What did you do this summer? Don’t worry, this is not an essay assignment. But we would like to see your favorite pics, because they make great display pieces! So don’t tuck them away, hang them up and enjoy them. Here’s an easy way to remember — and savor — your vacation memories:
Washington Lighthouse Tour
During a recent, wonderful trip to the Washington coast with mom and dad, we purchased two beautiful souvenir travel posters. The posters cost – $5 each. Almost the same price as a postcard! We framed corresponding pictures three-up in a matching frame so we could remember who was there with us and the fun we had.
Take a Closer Look
Want Your Own?
Bring your favorite vacation pictures, posters, artwork, and souvenirs to Village Frame & Gallery at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219. We’re open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, or by appointment.
Feel the nip in the air lately? We all know what’s coming — the long months of little daylight. It’s time for some “winterizing” to head off the rainy season blues. Here are three tips that will pay off big:
Lighten Up Your Home and Work Spaces
Sunlight is a proven mood booster, but few of us have homes or offices that make the most of the natural light available. As winter sets in, parts of our indoor environment become gloomy. The change is often so gradual we don’t notice it, but by mid-winter, its effect on our mood is obvious.
The easiest way to increase natural light in any space is to add mirrors. Take advantage of the sunlight we have now to experiment with placement. Any slightly shadowy corners you see now will have the atmosphere of a dark cave this winter. Installing a beautiful mirror in that dim nook can completely change the character of your room — for the better.
Color Me Free by Marie-Claude Boucher
Add Color to Your Indoor Environment
Muted earth tones are a decor classic, but let’s be honest, they can be a bit too neutral when it’s gray outside. Drab even. There’s no need to completely redecorate, just add some pops of color to liven up your living spaces.
Start with a colorful piece of art. Pick one or two bold hues from it and add a few accent pieces or accessories to the room in the same colors. You don’t have to spend a ton of money: find throws and pillows in your color of choice, paint an end table or bookcase, or line up bright pots filled with plants. A little will go a long way.
Plan Now to Get Out and About this Winter
Beautiful days like today make it easy to step outside. It’s hard to stay inside, actually. But reflect on winters past. How many times did you look our your window and think, “Nah. I’m staying in my jammies today”? Or leave work with mental blinders on, thinking only of arriving home? It’s a lot harder to get inspired to go out when it’s drizzly. But whatcha gonna do? We suggest a little strategic thinking.
Make a list — the longer, the better — of places to go and things to do around town. Not the places you usually go or things you usually do, aim for new experiences. Pretend you’re a tourist here. Brainstorm for things you usually don’t pay attention to in your hometown: public art, places that put the weird in “Keep Portland Weird,” interesting MeetUps, museums and historical sites you’ve never visited. This winter, when you feel cooped up, pick an item on your list and get out of the house.
For More Inspiration, Visit Village Frame & Gallery
We offer artistic, designer, and custom mirrors, plus a wide selection of art, and ideas are always free! Come see us Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, or by appointment. Village Frame & Gallery is located in the heart of Multnomah Village at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.
Image credit: Portland Skyline 2 by Julie Gentry (see here) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Join us September 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 pm. for an artist’s reception and to see this breathtaking new exhibit!
Artist’s Statement
As a photographer and artist, my goal is to create realistic images and prints of natural landscapes that encourage people to spend time in the wild, appreciating and protecting it. And for when those people are not in the wild, I want my prints to remind them of the natural world and help shape the choices they make.
About Artist Scott Cordner
Scott Cordner was destined to become a fine-art landscape photographer. A browse through his portfolio illustrates his passion for the medium and the outdoors.
The pure, unaltered and uncomplicated scenes are captured in the finest light. His exacting prints are made with the best materials that last lifetimes. Hand made hardwood frames from renewable and managed forests are enhanced and finished with environmentally friendly oils and a water-based polyurethane (made from whey, a byproduct of cheese). No detail is overlooked, and it is apparent.
Scott grew up in the rural Allegheny Mountains of northwest Pennsylvania in the town of Bradford. He spent most of his childhood outdoors, exploring the hills and forests, observing the flora and fauna, cementing his relationship with nature. But when indoors, Scott drew inspiration from his Grandfather, Jack McCutcheon.
Scott loved to draw just like his Grandfather, a self-taught painter and award-winning advertising manager for Zippo Lighters. Like many children, Scott’s artistic creativity was nurtured. In the 8th grade ‘Design an Ad’ contest, Scott took first place with a hand-drawn advertisement for a local Chrysler dealership.
His Grandfather also had a deep connection with the outdoors and wrote a weekly hunting and fishing column for the Bradford Era. He also respected Native American people and their culture, which were often the subject of his paintings.
Polychrome by Scott Cordner (Click to enlarge)
During middle school Scott took some photography classes, where he learned to develop and print his own photographs. He excelled in math and science, and learned from his father how to take apart and fix things. It was a more traditional career path and one he pursued academically in high school and in college. While his passion for photography still consumed his free time, a degree in Electrical Engineering guaranteed him work and a job designing test equipment brought him to Southern California.
Frustrated with the confines of employment, Scott decided to put his engineering career on hold and set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in its entirety – from the Mexican border to Canada. He brought along his first SLR to document the trip, a Canon Rebel 35mm with a kit zoom lens. Six months, four pairs of shoes, thirty-five pounds, 50 rolls of Fuji Velvia later Scott knew he had rekindled his love for the outdoors and his passion for photography. Even now, more than 20 years later, Scott entertains audiences with that early slide show of that 2700-mile trek.
Circle of Color by Scott Cordner (Click to enlarge.)
Hiking had put things in perspective for Scott and he took a pragmatic approach when he returned to the workforce. He earned his living mostly through technical work as an engineer while honing his craft as a photographer and printmaker. Those years were special for Scott because weekends were devoted to road trips that introduced him to the iconic landscapes of the American West.
It would still take another ten years before Scott could pursue photography full time but those years weren’t wasted. During those years and after, Scott continued to combine adventure travel with fine art and outdoor photography. He has trekked and mountaineered in Peru documenting the remarkable landscape and the Quechua culture. Scott climbed and stood on the summit of Denali, North America’s tallest peak, and has captured the magnificent hostility of the mountains.
He traveled to Russia’s Lake Baikal – the largest and deepest fresh water lake in the world – in 2002 as part of a team of four to kayak the remote northeast shoreline. While the Russian landscape was stunning, it was the Russian people who captivated him and set the stage for a return visit.
Thought the Trees by Scott Cordner (Click to enlarge.)
It was then that Scott developed his interest in using his travels and his images to document people and places that matter. Scott used his second trip to Russia’s Far East to promote ‘sustainable travel.’ He photographed the entire month-long expedition to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, including the people and his team’s use of public transportation for self-powered, ski touring instead of the normal skiing style – heli-skiing. His images appeared in Backcountry magazine in connection with an article written about the remote region of Mount Bakening, a now extinct volcano located in the center of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
With the explosion of digital photography and printing, Scott drew from his technical background and started scanning his film and slides. Using digital cameras, he eliminated film and the harsh chemicals used to develop it from his practice. He started producing images with pigment inkjet printers. His printing style removes chemical processing from the equation and will last hundreds of years instead of fading like traditional color prints.
Desiring to create a better overall presentation of his photographs, six years ago Scott experimented with woodworking and now crafts his own frames. His process includes milling the wood by hand to create strikingly simple frames that naturally complement his photographs.
Scott is fast-becoming known for his large, panoramic prints, which capture the quiet magnificence and individuality of ordinary scenes. In fact, he shies away from more common and well-known iconic landscapes. “I am so proud to hang Scott’s work in our Gallery. His photos have such emotion, movement and vibrancy,” says Tamara Breunig, owner of United Wood Craftsmen Gallery. “You feel like they are a window to his world. His talent for capturing the moment is so real. It’s as if one could just walk into the photos and explore the spot where he took them. His work has such a sense of peace, and our clientele thinks so too.”
Collectors demand for his prints has grown because they feel a connection to the scene. Scott shows his work at art exhibits and fairs, in lifestyle retail stores and in fine art galleries. Scott has also sold collections of his finished prints to corporate offices. One of his corporate clients said this of his work, “Everyone is still raving about the prints, Scott. Thanks again for sharing your talent!”
Scott is focusing on conservation photography. He believes if someone notices an image of his, it becomes an opportunity to start a dialog about nature in general and the importance of preservation specifically. His ultimate goal is to create more stewardship of these important though lesser-known places throughout the world.
Join Us Friday, September 2nd to Meet Scott Cordner
Our First Friday artist’s reception is free and open to the public from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Village Frame & Gallery, 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219. Scott’s work will be exhibited at the Gallery throughout the month of September, so if you can’t make it this Friday, come see us any time during normal business hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm.
Village Frame and Gallery will be closed this Saturday for Multnomah Days, but don’t fret…the Village Frame and Gallery tent will be right in front of the gallery!
Nan and Wesley by Jerry Hammel
Stop by our tent and say “Hi!” and take a look at paintings by Jerry Hammel, priced starting at just $10! Jerry’s paintings are fun and colorful, perfect for the Multnomah Days Celebration!
Read more about Jerry and his paintings here.
The Multnomah Days parade starts at 10:00 – we look forward to seeing you there!
Weddings & graduations … a hole-in-one or championship season … a business coup or civic recognition — there are moments in everyone’s lives that we never want to forget.
These are your Frameable Moments — so don’t let your memories of them fade away in a desk drawer or photo album.
We’re ready to help you frame your pictures and keepsakes beautifully, and protect them from the harmful effects of UV light that can cause degradation, yellowing, and brittleness.
Consider your family’s Frameable Moments, imagine them distinctively framed and displayed prominently in your home — then call us for your free consultation.
We have been putting the finishing touches on Frameable Moments since 1999. Come experience why our neighbors in Multnomah Village keep coming back to Village Frame & Gallery.
Village Frame & Gallery, 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, or by appointment.
This month, the works of Printmaker Jeanette Nuxoll are on exhibit at Village Frame & Gallery. With roots in the Pacific Northwest, Jeanette is currently studying for her masters in fine arts at University of Cincinnati.
Artist Statement – Jeanette Nuxoll
Jeanette Nuxoll, Printmaker
I am intrigued by how mankind manipulates its surroundings to suit its needs; large tracts of land transformed for industry, farming, and the general expansion of civilization; cities and their outlying areas growing rapidly, new development springing up almost overnight. Even areas set aside as preserves are threatened by the ever-present press of humanity. I am drawn to machinery and architecture, marvel at their engineering and recognize a kind of brutal beauty in the objects that have changed and replaced the natural landscape.
I try to create a balance between the industrial and natural, civilization and wilderness. I use imagery from large-scale architecture and the industries that are changing the landscape. In contrast, I use organic textures layered within and over these structures. This layering creates a hybridized space where the industrial and organic elements weave through and overlap one another and in some areas merge to create new shapes. Through this technique of blending components and the use of vibrant transparent colors a sense of beauty is created through the transformation.
I work mostly in relief and lithographic techniques. Woodblock lends a hard tactile quality to the prints with the embossment. Using multiple blocks or plates in my prints allows me to reuse imagery in other prints, thereby tying them together into a body of work. In other pieces, I use a reductive process that effectively destroys the image on the woodblock so it can no longer be used. Lithograph allows me to use fluid materials to build the images of the solid structures that are represented.
By the way, notice anything different?
See the Works of Jeanette Nuxoll at Village Frame & Gallery
We’re open late tonight for First Friday. Join the fun between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Also, Jeanette’s exhibit is open to the public throughout the month of August during regular Gallery hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.
Selected Works by Printmaker Jeanette Nuxol
By Jeanette NuxollBy Jeanette NuxollBy Jeanette NuxollBy Jeanette Nuxoll
Don’t miss poets Paulann Peterson, Dianne Holland, and Donna Prinzmetal, with photographer Russel J. Young, at Village Frame & Gallery, starting at 7:30 p.m.
July’s featured exhibit will be a collection of photographs and poetry broadsides from In the Mist. Join us tonight to have your book signed by three of the poets and the photographer who created In the Mist. [Read more about tonight’s special First Friday event.]
Meet Photographer Russell J. Young and poets from In the Mist: Giving Voice to Silence
July’s featured exhibit will be a collection of photographs and poetry broadsides from In the Mist. Join us July 1st at 7:30 pm for a poetry reading and book signing at Village Frame & Gallery, 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.
About In the Mist
On sale at Village Frame & Gallery now
An ode to the ethereal wonder of mist, this spectacular collaboration is comprised of exquisite images from photographer Russell J. Young accompanied by nuanced poems from seven esteemed Oregon poets. With soft, pale breath, the mist casts an undeniable veil of silence wherever it reaches — from the glassy face of a pond to the concrete underbelly of a bridge to the towering shoulders of a pine forest. These mist-clad Oregon landscapes and urban moments, along with their poetic responses, evoke the whisper of stillness. This book binds together poetry and photography in a relationship in which one is not excluded from the other, but rather both are met and bound and emerge as a new wholeness — a wholeness seeking that which is hidden in the mist and that which is revealed: silence, memory, breath. [Read more about In the Mist]
In the Mist Poets: Margaret Chula, Cindy Williams Gutiérrez, Diane Holland, Andrea Hollander, Paulann Petersen (Oregon Poet Laureate Emerita), Donna Prinzmetal, Penelope Scambly Schott
About the Photographer
Russell J Young, Photographer
Russell J. Young is a commercial and fine art photographer based in Portland, Oregon. Russell has traveled and photographed in over 30 countries. His genres include commercial, fine art, portraiture, fitness, sports, performing arts, landscape, outdoor adventure, travel and culture. Russell believes each genre compliments the end result of the others. The completion of his new SE Portland studio has allowed Russell the space to meet with clients, and an environment to express long held artistic inspirations.
His fine art edition prints are in private and public collections and embassies and have been exhibited in Europe and the USA. His photography is represented by agencies in London Stockholm and Seattle. [Read more about Russell J. Young]
About the Poets
Paulann Petersen, Oregon Poet Laureate (2010 – 2014), and Dianne Holland will be reading their works from In the Mist July 1st.
UPDATE: Local poet Donna Prinzmetal will also be reading her works from In the Mist at this special First Friday event.
About Paulann Peterson
Paulann Peterson, Poet
Paulann Petersen, Oregon Poet Laureate Emerita, has six full-length books of poetry, most recently Understory from Lost Horse Press in 2013. Her poems have appeared in many journals and anthologies, including Poetry, The New Republic, Prairie Schooner, Willow Springs, Calyx, and the online Poetry Daily. She was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and the recipient of the 2006 Holbrook Award from Oregon Literary Arts. In 2013 she received Willamette Writers’ Distinguished Northwest Writer Award. [Read more about Paulann Peterson]
About Dianne Holland
Diane Holland has been a painter and printmaker, as well as a poet. Her first chapbook, The Hand Stayed From Its Desire, was selected by John Poch, editor of 32Poems, for the 2006 Predator Press chapbook prize and was nominated by Eleanor Wilner for a Pushcart Prize. Her work has also appeared in Lumina where the poem, “How It Happens,” won the 2006 poetry contest, and in Gulf Stream Review where the poem “Of a Certain Age” won the 2005 poetry contest. She was also a finalist for the 2004 Ruth Stone Prize.
In the Mist is Available Now at Village Frame & Gallery
Get your copy on First Friday, or stop by any time in the month of July during regular business hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm.
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.
Da Tung and Xi’an Bao Bao (Universal Peace and Baby Elephant)
Da Tung and Xi’an Bao Bao
It’s hard to find a better tribute to fatherhood than Portland’s 135″ x 77″ x 168″ bronze of a father elephant with his youngster on his back. Like a great dad, the sculpture embodies strength, playfulness, and story; it symbolizes safe and prosperous offspring.
Based on a wine pitcher from the late Shang Dynasty (circa 1200-1100 BC), it is covered with animals from ancient Chinese mythology. If you want to see how many you can identify, here’s a list to get you started: Chinese Mythical Creatures.
Huo Bao Zhu
Da Tung and Xi’an Bao Bao was given to Portland by Hao Bao Zhu, owner of Shaanxi Yuan Kun Sculptural Arts Company in Xian, China. The sculpture was made in Hao’s foundry, which is licensed by the Chinese government to reproduce antiquities. It then traveled by boat to the United states and was installed in the Portland Park blocks in 2002.
This sculpture is just one of the many gifts Huo Bao Zhu has given to the United States. After a doctor in Portland treated Hao for a rare form of leukemia, he was moved to generosity by his gratitude, his Buddhist faith, and a lifelong desire to increase understanding between countries by sharing Chinese culture.
When plans were being made for the installation of Da Tung and Xi’an Bao Bao, Huo told the Oregonian he had come to feel an urgency to share the rewards of his successful business with others.
“Based on other people who have had my illness, today I should be dead, or bedridden. But now, I am not only still alive, but I am able to lead a normal life. It’s a wonderful situation,” Huo said. “I want to be loving and good, and to leave positive things with my remaining time.”
In addition to giving Da Tung and Xi’an Bao Baoto Portland, Huo Bao Zhu donated many of the featured artworks at Astoria’s Garden of Surging Waves.
See Da Tung and Xi’an Bao Bao
Just look for the big elephant located in the North Park blocks, between W Burnside and NW Couch, near the children’s playground.
If you’re out and about with your Dad today, pay a visit to Da Tung and Xi’an Bao Bao.
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.
Image credits:
Park Blocks Elephant Portland by User:Cacophony (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Elephant Scupture in Portland by User: Cornfusion (Own work) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 via Flickr
Lighten Up Your Home and Work Spaces
As a photographer and artist, my goal is to create realistic images and prints of natural landscapes that encourage people to spend time in the wild, appreciating and protecting it. And for when those people are not in the wild, I want my prints to remind them of the natural world and help shape the choices they make.
These are your Frameable Moments — so don’t let your memories of them fade away in a desk drawer or photo album.
We have been putting the finishing touches on Frameable Moments since 1999. Come experience why our neighbors in Multnomah Village keep coming back to Village Frame & Gallery.
