The Art of Compromise

This month’s post was contributed by Waterstone Gallery.

Waterstone Gallery is turning 20! That means twenty years of dedication to artmaking, twenty years of sharing our passion for art with the Portland community, twenty years of fostering that passion in the next generation of young artists at schools from kindergarten through university, and twenty years of combining the diverse visions of 16 individual artists into one harmonious whole.

Waterstone is proud to be a cooperative gallery owned and operated by its artist-members. In our society, too often people confuse the Art of Compromise with a lack of conviction or purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth.  It takes a tremendous amount of conviction to work together towards a common goal. It also takes the skills of listening, talking clearly to articulate your point, and accepting the good faith of someone with an opposing point of view. The creativity needed to bring about consensus in a large group is every bit as powerful as the creativity it takes to bring a work of art into being. A group of people working together IS a work of art.

FROELICK GALLERY “Pops Up” in Palm Springs!

This month’s post was contributed by Froelick Gallery.

One of the main objectives of the PADA galleries is to promote their represented artists for long-term success. There are several goals that these galleries pursue for their artists such as inclusion in prestigious public exhibitions and collections, published essays about the work, and a broad base of sales. Hometown support for an artist’s career is crucial, but to ensure vibrant, long-term success they must have patronage from other parts of the globe. Thus the agenda is to show our artists’ work to known art collectors, curators, writers, and the general public. The more eyes on the work – the better!

In an effort to connect with new audiences, we are always looking for opportunities to expand our reach in the most appropriate way. In 2010, walking around downtown, or reading business journals, it was hard not to notice the number of retail shops and restaurants “popping up” for short periods in vacant spaces from Portland to New York. Froelick Gallery invests heavily in promoting its artists work to curators around the country, but what if we had a “pop up” location in an entirely different city? It would have to be a place known to art collectors, where people could casually stroll in and see a strong selection of our artists work.

Report from Miami

Contributed by Elizabeth Leach Gallery.

For all the people out there who enjoy First Thursday and other gallery and art tours, you may consider attending an art fair as the next step toward immersing yourself in art.  Art fairs are a great way to see a lot of diverse art in a short time.  For several years there was even a Portland-based art fair called The Affair at the Jupiter Hotel which brought galleries from up and down the West Coast and collectors from as far away as Atlanta, Georgia, to Portland each September.

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How and Why to Frame Artwork Archivally (Even if it Costs More)

The PADA November blog features an article contributed by Augen Gallery.

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.” -Leonardo da Vinci

Sometimes it seems a frame is like a vise around an artwork, forcing it into a finished state with shapes and colors and textures foreign to it. But then again, sometimes a great frame can undeniably add to an artwork’s impact. A great frame can offer positives like boundaries, protection, and enhancement; it can act as a decorative bridge to the environment the artwork lives in. And sometimes most importantly, it can protect the artwork’s impact and value for decades to come. Making the best framing choices starts with an overview of the broad range of framing materials and styles, herewith, some thoughts on frames and framing. Be sure to consult a PADA member gallery with any specific framing questions or requests you may have.

Thinking Outside the Wall Part Two: Technology, Space, and the Great Outdoors

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Thinking Outside the Wall Part One: Dynamic Domesticity

Whether your space is at a premium or you have simply filled your walls with art already, it may seem like there’s no room left in your home or office to add to your collection. The truth is, there are surfaces, rooms, nooks, and crannies everywhere that can accommodate lovely pieces, if you can make the leap to think beyond two-dimensional, framed work. As you can tell by this selection of artist books, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and architectural commissions on view in this article, PADA galleries are full of objects that elevate the comforts of home with conceptual twists. Read on for even more inspiration!

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Answering a PADA FAQ: Getting Your Art Noticed- How To Get Your Work Into Art Galleries

This guest post by Stacy Teller originally appeared on the 23Sandy Gallery Blog. 

Image courtesy of uphill.com

One of the big questions on every artist’s mind is: how do I approach an art gallery with my artwork? All galleries have different ways of finding new artists to add to their rosters, so this can be a tricky question. This article will give you some ideas on how to get the gallery attention your art deserves.

Changes are Afoot

If you’ve visited the PADA Blog in the past you might notice that things look a little different around here. PADA is thrilled to announce that their updated branding coincides with a newly expanded alliance with Portland Art Focus! The most tangible impact of this will be the monthly Portland Art publication, which contains a comprehensive exhibition guide-map featuring the most dynamic museums, nonprofits, and commercial and academic galleries in Portland.

Portland Photo Month is Here!

Ultimately, Photography is subversive, not when it frightens, repels, or even stigmatizes, but when it is pensive, when it thinks. – Roland Barthes

Photolucida‘s bi-annual portfolio reviews festival might only last three days, but all of April presents a feast for Portland’s photography lovers. The lectures, gallery walks, and reviews themselves, where a plethora of mid-career artists gather to network and receive feedback, are just the tip of the iceberg. Galleries all over the city are exhibiting photography this month- maybe you saw some on First Thursday! The PADA galleries are offering an incredible array of landscapes, portraits, documentaries, narratives, and processes. Take a look:

Answering a PADA FAQ: Can I commission artworks and special projects from artists through a gallery?

The short answer is YES. While individual gallery policies vary, most will work with you to realize your dream. Below, Jamie Truppi of Bullseye shows some examples of the myriad possibilities for collaborations between client, artist, and gallery.

There are many artists, in all mediums, who will take commissions for fine art to fit the parameters of your home or business. Feeling inspired? Consult with your favorite PADA member gallery to see what you can make a reality.