, visit the website at www.laurelhurstartwalk.com. I hope to see you there.

Spring Returns

Spring light is coming back to Portland. Time to prepare the garden for flowers and vegetables. Time to be outside.

Trillium Time

It's that glorious time of year when the forests are blanketed with snow white trillium. It's a great reason for a stroll in the woods.

Dusk in the Forest

This recently completed painting was inspired by a late afternoon walk on the Wildwood Trail in Portland. It's still one of my favorite places for relaxing and restoring my spirits.

Still Thinking of Opal Creek

Here is a recent painting inspired by Opal Creek. I can't seem to get the beautiful clear water and old growth trees out of my head. I hope to take another trek there soon, when it's warmer and drier.

Two More Weeks in Seattle

My show continues in Seattle Thursday and Friday 11-6 and Saturday and Sunday 12-5 at the Fountainhead Gallery. Another good reason to travel to Seattle is the work of Alden Mason at the Foster White Gallery. His paintings of childlike people and animals continue to be vital and playful as the artist turns 89 this year.

Opening Highlights

Last Saturday night was the opening of my Seattle show at the Fountainhead Gallery. Although the weather was all over the map, and less than cooperative, there were hearty souls who braved the elements to attend. Sue and Ron Peterson, gallery owners, did a great job of installing the work, and I very much appreciated talking with old friends and meeting new people at the event. The show continues through March 29.

Tonight's the Night

This morning we'll be driving to Seattle for the opening at the Fountainhead Gallery. There's talk of snow, which could make life interesting. I'm looking forward to a fun evening and great Thai food after. If you are in the area, I'd love to talk with you. The Fountainhead Gallery is at 625 West McGraw in the Queen Anne district. The opening , as mentioned in a previous post is from 5-7 pm.

An Invitation

I would like to invite you to come to Seattle and visit my Show at the Fountainhead Gallery, 625 W McGraw in the Queen Anne district.The opening is Saturday March 7 from 5-7 pm. Gallery hours are Th, Fri 11-6, and Sat. and Sun 12-5. There will be acrylic paintings of various sizes along with limited edition hand-pulled lithographs. Gallery owners Ron and Sue Peterson provide an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming, the gallery space is great, and there will be light refreshments and lovely company. Come by and say hello. I'd love to talk with you. Gallery website is www.fountainheadgallery.com.

The Final Color

Here is the finished print. I learned a lot in this process. I think I could probably add a few more colors to this image, but I'm ready to move on to another print. Maybe this time I will go for more richness and layering . Stay tuned. My husband and I delivered the work for my March show to the Fountainhead Gallery on Saturday, and the images are available on their website at www.fountainheadgallery.com. Take a look.

Phase Three and Four

Here are images of the third and fourth colors of this lithograph. I think I could go on and on, but also may stop after the next color. I intend to include this print in my next show in March at the Fountainhead Gallery in Seattle. The blue was the third color added, and the yellow green is the fourth color. My apologies for the inaccuracy of the color in the blue layer. Sometimes photographing at night is not so successful, but unfortunately, that phase has been added to with the yellow green, so no chance for retakes. So it goes.

Printmaking Phase 2

Today's lithography color definitely had more of an impact than the first color. If you look closely, you may be able to see traces of the yellow green that was the first color on the print. My initial idea was to do three colors. I have one more image ready to print, but due to the first color's pale appearance, I will be doing 2 additional colors. The next color will be some type of blue to augment the trees and shadows. Following that will be a pale yellow to yellow green. Then the last color will be a cool emerald or teal. Here's hoping all goes well. Lithography is always magic.

Back To Work

Today I began work on a colored lithograph at my friend Chi Meredith's studio. Lithography requires a different drawing and pass through the printing press for each color, and then there's the fun of registration. We managed to get one stone ready for color printing on my next trip to Corvallis. However, the other drawing, after making it beautifully through the first etch, mysteriously disappeared as I was rolling it up for the proofing and second etch. Sorry if this is all too complicated. Basically, lithography is a process of oil and water , with the ink staying where there is greasy drawing material, and resisting where the stone has water and no drawing material. When it works, it's glorious. Sigh. The magic and mystery of lithography. Here's an image from a more successful experience, and a new canvas.