Willamette Valley Plein Air is nearly here!!!

Meet the artists and see the work  Artist Reception August 29, 2013 This summer our four featured artists took multiple excursions together throughout the Willamette Valley to produce paintings for ART Elements Gallery. "Painting outdoors is the best way to learn and grow as an artists," says oil painter, Michael Orwick. "The constant change of light, wind and color challenges you to grasp a moment in a ever-changing environment. Our time out and about will make my future work stronger." "The gang gets together about once a month in the spring and summer time to plein air paint all over the Willamette Valley.  It's always an adventure full of laughs, stories, and shenanigans. Oh! And paintings too!" says Romona as she giggles and winks at her cohorts. Willamette Valley Plein Air @ ART Elements, Gallery Artist Interviews    ROMONA YOUNGQUIST Self taught and painting since the age of four, Romona Youngquist grew up amongst vast landscapes and the thunderous big sky of Oklahoma. The severe contrast between shadow and light carry you right into her paintings of weathered architecture, flowers, fields and country roads. "We are honored to be one of the few galleries carrying Romona," says ART Elements Gallery owner and art consultant Loni Parrish. Though Romona is a painter that rivals the masters, I'm sure few of them were notorious for raising squirrels, puppies and all critters of the Pacific Northwest. All living things are attracted to Romona's quick loving and easy going personality. "We love having her live five miles from the gallery. She's a quick call away for clients that want to meet the artist behind the breathtaking paintings. When they meet her, they are always astounded that such large masterpieces came out of this petite woman."    MICHAEL ORWICK  Michael Orwick started his career as an animator in the Will Vinton claymation studios and quickly moved to illustration. His storytelling, his signature style "Inspired Expressionism," is evident on every canvas he paints. Every viewer is left feeling reminiscent of something familiar and wanting. Michael uses the entire Pacific Northwest as his painting playground spanning from the Oregon coast, Mt. Hood and the vineyards of the Willamette Valley. Michael is a natural teacher and often holds workshops and classes in various mediums. He prefers to teach people out in the plein air, in the elements. DON BISHOP  Don Bishop, a northern California native, is the quieter soul of this rambunctious bunch of artists. His grandiose quiet landscapes reflect his demeanor. "There is something so peaceful about Don's work. They are very reflective, meditative pieces. There are times in the gallery where his trees blow in the summer breeze, the clouds trail across the canvas and somehow the days troubles melt away," says gallery manager, Lauren Wylie. Don's work and tonal style reflects those of the early California plein air impressionist artists.             BRENDA BOYLAN Oregon native Brenda Boylan, the newest artist to ART Elements Gallery, is a sprite bubbly artist that paints lush and rich oil pastel paintings. She has earned the distinction of Signature Membership with the Pastel Society of America, the Northwest Pastel Society and has been published in several fine art magazines. For such serious and honorable accolades, she seems to be the trouble-maker/instigator of the group. "She is always laughing and seeing the bright side of every occasion, we see that in her paintings. Her pieces bring you joy, peace and highlight details that one wouldn't normally see. Her layers of color with hints of random highlights of orange and deep blue keep your eyes drawn to the detail and care of each of her pieces," says Lauren.  We're in Southwest Art!

The Gallery is open to the public 604 E. 1st Street Downtown Newberg, OR HOURS Tuesday - Saturday from 10 - 5 p.m. and by appointment by calling   (503) 487-6141  Our art is also featured at the following Oregon wine tasting rooms this season:                       See you in the gallery soon!    Sara Starnes, Lauren Wylie & Loni Parrish The ART Elements Gallery Team PO Box 1060  |  604 E. 1st Street  |  Newberg, OR 97132  gallery@artelementsgallery.com Phone: (503)487-6141     artelementsgallery.com

Artist of the Month at the LookingtoDraw.com by Michael J. Barnes

Since this is the premier of The ILTD Blog Featured "Artist of the Month," I was hoping to find a talented and gifted artist to kick-off this feature. Upon viewing Michael Orwick's artwork on his website, I knew right away he would be the perfect choice. I enjoyed viewing his artwork. I could absolutely see a story in each piece.

The ILTD Blog - http://lookingtodraw.com/blog

Artist of the Month — January 2008.
Posted by Michael J. Barnes. Category Artist of the Month.Bookmark this post. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.
Michael Orwick and daughter Elena.
Artist Michael Orwick Combines Pictorial Storytelling With A Hauntingly Familiar World.“There is a reason we are drawn toward beauty, it is the language of God and nature. To me there is nothing more provocative than beauty, it inspires deep reflection and motivates me to create,” says Oregon artist Michael Orwick. “I mix from a primary color palette, painting wet into wet and with layers, to both reveal and hide what lies behind; in this way I entice you into the painting. I love it when people share the feeling and stories my paintings evoked.”Michael Orwick is an award-winning artist who utilizes strong lights and darks, along with a simple color pallette, to create unique tales where the viewer infers distinctive yet universal stories.
Born in 1975, Orwick spent his childhood in the Pacific Northwest. His parents moved quite often throughout Oregon and Idaho. Very early it was discovered that he had dyslexia. Michael had a hard time in school, so he turned to pictures to help him understand the written word and help him communicate with others.
“Sokolblosser Vineyard”30″x40″.
“School was difficult, but in hindsight this was one of many blessings that have led and helped shape my artful existence. I was also lucky to grow up surrounded by beautiful creeks and evergreen wilderness, and within a family that loved to travel, encouraged curiosity and following one’s heart. And my heart has always told me to create,” says Orwick.
Michael is an award winning artist. In 2004, he was awarded first place in Duirwaigh Gallery’s Emerging Artist Competition. He was also listed in Epilogue’s “New Masters of Science Fiction and Fantasy” publication in 2004 and 2005.

“His skill as a landscape artist creates compelling views of our world that move beyond time and place –full environments for your mind to explore, your senses to imagine… places as mysterious as Oregon’s craggy coast, as unpredictable as a glacial view of Mount Hood, or as serene as an Oregon waterfall. His works can remind us of Remington in his most enamored moments with the majestic West or of the Impressionists as he paints a dance of light on a pond or snow,” says Cannon Beach, OR studio Dragonfire Gallery.Michael resides just outside of Portland Oregon perfectly placed between the coast and the mountains. When not painting, Michael spends much of his time exploring the trails and playing at the beach with his wife Gabriela and daughter and their silly red dog Shamy.
“Penguin Wings”
For more information about Michael Orwick and his art, view his website at http://www.michaelorwick.com/, or his blog at http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/. You can also purchase his artwork at his website or through his store site at http://stores.ebay.com/Michael-Orwick-Arts.

Thanks again for your participation, and good luck with all your endeavors. Hopefully, we can keep up a line of communication between us.

Michael J. Barnes