paper & planes

Every year the Vaux Swifts pass through Portland and thousands spend the night in a chimney at Chapman Elementary.  Their sweeping flight for an hour before the sun sets is a spectacular show for the crowds that gather on the school lawn.  The Audobon site has details – the Swifts put on a good show through September.

We were there about a week ago and cheered on the Swifts with hundreds of excited spectators.

One of my favorite shops in Portland, Tilde, is having their anniversary party/sale this Saturday!  I was asked to create a design for a bag they will be giving away and LOVE the way it turned out.  It is a reusable shopping bag in my favorite color.  The first 100 customers that spend $40 or more get the bag for free.  And everything (except artwork) will be 20% off.  The hours are 10-8 and Tilde is located at: 7919 SE 13th Street, Portland in the beautiful Sellwood neighborhood.

Cheers,

Rachel

This amazing cradle stopped me in my tracks – it’s a little boat hammock for children!  I love it – beautifully crafted and so unique.  Made by Etsy seller Amy of Beaver Boatworks – she was a professional boatbuilder and now, after having a baby is building amazing things for children.  I could just imagine Adelaide perched inside rocking gently away with her pile of books.  You can also buy a set of wheels that converts it into a boat wagon.  Lovely.

Happy Wednesday,

Rachel

Portland Open Studios 2009

October 10, 11, 17, 18

Watch 100 Portland artists at work!

I have always wanted to do something like this, but living in a second story apartment and working all over the living room didn’t quite feel right for having a tour group through.  But, this year we have a house and the space to invite people in!  I’m really excited to be a part of the Portland Open Studios this year.  Come by to see me work on a painting and show examples of how I create layers in my work.  I will also have lots of cute paintings available for purchase, some type of little freebie for stopping in, and even a ’seconds’ area with some deals.

The $15 Tour Guides also serve as a 16 month calendar (good through 2010) and are available at all New Seasons, Art Media, participating artists and many retail locations throughout the Portland metro area.  For a complete list of retail locations, see portlandopenstudios.com If you would like to only stop by my studio during this time, but do not wish to purchase the guide to see the other artists, email me and I’ll send you my address so you can stop by.

Here’s some more info provided by Portland Open Sudios:

100 artists open their studio doors and invite the public in to witness art in the making. From painting, ceramics, sculpting, printmaking to paper-making and building musical instruments; from  blown sugar sculptures to blown glass sculptures to sculptures made from human hair; from functional objects to objects created for their own sake — Portland Open Studios artists cover the gamut in mediums,  forms, and functions.

All east side artists are open October 10 & 11, 10am-5pm.

All west side artists are open October 17 & 18, 10am-5pm.

Many artists on both east and west sides are open all 4 days.

Read the blog for more information about individual artists and the
interesting demos they have planned: http://portlandopenstudios.wordpress.com/

Rachel is showing again in the Enormous Tiny Art Show.  ETA 6 is held, as always, at Nahcotta in Portsmouth, NH.  Held every September and February, this show just seems to get better and better.  Below is a tiny sampling of the artwork available at the show featuring work that is all under 10″x10″.  Nahcotta hosts an opening tonight, with the work up all month and available for purchase online after Sep 10th.  See the beautiful ETA site for a list of artists and other info.

Justin Richel

Portland Artist Cathie Joy Young

Here is another show that went up this week in NW Portland at a cafe/coffee shop called Sip and Kranz.  There is a first Thursday reception (tomorrow!) if you are around and want to stop in and chat.  I’ll be there from 6-9, Sept. 3rd and the show will be up for the month.  901 NW 10th Ave.  Hope to see you there!

Rachel

Today I’ve been moping around and feeling a bit overwhelmed with things.  I think it’s a combo of not enough sleep, lots of painting to do, and my poor little one got stung by a bee this afternoon.  She has had such a sensitive first year of life with eczema and allergies, that I was in a panic that she would have a bad reaction to the sting.  I don’t like bees.  I know I should, but I don’t.  I’ve been hovering around her looking for any signs of a reaction, but thankfully nothing so far.

On a much happier note, I hung a show at Winestock in Oregon City this morning and am really happy with the way it looks.  This is such a sweet little spot, I hope if you are in the area you can stop in.  It’s up for the month of September.  Maybe you’ll see me in there sharing a bottle with my Jon turning sad days glad.

Best,

Rachel