Bronze Coast Gallery
We’ve had a good amount of time these last couple of weeks to think about emotion and connection. In doing what we do, it’s impossible not to also think about these topics in relation to art. It’s a common occurrence around here to see true resonance of emotion – everything from joy to deep suffering. The magic of what another human can convey, with passion, skilled hands, and personal vision, is ever humbling. Whether it’s a simple recognition of humor, a landscape that triggers memories, or the stirring of something deep that we can’t quite put our finger on, we all know it when we encounter the expression of another that makes us feel seen. If you’ll allow us, we’d like to share of few of our favorites…
In Arkansas, a life-size version of Carol Gold’s ‘Fiesta’ is installed in a public sculpture garden. Shortly after moving from the southeast to the north coast of Oregon, a woman wandered into our gallery and found, to her surprise, a small version of this sculpture. Upon seeing it, she openly wept. After a little gathering of herself, she shared that this sculpture had become her touchstone, a place of solace for her, and where she said goodbye to her daughter upon moving so far away. A card that she sent to us after this encounter still hangs on our office wall, a reminder of the power of art.
After many years of vague conversation about the concept of Matthew Palmer’s dream of making a life-size version of his ‘Devotion’, in 2016, it came to fruition. I remember as clearly as if it were yesterday, talking to Matthew in the months leading up to that year’s Stormy Weather Arts Festival, when he told me he was finally making it. ‘Devotion’ came to the gallery that fall, and as one person so adequately described it…it was holy. Eleven feet from wingtip to wingtip, standing scarred and completely vulnerable in a classic courtship pose, to be in the room with it was an experience like no other. Many who visited felt it, but none as strongly as the wonderful woman who now has the privilege of greeting it each morning in the school where she works. The sculpture inexplicably floored her – as she cried in its presence, she was herself baffled by what was happening to her. This, is the power of art.
And then there is Seth Vandable’s “She Will Rise…” I distinctly remember seeing this piece for the first time, at a sculpture show. We tend toward uplifting art around here, and there was some clear conversation around this piece, and its line between devastation and hopefulness. Hopefulness won out, and since then many have made the connection to her, among them, our very own Lynette. She came into our fold here after laying eyes on this piece….and in that moment she became an art collector (and, truth be told, the president of Seth’s fan club if such a thing existed). A few years later, she joined our staff, and is a daily reminder of the power that art can hold
Jeffrey Hull New Paintings
We are well and hope you are too!
I’ve been painting during this unprecedented time because, what else am I going to do? Thanks for taking the time to check out my newest work. During a normal year we would be ramping up for Spring Unveiling at this point. This year’s event has been moved and if things go as planned will take place in late June, but who knows, right? The good news is that gives me more time to paint, but obviously a longer time without our normal end of winter income. So… I will not hold any work back and you will, as always be the first to see my newest paintings. Here are the first 2. Sorry for the wordiness.
Thank You So Much! Jeff
888-436-2606 www.hullgallery.com 503-436-2600
Blooming Again
While tidying up my studio I ran across this nearly completed watercolor. For some reason, most likely because I ran out of time with a show deadline looming, I set it aside. I smiled when I realized I didn’t remember which side was the bottom and which the top. I spun it all 4 directions and all worked, but this felt more right. In my backyard the cherry tree is starting to bloom again. How timely a discovery it was! I’m regularly asked if I’ve studied Asian art or traveled to that part of the world. I’ve studied from afar but never been to Asia. Truthfully, in our increasingly smaller world the influences are so melded in my brain, I don’t know where they originally came from. With this composition, it could be as simple as it appeals to me and brings a smile to my face once completed. Original Framed Watercolor 21” x 27” $1,850 – Image 13” x 19 ½” All Rights Reserved
Never Neverland
Since 1973 I’ve always painted on the same French watercolor paper made by Arches largely because I know what to expect and what it’s limits are. In this watercolor however, there are a bunch of “I don’t” and “I never”. Here’s the list-
Have no specific plan other than to begin with a wave form and “see what happens”.
Paint on much thicker Arches, 300# Rough paper. It’s about as thick as matboard (with a surface that looks like a new container of cottage cheese when you first open it)
Use no clips to hold it down.
Start with crusty dried pigments on a dirty palette. There’s just too many unknowns laying there that can ruin a painting.
Last but not least, use a new pigment I’ve not tested to see how it works with my known colors.
I think you get the picture, no pun intended.
The value in “allowing myself” this freedom is simply, I know discoveries are made when I’m out past the edges of my abilities and experiences. Often, good things happen when I just jump in and start painting.
One final never. My surfing days are limited at my “advanced age” so I wouldn’t scamper over those rocks, jump in and paddle out to ride waves like that, not anymore, never again. Thank God I can still paint them.
Regarding the framing and presentation of this watercolor. We “floated” the painting so all of the image and it’s edges show. I tried to replicate that as best I could in showing it on the black background. All framing is included in the price, but my crew agreed independently this was a nice option for a unique painting.
Original Framed Watercolor 29” x 37” (approximate) $3,850 – Image 22 ½” x 30” All Rights Reserved
Ivan McLean stainless steel sphere Northwest By Northwest Gallery
Ivan McLean’s spheres are created free hand .. no form.
Stainless steel from 36 inches to 19ft …
They can hang or be installed on stand in a garden
if you visit NWBYNWGALLERY.com
we have a strong representation of his work
Northwest By Northwest Gallery
is located in the heart of Cannon Beach on Spruce street across from the City Park & Info Center
232 N Spruce
Cannon Beach Oregon
Oregon Arts Watch, Interview with Northwest By Northwest Gallery
Oregon Arts Watch
Voices from the front: ‘We’re in it for the long haul’
The longtime owner of a Cannon Beach art gallery predicts her business and others will survive the COVID-19 shutdown, with a little help from the community
March 26, 2020 // Lori Tobias
Joyce Lincoln remembers vowing to herself at the age of 9 that one day she would live in Cannon Beach. Even as a child, she appreciated the natural beauty, the fresh air, and the community spirit. The Northwest native saw her wish come true in 1987, when she and her husband, Robert Necker, opened Northwest by Northwest Gallery in downtown Cannon Beach Thirty-three years later, they’re representing some of the biggest names in regional art.
But now, she said, the place National Geographic named one of the most beautiful places on Earth has posted a closed sign.
The COVID-19 virus has ground life to a halt. Lincoln had to close her gallery during what would normally be a busy week – spring break — after tourists swamped the coast last weekend and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued a statewide order closing nonessential businesses and telling people to stay home.
“You can walk down Main Street and maybe see six other people,” Lincoln said this week. “Nothing is happening; it’s total devastation. Everyone is frightened out of their wits and frightened for themselves and their families. We’re all losing money every day. People are distracted by fear.”
Nonetheless, Lincoln said she completely understands why businesses have been shut down and tourists asked not to visit. But while health concerns top everyone’s list, Lincoln also worries about the local families who make their living in the restaurant and hotel businesses.
Last year, the local food bank served 9,000 people, she said. “And that was in good times.”
Lincoln’s been through this a time or two. There were the dark days following 9/11 and the drawn-out recession following the 2008 housing market collapse. The gallery pulled through, largely thanks to regular clients and local friends and, Lincoln said, “We learned to live a conservative lifestyle.”
Where or how this ends is anyone’s guess, but Lincoln believes her gallery and others will survive — for the same reasons it survived previous downturns: the community.
“I love my community and I’ll tell you what, we are really, really lucky,” Lincoln said. “The city of Cannon Beach really supports the arts. Part of the reason is they recognize what an economic engine we are. Visitors cherish our arts. Two-thirds of artwork are purchased while people are on vacation, because they have the time to look and come back. They have high expectations. They realize our work is original. When you buy artwork, you are supporting so many things. You are supporting a studio artist, which allows them the time to create their work.”
Purchasing gift certificates is one way people can continue supporting the artists her gallery represents, such as sculptors Georgia Gerber and Ivan McLean, photographer Christopher Burkett, and painter Hazel “Haze” Schlesinger.
“Even though you’re not making any sales, your bills still come in,” she said. The same is true for the artists.
“Just like us, they’re eating rice and beans. That’s why I’m hoping people will buy gift certificates, so everyone can stay afloat. That is the name of the game. A lot of these people are just so amazing. You have to support what you love. We’re in it for the long haul.”
DragonFire Gallery Kathy Hastings New Series
Kathy Hastings combines photography with encaustic to blur the line between words and art. Each piece from this series, Intersections and Crossings, is titled with a line from this poem she wrote when faced with the loss of her husband. Find the rest of the series at dragonfiregallery.com and also click on the link in our bio to read our blog Art Endures Covid-19, and view the video featuring Kathy.
