Beth Nichols

August 3, 2018November 20, 2018

Featured Artist Scott C. Johnson, First Friday and More!

Portland artist Scott C Johnson returns to Village Frame and Gallery this month with new work in acrylic and watercolor!

About Scott C. Johnson

Although his landscape studies are rooted in plein air painting early onScott C. Johnson began to add the little touches that rouse the imagination — the faint treetops to indicate a valley beyond the hill, or the tiny glint of water that tantalizes over a grassy dune. These glimpses of the barely distinguishable landscape beyond the one we see were an introduction to his dream world.

He developed the soft washes of the Japanese tradition as well as the refined linework of the Persian miniature. As he grew more confident with the brush he also became more involved in meditational techniques and the painting became more concerned with recording a process, a trance state, the finding of a happy accident with less regard for a specific reality.

He is a developed sensual being with an appreciation for music, dance and garden design. His love of nature refreshed by frequent trips and hikes is evident in his work yet its mood often portrayed by impending weather dominates the subjects in the landscape. There are subtle references to change in the clouds and stronger references to death and loneliness in the leafless trees of his latest work but the mood is never hopeless and lets us know the next season will bring tiny leaves of spring which is just beyond and approaching.

More by Scott C. Johnson:

Also in the Gallery

We are pleased to welcome Denise Sirchie and one of her latest mosaics, “Scarlet” back to the gallery for a limited engagement. You can view Scarlet in all her exquisite detail our display window. Read more about Denise Sirchie here.

First Friday – Open Late!

Meet Scott C. Johnson at our First Friday artist’s reception tonight beginning at 6 pm! As always, our artist’s receptions are free and open to the public, starting at 6 pm, First Friday, at Village Frame & Gallery, 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.

Head’s up! We’re on summer hours. Come see us Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 6pm, Saturdays, 10am to 4pm, or by appointment.

June 27, 2018August 3, 2018

Patricia L. Giraud – Last Week in the Gallery

If you haven’t had a chance to see this month’s featured artist exhibit, now is the time! It has been a pleasure to have intaglio prints by Patricia L. Giraud in the shop this month. Read more about Patricia here.

The exhibit comes down Saturday afternoon, June 30th, so don’t delay! And remember, our summer hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10am to 6pm, Saturdays, 10am to 4pm, or by appointment. See you soon!

June 7, 2018August 3, 2018

O’Connor’s and Didier Lourenço

We are all sad to see O’Connor’s close – they have been a true staple in Multnomah Village. We’ll miss the tap room, music, staff, food and the ambiance. We wish Steve and the O’Connor’s team all the best and thank them for making the Village better for all those years.

For many years Bar & Cafe by Didier Lourenço hung in O’Connor’s restaurant, welcoming patrons with it’s bright colors and casual, friendly feel – so much like O’Connor’s itself. What you might not know is Didier Lourenço is a highly sought after international painter and printmaker.

Didier Lourenço

Didier Lourenço was born in 1968 in Premià de Mar, Barcelona. At the age of 19 he began working in the lithography atelier of his father, where he learned the trade of lithography. In 1988 Didier made a corner of the atelier his place for painting on canvas and paper. He shared his time between painting and printing lithographs for himself and professional artists. The atelier would prove to be his best classroom, a place where Didier would build his education in the world of painting. That year he presented his first individual show and also edited his first collection of lithographies.

In 1991 Lourenço won a prestigious prize for young artists making a breakthrough into many galleries throughout Spain showing in various solo and group exhibitions. In 1995, Didier Lourenço moved into his own studio, where he would devote himself to painting, but never stop making lithographs.

In 2000, a prestigious publisher and distributor of posters took his work worldwide. This global presence quickly sparked the interest of galleries, who would present his original work. Didier traveled around the world to his solo exhibits in New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Nashville, South Africa Las Vegas, Miami, Singapore, among others. His days are filled with trips and exhibitions. His individual and collective shows continue.

Own a piece of O’Connor’s history

Village Frame and Gallery is pleased to to offer Bar & Cafe for sale at 40% off the original price. The 30 x 30 inch lithograph is surrounded by a dark blue linen mat and protected by TruVue 99% UV protective Conservation Clear glass. This is your opportunity to own a piece of O’Connor’s history!

Call or stop by Village Frame and Gallery during our regular business hours for more information. We are open Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

May 2, 2018June 7, 2018

Come Meet Tamara Hufford-Wong this First Friday in the Gallery

The colors of spring have finally sprung — just in time for a featured exhibit that is bursting with color itself — so come see us this Friday and meet Tamara Hufford-Wong.

Tamara Hufford-Wong Artist’s Statement

Picture of the artist smiling — Artist Tamara Hufford-Wong

Color has always been a huge part of my life; lifting me up when I feel down and filling me with joy. Growing up in a small Ohio farm town working at my folks five and dime store; the best way you could pay me – was with a new pack of Crayola crayons. I could ‘color’ and didn’t have to think – about anything.

That’s how I paint now days, with pure emotion. It’s always about the color and how it mixes with the other colors. I use acrylic paint because I like its thick creamy like texture, there’s no smell and I can clean my brushes with water. Sometimes I use brushes; many times, I paint with my fingers. That’s not dirt in my fingernails, it’s paint!

I call my style of painting “Naked”. It’s all about: pure emotion, freedom and breaking the rules. My mood decides how and what I paint. Will I lay color down slowly with care, or do I want to throw it down with such force that it cuts through all the other colors already on the canvas? I think I’ll go for sheer abandon!

Small town girl moves to the big city. Journey to get here involved lots of education (I loved being a professional student), retail, hospitality and the bright lights of Hollywood. God, family and an open mind is most important; communication is key. I was a professional speaker for years. Now, I communicate with my art. I hope you like it.

Feast your eyes on a few of Tamara’s paintings …

Painting of blooming flowers in a green yard — Out Back by Tamara Hufford-Wong

Abstract of colorful circles — Enlightenment by Tamara Hufford-Wong

Blooming flowers under a dark sky and a golden moon. — Moon Shine by Tamara Hufford-Wong

Artist’s Reception Friday, May 4th, starting at 6 pm

Village Frame & Gallery is located in the heart of Multnomah Village: 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219. Our First Friday Artist’s Reception for Tamara Hufford-Wong is free and open to the public. Can’t make it Friday? You can see Tamara’s work throughout May during our regular business hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm.

April 17, 2018May 14, 2018

Turning Scraps into Art: What to do with Antique or Vintage Textile Fragments

Scraps of antique fabric framed artistically

Even wee bits of antique fabric can become a striking exhibit with proper framing.

What’s in your attic?

Lace from your grandmother’s wedding dress …

Sections of an antique sampler …

Bold scraps of hand-woven cloth brought from overseas decades ago …

Do you have textile fragments you love tucked away? Little remnants that are too precious to throw out and too fragile for their original use? Frame them!

Antique and vintage fabrics, needlework, and clothing are often truly works of art, as well as beloved keepsakes. Creative layout and conservation framing lets you showcase and preserve these pieces. Opt for glazing with museum glass and their texture will still be clearly visible and dust-free.

Old textiles not only make beautiful household decor, they become conversation starters — tiny bits of history that catch the eye and tantalize the imagination.

For Best Results, Hire an Experienced Textile Framer

Not every frame shop will or can handle textiles well. Fabrics and fibers require special handling to block, stabilize, and conserve each piece, which is dependent on the type of material. The more valuable the textile fragment, the more important it is to choose a framer with these specialty skills.

Village Frame & Gallery has been trusted by textile artists and conservators since 1999. If you have a fabric or fiber piece you want to liberate from your attic, bring it to our shop for a free consultation.

April 4, 2018May 2, 2018

Dusty Divas Featured at First Friday April 6th!

Pastel drawing of Great Blue Heron standing at the edge of a body of water surrounded by grass.

This month, we have four talented pastel artists exhibiting on our feature wall — the Dusty Divas!

The divas are Kristen Horn, Beth Keyser, Donna Sires, and Donna Stevens. Start getting to know them here and come meet them on First Friday. We will have an artists reception for the Dusty Divas April 6th starting at 6 pm. It’s sure to be a party with wine, food, and of course, the Dusty Divas themselves! Come on down!

Artist Statement: Kristen Horn, Pastel Artist

I am rather a late comer to this addictive thing of art creation but no less passionate for my late entry! I drew and painted a bit as a younger adult but took a forty year hiatus for raising my family and having a career as a real estate broker.

About four years ago I took a pastel class from an artist I admired. It was just enough encouragement to remind me of what I had been missing most of my life! I took another wonderful class two years ago that completely gave me the pastel bug as well as a passion for Plein Aire Painting ( painting in the out of doors ) The rest, as they say, is history. While I still work fulltime, I spend all of my free time trying to capture the light, color and forms of nature. Life is truly good.

So much to paint, so little time!

Artist Statement: Beth Keyser, Pastel Artist

Pastel drawing of old barn at the end of a curving road at sunset. — Warm Sunset by Beth Keyser

I grew up in Alaska surrounded by beauty. Now a transplanted Alaskan, I am always searching for the beauty of the Northwest.

I enjoy creating on many different levels but have chosen pastels as my discipline. In this discipline, I challenge myself to see differently. As an imitator of beauty, my desire is to see my surroundings in the vivid colors, shapes and in interesting relationships. I enjoy challenging myself to bath the images I am representing in color and texture. Seeing harmonious relationships of shape, shadow and color transpire is what thrills me and why I choose to create.

Artist Statement: Donna Sires, Pastel Artist

Pastel of Bell rock framed by trees. — Bell Rock by Donna Sires

After over 20 years of working as an art director and illustrator for food packaging, I started to explore pastels and focused on painting landscapes.

Color and light fascinate me, and I continually seek the exploration and challenge of interpreting what I see into my paintings. Being outdoors and surrounded by nature always brings me peace and calm, and I am compelled to communicate that in every piece of art I create.

Artist Statement: Donna Stevens, Pastel Artist

Mountain rising above a field of lavender — Lavender Valley View by Donna Stevens

I returned to drawing after a 25-year hiatus and enjoyed working in charcoal. After several months, I decided to enhance the drawings with color, so purchased three sticks of pastel. Well, three sticks became six sticks, then a handful of used sticks, then a brand new boxed set, and the rest is history.

Drawing and painting are grounding and revitalizing for me. I also love spending time in the remote and beautiful places we still have. So plein air painting, in particular, provides a perfect counterbalance to the demands of my profession. Making and viewing the pieces refreshes the memories of places or scenes that inspired the works.

More First Friday in Multnomah Village

February 28, 2018March 20, 2018

Apophenia: A Photography Exhibit by Scott Cordner, New Ceramics by Carson Culp and More!

Join us for an artist reception Friday, March 2nd, starting at 6 pm, to meet Scott Cordner and see his exciting new exhibit – Apophenia!

Artist’s Statement: Scott Cordner

Apophenia, also known as patternicity, is our tendency to see patterns or connections in unintentional places, such as faces in random scenes. I make conceptual images because something in the scene attracts my attention, be
it a repetition or artistic form.

Sometimes I choose not title my images so that there is no influence and the viewer can find their own meaning. Take a step back and let me know if you see what I see.

See Cordner’s Work in March at Village Frame & Gallery

This exhibit is open to the public, free, during regular business hours: Tuesday – Saturday,
10 am – 6 pm, at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy,
Portland, OR 97219.

New Work by Ceramicist Carson Culp

Carson Culp is a self-taught ceramic artist who shared a double duty at the Multnomah Arts Center for three years as a Ceramic Technician and Youth Clay Instructor. During his time in Portland he was employed at Mudshark Studios and an apprentice at Kelly Pottery. Carson is influenced by traditional Japanese ceramics expressing that with his wood fired and high-fired celadon work. Fresh from his one-year apprenticeship at Leach Pottery in Cornwall, UK, Carson brings his new work to Village Frame and Gallery.

Can’t wait to see you on First Friday in
Multnomah Village!

February 1, 2018April 4, 2018

February Featured Artist: Landscape Painter Noriko Hirayama and Lots More!

Join us for an artist reception Friday, February 2nd, starting at 6 pm, to meet Noriko Hirayama and see her Northwest-inspired landscapes for yourself.

Artist’s Statement: Noriko Hirayama

Noriko Hirayama, smiling broadly, standing in front of colorful trees. — Noriko Hirayama, Landscape Painter from Portland, Oregon

My history with art started with Japanese calligraphy when I was twelve years old. Japanese children in my generation commonly saw a private calligraphy teacher once a week. It was thrilling to concentrate my mind to create kanji with black ink on the white paper, sometimes very strong and sometimes gentle lines with curves, or straight horizontal and vertical lines. The experience was an integrated movement of mind and body to create beautifully balanced letters, an exact moment of meditation.

I experienced the same stillness of mind with my training for Japanese tea ceremony rituals and Japanese flower arrangement classes. I began to learn that I could achieve an inner peace and calm through my simple responses to the simplicity of the natural world.

After my university studies I turned to using the other elements of nature as a basis for creative expression. Preserved tree leaves became the medium for sculpture making. Along with raising my daughter as a single mom and teaching color design theory at an interior design school, I showed my life sculptures from time to time in Kobe and Osaka galleries and cafes.

As my daughter grew up and I gained more free time, my interests and curiosity broadened. I traveled extensively seeking new experiences in the food, dress, dance, and craft of colorful ethnic culture and natural scenery. Upon my first visit to the Pacific Northwest, I was so affected with its unique combination of scale and beauty that I immediately decided to live in Portland.

After my move to Portland, I was surprised to learn that leaf sculpture in the United States is only treated as a craft rather than an expressive art form. In response, I turned my energy away from leaf sculpture and toward exploring my interests in the culinary arts with an emphasis on coordinating color for meal presentation. My journey included several trips to Thailand for master cooking classes and establishing a Japanese and Thai cooking school, Miso Magic, in 2004.

While taking a break from teaching cooking school, and attending an introductory painting class at Portland Community College, I had an epiphany that landscape painting could be a medium where I could reconnect with my youthful experiences of a meditative state while engaged in the simplicity of the earth’s natural elements. Now painting on a regular basis, it brings me great joy to be able to share my inner momentary states while camping, hiking, or trail running in the western United States.

Landscape of grassland with river flowing through it and hills in the background — By Noriko Hirayama

See Hirayama’s Work in February at Village Frame & Gallery

This exhibit is open to the public, free, during regular business hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.

There will be an artist’s reception on First Friday, 6 pm – 9 pm, at the Gallery and more good stuff around the Village.

And We Have Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts!

Come browse for something special, like …

New jewelry designs by Portland artist Susan Koch

Elaborately beaded bracelet in turquoise, pinks, green — Bead Bracelet by Susan Koch

Raku ceramics by John Berland

Or, something more literary …

Cover of In the Mist: Giving Voice to Silence — *In the Mist* is Russell J. Young’s collection of “painterly” photographs matched with poetry by local and nationally recognized poets. To learn more, click the cover.

Cover of Life Beyond My Body: A Transgender Journey to Manhood in China — *Life Beyond My Body: A Transgender Journey to Manhood in China* is the first memoir by a transman from China ever published. It won a 2017 Lambda Literary award and was co-authored by an Oregon writer. To learn more, click on the book cover.

Can’t wait to see you on First Friday in Multnomah Village!

January 23, 2018March 20, 2018

Going to Portland Fine Print Fair? Make Village Frame & Gallery Your Next Stop.

Art Lovers:

It’s just about time for the Portland Find Print Fair. The quick and dirty deets are:

18 dealers from the U.S. and Europe will be selling everything from emerging artists to Old Masters.

Friday, January 26th, 6 – 9 pm is the benefit preview. You can get advance tickets at PortlandFinePrintFair.com.

Free admission is Saturday, January 27, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, January 28, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Free Tour schedule is:
Curator’s Choice with Mary Weaver Chapin, Ph.D.
Saturday, January 27, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 28, 11:30 a.m.

Asian Prints with Jeannie Kenmotsu, Ph.D.
Saturday, January 27, 10:30 a.m.

Asian Prints with Maribeth Graybill, Ph.D.
Sunday, January 28, 1:30 p.m.

It’s in the Fields Ballroom in the Mark Building.

Mark Building of the Portland Art Museum — Mark Building, Portland Art Museum

Afterward, Bring Your New Prints to Village Frame & Gallery

Every year, we help Portlanders make the most of their new prints with framing that completes and enhances the artwork while protecting it from deterioration. Don’t make the mistake of stashing your new fine art print in a closet “until you have time” to bring it in. Come see us right after the fair, so we can help you get your art ready to show off!

We’re open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.

January 15, 2018May 14, 2018

3 Things You Won’t Believe We Framed!

Font of Hatari by Henry Mancini in frame

Did you ever want to exhibit something rare or special? But you couldn’t because it would get destroyed unless it was kept hidden away in a storage box. You might want to revisit that idea when you see what three of our clients had framed recently.

Check out this groovy vintage LP we framed

This album got lots of play in the 1960s, but it’s over 50 years old now. It’s owner wanted to enjoy it, but also protect it. Properly framed, the cover is a great piece of vintage art that can be displayed, with a little secret …

We used an open-style back so you can not only read the back of the cover, the record can be removed on special occasions. How fun is that?!

Don’t want to walk on your antique rug? Frame it and hang it!

This is a 78″ x 44″ hand-knotted silk Persian rug we framed recently. I guess you can see why it’s owner didn’t want to lay it on the floor. Framed, it’s a stunning piece of wall art in a gorgeous, heavily carved frame.

There’s more than one way to frame a window

A lot of people buy antique stained glass windows as art for their homes, but then just contend with the fragility of their old frames, thinking they have no choice if they want to keep the original, distressed sash. If you have a piece like this, we can frame it with the original sash in place, like we did this next piece.

This was actually part of a door. We used a chunky hardwood frame and distressed decorative fillet to complement the original framing, which brings a lot of visual interest to the finish piece.

Like a sleeker look? The old framing can be removed entirely, updating and refreshing the look of your stained glass art as we did here with a new Art Deco frame. This is going to look great hanging in a bathroom window!

Have a project idea, but not sure if we can frame it? Bring it in!

Just about anything you can imagine hanging on your wall can be framed, so don’t be shy about asking. We enjoy using our creativity to help you find ways to display and protect your treasures.

We’re open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm or by appointment, at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.