Newsletter of Pacific Northwest Sculptors Promoting the Art and Appreciation of Sculpture October November 2009

Newsletter of Pacific Northwest Sculptors Promoting the Art and Appreciation of Sculpture October November 2009 My Life in Clay PNWS Featured Artist: Sara Swink My love of clay goes back to the influence of a next-door neighbor who had a fabulous pottery studio. She somehow instilled in me, as an 8-year old, a feeling of confidence about clay. In high school I learned to throw on the wheel and felt very connected to the ceramics classroom. I bought a wheel with money I earned cleaning houses and dragged it around to all the places I moved during college. I finally sold it and moved on to publishing and graphic design. About 20 years later I took a ceramics class and it was like coming home. Tea, 22 x 8 x 7 by Sara Swink. photos by Harold Oxley One class led to another, and I took a 2-week workshop called Art & Spirit, which focused on creative process with an emphasis on clay sculpture. It was exactly what I was looking for. After that, I worked with the teacher, Coeleen Kiebert, for a number of years, learning and then teaching, her approach. This approach, which is grounded in Jungian psychology, is the foundation for my artistic practice today. During those years, I returned to school taking many, many classes in ceramics and art history, as well as drawing, 3D design, metal fabrication, casting, printmaking, and art theory. I started at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA, then did 2 years at San Jose State University, then completed the first of a three-year MFA program at San Francisco State University. I decided not to continue the MFA program for a number of reasons, thus freeing my long-time partner, Harold, to retire, and with my younger child out of high school, we moved to West Linn in 2006. Before we moved, I found Portland Open Studios online, applied and was accepted. We arrived in May and the event was in October. Did I mention we bought a fixer? Needless to say, the studio building needing fixing fast, but that s another story. I established Clay Circle Studio, started meeting people right away through Portland Open Studios, sold a few things at the event, began teaching small classes and workshops in my studio and set about getting established. My approach to making work is very intuitive, which makes clay a great medium for me. I get ideas a number of ways. I sometimes start with magazine collage, I sketch a lot, I lift words and phrases from things I read, whether fiction or psychology books, I record my dreams, and I am very much influenced by my surroundings. I doodle on paper and in clay. I peruse my library of handmade image journals and sketchbooks. Sometimes I get titles first, sometimes I make something having no clue what I m doing until it s done and the narrative starts to reveal itself. These days it seems like one sketch stands out among the rest and that s the one that wants to be made next. I use a robust sculpture clay that allows me to build quickly. It has such a rough surface I m not sure if I have photo by Lisa Griffen Above: Sara constructs Chicken-Dog. Below: The finished piece, which measures 23 x 23 x 13. any fingerprints anymore. I use oxides, underglazes, and glazes fired to mid-range temperature (cone 5). I m not quite as experimental as I once was with glazes as I ve found the ones I like. These days, more often than not I am working toward a gallery show, so I try More on page 6

President s Message 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #302 Portland, OR 97214 www.pnwsculptors.org Dimensions is a bimonthly publication of the Pacific Northwest Sculptors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the public through educational programs and sculpture exhibitions. We are a dynamic, inclusive community of artists who inspire and support each other s growth with ideas, skills, and knowledge. PNWS Board of directors Carole Murphy, President Lisa Strout, Vice President Maria Wickwire, Secretary Julian Voss-Andreae, Treasurer Rick Gregg George Heath Susan Levine Kevin Poe Phil Seder Laurie Vail Newsletter Team Jim Ayala, Editor Sara Swink, Design & Layout Maria Wickwire, Proof Reader John Primeau, Advertising Coordinator & Proof Reader Robert McWilliams, Mailing Committees Membership & Website George Heath 503-777-2769 gheath6006@ aol.com Finance Julian Voss-Andreae 503-577-1979 julianvossandreae@hotmail.com Meetings Rick Gregg, Chair (541) 905-6046 rickgregg@centurytel.net Shows Susan Levine, Co-Chair 503-230-0588 susan@metalurges.com Materials and Equipment Laurie Vail, Chair 503-830-0149 laurie.vail@gmail.com Publicity Lisa Strout 503-467-8026 lisa@tilefishart.com Graphics open Education Coordinator Ken Patton 503-819-4327 kenkinetic@verizon.net Volunteer Coordinator Tamae Frame tamae1@verizon.net Call for Artists Coordinator Don Maclane 971-219-3468 donmaclane@gmail.com Marlena Nielson 509-966-9598 nelson8805@aol.com Call for Artists Emails Carole Murphy 503-235-7233 sculptor@carolemurphy.com Submissions to Dimensions Jim Ayala, jimayala@q.com Deadline for the Dec. Jan. issue: Nov. 1 Join or renew your membership at www.pnwsculptors.org/membership.htm Meetings are the heart of us. Over the 6 or 7 years that I have been involved with PNWS, our meetings have been one of the brightest highlights of being a member. We hold the meetings in some of the most interesting studios in the Northwest, as well as in foundries and galleries. The meetings just keep getting better. Where do we find all these incredibly creative, warm people who become members? How does that happen? I am not sure how it comes about, but I am sure that it does. The meetings are one of the places that it all comes together. We get to experience other artists work as many people bring their portfolios or sculptures to share. Conversations can be heard about the most incredible ideas and knowledge is shared pretty freely. What an amazing gift to be able to leave our studios, our wonderful and often isolating studios, to gather together with other 3D crazed people. If you re missing the meetings, you are missing a lot of the heart of PNWS. One of the most common things said about us is that we are a warm and inclusive group. There seem to be new members at every monthly meeting; did you know that we now have over 155 members? Meetings usually draw about 35 to 60 of us where there is lots of sculpture talk, networking, and sharing of ideas; even some collaborations get set up. It is hard to think of a better way to spend an evening than in the company of other artists! If you arrive with your juices a little slow, they will be in full flow when the night is over. Lately, we have had quite a bit of brain storming going on and out of that have come some wonderful ideas. For example, Steve Farris, a new member, came up with putting together a web page where PNWS members can sell, trade or barter anything art related! Steve has since created a web spot that will be on our website soon! In other news, Lisa Strout has put together a wonderful event for members called Ready... Upcoming Meetings Potluck (if you can t bring food, come anyway); portfolios and works-in-progress always welcome! October Meeting Wednesday, October 14th, 7 pm Hosted by Phil Seder 1600 Palatine, Portland, OR. 503-750-6465 art@philsederstudios.com Topic: making small studio work Set...Sculpt! (See page 5.) Those that are not participating at this event will be able to see the creations at our next meeting which will be at the same location of this new art venue: Marty Eichinger s studio at 2516 SE Division, Portland. On the business side of things: membership renewals are due. We are now offering a family membership! See page 5, check online or contact George Heath at gheath6006@aol.com for details. George Heath, our most appreciated past president, is also documenting the history of PNWS. Having a good history in place, we can apply for future grants. There are so many directions PNWS can develop in. There is a new postcard for PNWS. If you sent in a picture of your work when the call went out for it, you might see your work on there! We were once again a part of Art in the Pearl this year, and even though it rained through an awful lot of it, Susan Levine, Lisa Strout and Laurie Vail engineered one hell of a show, (with the help of a lot of wonderful members, of course). At the last minute, a back door was found that got some members works into the Street of Dreams, 6 of us all together. Hopefully, we can find our way in for a few more sculptors next year; this is a good beginning though! The members who made it in all had a picture that I could lift and print from our website gallery page. I put together a little presentation folder based on what kind of art they said they wanted and used those pictures that I lifted. So if you don t have anything on our gallery page, it might be time to do so. It is paid for by your dues with no extra charge! Are there any ideas that you have? Any directions you d like to see PNWS travel in? Come to a meeting and get others excited about it. Come to a meeting and play with other sculptors. You ll love it! Carole Murphy November Meeting Wednesday, November 11, 7 pm Hosted by Rob Arps 24023 NE Shea Lane, unit 105 Wood Village, OR 97060 Cell: 503-459-7659 rob@additiveworkshop.com Shop: 503-489-1505 Topic: the application of modern engineering tools for fine artists As is PNWS custom, there will be no meeting in December. Dimensions Pacific Northwest Sculptors October November 2009 page 2

Sculpture Highlights at Portland Open Studios by Bonnie Meltzer There are many opportunities to watch sculptors at work during Portland Open Studios, a tour of 100 artists workplaces all around metro Portland on October 10, 11, 17 and 18. See examples of sculpture made in the following materials and methods -- additive and subtractive; molded, pinched, carved, welded, sewn, crocheted and blown; glass, wood, clay, thread, metal, and stone; delicate and substantial; intimate and of grand scale; precious materials, and plain old junk. PNWS members Susan Gallacher-Turner, Bonnie Meltzer, Joni Mitchell, Cynthia Morgan,Teresa Sullivan, Sara Swink and Jill Toberson are participating artists. Twentythree more sculptors are on the tour including the winner of our New Member Award, Andy Paiko and last year s Kimberly Gales Scholarship winner, Maggie Casey. Both young artists are recognized nationally and locally. Andy shatters preconceived notions of glassblowing. He builds glass machines and graceful vessels that make us ponder the nature of objects. Maggie builds volume with hundreds of stretched threads. Mask maker Susan Gallacher-Turner is a digital artist in the most basic way. Her fingers are useful tools for pushing, pulling, and pitching flat copper sheets and metal screening into three dimensions. Traditional repoussé techniques utilize the elastic nature of the copper to create raised surfaces. Simple tools, often from her kitchen utility drawer, which she describes as sticks with different shaped heads, are used when she can t get her fingers into a space or she needs more pointed power. The results are charming sculptural stories of mythical characters, personified animals and creatures from dreams. Joni Mitchell finds the figures in the pieces of stone she carves. The grain and markings of the stone lead her to make a particular turn of a cheek or the curve of a shoulder. She begins with hand chisels and hammers to knock off big pieces of stone then continues with pneumatic and electric tools with diamond blades to shape the work. She returns to hand tools to obtain the final smooth finish. The results are lyrical abstractions of people and animals that appear to grow out of the stone. Tom Soule also uses the subtractive technique of sculpture but only after he laminates planks of wood together. He layers various colors of wood into cantilevered shapes that are vaguely figurative with a feeling of flight. He also carves stone but the long thin wing shapes in his current series would be too fragile in stone. Cynthia Morgan s glass portrait sculptures are made with the ancient Egyptian technique of pate de verre (glass paste). it is a cast glass technique which has similarities to the lost wax process of casting bronze. She begins by sculpting a clay model from which to create a silicon mold which will be used to reproduce another model in foundry wax. The wax model is imbedded in plaster. After she melts the wax out of the plaster Reverse Conrnucopia by Bonnie Meltzer Oh, Really? by Cynthia Morgan mold she can finally pack layers of colored glass powders into the mold which is then fired for three weeks. The last step is the grinding and polishing. She has captured her subjects at exactly the right moment giving the portraits physical and emotional depth.. When Cynthia Morgan describes the glass she uses she referred to forms of sugar. Peggy Alter is a culinary artist who refers to glass blowing to describe her process. She uses a material we all know and love; but not one that is thought of as an art material -- sugar. It would be informative to see how her techniques are similar and different from other ways of sculpting. I have only highlighted a few sculpture techniques here. From the large assortment of PNWS artists and those who are not yet members, you can draw your own conclusions about the commonalities between the various sculpture processes. On the tour you get to discover for yourself the depth and breadth of their subject matter. To go to Portland Open Studios you will need the $15 Tour Guide which comes with 2 tickets good for all days, maps, and artwork pictures. It is available at Art Media, New Seasons and other stores listed on www.portlandopenstudios.com. Children attend free. Lion by Susan Gallacher-Turner Lion by Susan Gallacher-Turner Tumbleweeds by Jill Toberson Dimensions Pacific Northwest Sculptors October November 2009 page 3

Member News Julie Martin Participates in Lake Oswego Gallery Without Walls Julie Martin participated in Lake Oswego s Gallery Without Walls program in August. Her sculpture A Boy and His Dog, a life-size bronze piece, was one of 14 new sculptures on exhibit in Lake Oswego s rotating biannual show. As stated on the descriptive plaque, the sculpture is a tribute to the enduring friendship between children and their pets. View more of Julie s artwork at www.juliemartin.net. A Boy and His Dog by Julie Martin. Joni Mitchell s Work Featured in Three Shows Sequoia Gallery Joni is a member of the Sequoia Gallery located in downtown Hillsboro. Her work in stone was featured during Sept. The show runs through Oct. 3. The gallery is located at 136 SE third. Hillsboro, OR 97123. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10-6. As part of the exhibit Joni gave an artist talk on Thursday, Sept 3. For more information go to www.sequoiagallerystudios.org or www. jonimitchellart.com and click on news. Portland Open Studios Joni will open her studio to the public on Oct 17 and 18 as part of the Portland Open Studios Tour. Reef Keeper by Joni Mitchell www.portlandopenstudios.com (See article on page 3). Primary Elements Gallery On November 6, 7, and 8 Joni will be part of the Stormy Weather Fall show at the Primary Elements Gallery in Cannon Beach Oregon. Devin Laurence Working on Oregon Commissions PNS member Devin Laurence Field is working on five new commissions in Oregon. One of these in the Eugene/Springfield area includes monumental sculptures in stainless steel and glass being built for the new Lane Transit District EmX Gateway extension. The sculptures reflect themes taken from the early history of the Springfield area, will be from 14 16 high and will be illuminated at night using colored LED lighting. In addition to the sculpture just completed for the Capital building of Xinjiang Province in Urumqi, China, Devin is working overseas on sculptures for Ordos, Mongolia and Abu Dhabi, UAE. See Devin s work at www.devinlaurencefield.com. Jim Talt Environmental Art Installed in Newberg Jim s one million cubic meter juried environmental art installation, As Eye See It has been installed on Parrett Mountain in Newberg Oregon. The installation uses As Eye See It by Jim Talt. abstract elements to punctuate five natural forest settings thereby creating environmental vignettes for the viewer s consideration. The goal of As Eye See It is to bring the casual observer to a greater awareness of the natural artistic composition and beauty found in the forest and microenvironments of the Parrett Mountain Farm historical preserve located in Newberg, Oregon. Pictured here is the view through the octagon portal of Heavens. Visitors stand inside the simple 8-foot tall structure. Geometric patterns lead the eyes upward to the octagon opening the underside of which bears the words: We Should Look To The Heavens More Often. Framed in the octagon opening is the kaleidoscope pattern of trees and sky along Dimensions Pacific Northwest Sculptors October November 2009 page 4 with the above reminder that most of us are preoccupied with our eyelevel world. The installation opened on Sept. 19th and is available for viewing year-round, weather permitting. Contact Parrett Mountain Farms at 503 625 6821. Visit www.jimtalt.com for contact info and to view other work by Jim Talt. Dog with Milagros by Sara Swink. Sara Swink in Local Shows Portland Open Studios Ceramic artist Sara Swink is one of several PNWS members participating in Portland Open Studios in October. Sara will open her studio both weekends, October 10 & 11 and 17 & 18, 10 am to 5 pm. For more info, visit www.portlandopenstudios. com. Guardino Gallery Swink will be the featured artist, along with encaustic painter Linda Womack, at Guardino Gallery October 29 November 22. You re invited to drop by the Last Thursday opening October 29, 6 to 9 pm. Visit www.guardinogallery.com. The Arts Center Several of Swink s small shrine pieces will be featured in a show Shrines and Reliquaries and in the retail gallery at The Arts Center in Corvallis. The show, which runs from November 13 to December 12, includes a silent auction of shrines by 100 artists to raise funds for the center. Visit www.theartscenter.net. OCAC Retail Gallery The Holiday Show runs from November 27 to December 23 and will feature ornaments and small works by Swink and many other local artists. Visit www.ocac.edu and look under About OCAC. Correction Our apologies to Denice Sirchie who was not mentioned as one of the artists participating in the Street of Dreams events.

PNWS News PNWS Sculptor s Exchange Did you know PNWS now has an art supply and tools exchange? You now have a place to trade or sell all that stuff cluttering up your studio or loft. It is assumed the art supplies or tools you want to post are in usable and in reasonably good condition. How does it work? Step 1. Send Steve Harris an email at sculptorfarris@gmail.com with a) a brief description of the item and a photo (optional) b) the price, c) contact information (name, address, phone number). You can view your posting at the Sculptor s Exchange link www.sites.google. com/site/sculptorexchange. Step 2. Respond to any inquiries that you get about the item you have posted. Note: it is your responsibility to arrange payment, delivery and transfer of your items. All information on this site is only as accurate as the information received. Let Steve know if you have comments/improvements about your posting. The Sculptor s Exchange link and a preview Member Discounts COLORmation 4488 NW Yeon Ave., Portland 97210 1-800-327-6613 Columbia Art 1515 NE Burnside, Portland 97214 503-232-2216 Georgie s Ceramic and Clay 756 NE Lombard St., Portland 97211 503-283-1383 LASH Quality Molds and Sculpture Supplies 4702 NE 102nd Ave, Portland 97220 503-251-6959 Stan Brown Art and Crafts 13435 NE Whitaker Way, Portland 503-257-0059 Stephenson s Pattern Supply 3223 NW Guam, Portland 97210 503-228-1222 Quimby Welding Supply Locations in NW Portland and Tualatin Irontech Welding and Ind Supply 6417 SE Powell, Portland 97206 503-774-5145 Mail&Ship 14674 SE Sunnyside Rd, Clackamas 503-658-7700 International Sculpture Center isc@sculpture.org www.sculpture.org of what is available on the link will be shown in Carol s regular Call to Artists emails. PNWS Resource Directory Do you have a job or skill (professional or otherwise) that you would like to market through PNWS? Well you can now do that using the PNWS Resource Directory. The PNWS Resource Directory is a listing of what some of us do for a living; what we do on the side as our day jobs. Let s support each other, especially now that the economy begins to get better. A hardcopy of the directory will be available for viewing at each monthly meeting. The link to the directory spreadsheet will be provided in Carol s regular Call to Artists emails. If you have anything to add to this directory, please contact Jill Perry Townsend at Jillperrytownsend@gmail.com PNWS Offers New Category of Membership for Families We have a new category of membership for couples and families. The first membership is the regular price ($55 annually) and the second one half of that. The total amount for a family membership (a couple) will be $82.50. Please indicate on the membership form that it is a family membership and include the second name and email address. Benefits of membership include: Bi-Monthly Dimensions newsletter Invitations to monthly meetings (visit great studios and other places of interest to sculptors) Invitation to yearly picnic Opportunity to participate as a member at respected Northwest art shows Opportunity to show your work and web link on the PNWS website Discounts at sculptor and art supply stores and sources Call to artists email notifications specific to sculptors for local and other competitions and opportunities Membership forms are available on the PNWS website at www.pnwsculptors.org. Welcome New Members! The following artists joined PNWS between May and September. Welcome! Jhaya Worthington bronze, concrete, recycled, and found materials Dan Green metal Ben Dye metal Zelda Weisbart clay Stephan Seable bronze, clay, fiberglass, metal Melody Rasmor wire, welding, mixed media Steve Farris metal Tim Conley stone and bronze Using Podcasts to Promote Your Art Work By Patrick Gracewood The number of skills an artist must acquire to promote their work seems endless. It s not enough to make your sculpture; it s also necessary to promote your art work. That s what was so enjoyable about having PNWS member Susan Gallacher-Turner interview me on what it means to live as a working artist. What began as a casual conversation is now a podcast I can use. It s a wonderful and very useful way to promote your art. A podcast is an interview or program that you can listen to after downloading from the internet. There are three ways to listen to the interview on the website, Voices of Living Creatively. Click the red play button and listen on your computer. Download it directly to your computer. Or download the interview via itunes and listen to it on your ipod. We talked for over an hour about my art and how I ve earned a living as an artist. Susan questioned me about my first art job, what I ve learned from 30 years as a professional sculptor and how that influences my current art. I didn t know what to expect from the interview other than using it to practice talking about my art and myself. Susan and Michael Turner, her collaborator on Voices of Living Creatively, took the interview recording and turned it into a very professional podcast. The podcast and transcribed web article are great ways to promote my art. It was so nice to NOT do all the work myself. If you d like a podcast about your art, check out Voices of Living Creatively. Susan Gallacher-Turner is an artist, writer and teacher. Michael Turner is a writer, professional voice talent and audio producer. Putting their interests and talents together they ve created Voices of Living Creatively to tell the stories, struggles and successes of people who love their work and their lives. Their mission is to listen and learn; then they produce a web article and podcast that an artist can use to promote their art. The stories can be an itunes podcast, or be read on the blog, Voices of Living Creatively, http://voicesoflivingcreatively.blogspot. com and heard on the website, www. voicesoflivingcreatively.com. Susan Gallacher-Turner can be reached at susangt@comcast.net. Patrick s blog spot is located at http://shadowsonstone.blogspot.com. View Patrick s art work at www.gracewoodstudio.com. Contact Patrick at pmg@gracewoodstudio. com. Dimensions Pacific Northwest Sculptors October November 2009 page 5

My Life in Clay, from page 1 to find some thread that ties the work together. In November I will be a featured artist at Guardino Gallery, so I m working with the overarching idea of empowered objects. This includes charms, milagros, fetishes, special hats and objects imbued with magical powers. This body of work will consist mostly of figurative pieces that are engaged with power objects in one way or another. I allow myself a lot of freedom to make whatever I want, but I also try to reign myself in a bit by having a broad theme. When the work is done, I will put together my own little catalog with pictures and write about the work. This is where the meaning of the work in the context of my life is more fully revealed. In terms of the work itself, I think my main objective is to connect deeply to myself. The process of art-making allows an everdeepening connection to a person s core. This is certainly my approach in teaching, too. If someone can work with imagery that has meaning to them, the piece they make can become a symbol that carries their energy and individuality, no matter what their level of technical ability. This is a great starting place, though it is not always easy for students to accept their own work in the early stages. I encourage students to recognize their style and not fight it, but to let it develop. Sara will open her studio for Portland Open Studios two weekends in October and will be a featured artist at Guardino Gallery in Portland from October 29 to November 22. For details, see Member News on page 4, and for more info, visit www.claycircle.com and Sara s blog, www.claycircle.wordpress.com. Charms, 22 x 14 x 10 by Sara Swink. Blog Like Me Progress by Lisa Strout. by Lisa Strout I m pretty familiar with marketing techniques, but I am the first one to admit I m a total technophobe. It s because of that fact I believe I am exactly the right person to suggest you create a blog if I can do it, anyone can. Consider the benefits of blogging: it s an easy, interactive contact with your clients, peers, and fans that doesn t require a subscription (like Facebook); free web presence, and online portfolio. This article is not for early adopters, or even those who jump on the second generation bandwagon I m writing for those of you like me who do their shopping on Christmas Eve who live with a never too late attitude. I started mine because I am a terrific failure at keeping my website updated. That would entail collecting photos and related information and getting all that into the hands of the person who designed my website and doing it on a regular basis. Don t even think about telling me to do it myself (see first sentence). If you re one of the lucky few who can update and maintain their own website and does so religiously, you can probably skip this; but if you need a way to stay current on the web, a blog is the way to go. My website is static and doesn t really say anything about me or my work. My blog, on the other hand, is a much more effective marketing tool I can write about a particular work, explaining my thoughts behind it; everyone knows purchasers of art love a good story. They want to make a connection to you and your work. I ve had people contact me who own a piece of my work just to say they re following what I m doing now. People who ve seen shows I ve been in start to visit the blog to see what I m doing now. That connection is vital. I managed to put up a blog in an afternoon and I can add to it on a regular basis. In addition to the front page, I ve got a gallery page, a page I can list my classes on, shows I m in, and an about the artist page. There are all kinds of pages you can add; mine is definitely a work in progress. The great thing about it is I can do it whenever I have time or something new to add and it s completely FREE. I have had many more people contact me from seeing my blog than I have from website hits. My blog is tied to my LinkedIn profile so my latest blog entry is encapsulated there. I ve had people from my different LinkedIn groups sending me emails about my work (OK so no actual sales yet, but hope springs eternal). There are all kinds of places to sign up; just Google free blog hosting. I only have experience with the Wordpress version of blogging (www.wordpress.com) so I m limited to telling you what it can do. Wordpress takes all the guess work out of the process and pretty much does everything for you: there are templates to choose a theme from; once you ve done that, just follow the easy directions: upload text, photos, and add pages. You can save a draft and publish later in case you aren t quite sure of your content you have time to think about it. It tracks number of visits, lets you approve comments before they show up on your site, tracks spam, and does a host of other things that are probably obvious to most people who do their own websites, but are like manna from heaven to me. As I said, I m still working on mine; I haven t begun to take advantage of all the great ways to improve and utilize my site. Right now, what I ve got works for me, it s manageable, and I actually like doing it. Here are a few marketing pointers to get you started: 1 Don t make your front page too busy. Allow your viewers to focus. 2 Keep your posts brief. Give yourself enough space to say what you want but not too much that people don t visit regularly because it s a time commitment. 3 Ask people to subscribe so they are notified when you post (they don t need a blog to do this). 4 Encourage comments. Feedback allows a dialog. 5 Add taglines to drive traffic to your website. Here s where I need to learn more, but try Google search engine optimization to find ways to attract visitors to your site. 6 Use a free search engine submission service like addme.com Like I said, if I can do it anyone can. By the way, I started this all because of a PNWS meeting I was in with Julian Voss- Andreae and Cynthia Morgan yet another good reason to volunteer the things you learn! View Lisa s website and blog at www.lisastroutstudios.wordpress.com Dimensions Pacific Northwest Sculptors October November 2009 page 6

Offered by PNWS Members Sculpting Classes with Carole Murphy Classes are held at Carole s studio at 1404 SE Stark, Portland, 97214. Classes include absolute beginners up to established artists. All you need to bring is your enthusiasm and play clothes. It s my job to bring out the creative in you and it is your job to relax, play and let the stress and bothers of life float away. You ll be sculpting in an atmosphere that invites laughter and lightness of being and at the same time fosters your creative juices. The media you will be carving in is considered a green building material that begs to be carved; it s a form of aerated cement. The blocks are available for purchase ($25 for a full block) and the tools, patina materials and other sculpting supplies are readily available and included in the class price, (eight weeks of classes, $200.). (There is a sliding scale for those who are looking for a job or have other financial difficulties, just email me.) (Classes that are already running will continue.) Gallery of student s scultpures http://www.carolemurphy.com/ studentgallery.htm Gallery of my sculptures http:// www.carolemurphy.com/ Carole Murphy has taught sculpture for the past 15 years, in art centers and in her private studio both on the east and west coasts. Quotes from Carole s students: She takes care in giving guidance without stifling any creative drive, and she respectfully brings out the best in what you re doing. --Sunny LeGrand I loved the encouragement and advice she provided me with Plus, the material she introduces you to is to die for! Samantha Christie She offers instruction and suggestions as gentle nudges to your own creativity.i am grateful for finding Carole and her studio Jere Fitterman Classes are held on Sunday afternoons, 2:00 to 4:30pm and Tuesday evenings, 6:30 to 9, for the eight-week sessions. 10% off all classes for PNWS members. Cost: $200 plus materials. Phone 503-235-7233, sculptor@carolemurphy.com http://www.teachstreet.com/ teacher/carole-murphy-studio/ reviews-about/2 Classes, Editing and Podcasts with Susan Gallacher-Turner Classes & Workshops Create sculptures and masks using clay, metal and collage. Classes open for children and adults. For more information and locations email susangt@comcast.net or call 503-590-2356. Editing Services for Artists Receive professional help writing or editing your artist statement, website, and brochure or blog copy. See above for Susan s email and phone number. Podcasts for Artists Let your website visitors hear about your art with a professionally produced podcast. Website visitors can listen to an interview with you, hosted by a professional radio talent. Includes interview, audio editing and professional voice over. Classes & Workshops with Sara Swink Creative Process Workshop A great way to start the new year! January 16 17, 10 am 5 pm, West Linn; $150 includes materials. Cultivate connections of vocabulary and style, mine the riches of the unconscious, play and explore, and deepen your artistic practice. Valuable for practicing artists, but no art experience needed. Open Clay Studio, Saturdays, 1 4 pm, West Linn. All levels. For a description, click on Classes at www.claycircle.com. For more info, please email sara_swink@verizon.net or call 503-638-9890. Fire & Earth Annex Available for Classes & Shows The Fire & Earth Art Center is a 1000 sq. ft. space with large windows on two sides. It is located on the corner of SE Division Street and 25th and has great street presence. It s right across the street from Reel em Inn! It is available for rent by the day, evening, or weekend (but not by the hour!) exclusively for artists and sculptors who are either teaching or showing their art. There are easels (20), chairs (18) and tables for flat projects, a model stand and a variety of lighting options. The space is Wi-Fi connected for computer presentations. There is a dedicated restroom and work sink as well as some storage for ongoing class materials. The Earth & Art Center publicizes programs for free on its web site and will link to artist s sites if desired. The space has been used for a variety of Portland Community College classes and is cooperative with other art organizations. Scheduling and pricing information is available through Kirk deford, 503-781- 4956, or kirkdeford@clear.net. Visit www.fireandearth.org. the steel yard Is Ready to Serve Your Needs hours 8 5 Monday Friday 8 12 Saturday Retail and Wholesale Distributors of A Wide Variety of Industrial Products ANGLES CHANNELS FLATS STRIPS ROUNDS SQUARES REBAR EXPANDED GRATING SHEETS PLATES BEAMS SQUARE, ROUND & RECTANGULAR TUBING PIPE MORE! BUY SELL BARTER TRADE CONSIGNMENTS TOO! 6880 NE Columbia Blvd. Portland, OR 97218 Phone (503) 282-9273 P.O. Box 4828 Portland, OR 97208-4828 FAX (503) 282-7490 Interested in advertising in Dimensions? Contact Ad Coordinator John Primeau at (503) 720-0471 or johnprimeau@mac.com Deadline for the Oct-Nov issue is September 1 Dimensions Pacific Northwest Sculptors October November 2009 page 7

PNWS Sculptor Spotlight I am a native Oregonian, and my love of art has been ever present from childhood. I believe art allows entree into heart and home of our fellows. It is truly the tie that binds. I was inspired to create El Paso after sorting through photographs from my grandfather s album -- his travels through El Paso, Texas, in 1905. My sculpture brings to life one of the photographic images he captured during his travel through El Paso. Denice Grace Miller Currently, another one of my bronze sculptures is a juried piece that will be exhibited at the Tarleton State University 13th Annual Juried Rio Brazos Art Exhibition in October. This exhibition is in Granbury, Texas and features artists from across the US. Denice can be reached at www.tarleton. edu/~langdoncenter/rbae. El Paso Bronze, 12 x 6 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd #302 Portland, OR 97214 Bobbie Carlyle s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future. See more of Bobbie s amazing figurative sculpture at http://bobbiecarlylesculpture.com