Serving artists in Oregon City and surrounding communities

Serving artists in Oregon City and surrounding communities

May 2014 Member Newsletter

Linda Merry GrossPresident [email protected]

Tara ChoateVice President [email protected] Webmaster [email protected]

Joe EscrivaTreasurer [email protected]

Marianne RyderSecretary [email protected]

Ellen NawrockiGallery Chair [email protected]

Sue ThomasMembership Coordinator [email protected]

Cherilyn SunRidgePublic Relations Coordinator [email protected]

Kerin Dimeler-LaurenceNewsletter Publisher [email protected]

In this IssuePlein Air News ............................................. 2April General Meeting Minutes ................. 3Gallery News ............................................... 4Artist of the Month ..................................... 5Community Happenings ............................ 6Calls to Artists ............................................. 7Articles ......................................................... 8 Increase

Credibility, p. 8

Are you a winner?

Mark your calendars!The next TRAG General Member meet-ing will be on Monday, May 12 at 7PM at the Pioneer Community Center.

Got an idea for TRAG?Let us know! [email protected]

Volume 7 Issue 5

Presentation is KeyThis month’s meeting and articles are all about presentation. This isn’t the up-in-front-of-a-crowd presentation, but how you present yourself as an artist and a businessperson.

In the meeting, we’ll be talking about how to interact with your customers both in person and online - be sure to come and hear our talk on Face to Face to Facebook for tips on how to establish your brand and presence.

Be sure to check out the articles on pages 8 and 9, as well; these have loads of great info on what can help and hurt your image as an artist.

See you Monday at 7p.m.!

2 Volume 7 / Issue 5 • May 2014

Get involved in your Guild!Looking for some expert advice?

Below is a short list compiled of some experts in their field. If you know of others, please let [email protected] know, so we can post it on our website.

Artsy Shark (Gallerist) - www.artsyshark.com

Holly Sugrue (Videos) - www.hollysugrue.com

Jessica Kupferman (Branding) - www.jessicakupferman.com

Launch Grow Joy (Pintrest) - www.launchgrowjoy.com

Laura C. George (Facebook) - www.lauracgeorge.com

Living a Creative Life (Coach) - www.livingacreativelife.com

Stahle Law (Art Legal) - www.stahlelaw.com

Sue B. Zimmerman (Instagram) - www.suebzimmerman.com

Tara Reed Design (licensing) - www.artlicensingblog.com

The Abundant Artist (Coach) - www.theabundantartist.com

The Art World Demystified (grants/funding) - www.theart

The Thriving Artist (Coach) - www.thethrivingartist.com

Zenplicity (Virtual Assitant/Mail Chimp) - www.zenplicity.com

Laura Valenti (Portfolio Building) - www.valentijelen.com

TRAG Gives Back

Saturday, April 19th, Melissa Gannon and Stephanie Gillette gave their valuable time and artistic insight to judge graduating Oregon High School Senior artists who entered the GFWC art contest for a scholarship.

The Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs was referred to TRAG by Jude Welter (Thank you!) to select some artists to judge the art portion of the scholarship that is annually awarded for art, music and writing.

The Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs raised $1,800 for all three areas, and a $400 scholarship was presented to the art winner for college tuition to further their education at an accredited school of higher education.

Melissa and Stephanie were given the materials and asked to judge 40% on originality, 40% on technique, and 20% on presentation.

Thank you, Melissa and Stephanie, for giving back to our community and sharing your artistic expertise. TRAG is proud to have you as members!

3Volume 7 / Issue 5 • May 2014

TRAG General Meeting Minutes

Are you a new member? Want to be featured here? Contact Membership Coordinator Sue Thomas: [email protected]

Welcome New Members!

Three Rivers Artist Guild General Meeting - April 14, 2014

7:03 PM, at the Pioneer Center

Welcome: Guests and new members were introduced. There were 35 members and guests present.

Linda Merry opened the meeting. She welcomed guests and visitors, and announced that the Clackamas Review is offering a discount to new subscribers.

Secretary Report: Marianne Ryder gave the Secretary report. No corrections or additions to the 3-10-2014 general meeting minutes published in the newsletter. Minutes are approved and filed. She also reminded members to sign up to bring refreshments to the next meeting.

Treasurer Report: Joe Escriva gave the Treasurer report.

Membership Report: Sue Thomas gave the membership report.

Newsletter Report: Kerin Dimeler-Laurence gave the Newsletter report and Plein Air report, and reminded members to send information to be published (openings, etc.) to her by the 25th of the month before the newsletter comes out.

Gallery report. Ellen Nawrocki gave the TRAG Gallery report, and also circulated the sign up sheets for members to sign up to volunteer in the gallery for the next quarter.

April Meeting:

Guest speaker/presentation:

TRAG artist member Susan Schenk gave a presentation on brainstorming and creativity. The group finished with a “Thunderstorming” activity on how to increase sales at the TRAG gallery.

Several members announced shows and events, including the following:

Linda Orzen encouraged people to sign up for the Carnegie Art Show event on June 21st.

Linda Merry announced the Spicer event on April 21.

Tara announced that the Watercolor Society of Oregon is

Ruth Beck, whose business is The Owl and Acorn and can be reached at [email protected].

She specializes in artisan soaps, felted soaps, handspun art yarns, and felt dryer balls. These have been sold at the Da Vinci Art Fair in Corvallis, the Oregon City Farer’s Market, and retail boutiques in Portland. This summer she will be featured in the 1st City Art Festival, the Corvallis Fall Festival, Bend Fall Festival, and the Alberta Arts Fair.

having a show in Hillsboro.

Pam announced an artist reception for her May show at Art on Broadway in Beaverton.

Billy mentioned the Portland Center for the Performing Arts Music on Main Events this summer.

Susan is teaching an art journaling class at the Menucha creative arts community.

Linda Merry announced that “pARTners in Art” is replacing TRAG’s “Art in Windows” program. Anita is still in charge of the 221 Gallery.

Rusty announced that his Green Man sculpture is on display at a coffee shop in Portland.

Next Meeting: Monday, May 12, 2014 at the Pioneer Center.

Meeting adjourned, 8:30 PM.


Three Rivers Artist Guild operates a gallery located at 502 7th Street (Corner of 7th and Center Street), in Oregon City. We share a space with The Friends of the Library Bookstore.

Gallery Spotlight

Gallery News

Are you currently showing or have shown in a gallery? Share the gallery name, address, telephone number and/or website with our [email protected] and we’ll keep a handy list for all our members to peruse and use.

Five New Artists at the Gallery

TRAG Gallery’s 2nd quarter rotation hosts five new artists with fabulous art and far-flung inspirations!

Rosie Long and Thomas Tietze bring unique perspectives to their jewelry designs. Rosie started with a bead loom as young girl, but her passions moved far beyond her Native American beading heritage to the sinuous curves and smoky colors of Art Nouveau design. Her lavish bead earring designs are mounted on portrait cards of her period muses, echoing her logo, “The Art of Adornment.”

Thomas brings the allure of the ocean to his fine art jewelry. Pendants and rings are crafted in the form of ships, sea turtles, fin-backed fish and bold seahorses. A variety of pearls accent his work, along with precious stones and vibrant silver alloys.

Lindsey Lyons and Billie Shults both choose 2D art to bring a positive message to their viewers. Lindsey’s watercolor illustrations tell a story of joy and faith. “Come Fly with Me” portrays an amorous couple with hearts as buoyant as the hot air balloon lifting them over the landscape. “Run Free” beckons us to join a carefree barefoot girl, leaving shoes behind.

Billie’s greeting cards carry the message “handmade with love and infused with healing Reiki energy.” A Reiki practitioner and photographer, her intimate close-ups of a frost-tinted rose or opening tulip can bring a quiet, healing calm to a hectic day.

Jo Dee Post brings new life to old items! She recreates vinyl (LP) records by forming them into undulating bowls,

brightened with strong colors and geometric designs. And in her hands, beads and wire are woven into innovative baskets! Suspended on their rounded wire frames, the beads capture light from all angles, orbiting with carnival-like color and sparkle.

Come share in the multi-faceted art forms these five bring to the gallery! Their fascinating creations can add a fresh spark of inspiration to your day.


May 2014 Artist of the Month: Rosie Long

Want to be the next Artist of the Month?Contact Ellen Nawrocki about showing your work in the Three Rivers Artist Guild [email protected]

Don’t forget! You must be a paid member to show in the gallery! Please bring your payment to the general meeting or contact Sue Thomas: [email protected]


Community Happenings

Looking for Call to Artists information? Be sure to sign up for:

RACC (Regional Arts & Culture Council) at www.racc.org

Clackamas Arts Alliance at www.clackamasartsalliance.org

Both sites offer a phenomenal call to artist section.

Business Breakfast Promotes TRAG Events

Over fifty Chamber of Commerce and TRAG members filled our gallery for our semi-annual Chamber breakfast! The meetings give us a unique opportunity to spread the word about our activities and build new partnerships with community members.

Linda Merry announced our upcoming Spicer’s, Carnegie Library, 1st City Celebration and Hopkins Forest of Arts events while sharing the new Hopkins post cards with Chamber members.

Jonathan Stone and Roger Nickerson from Main Street Oregon City also shared their perspectives and changes occurring at the upcoming 1st City Celebration. Oregon City is Oregon’s first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains, and was founded in 1829 and incorporated in 1844. This year’s festival will be about our heritage, with period dress and performances of our founding.

After the breakfast, Linda Merry met with Mike Berman, who signed up for our new pARTners in Art program! If you haven’t seen the TRAG email inviting artists to display art at his 505 Tavern in Oregon City, check out our pARTners in Art program on our website - www.threeriversartistguild.com

Lynda Orzen gave guests more information about the upcoming Carnegie Library event and also took a few moments to discuss the upcoming May vote for the new library expansion. She reminded attendees that no new tax dollars will be needed for the project. Per Oregon City charters, a public vote is required to approve the use of existing funds.

Ingrid Aubry represented the Gallery Committee and was joined by current rotation artists Lindsey Lyons (watercolor illustrations), Linda Spillum (photography and wood) and Jerry & Rhondi Myra (photography). Our door prizes - $10 gift cards for TRAG Gallery art – are always popular!

Come join us for our next breakfast, currently planned for November. Make new connections with local business members while you enjoy morning coffee, fruit and pastries at the gallery!

221 Rotation for OC Community Development Dept

April 3rd to July 8th

Rusty Brown is showing his intricately carved wood pieces with Celtic designs. Two of them are dragon themed and another is circular with a Brazilian Agate in the center.

Tamara Muldoon is sharing five of her beautiful photographs. They include several beach scenes, a sunrise over Mt Hood, a fall colored water reflection and a black and white EL Capitan.

Bob Bresky delights us with his sense of humor in showing us his giraffe couple and alien landing!

Susan Schenk again delights with her soothing landscape paintings of coastal and Eastern Oregon vistas.

Citizens Bank

The employees at Citizens Bank, as usual, were delighted to have the new artwork to gaze upon. Everyone chose their favorites and had them placed where each could view them from their workspaces! It was gratifying to hear comments about Kathy’s,

Lindsey’s and Susan’s oil and acrylic paintings, Rebecca’s photography and Karla’s unique fused glass on acrylic canvas pieces.


Calls for Artists

Paint the lavender fields of Oregon from June 26 - July 10, 2014. You may enter up to five completed paintings in the Yamhill Lavender Festival & Plein Air Art Show. The show is held atBeaulah Park in Yamhill, Oregon. This public show and sale is part of the annual Oregon LavenderFestival. The lavender fields are located in NW Oregon, The Southern Willamette Valley, CentralOregon, and Southern Oregon. Maps to participating farms will be provided to registered artists.

Paint Out, June 26 - July 10, 2014Art Show, July 12 - 13, 2014

Painting by Karen Whitworth

Name:

Mailing Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone: Your Medium:

Your FB (for marketing):

Your website (for linking):

www.YamhillLavenderFestival.orgwww.OregonLavenderDestinations.com/artists.php

[email protected]

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Preregistration for the Paint Out is required.Paintings must be produced between June 26 and July 10, 2014.Paintings are required to depict visible lavender plants or flowers in the painting.Cost to register is $25 which admits three paintings to the show.Two additional paintings may be entered for $5 each, for a total of five per artist.Painting sales during the Festival will be conducted by Festival Staff.Payment for sold work will be made to the artists by July 31, 2014.A commission of 20% will be retained by the Festival to assist in covering costs.With the artists permission, paintings may be selected from the show for use in futureYamhill Lavender Festival and/or Oregon Lavender Festival promotional materials.Additional Paint Out information and maps will be sent to all registered artists via email.Please provide an email address.


Increase Your Credibility as an Artist

by Carolyn Edlund

Will being an authority or expert in what you do sell your art? Not by itself. Your customers buy pretty much what they are interested in, and what they like.

But art buyers also like to feel that they are buying from a professional, who is recognized at being really good at what they do. Establishing your authority will make most potential customers take you more seriously, and it will build credibility. Share this on your website, in your marketing efforts and even in conversations when appropriate.

What gives the impression of credibility?

• Being a teacher or speaker in your field of art

• Long term experience as an artist

• Having written a book on the field of your expertise

Y • our educational background and training

• That you have invented a process or a technique that is all your own

• Your website has a highly professional presentation

• That you are a leader in professional associations

• A long history of exhibitions

• A list of your work that is included in corporate or museum collections

• You have been interviewed by the press

• Your materials include testimonials from satisfied collectors

• Articles that you have written on topics in your expertise

• A large social media following

• Ability to speak confidently about your work, technique and inspiration

• That your work is related to a cause, especially when you are a leader in that cause

• A background where you have acted as a curator, an advisor, a jury member or board member

On the other hand, you can undermine yourself, even inadvertently, which may lead potential customers to become confused, or wonder if you are serious. These include:

• Hesitancy to call yourself an artist

• Lack of preparation when speaking about yourself in front of customers

• A blog that is abandoned, making it look like you may even be out of business

• Incomplete or bare bones website

• Poorly taken images of your work

• Inconsistency in your body of work

• Inconsistent social media presence

Most every artist falls somewhere between these two extremes. What evidence of authority do you have in your favor? Make a list of plusses that you can use in your own marketing materials and in-person presentation that will help you gain credibility.


The Personal Touch

by Carolyn Edlund

Offering your art or craft for sale online is an excellent way to get many eyes on your work, and has the potential to give you a global audience. Online sales of art are steadily increasing, as is the comfort level of purchasers.

But, the online world is virtual. That means you can’t shake hands with your customer. They can’t see your art in person, and the quality of the transaction isn’t quite the same. There really is no substitute for meeting in person, allowing the buyer to touch your work, see the quality up close, hold it in their hands.

I’ve talked with many artists who want the convenience and exposure of online sales of their work, but I almost always suggest that they make a point to do in-person selling as well. Why?

You can do “retail research.” What do shoppers react to in your collection? What concerns or objections do they have? Do they have suggestions that might really work for your business? Listening to the public will give you a lot of information from different perspectives. Use what you learn to improve your communication and marketing, or even create new designs.

Build relationships. When customers meet you in person, they get the whole experience of “meeting the artist” which is an integral part of owning your work. Meeting you in person is much more memorable than an online transaction. Perhaps they have come to visit your studio. Use that opportunity to show them your technique, offer a glass of wine, help them choose art for their collection, and earn their loyalty.

Gain confidence. Talking about your artwork in front of others helps expand your comfort zone. Share your story. Talk about your inspiration. Demonstrate your technique.

It’s authentic. In a world where everyone spends way too much time in front of a screen or using a device, meeting in person can be a breath of fresh air. There isn’t any substitute for the experience of seeing artwork in the flesh, and meeting the creator. Give your customers the chance to meet you, and give yourself the chance to get to know the people who appreciate and love to own your art.

Serving artists in Oregon City and surrounding communities

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