Featured Artists Archives - Village Frame and Gallery

August 22, 2023August 27, 2023

In the Gallery

F.L. Carrera
Investigations: Chalkboard Series
September 1st – October 28th, 2023
Artist reception, September 1st, 2023 from 5:30pm-8pm

We are thrilled to welcome local artist F.L.Carrera to the gallery for September and October! Join us for an artist reception on September 1st from 5:30pm-8pm and also experience First Fridays in The Village, with many local shops open late!

“Inspired by the chalkboards that architect Louis Kahn designed and installed for the scientists at the Salk Institute, these paintings reference mathematical, religious, alchemical, Newtonian and scientific explorations. ” -F.L. Carrera

With layered and luminous surface treatments, these works bring together scientific forms, organic sensibilities and hints of chaos, evoking the tension created by human’s need to understand and control nature.

CADUCEUS mixed media with gold leaf/canvas 48 x 48

DOUBLE HELIX mixed media with gold leaf/canvas 48 x 48

ENTWINED mixed media with gold leaf/canvas 48 x 48

“While at work on this series, I found myself drawn to the works of
Archimedes, the philosopher Teilhard de Chardin, Carl Jung, and to the life and complex generativity of another complicated genius, the father of calculus, the author of the theory of universal gravitation, the first to understand the color spectrum…and some say the last great alchemist, Isaac Newton.” – -F.L. Carrera

August 16, 2023August 27, 2023

In the Gallery: Liz Thoresen, Abstracts

Keeping Pace, 30″x30″ and Moving On, 24″x24″

Village Frame and Gallery welcomes Liz Thoresen to the gallery with a selection of dynamic Abstract Paintings. We are thrilled to be showcasing these layered and textural works, that spark imagination and contemplation. On view July 6th-August 23rd!

“The stimulus for painting an abstract is the self-discovery it brings as I layer paint and apply texture while balancing shapes, lines, and color. My prompts are often inspirational lines from a book, song, or poem. Many times they are my emotional responses to current events. Starting with words written on a substrate, I am surprised and energized with what transpires and appears on the canvas as the painting progresses. The unexpected is my goal. Abstracts allow for total immersion, unconstrained by a preconceived image. It is this conversation with the unknown that excites me and keeps me painting over and over. ” -Liz Thoresen

About Liz Thoresen:

Liz Thoresen was born in San Francisco, California, pursued her artistic passion from an early age and became an Art teacher in 1973. Her interest at the time was Ceramics and she moved to Australia where she taught High School art and Ceramics at Caulfield Institute of Technology in Melbourne. After returning to the United States in 1980, she and her husband owned and operated a veterinary clinic for 26 years. She has since retired and has been able to pursue her love of painting full time. She has participated in many local and national group and solo shows. Her art has been published in two books and on the cover of the international magazine, the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association. She is a member of the International Society of Experimental Artists.

“I live in a beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest where it is easy to find inspiration from many different sources. Ideas come from really seeing the world around me and the process of painting allows me to see that world more clearly. I find inspiration from nature, the weather, conversations, quotations, colors, shapes both man-made and natural, laughter, exercise, and the sheer beauty of the world around me. The magic that happens when color blends on paper, canvas, or board excites me and leads me from painting to painting. My aim is to express an idea in it’s own unique manner which prompts me to approach an idea in a variety of ways. I enjoy painting both representational and abstract and paint from a place of joy and hope my art brings you happiness as well. My studio in Beaverton is on four acres across the street from 500 acres of Federal Wildlife Preserve and in a beautiful valley which provides continual and unlimited inspiration.” -Liz Thoresen

Don’t miss this exhibit on view through August 23rd!

See more of Liz’s work on her website: https://www.lizthoresen.com/

Village Frame and Gallery is located at 7808 SW Capitol Highway, Portland 97219 in the heart of Multnomah Village. Our regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.

May 5, 2023August 11, 2023

Object, Line, Shadow, Sculpture by Dianne Jean Erickson and Chas Martin in the Gallery this month!

Don’t miss this show! Village Frame and Gallery welcomes Dianne Jean Erickson and Chas Martin in the Gallery together for what is an energetic, bold and amazing show! Dianne’s new series Object and Line is a perfect foil for Chas’ bold and colorful sculpture.

Reception!

Join us on First Friday – Friday, May 5th at 5pm for the opening of Object, Line, Shadow, Sculpture and meet Dianne and Chas. The weather, while not warm and sunny is still perfect for a stroll in the Village. Stop in the shops, buy something nice for mom, enjoy the show and have some wine and nibbles with the artists at Village Frame and Gallery, and then grab dinner in the Village. What a perfect evening!

About Dianne Jean Erickson

Dianne Jean Erickson says it best about her paintings: “Each day working in my studio I start not knowing what image will emerge. I allow myself the freedom of indecisions, improvisations, and impulsiveness in my work, and that leads to exciting discoveries. Subjects of my paintings vary depending on ideas that arise. I use multiple mediums including, but not limited to encaustic, acrylic, oil and cold wax. I’m impatient by nature, my process is intuitive, I most enjoy the journey of creating, figuring out what works; what to keep, and what to abandon, until the piece works for me. I have no compulsion to save every work I do, and many become the layered history for a new piece. Creating art energizes me, it’s a place where time is altered, where all my feelings and emotions appear at some time or another; pleased, tired, upbeat, excited, harried, surprised, and hopefully at some point, satisfied.”

About Chas Martin

“My work comes from anthropology and energies of the natural world. My themes include relationships, situations and our role in the grand picture. On a primal level, we all share one community.”

Martin’s sculpture is directly influenced by his exploration of watercolor and acrylic painting. His Portland, Oregon studio is both a gallery and working studio – a collection of finished sculptures, paintings and sketches of works in progress. Martin offers classes, mentors individual artists and hosts meetings for groups like Pacific Northwest Sculptors. Wilderness is his inspiration – both physical and mental. His work combines natural beauty with concepts from physics, mystical influences and spirituality to create images that transcend time, gender, religion, race, politics and culture. Exploration of primal imagery opens doors to self reflection, conversation and growth.

March 3, 2023August 11, 2023

Multnomah Street Scenes II, paintings by Dennis Anderson and First Friday Reception

*Renner’s Grill, Street by Dennis Anderson*

Street Scenes II – Images of Multnomah Village and Portland

Images so colorful, so detailed you feel you are there. Capturing Multnomah Village and Portland in oil on canvas and board, Dennis Anderson’s paintings are fresh, happy and so familiar. Village Frame and Gallery is pleased to welcome Dennis and his paintings back to the Gallery for a month-long featured artist show!

Reception Tonight

Join us tonight, First Friday, for the opening reception of Street Scenes II – Images of Multnomah Village and Portland. Reception starts at 5 pm and runs through 7 pm and Dennis Anderson will be here to chat with you. Come on out! The weather is, well who knows what it will be doing at 5 pm, but you should visit the Village tonight. Shops are open late and you want to support the Village!

Artist Statement

The spirit of my work is contemplative.

I think of my paintings as Interpretive Naturalism, often finding an interest in routine moments of the urban street scene. In my best efforts, what is important
to me— is to elevate those activities of daily life, to give painterly significance—not merely to present a location, but to enliven what is familiar, often remembered, and frequently experienced.

Medium:
I use the luscious properties oil paint, developing a balance of loose brushwork to more painterly passages, all giving reference and impression to uneventful urban street scenes.
– – Dennis Anderson

In The Windows

Look for new work by Chas Martin in the windows this month!

January 6, 2023August 11, 2023

It’s First Friday! Last Chance to See the Paintings of George Woodcock, Closing Reception 5:30 pm Tonight!

Don’t miss your chance to own a painting by our friend, neighbor and local artist George Woodcock! George and his wife Marie were fixtures in Multnomah Village, their studios located just above Fat City Cafe. You can read more about George here.

Tonight we are celebrating his artwork once again, but this is your last chance. Come out to the Village, all the shops are here and it’s a lovely winter evening. See you soon!

Paintings by George Woodcock
Closing Reception
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Friday, January 6th

December 22, 2022August 11, 2023

Last Minute Gifts for your Holiday List!

We’re getting down to the wire! The last pictures for Christmas delivery are on our work tables ready for their frames, Lynne has flown off to warmer climes to spend the holidays with family (a brilliant move given our weather for the next few days), and the Village is here to help you with your last minute shopping!

At Village Frame and Gallery we have lots of last minute gifts! In our windows we have Raku pottery by John Berland, mixed media sculptures by Chas Martin, hand-beaded jewelry by Susan Koch and gorgeous mosaics by Denise Sirchie – all uber local artists!

*Our Town, original watercolor by Kaye Synoground*

A Very Special Kaye Synoground Painting

Kaye Synoground was well loved in the Village. Her iconic images of The Village were collected on the posters she issued every holiday season. In 2001, after 9/11, she created “Our Town,” a quiet snowy Multnomah Village, American flags flying, watched over by Mt. Hood and a snowman sentinel.

Village Frame and Gallery is pleased to offer “Our Town” and another Kaye Synoground original watercolor, “Moon Lit,” both framed with Museum glass and both with Kaye’s original sketches for the images on the back. You can see both paintings in our window. Unfortunately, prints are not available for these and other Kaye Synoground images.

Mesa Dancer, Risk and Leap by Chas Martin

Chas Martin describes his sculptures:
“Why limit paintings to flat surfaces? Why limit sculptures to flat color? I paint sculptures. It’s not new. The Greeks did it. I combine paint, storytelling and a fascination with dimensional figures. I turn petroglyph-inspired characters into archetypal figures. It begins with pencil and watercolor sketches. Sketches become wire armatures – like line drawings in space. I reposition arms, legs, hips and heads until the character’s gesture works. It’s like the interaction between director and actor, exploring how each nuance amplifies their story. I cloak these mixed media characters in paint as a costume designer dresses actors to project their personalities.”

Extended – George Woodcock Paintings in the Gallery
We are pleased to have George Woodcock’s paintings in the gallery through January 7th! There will be a closing reception on First Friday, January 6th at 5:30 pm.

Holiday Hours
Village Frame and Gallery will be closed December 27th through December 31st for a well-earned break. Besides, Lynne isn’t here so…what fun is that? We will reopen, ready to help you with all your picture framing needs on Tuesday, January 3rd. We wish you a Merry Christmas and healthy and happy New Year!

July 1, 2022August 11, 2023

Outside In – A Lifetime of Work by Pat Leach, Opening Reception and First Friday in the Village!

The weather is warm, a long weekend promises fun and relaxing times with family and friends, and it’s First Friday in the Village! Stopping in at Village Frame and Gallery is a must while you browse the shops in the Village. We’re honored to host Outside In – A Lifetime of Work by Pat Leach, opening today at 5 pm!

“I am an outsider in the art world, meaning I have never taken lessons or classes in how to paint and draw — at least not since the one class taught by Mr. Beck when I was a boy. I have always enjoyed looking at art displayed in museums and am a frequent visitor to libraries where I study art books and magazines.” – – Pat Leach, 2022

Fun and thought provoking, surprising and charismatic, Outside In – A Lifetime of Work by Pat Leach, delights the senses at every turn. With a story of recovery, acceptance and friendship, Pat Leach’s life shares the same indelible qualities. Every picture tells a story, literally – Pat has written his thoughts and prose on the back of many of his paintings. His imagery, untrained and loose, flows from still life to the sea, from the female form to animals. Many pieces were reworked over time to please the artist.

Artist’s Statement

Pat Leach’s paintings are a living testament to the healing and restorative power of art. Created as part of his personal recovery since 1995, his paintings were private possessions in his home until his April 2022 diagnosis of glioblastom — an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. Each painting is a tangible moment from his decades of recovery and sobriety. Now he has decided that sharing his healing with the world is a part of his larger purpose — in the hope that each painting comes alive as it finds a new home where it can continue its job. See more about Pat’s art and writings here.

About Pat Leach

Born and raised in the Buffalo area near Niagara Falls on a large island surrounded by the Niagara River, Pat is the son of a bricklayer. His mother was a secretary. After graduating from Cornell University in 1972, he earned his Master’s Degrees from Washington State University in Sociology and Education. Pat has lived a stone’s throw away from Multnomah Village for much of his adult life.

“The problem for me,” he says, “has been that I could never decide what I wanted to do to earn a living using my degrees.” After pursuing careers in teaching, technical writing, and as executive director of a small university agricultural institute, Pat found his purpose in his early fifties. “It took me years to know I was best off working with my hands and skills outdoors doing gardening, caring for clients’ yards, and painting and writing whatever I want without trying to support myself through my art.”

Village frame and Gallery is pleased to feature Pat’s large body of work in the Gallery through the month of July. We are located at 7808 SW Capitol Highway, Portland 97219 in the heart of Multnomah Village. Our regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.

July 11, 2020August 11, 2023

Walk Breathe – oil and pastel paintings by Susan Kuznitsky in the gallery; Intaglio prints by Jeanette Nuxoll in the windows and more!

Featured artist Susan Kuznitsky

Village Frame & Gallery is pleased to feature local artist Susan Kuznitsky in the gallery with oil and pastel paintings in a show we call Walk Breathe. Susan writes:

“I have never appreciated the peace and safety of my home as much as I do now. The outside world has never felt as scary. I make it a point to remind myself each day how lucky I am to be here at the end of my road, in the woods, surrounded by nature and most recently, my hummingbirds that have finally found my feeder. Don’t get me wrong, it has been no picnic adjusting to this new lifestyle. Me, myself and I can get pretty down in the dumps!

“Enter Zoom… After a crash course on learning how to use Zoom, I am teaching Pastel Classes Online. And loving it! I am also using Zoom to connect with other artists all over the country as we support each other in this new world, as well as staying connected with friends and family.

“As part of my ‘The Art of Staying at Home’ therapy I painted a series of oil paintings from photos I took while walking through the beautiful woods at Gabrielle Park near my home. Walking in the woods is the other way I have been keeping myself sane.“

Check out Susan’s website with paintings, workshop information and how to commission paintings by Susan, it’s worth a look! The address is www.susankuznitsky.com.

Intaglio prints in the windows by Jeanette Nuxoll and outdoor dining at Casa Vacca Italian Bistro & Bar

We are happy to welcome Jeanette Nuxoll back to the gallery windows! Now is a perfect time to stroll by the shop, stop at the new Casa Vacca Italian Bistro & Bar alfresco dining area for a bite and beverage (check out their new menu and hours here) and enjoy Jeanette’s artwork in our windows! Read more about Jeanette Nuxoll here.

Miss the Dusty Divas show?

Dusty Diva Donna Stevens has a new website where you can view her lovely pastels including Serenity, above. Her website is www.donnastevensfineart.com.

Yes, we’re open!

Yes, we’re open! We have temporarily changed our hours to allow for proper sanitizing and reduced staff, but we are excited to welcome you back to the gallery. We’re happy to work with you in the gallery during business hours, by appointment after hours and virtually via telephone, email and text. We look forward to your next project!

Village Frame and Gallery is located at 7808 SW Capitol Highway, Portland 97219 in the heart of Multnomah Village. Our adjusted regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm. You can call us at 503-245-8001.

June 13, 2020August 11, 2023

Wish You Were Here!, photography by Scott Cordner and Our Feelings, Exactly!

It’s a shared memory many of us have. It’s spring break, or the beginning of summer and we pile into a station wagon at the break of dawn, suitcases loaded, sandwiches packed, ready for an adventure. The road trip to places not yet seen, national parks and roadside attractions. Who didn’t want to stop at Wall Drug? After all, we’d been reading the billboards for hundreds of miles, it must be spectacular!

Pulling off at a roadside oasis or just a widening of the shoulder for lunch. We pulled out the sandwiches and someone put those nasty fizzy soda tablets in too much water and we ate a completely unsatisfying lunch (“Can’t we go to McDonald’s?”) And then, while the car was being loaded up, we went exploring. Most of the time we’d find nothing of interest, but every once in a while we’d find a creek or small river, maybe a frog pond or, Jackpot! A small waterfall! These were the best of times. After playing around in the water for not nearly long enough we’d climb back into the station wagon, soaking wet and happy.

We’d finally make it to our destination – Yellowstone, the California Redwoods, the Grand Canyon – and try to capture the majesty of what we were seeing with our Instamatic cameras. The photos never seemed to do it justice.

Conservation photographer Scott Cordner has made it his life’s work to capture the beauty of nature, California and the Pacific Northwest, and to bring his photos to us. He shows us what we’re missing. In a COVID-19 world – stuck in our homes and unable to load up our station wagons for an adventure – Scott brings us a picture postcard that says, “Wish you were here!”

We’re Here!

May 1, 2020August 11, 2023

Tiny Paintings, Mosaics, Divas and more at Village Frame and Gallery!

It’s First Friday in the Village and, well…nothing is going on. OK, that’s not exactly true. Several Village shops are working by appointment, offering curbside pickup and online ordering. Many Village restaurants are offering meals To Go and delivery options. At Village Frame and Gallery, in addition to browse by appointment and design by appointment, virtual design and curbside pickup, we are pleased to offer our first Window-only show – tiny paintings by Lacy Lowry and mosaics by Denise Sirchie!

Be Where You Are: Botanicals & Landscapes by Lacy Lowry

These 6×6 in paintings are part of a 100-day-project that I began in the spring of 2019 and ended late summer of that year. I chose to work with the theme of botanicals in the spring. This was a new direction for me, away from abstract, and provided new challenges. I found plenty of springtime inspiration walking around the neighborhoods of SW Portland and by more closely studying my favorite houseplants. At other times, I chose to be more playful, creating abstract renditions of these same flora.

Being a plant lover, it was a deeply pleasurable experience to paint botanicals everyday. Lastly, I explored painting landscapes. ThIs was well suited to summertime as I was able to take inspiration from my travels. This project not only pushed me to improve my technical painting skills, but forced me to prioritize daily time in my studio making art.

These works speak directly to my connection with the natural world and to my love of color. I hope that viewers experience some of the pleasure that I felt in creating these paintings. Each flower, each leaf, each field, each mountain, convey in some way the energy and experience of that thing or place. My hope was to capture that feeling as well. Although I have since started on other larger bodies of work, I continue to paint small works as they allow for experimentation with new ideas and remain accessible to others. — Lacy Lowry

Our first ever “Window-only” featured artist show, you can see Lacy’s friendly, colorful paintings in the main display window at Village Frame and Gallery beginning today, First Friday, May 1st, through the end of the month. Priced for gift giving, you can call us at the shop at 503-245-8001 to purchase one or more! And for each painting purchased, Village Frame and Gallery will provide a $10 gift certificate for custom framing!

Spring Mosaics by Denise Sirchie

Returning to Village Frame and Gallery this spring, Denise has brought several new pieces for our main display window – hummingbirds, ravens, and puppers oh my! Read more about Denise and her work here.

Perfect for Mom, you can make an appointment to see them up close in the gallery. Call us at 503-245-8001!

It’s not too late to see pastel paintings by the Dusty Divas!

It’s been a weird couple of months and after a great reception at the beginning of March, our featured artist show, The Dusty Divas, was shut down by the Stay Home, Stay Safe order. Then, attempts to kindle the show online through the month of April were thwarted by technology issues – these ladies can’t get a break!

Here we are at the beginning of May and pastel paintings by The Dusty Divas still hang on our gallery wall. While they are still here, call us to set up an appointment to see the lovely works of Donna Stevens, Donna Sires, Beth Keyser and Kristen Horn.

We’re here and Mother’s Day is just around the corner!

If you haven’t got the gist of it yet – yes, we’re here! Working behind locked doors, we are available by appointment for framing design or if you want to browse the gallery (observing proper social distancing, of course). We have framed and unframed artwork in the gallery, handmade beaded jewelry, ceramics gift certificates and more. Looking for a gift for mom? Check out our “Window-only” featured artist show or give us a call, we’ll be happy unlock the door!

Village Frame and Gallery is located at 7808 SW Capitol Highway, Portland 97219 in the heart of Multnomah Village. While our showroom is currently closed, we are in the shop most days Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. Call us at 503-245-8001 to make an appointment.