A New Collaboration in the works!

This is still in process but all the parts have been created and we are in the process of assembling it. What is it? ...for now, a humble work in progress. I am collaborating with silk artist Diane Fredgant. The installation will be Wednesday morning when a new exhibit will open at the MJCC. In celebration of Shavuot, we gathered with a number of artists to study Torah text and learn about our community mikvah, Rachel's Well. We met once more in early summer to study with Rabbi Eve Posen. Drawing inspiration from these exceptional teachers and the mikvah itself, the artists have spent the [ast several months creating art. Some of this art will be selceted to be displayed at the mikvah, but meanwhile, the exhibition seeks to inform folks about the mikvah, one of our community's treasures. One of the great challenges to all our artists is crafting art work in our respective media that will not be damaged by being in a moist environment. I'll post the finished product after it is mounted at the show....stay tuned!

POP-UP SALE: Featured Artist DIANE FREDGANT

 POP UP ART SHOW : 

Sunday December 20, 2020 

           11am-4pm

 Look for the market booths in the turn-around between

             02  and  16 SW Canby Street...Portland Oregon.

                check yesterday's post for more information

              check this blog tomorrow to meet another artist!

                                         MEET SILK ARTIST: Diane Fredgant

Diane is an accomplished sculptor and fabric artist. Her focus has been developing new techniques in silk painting that allow her to create majestic and brilliantly colorful items. I own an amazing prayer shawl that I commissioned from her. It is going to become a family heirloom. It is stunning beyond words! The challah cover above is just one of many, many designs she has available for purchase

Although Diane is well known for her Judaica items, she also has developed uniquely layered framed silk paintings that not only convey a sense of surreal depth, but they shift in the light, offering shifts in mood and perspective. Diane will have several hand-painted 3-D silk and wood  designs in a variety of colors and moods. 

In this age of COVID, we all need to wear masks. Diane began mask making early on last spring, recognizing that not only was there a shortage at that time, but that the quality of available masks was poor.  Diane's mask reflect a rare quality of materials. Each is hand made using two layers of sturdy quilter's cotton and has a sewn-in surgical grade interfacing to extend the filtering capabilities of the mask. Masks are available in a variety of sizes , colors and patterns. I bought 4 immediately and discovered that these masks are also adjustable, They fit better than any other mask I own. While other masks have faded with use, these masks remain vibrant!

A POP-UP SALE!!!! Last Minute Shopping!

 

It's a pop-up in our neighborhood! This is what happens when two artists (Jack and Eddy) live next to each other and like to collaborate!  It's what happens when there is a pandemic, you have been making art but you can't be in show. 

We've invited two other friends: a silk artist (Diane Fredgant) who also has incredibly lovely and well made face masks using surgical-grade filters for sale, and a chef (Lani Raider) who will have beautifully prepared treats available for purchase as well as a menu of items that can be ordered for future consumption.

Virtual Shows are great, but often customers want to handle the merchandise or at least see it up close- personal!  WHAT KIND OF MERCHANDISE? I'm so glad you asked! Turned wood, fused glass, hand-painted silk, and chef prepared freshly smoked salmon (cryovac packaging) and an assortment of holiday treats.  I'll feature information about each artist on this site, beginning Tuesday evening.  Check this site on Sunday if it's raining. We plan to be open unless there is a deluge. This is Oregon after all....it does rain. We'll stay open during showers

So on Sunday December 20th we will set up some open air booths with heaters...and invite friends and neighbors to browse through our work. COVID SAFETY is our main concern!

LOCATION: The turn-around space between 02 SW Canby and 16 SW Canby,

•We will limit the number of guests entering at one time to members of a single pod or if alone, just one customer at a time. If you are a drive up guest, you may be asked to wait in your car for a few minutes...if customers are already in our booths.

•We're offering hot drinks and small nibbles that are individually wrapped

•We will accept  payment for art via cash, check, PayPal, or credit card

• Hand sanitizer will be available for your use.

Art of Sacred Community: Panel Discussion

Thursday February 21st, 7pm @ Neveh Shalom   

8831 SW Peaceful Lane  Isaak Foyer 

I will be part of an Art Talk about this wonderful exhibit. This photo represents a very small piece of what is on display.

We will present a multimedia slide show, talk about our process and journey, and take questions.

I hope you can come.... share in the conversation, enjoy some nibbles, and learn about our process!

More gratitude!

In many critique groups, the artist puts herself "out there", grits her teeth and braces herself to hear what is wrong with her art work. That is a generalization and possibly an unfair one.

Our group is different. When we meet, we bring a piece to the session. We follow a format where the artist shares the piece. It could be a sketch, a rough idea, a work in progress, or even a finished piece.
The artist talks about the piece and frames a question for the group to discuss. The group takes a few minutes to ask clarifying questions ...and then they begin discussing answers to the artist's question. The artist listens and takes notes. What is great about this process is that it allows a good bit of dignity for the artist and it provides some answers! Yay!  The artist then tells the group what she heard ....and sometimes even tells us what she thinks she'll actually do. Sometimes it evolves back in her studio. Bottom line....it works!

We met several times to prepare for our upcoming show. We had four hebrew words we studied in an effort to  honor the synagogues anniversary and respond to something tangible. The original synagogues that eventually merged were Neveh Tzedek (Oasis of Justice) and Ahavai Shalom (The Love of Peace). They became Neveh Shalom (Oasis of Peace.) We brought ideas and/or works in progress and using our process we supported each other along the way.

Yesterday I spoke about Esther Liberman. Tonight more gratitude  goes to  Laura Fendel, Diane Fredgant and Wendelin Russell. Their loving support, advice, and close listening means the world to me. I hope I was able to offer some small measure of help to each of them.

Laura Fendel works magic with fabrics. In the piece she developed for this show, she blends architectural imagery from founding congregations Ahavai Shalom and Neveh Tzedek as well as the current Neveh Shalom. Remarkable in its juxtaposed architecture, it evokes a sense of past and present. There is also a holiness and the spiritual that is communicated through the textures of this piece. You have to see this in person to appreciate this work!

Silk artist Diane Fredgant has been conceptualizing her installation piece for sometime and its evolution has been a significant element in her spiritual journey as an artist. Best known for her tallitot, this installation  is a contemporary interpretation of the Mishkan (our portable sanctuary in the desert.) You will step into a holy space and a unique experience. You will find spiritual refuge, contact with holy words, and the beginnings of many questions!

Wendelin Russell is a painter. Her large-format painting (and a small piece) are wonderful interpretations of being at the Kotel, also known as the wailing wall. You won’t see tears in this exploration of this timeless structure. There is expansiveness and yet, there are tiny details that demand you give yourself to the painting, and in return you will experience something quite moving.

Scenes from OJM- Blue Thread!

 Zoe Sirkin , her mom Erin Farar and author Ruth Tenzer Feldman

 Diane Fredgant's tallitot on display!

 Diane describes her process for designing tallitot.

Estee Rosenberg reads from the book.

We had fun!

The exhibit at Art on Broadway has come to an end.....but we had fun! 
Here's a shot of some of us enjoying the reception. 
Lobby show at the MJCC in February as we welcome Jewish Arts Month (or will it be Jewish Arts Moments....since there will be so many of them!) Stay tuned!

MJCC Lobby Art Show

All week long you can find beautiful art in the lobby of the MJCC...6651 SW Capitol HWY.-PDX)
Free! (unless you want to use the Sports Faciilty! )


Stop by, have a bite of lunch  or even a cup of coffee at the J CAFE and view the art.
Never been the the MJCC? ask for a tour!
I have been a long time member of this facility and gotta say..... it's the key to my increasing good health. Some years I have been a content couch potato....but I am working hard toward increased good health and the J is an important part of my plan.

OKAY, Back to art. On display this week....Diane Fredgant's brightly painted silks, Jessica Israel's gorgeous photography, Sabina Wohfeiler's stunning paintings and my fused glass JUDAICA and other functional art.

I AM TALKING COLOR!!!!


I will take pictures tomorrow and post!....