Summer is coming- and I am excited about more time in the studio!

I am trying some new things or a shift in direction. Here are a few of my recent explorations. I am excited about changing my palette and combining object intuitively in a surreal way.
maybe that is not so new to me.

Trying new ideas:

unfinished, but....

just begun....but something in it is where I want to be, or begin looking!

Just hung the show and it is packed with paintings.
Loren Hillman is a "scenic artist" who has worked on many films (the Matrix!) and at ILM and Leika, and at PCS and theatrical productions in town.
Guenivere is a professional artist who has shown her paintings more outside of Oregon than in our state.
Loren re-named the show:
3 Women Who Paint

I think that best describes us.
Come.

February Show - ArtReach Gallery

Through some good fortune, the three of us were invited to show at the ArtReach Gallery.

Its a busy time of year, work-wise, but a nice opportunity to put our paintings on display.
Please come see the work and join us for a Opening Reception- this thursday 2/5 @ 5:00-7:00pm.

February 2015 - Intersections featuring the work Loren Hillman, Nancy Helmsworth, and Guenevere Schwien
For the month of February, the ArtReach Gallery will feature the work of Loren Hillman, Nancy Helmsworth, and Guenevere Schwien. Three Portland artist have come together to share their unique exploration of the world around them. Each collection is individual and full of self expression. This is an opportunity to see a cross section of local paintings ranging from still life, figurative and narrative. The opening reception is Thursday, February 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. 

http://www.uccportland.org/artreach

ArtReach Gallery

Regular Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

First Congregational United Church of Christ
1126 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR

Lots coming up.
I have been working as my teaching schedule permits, in my studio with the goal of taking the next step with my work. My process has been to create a landscape with paint and have one central object/shape/structure added by collage. I then go back into the piece with paint or drawing and add the details to pull it all together.
My plan is to enlarge these into paintings, but that will come later, maybe in the summer. Right now is the time to explore a variety of possibilities or iterations.

Here are some informal pics of the new work.

Coming in February
Painting show, with two other painters at ArtReach gallery in downtown Portland.

Here are some new pieces. They represent an interesting direction I am exploring along with my regular painting.
It began when I had made a background as a first step with my painting and when I looked at what I made, I was so excited to create a scene on it, but was unable to commit to just one direction/solution.

So I had the painting photographed and made into a giclee print. On those "prints" I continued to paint and complete the work. That way, I am able to explore additional ideas.

I did this process with a waterfall background and also with the last painting of my "Scaffold series."
(Speaking of which, the "Yellow Scaffold" will be on display at the BAM, the Beaverton Arts Mix, Opening on 10/4, BAM information )

Here are a few examples of my new endeavor.

The show has closed.

Yet there is more work to photograph or get photographed, so the "work" continues.

That is one of the great things about having a life committed to making art....the "factory" (me) doesn't shut down.
Is that good or bad?
hmmmmmmm

A Narrative of Exploration -

The show with Owen Premore is a good looking combination of art!
My paintings and his kinetic, interactive sculptures look like they may have come from the same world.
(Actually I would like to include the image of some of his pieces in my paintings.)

Please make time to see the show.

Here are some photos and video I took today of our work.