A Master In Our Midst

I recently went to see the show of watercolors by Henk Pander at the Laura Russo Gallery. They were superb. I can always count on seeing the highest quality work from Henk. This group of paintings is no exception. They are a diverse lot. There are still lifes, landscapes, and an intriguing group of paintings of piles of bricks. No matter the subject, he is able to say so much with so little. This Saturday, he and fellow exhibiting artist J. D. Perkin will be discussing their work at the gallery. Henk is an enjoyable guide. Check it out.

Here's to Old and New Acquaintances

The year is winding to a festive close, and it is my hope to start the new year with a larger mailing list. If you are interested in receiving email or snail mail regarding exhibits, news, or sales, I would appreciate hearing from you. You can leave your information at the comments on my blog, or you can go to my website, www.angelitasurmon.com and contact me there. I wish you all happy holidays. May you stay warm and dry and take time to slow down to appreciate the important people in your life. Cheers!

Just In Time For The Holidays

The Portland Art Center is having a fund raiser this month featuring the work of many fine local artists. Each artist worked on a square wood panel creating in their own wonderful style. The panels will all be sold for $300. each. Such a bargain! 25% will go to the artists. Henry Hillman has generously agreed to match up to $20,000. of the purchases, thus doubling the benefits for Portland Art Center. The show runs December 6-22. There will be a preview next Wednesday night, prior to First Thursday, and an artists' party December 14. Please come and help out this worthy cause and buy some great art. Included will be my painting "Wildwood Fall." For more information go to www.portlandart.org.

A Good Time Was Had By All

Last Saturday was the opening at Fountainhead Gallery in Seattle, and it was a great night. Ron and Sue Peterson, the owners of the gallery, did a terrific job of hanging the show, and provided a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere for all those in attendance.It was one of the most enjoyable openings I've had in quite some time Thanks to all who took the time to come to the show and say hello, and thanks to those who purchased work on opening night. The work of Cornish graduate Jonathan Owens, a fine show of pastel drawings of cloudscapes and nature closeups is featured in the mezzanine gallery. The work will be on view through November 25th, Thursday and Friday 11-6,Saturday and Sunday 12-5 and by appointment.

New Show Up on the Web

The new images for the show are on the website for the Fountainhead Gallery. The website is www.fountainheadgallery.com. You'll find the images under the exhibitions listings. If you are in Seattle during November, come by and have a look. I would love to meet some new people if you are in Seattle on opening night. The opening is Saturday November 3 from 5pm-7pm.

Something From The Studio Wall

Here's something I found and have had on my studio wall for a few years now. Lyn Foulkes has been around the block a few times and is still here. He was born in Yakima Washington , which makes him a neighbor of sorts. I'm not so crazy about his work, but the sentiment here rings true for me.

I began exhibiting at twenty-six
critics thought my work was tough
I got in all the art magazines
museums started buying my stuff.

They made me the belle of the ball
I could do no wrong at all
I won the Paris Biennale
I thought I would never fall.

But I started doing something different
they didn't like that very much
they wanted me to do the same old thing
they thought I was out to lunch.

They wanted me to be consistent
to throw away my heart
They wanted me to be nonresistant
to promote the tradition of art.

I've learned a lot about art
since I was twenty six
Like trusting my own solutions
not worrying about politics

I think I'm pretty sure what makes real art
comes from deep inside
Not flippity-flop to get to the top
or learning to swallow your pride.

Fall Approaches

It's September and the kiddies are heading back to school. I always feel I can be a bit more industrious in the fall when it comes to getting work done in the studio. I've been reworking the November show title. At this point I'm thinking "Woodland Stories." The paintings have some aspect of creating a story, and the title also alludes to the levels and layers of the forest. So that's the title, for today at least...

Name That Show

I 'm back from 4 days at the beach of reading, hiking, photographing and eating too much. Now I am definitely ready to log some studio time. I'm feeling positive about my work and looking forward to having a show.

I'm currently working on a title for the November show at the Fountainhead Gallery in Seattle. My first thought was Light, Shadow, Reflection. My husband says it's too boring, so it's still in the works. Maybe something from a naturalist's point of view or something zen. There is a John Muir quote that basically says by going out into nature he is going in. How would that be? Going in by going out. Too vague, too sexual?

A New Seattle Gallery

I am happy to report that my work is now being represented by the Fountainhead Gallery in Seattle. The address is 625 West McGraw Street. It is in the Upper Queen Anne area of Seattle. The dealers, Sue and Ron Peterson are very warm and welcoming and the gallery space has lots of light streaming in from the windows of their corner location. The gallery is open Thursday and Friday, 11-5 and Saturday and Sunday 12-6. I will be having a one-person show in November, with an opening on Saturday, November 3rd in the evening. More details to follow.

New Shows In Town

There are many great shows in Portland this month. If you haven't seen the Dutch painting show with all the wonderful Rembrandts at the Portland Art Museum,, I highly recommend it. In addition, Jason Greene has a great show at the Genuine Imitation Gallery in the Everett Street Lofts, of water towers and piles of debris from construction sites. The paintings are well done and very affordable. Check it out! I have 2 pieces at a show at Mark Woolley Gallery. The show is called "Dig It," a show loosely based on art of and for the garden. This is the last show at his 128 NE Russell location. In September the gallery moves to the former Froelick Gallery space at 817 SW 2nd.