STUDIOoORANGE:

Unfolding the Visual Story

2011-05-11T22:45:00.000-07:00

For What its Worth Wednesday

"Unfolding the Visual Story"

"Chic III"

Yesterday I was talking to a gentleman about one of my paintings. He asked if there was a story that accompanied the painting of a small, black-capped chickadee titled “Chic III”. I paused thinking over his seemingly simple question. My paintings do have stories but they unfold in such a dreamy disorganized fashion it is difficult to gather up the visual information to translate it into verbal understanding. To complicate things, my creative response is sometimes inspired by a recent encounter resulting in an immediate documentation. Other times, it is the absence of an experience that inspires the creative response. In this case the visual and emotional information is retrieved to document the importance of the memories. The latter is the case for “Chic III”. This painting is a result of a severely repressed Oregon spring and all the beautiful moments that accompany this greatly anticipated seasonal event.

When reaching back into past experiences, remembrances, and relationships a single painting is not representative of one event or encounter but rather a juxtaposition of those collective memories. I was born and raised in Salem Oregon surrounded by patchwork fields, an abundance of trees and a constant exposure to wildlife. My father was (is) an avid birdwatcher. I too became a birdwatcher but of a different sort. While he was focused on the technical aspects of bird watching, I was consumed by the emotional characteristics of watching birds. I am constantly cataloging and tucking away images into my mind. When I reach back to incorporate them into a painting, the details have become less important to me resulting in an emotional remembrance of the images rather than a technical one. It is this “emotional remembrance” of bold colors and expressive line encapsulated within a familiar image, which reveals the visual story of a painting.

May 4th Artwalk

2011-05-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

"The Door Show #5"

May 4th was a fantastic day for a First Wednesday Artwalk Event. I am always a little surprised at what a little sunshine can do for a bunch of vitamin D deficient Oregonians. We were out in the fresh air n' sunshine and happy about it. Excited for the greatly anticipated "Door Show" hosted by the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery.

Mary Lou Zeek's "Door Show #5" was fantastic! Every door was a masterpiece! Mary Lou did a fantastic job at printing off beautifully designed maps to guide viewers around the downtown area revealing a unique and beautiful door in each new location. If you didn't make it down to the "Door Show" this Wednesday, no worries, the show runs May 3rd-28th. Check the Mary Lou Zeek Website for Gallery hours, then stop into the gallery to see the doors on displayed there. Don't forget to pick up your "Door Show" tour map so you can experience this show in its entirety.

Artwalk Map

In addition to the "Door Show", there was a lot happening in connection to the May Artwalk. Unfortunately, many of us were not sure what was happening or where it was happening. Before heading out for the evening, I checked several websites to see if I could find an Artwalk map but failed. Pools of people consulted one another about specific artists and events they were looking for. It was a fun but an ineffective exchange of conversation. I loved everything I saw and everyone I met but still wondered how many exhibits and events I missed this Wednesday. So, in a selfish effort to be in the know of what is happening in the Salem art scene... I created the beginnings of a "First Wednesday Artwalk Map". This map can be viewed on my Website by selecting the "First Wednesday Artwalk" tab.

The information included on this map is incomplete and is in the process of being compiled and organized. If you are performing, exhibiting or hosting an arts event to take place on the First Wednesday in Downtown Salem for the months of May or June and would like to be included on this map please contact me via this website or by leaving me a comment on this post and I will do my best to include you. Please include the following information: Business Name/Location/Web Address, Artist Name/Medium/Web Address, Date of First Wednesday participating in, Artist Reception times/details.

All in all it was a fantastic night and look forward the the next First Wednesday Artwalk event in June!

FRAMING YOUR ARTWORK

2011-04-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart, to give yourself to it" -Buddha

As an artist I spend hours in my studio creating works of art. It is a deeply rewarding process that effects me emotionally, physically and spiritually. When I am finished with a painting I feel a bit protective. It seems that if the artwork were to become scratch or damaged it would never be the same again. The added paint and new brushstrokes that would be required for repair would seem superficial and detached from the rest of the artwork.

Keeping that in mind, now consider the next step in the process for prepare the artwork for sale... picture framing. All picture framers and picture framing companies are NOT created equal. It is vital that when choosing a picture framing shop that they be a reputable establishment with experienced employees offering a service at an affordable price. I have been using Affordable Framing here in Salem Oregon for the past 20 years. It is a natural choice for me as my husband works for this company. However, every working artist from this area that I know and at least one prominent gallery entrust their works of art to this company.

If you don't live in the area and are unable to use Affordable Framing as your picture framing source, you can use them as a model for what should be looking for in a picture framing shop.

Current Customers:
Ask around. Talk to artists, photographers, arts organizations and galleries in your local area and ask them whom they have their framing done by and why. Don't be afraid to ask if they were happy with the finished work, if it was completed on time and if the employees were knowledgeable and easy to work with. Professionals in the arts community frame artwork on a weekly/monthly basis and will be basing their opinions and recommendations not on just one experience but more likely hundreds of finished picture framing projects.

Business & Employee Longevity:
Look for a picture framing business that has passed the "test of time". Check out their websites and look for evidence of longevity. For example, Affordable Framing has been in the framing business for 24 years. Randy their workshop manager (my husband) has been working for Affordable Framing for over 20 years. Tim the South Store Manager has been there almost as long as Randy. Most employees working for Affordable Framing have been employed there for over 10 years. This says a lot about a company. Not only does it reflect the company’s commitment to their employees but also in turn, it benefits the costumers by providing them with experienced and knowledgeable staff.

Affordable Service:
Shop around. Once you have gathered up recommendations from the arts community and determined the experience of the company and staff, it is time to consider picture framing cost. As an artist, I frame a lot of artwork. I not only need a quality but also affordable picture framing service. Affordable Framing promises to "beat any written price quote by 10%" and that their "every day prices are almost always lower that "50% off" sales at other frame stores". In addition, they offer a "satisfaction guarantee". When looking at cost don't forget to consider the quality of materials the store is using. When looking at matt board, look for: Acid Free Crescent Board or Acid Free Bainbridge board. When looking at picture frame profiles, look for names like: Larsen Juhl, Nielson and Roma. Universal and Omega are also reputable and affordable picture framing molding companies.

It is never easy for an art collector or artist to entrust their original artworks or limited edition prints to a stranger. Researching the possibilities in your area should take a minimal amount of time and I believe you will find, it is well worth the effort.

Shop Online at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery!

2011-04-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

Mary Lou Zeek Gallery has a terrific new option for purchasing artwork. In addition to her amazing, newly remodeled gallery in Salem Oregon, you can now view and purchase available artworks via the Mary Lou Zeek website!

I always have several original acrylic paintings available at the gallery but in addition, Mary Lou is currently featuring three of my paintings via her online shop.

Stacking Fields I & II are the first two paintings in a series that feature bold, expressive fields with a semi-abstract feel.

Stacking Fields I (landscape, above/left) measures 8 by 24 inches tall and is a great painting for a narrow wall-space that demands color and attention.

Stacking Fields II (landscpe, above/right) is a small painting from the same series measuring 6 by 6 inches. It is finished with a deep floater frame that allows the painting to be hung on the wall as well as displayed on a shelf, mantel or table.

Out of Line II (urban-scape, lower/right) is the second in a series of original acrylic paintings featuring birds that are in flight within an urban setting. Out of Line II is predominantly sky blue with a dreamy contrast of distant birds, utility wires and pole. It is finished with a deep floater frame that offers many display options.

The Mary Lou Zeek Online Shop is not only a great way to purchase availalbe contemporary artworks from a trusted gallery but also an opportunity to preview the gallery inventory prior to your next upcoming visit. So, if you havn't already, give the Mary Lou Zeek Online Shop a look and check out my featured works at: marylouzeekgalleryshop.bigcartel.com !

URBAN REFLECTION

2011-03-02T18:43:00.000-08:00

Salvage Bird 9x12"

I am hopelessly captivated by cityscapes and how their fracturing wires, bar-graph buildings, and city birds, exude an unexpected charisma and attraction. Black crows, utility poles and wires are a common visual occurrence in my paintings and thoughts. Lately, with respect to my contemporary painting style, I have been experimenting with integrating more of this urban environment, into a select number of new paintings. The process not only has me rethinking waste in regards to its salvageable and creative properties but also the methods in which cast-out materials can be reuse and utilized as an artistic resource. “Salvage Bird” is a result of this process. Patterns of old staples, washers and other cast-out hardware were used to create an urban reflection within this rural environment.

Resting in the Middle

2010-11-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

I received a letter today from an artist friend. I thought it was her Christmas card but when I opened the letter there was a clip-art image of a nurse and I knew Betty had had another battle with death. Being friends with artists is an unpredictable kind of business. Betty never gives up the opportunity to engage her friends in a well told documentary and I wasn't sure if she had died and somehow managed to document her experience or if she had lived and was now giving an account of her story.

Now, I am a "cover to cover" kind of girl and have never skipped to the end of a book. I read every word and flip every page and Betty's three page, single spaced letter was no exception. Sometimes the story is happy and the ending is sad. Sometimes the story is sad but the ending happy. It is the contrast of experiences and the unpredictable outcome that intrigues me.

Betty's letter today reminded me to experience my life as though I was reading a good book. To digest every word and to feel the crisp or worn pages between my fingers as I turn them. To rest in the middle because it is my favorite part. And most of all, to resist the temptation to skip to the end. Because what appears to be the end of the story may only be the end of the first book in a series.

I am glad to say this was the case for my friend Betty. She ended her letter in this way:

"At least this isn't the postcard I prepared some time ago notifying you of my death. I am still mystified why I survived but very glad to have the extra time with those I love. Count yourself among that number! Still a tough old bird- Love Betty"

Today reflection trumps achievement and I find myself "resting in the middle -it's my favorite part.

The Framework that Supports the Artist

2010-10-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

Offline III -18x40"

Participating in Art in the Pearl reminded me not only of how grateful I was to be an artist but also how lucky I was to have friends and family who support me in that endeavor. Currently the person who is most invested in my creative success and happiness is my husband Randy. Many of you met him as you passed through my booth while buying or just talking art. Those of you who stuck around long enough, found out that Randy is not only my husband but also my picture framer.

Randy has worked for Affordable Framing in Salem Oregon for 20 years. He has worked as a picture framer for half his life and frankly, he is the best. A frame can make or break the artwork that it surrounds. It is one of those creative details that many artists feel that they can skimp on or go without but nothing completes a painting better than a nicely crafted frame.

I paint on 1-1/2” cradled wood panels. It is popular right now to paint the edges black and skip the frame. This is an economical option but I prefer to use a floater frame for my panels. Not only does it give the painting a finished look, it also offers additional display alternatives. The floater frames that Randy uses on my paintings are 2-3 inches deep. The depth of the frame not only allows the painting to be hung on a wall but also to be displayed on a table, mantel or shelf.

Often overlooked, is the frame that supports the artwork and the husband who supports the artist. That is why this blog has been dedicated to both.

The Complexities of Painting

2010-06-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

My last blog left me wondering when I developed my love for painting. I have always had a passion for the wild abandon of sculpture and a fascination with the control and detail of drawing but for the longest time, I was unable to wrap my brain around the complexities of painting.

I believe at some point I started painting with more of a wild abandon similar to my sculptural process. It is almost as if I am working on a relief sculpture only the carving tool is an opposing color that either adds or subtracts depth. I find myself adding up only to carve it away later (metaphorically speaking). The interesting thing about this process is that, unlike sculpture, the depth of the paint build-up does not necessarily correspond with where an object is suppose to visually appear in the composition. I find that my utility wires are often at a shallower paint depth than the clouds that recede behind them. It is the complexities and power of color that allows this to happen.

I don't know when it happened but somewhere along the line my sculptural process enmeshed with my painting process. It is this enmeshment that allows me to get lost in the emotional story of color while still enjoying the texture and movement of sculpture. This has become my love for painting.

Threading the Needle

2010-06-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

I was sitting under the table at her feet. I remember seeing the scraps of possibilities floating down as she cut out her patterns. I started collecting the bits and pieces and scrunching them in my hands. I don't remember if I asked or if she offered to teach me to thread the needle but it was a pivotal point in my becoming an artist. I made my first doll that day. I was three. It sits in my art studio along with many other childhood creations reminding me that being an artist is part of my personal fabric. Remove that strand and I become completely unravelled.

I realized I wanted to be a professional artist my freshman year in college at Pacific Lutheran University. At the suggestion of my professors, I applied to a handful of art schools for possible transfer the following year. The most notable school and the one I ended up attending was Rhode Island School of Design. I attended RISD for one summer and two years and later graduated from Portland State University. It is impossible to describe my experience at RISD in a short essay but in a nutshell, it was life changing . Though they felt my aptitude was for sculpture I entered the graphic design department later transferring to the illustration department. In 1999 I put an illustration portfolio together and began soliciting periodicals as a freelance illustrator. I worked as an illustrator for six years then walked out of my art studio with no intention of returning.

In 2007 I went to the studio, sat in my easy chair and thought: "Well, maybe I will paint just a little for myself". The next thing I knew Mary Lou Zeek was in my studio telling me she thought she could sell my paintings. It was like my mother offering to teach me to "thread the needle" all over again. Mary Lou sold those paintings and continues to sell them, out of the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in Salem Oregon.

Looking back on my experience as an artist so far I find myself wondering, "What events or life lessons will lead up to the threading of the next needle and who will be there to teach me?"

Crow Painting Available at Silent Auction

2010-05-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

Creating works of art is a process of turning oneself inside out to reveal a visual diary open for criticism, interpretation and understanding. This visual exchange of communication can impact the observer on a creative, intellectual and emotional level resulting in inspiration, understanding and an array of emotions.

As an artist I feel that this contribution is significant but not sufficient as it is born of a self-seeking activity. It is important to me to give with the intention of giving. When creating, I am not thinking of how my artwork might later impact the viewer. I am thinking about how it is impacting me at that moment. For this reason, I annually donate a work of art that benefits a non-profit organization or fundraiser that supports a good cause.

The above painting will be auctioned off Saturday, May 22nd at the Country BBQ & Silent Auction. The monies raised at this event will be donated to the Bauer Family Medical & Expense Fund. Joel is a dear friend of my husbands and we support him and his family in his fight against cancer. If you would like to attend the benefit dinner, participate in the auction, make a financial contribution or would like more information, click here.

Just for Fun!

2010-04-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Recently, I visited twittermoms.com where the question was raised: What 10 Little Things Lead to a Happier, Healthier You? I am a pretty happy person and thought it would be easy to sum-up these details but instead, I found it quite challenging. So, in a nutshell, here are my "10 Little Things that Lead to a Happier, Healthier Me."

Trying Something New- Check-out my needle felted "Reggie Bird" (right)
Being Rested- Sleep! It makes creating, parenting and loving so much easier.
Being Spiritual- Saying a prayer, being kind, clearing my mind
Drinking Caffeine Only on the Weekends-This is so hard for me... I love coffee!
Hugging my Children as many times a day as they will allow me.
Knowing When to Take a Nap- It's a great way to start the day over.
Remembering Exercise is a great way to transition from Artist to Mom (among other countless benefits)
Being an Artist- Preserving and protecting that time everyday
Being a Mother & Wife- Preserving and protecting that time everyday
Eating Well- Fruit all morning, a hearty salad for lunch and a fiber rich dinner... Yum!

These 10 things leave me with a happy heart and wonderful life. And when things aren't going too well, they make the best of the worst which is far better than the worst of the worst!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms & Tropicana Trop50 blogging program to be eligible to win 6 free Juicy Rewards points & a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Buckman Art Show & Sell

2010-03-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

Friday, March 12th 2010 from 5-9pm

Saturday, March 13th 2010 from 10am-5pm

2 Chickadee Paintings,

8 New Crow Paintings,

& 6 New Landscape Paintings...

At the Buckman Art Show & Sell!
Directions

Information

100 Artist Show- Nourish & Sustain

2010-02-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

Darcie Leighty (Below)
If you haven't been down to the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery to see the 100 Artists Show it's not too late. "Nourish & Sustain" runs February 1st through the 27th and benefits the Oregon Food Bank.

I look forward to participating in this show every year. With it's quirky entry requirements, energized artists reception and is unconventional artists breaking out of their far-out boundaries, it is a show you won't want to miss.

Ben & Kate Gatski (Below)

This year each artist was mailed a tin can to integrated into their artwork. I flattened my can, cut it into strips and attached it to my painting to create a frame. Ben & Kate Gatski used their can for the body of a bee and Alison O'Donoghue painted directly onto her intact can. So brighten your day, support the Oregon Food Bank, and be prepared to smile as you take a walk on the "wild side" at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery! To preview the artwork online click here.

Alison O'Donoghue (Left)

Nourish & Sustain

2010-01-28T14:32:00.000-08:00

To nourish and sustain a creative soul is similar to nourishing and sustaining a physical being. There is a creative hunger that draws-in, absorbs and consumes images, colors and emotions. This consumption creates an energy that fuels the artistic being and expels a visual proof of its existence.

New Paintings

2009-12-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

Threads of Orange II 8x8"

I am happy to say that my "creative pause" was followed by a flurry of creative production resulting in 3 small crow paintings and 1 small landscape. The paintings were delivered to the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery last Friday less one crow painting. "Within III" found a home while in transit to the gallery.

For more detailed information on new and available paintings visit Works by Darcie Leighty Or call the The Mary Lou Zeek Galler y 503/581-3229

Within II 6x6"

Creative Pause

2009-11-17T15:06:00.000-08:00

Preliminary landscape painting fall 2009 -Darcie Leighty

Fall seems to be a time of creative pause for me. It is not necessarily by choice, preference or planning. It just never seems to fail that my available creative time is pinched to a minimum in the fall. I don't look forward to the break and yet it seems essential to the gestation of my creative production. Once the habit of daily painting is broken it is hard to find the motivation to return to the art studio. Fortunately, there comes a point where the craving to create out-weighs the business of autumn and a new season of paintings begin.

Emerging Artist Show- August 5th 2009

2009-07-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

I have been spending long, enjoyable hours in the art studio preparing for the upcoming Emerging Artist Show at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery.

In total, I have finished 7 paintings with an expected 8th painting to be finished next week. They range in size from 6"x 6" to 20"x 36" and include landscapes, cityscapes and crows.

The Emerging Artist Show will also be featuring Mikayla Gattuccio (printmaking) and Phebe Miller (sculpture).

So, save the date and join us at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery for an artist reception: August 5th, 2009

Emerge

2009-04-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

My up-coming show at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery is titled "Emergence". Having said that, I have been thinking a lot about this topic. Several years ago I entered the below thoughts and sketch into my sketchbook. I am posting it today as I felt it went along with the idea of "Emergence"

Wings of Stone

Sometimes I feel like my gifts are my biggest burdens.
It’s as though I’ve been given wings made of stone.
The wings are stunning but in all their beauty I can’t figure out how to use them.
I put them on lugging them around soaking up envious stares.
All the while, my back aches from their weight.
My inability to use them for their apparent purpose frustrates me.
As all watching wait for me to take flight
my wings of stone rebel relentlessly against their symbolic function.

URBAN STRUGGLE

2009-04-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

(Left: A small portion of the painting I am currently working on.)

Sometimes I just need to step back and take a break. Last week was one of those times. I am working on a painting for an upcoming show. I wanted it to have more of an urban feel, reminiscent of Along the Line I. The way I was envisioning the buildings in my mind was much different than the way they were developing within the painting itself. For me this is the most frustrating yet rewarding part of being a painter. It seems like, as with many things in life, the compensation for the struggle depends upon the depth of the struggle itself. There was a great battle last week in the art studio. This week I am hopeful that with fresh eyes and a lengthy break, that a breakthrough is on its way.

Hangn’ with Mary Lou Zeek & the Artist Critique

2009-04-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

"Colorful Threads" Hangn' at MLZ Gallery

If there is one thing I miss about art school, it is the “artist critique”. True, the first couple of critiques result in tears and bruised egos but later you learn to love the constructive criticism of a good, solid, critique.

An artist critique is an art in and of itself and consulting friends or family, although well meaning, most often results in a frustrating discussion lacking in knowledge and solutions. However, ask Gallery owner and artist Mary Lou Zeek to your studio and the outcome will be completely different.

I wasn’t nervous at all as I waited for Mary Lou to arrive. After countless hours in the studio with only my own creative opinions, I was eager to hear the good, bad and ugly from a fellow creative. Mary Lou did not let me down. Weaved into our conversation, she managed to thoroughly critiquing my current works; suggest possible framing solutions and the potential for creative growth.

In the end it was one of the most constructive and productive critiques I have had in years, resulting in- exhibition inclusion, ongoing representation and the privilege of hangn’ with the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery!

Into the World

2009-03-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Preliminary Study

A thread is woven into the fabric of my soul. Not a decorative thread or one added in for repairs.

It is the very thread that binds my being together and draws me out into the world with its hide and seek stitches of intuitive brush strokes.

Beginning a Painting

2009-03-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Preliminary Study

Beginning a painting is a dreamy sort of business. In the shadows of your mind, tucked away in a place where it will never be lost, is an image.

Searching from the outside-in is like trying to remember a dream- thick with emotion and conceptually familiar. It makes perfect sense, until you try to describe its dozing details stuck to the tip of your tongue.

It is the way a painting begins, details tumbling free, not yet awake, into an intuitive smathering of paints.

CREATIVE COLLABORATION

2009-03-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Collaborating and participating in a creative community project is like an artistic recess. It is a time where we can delve into “artistic investigative” rather than “professional proficiency” generating a commitment to community, laughter and growth.

Mary Lou Zeek is a master at pulling Salem’s artistic talent together to maintain a creative momentum that artists and art lovers alike can appreciate. The thing about momentum is that it never rests and neither does Mary Lou. The “ball” is always rolling with her (so to speak) and this time it is a “Braball”.

The month of October is breast cancer awareness month and Mary Lou is busy organizing a collaborative sculpture of bra’s call the “Braball”. This is an idea inspired by Emily Duffy, who created the pictured "Braball" in 2005. Like a giant rubber-band ball, all submitted bra’s will be hooked together and rolled into one giant “Braball”. Participation is open to anyone willing to submit a bra. Submitted bra’s will be displayed on the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery Blog prior to the “Braball” assembly. Please join or just follow the collective effort of many, to celebrate breast cancer awareness, Mary Lou Zeek style. For more information, follow this link to visit the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery Blog .

COLORFUL THREADS

2009-03-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

“Colorful Threads” Acrylic Painting on Wood Panel 12X24”

How easy it is to forget
The emotional comfort of a landscape-

Soft fields
Patch-worked together
With colorful threads and decorative buttons.

-Darcie Leighty

FRACTURED LANDSCAPES

2009-02-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

" Fractured Landscape 1" 14"x18" Acrylic Painting on Wood Panel

Some might argue that telephone poles clutter the landscape and fracture the skyline but I rather enjoy how their urban youth weaves its way through a mature and established landscape. They appear mischievous, lined up like children with out-stretched arms holding tightly to one another’s hands while challenging the wind. They are a beautiful contrast to the slow moving but wise earth with their pulsing energy and their constant chatter of communication. They do fracture the calm of the landscape but it is with the same spirit that a youth breaks the quiet of a room with its infectious laughter.