Rethinking Balch Creek, closes today 12/2/23.

 Thanks Gallery 114 for the opportunity to put up a comprehensive exhibit featuring the Balch Creek as it flows along Lower Macleay Trail. And for the chance to talk about the renaming effort about the creek.

Simple version: Dan Balch was a white colonizer who was given his land for free during the period of 1850-1855, when the US Government was trying to get the land settled by White Men as they actively displaced the Native People. The stealing and redistribution of the land was through the system of the Donation Land Act.

Anyway here is a link to a more fleshed out explanation:

 

But as the exhibit images may be removed soon, I wanted folks to see the paintings.

Can you really enforce a boundary on flowing water? acrylic on panel, 36" x48"

 

Flowing dipping and spraying over the basalt, acrylic on panel, 30" x 30"

Next to the rush, quiet pools may form, acrylic on panel, 36"x36"

Catching the rush, turning the corner, slowing the pace, acrylic on panel, 36" x36"

Towering trees tumble, acrylic on panel, 30"x30"

The creek narrows and picks up speed, acrylic on panel, 24"x24"

The engineered disappearance of a living creek, acrylic on panel, 30"x30"

Map of Balch Creek and surrounding area, mixed media, acrylic on panel, nails, thread, key tags, 10'x6'

keep it simple - Come purchase from REAL ARTISTS.

 

This 2 day sale is an AWESOME opportunity to snag some quality gifts for someone you love...who may be yourself ;)

The regular show continues for 2 more weeks - but this 2 Day Event - is popped in as an gift-purchasing, special opportunity.

the MAP

 So fun and a very different kind of exercise for me to make a map of NW Portland to show the area when Dan Balch was given land for his homestead.

With the Donation Land Act, the US government gave Dan Balch the land for FREE, that is after the government rounded up the native people and moved them off the land and into internment camps.

Here is a link to the information - brief history of Balch Creek area.

 

come and get an explanation!

 

mark your calendars - please

 

"Rethinking Balch Creek" - November 2nd - December 2nd 2023, at Gallery 114

 You all better SAVE THE DATE...please

I am now a member of an artist collective, Gallery 114 (well I joined them about 1 year ago), and I will be having my first show during the month of November - 2023!

My work is almost complete and ready to hang. I have been painting and sealing frames all week, while I let the last piece in the show, simmer. I'll recheck it Monday, to decide if it is finished.

My choice to focus on Balch Creek in Portland Oregon has led me to an unexpected effort to have the name of the creek changed. This effort has spurred me to read about the history of the area, and sadly, there is not as much information as is appropriate about the Indigenous people who were here FIRST for 16,000 years or longer.

Anyway - I will be writing more.

I have invited 2 of my favorite artists to join me in the exhibit:

Doug Anderson of Hillsboro, Or and Shelly Fredenberg of Eugene, OR.

I know for a fact that our work will play off each other and harmonize!

Here is a sneek-peek.

Symbiotic Union - by Doug Anderson

untitled_1 by Shelly Fredenberg

 

Flowing, dipping and spraying over the basalt - Nancy Helmsworth