Loving Mother Earth Artfully - Village Frame and Gallery

This year, Village Frame & Gallery is looking at the wider body of work that comprises the Pacific Northwest art legacy. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook as we explore art and artists from across the region.

Portland Store Fixtures Murals by Teri Payton

A tribute to the life-giving force of water and a reminder to conserve and protect our environment, the four Portland Store Fixtures murals illustrate the vital role water plays in our daily lives as Portlanders and Oregonians.

On the first panel, Mother Earth stands surrounded by Oregon wetlands, bringing water and life to the world. On either side of her stands a heron, Portland's official bird. Below are two of our prized Pacific Northwest salmon. — On the first panel, Mother Earth stands surrounded by Oregon wetlands, bringing water and life to the world. On either side of her stands a heron, Portland’s official bird. Below are two of our prized Pacific Northwest salmon.

The second panel features Oregon forests and the rivers that run through them, nurturing growth, wild habitat, and life. Raptors soar toward the treeline and around the forest floor hang ripe berries.

The third panel shows the role water plays in industry and agriculture. From the mountains, across the farmlands, and toward the city, the river sustains the people of Oregon.

The fourth panel depicts the Oregon Coast. Below the familiar scene of sand, seawater, and towering basalt rock, the St. John's bridge is shown, linking the city to the forested hills. — The fourth panel depicts the Oregon Coast. Below the familiar scene of sand, seawater, and towering basalt rock, the St. John’s bridge is shown, linking the city to the forested hills.

Artist Teri Payton explained:

Each of the four panels represents one of Oregon’s major ecosystems: wetlands, forests, prairies and the coastline. Within those are fishing, logging, agriculture, and tourism. Even the source of most of our power comes from water. All of it is tied together. People tend to think of Portland and generalize all of Oregon’s climate as “wet and rainy,” but much of Oregon is impacted by drought conditions. We wanted to remind people of these things, to make the viewer think before tossing a cigarette butt on the ground or being wasteful. Everything goes to the river, and the river goes to the sea, and so on.

If you get close enough, you will see each 96″x 48 panel has quotes and water facts painted around the images, painted tone-on-tone so they aren’t shouting at you. The clean, yet intricate designs are reminiscent of art nouveau, which Payton has always been attracted to.

The murals were installed in 2009 and are acrylic on panel.

About the Artist

The Portland Store Fixtures murals were the first large scale pieces created by Portland artist Teri Payton, who describes herself as a songwriter, painter, woodworker, and dog walker. Teri’s work has been commissioned by a number of businesses around the area.

About Portland Store Fixtures

The murals were commissioned by Portland Store Fixtures owners Kat Schon and Penney Stephenson.

“We were doing some water conservation installations around the building — tree planting and permeable pavers and so forth — and got inspired to have murals done at the same time,” Kat explained.

Earth lovers and art lovers, Kat and Penny are working on a new project: organizing neighbors to paint over graffiti and then having artists come in behind them to paint murals. You can learn more about that effort by following their Facebook page.

This Year, Celebrate Earth Day Artfully

While you’re out and about, don’t miss the Portland Store Fixtures murals at 110 SE Main Street.

Can’t get enough art? You’ll love Village Frame & Gallery!

Exhibits are open to the public, at no charge, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.