Featured Monthly Artist at Sandy Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center

Fine Artist and Tualatin resident, Anna Lancaster, will be the featured monthly artist for December at the Sandy Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and Gift Shop from Dec. 1st - 31st. Anna has named her exhibit 'Vibrant Color is Indoor Sunshine'. The artist will be exhibiting her original oil paintings and mixed media paintings. She also will have Giclee' reproductions and note cards available.

The artists' opening will be held during Sandy's First Friday events on December 7th from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.  Please join Anna Lancaster for her artist opening evening as you are taking in many of the festive, holiday events that Sandy businesses participate in during First Friday.

Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

38963 Pioneer Boulevard

Sandy, OR 97055

Phone: (503) 668.4006

Hours: Monday - Sunday from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For further information call, Karey Milne, Office Manager at (503) 668.4006 or contact Anna Lancaster.

Information will also be available at the Sandy Chamber of Commerce website - SandyOregonChamber.org and at the Sandy Chamber of Commerce Facebook page - Facebook.com/SandyOregonChamber

Ballet Folklorico Between Spring Showers by Anna Lancaster

Come see Anna's artistic development as an oil painter of realistic form with a contemporary flair.

Anna Lancaster was born in New Jersey and moved to Oregon in 1991, at the same time she made the decision to shift her career focus from graphic illustration and design to professional fine artist. She enjoys diverse styles of creative expression including portraiture, contemporary and plein air landscape, painting in oils. Anna has expanded her contemporary art to include vibrant mixed media using watercolor, soft pastel, oil impasto and acrylics. Anna identifies herself as a, “Beautiful Art Revivalist.” She markets her work under the auspices of her company, Anna Lancaster Fine Art. She has sold and exhibited in Oregon since 1995. Anna works and resides with her family in Tualatin, Oregon.

The artist’s vibrant contemporary portraits, landscapes, seascapes and still life reflect the influence of her Oregon experience. Anna was originally trained in traditional realism, a style which she often returns to for her commissioned portraits. The artist began developing her vibrant, highly textured style from her experience as a regular exhibiting artist of both Onda Galleries in Lake Oswego and on Alberta Street, Portland.

Her area gallery associations include exhibitions at such as the former Onda Galleries; Forever Art in the Pearl; the Gresham Visual Arts Gallery in Gresham where she has received this year’s Mayor’s Choice award for her mixed media piece Warm Gathering and the Juror’s Choice award for her oil painting Cannon Beach Evening Sentinels during the Gresham Arts Committee Annual Juried Exhibition.  Anna is also a member and regular exhibitor at the Emerald Art Center in Spring Field, Oregon.

She has regularly exhibited in area art fairs and festivals including, The Lake Oswego Arts & Crafts show at George Rogers Park, Willamette Festival of the Arts at Willamette Park, Tualatin Art Splash at the Tualatin Commons, the former Tualatin Studio Tour, Washington County Artist Studio Tour and the Christmas and Spring in the Country Bazaars at the Clackamas county Fair Grounds.

Recently, Anna has directed her observational painting skills as a member of the Clackamas County Plein Air Painters. She has fallen in love with many of the breathtaking scenic opportunities of the Oregon landscape including the spectacular views approaching Mount Hood and on the Oregon Coast. Participating in local plein air painting challenges and venues has become a regular discipline for the artist.

Walters Cultural Arts Center Exhibit & Reception

Anna Lancaster was one of the forty-one artists who participated in the 6th Annual Hillsboro Plein Air Competition this September, painting the landscapes of Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, the city scenes of downtown Hillsboro and the scenic views of the Ardiri Winery & Vineyards.

Join us for an Artist's Reception and Exhibit at the Walters Cultural Arts Center on October 2 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM to celebrate the amazing works created during the competition. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Claeys Catering and Songwriters in the Round will provide an acoustic music showcase featuring instructors and staff from Five Star Guitars playing original compositions and telling the stories behind the music.

The exhibit will run through October 30.  The galleries are open Monday - Thursday from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Friday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The Walters Cultural Arts Center is located at 527 East Main Street, just two blocks off the MAX Blue line in historic downtown Hillsboro. For further information, call (503) 615.3485.

Below is a visual timeline of Anna's participation in the competition, from start to finish on her piece titled, Sentimental Reflections.

Anna Lancaster sketching thumb nails for painting

Day 15

Day 16

Day 18

Day 19

Final Result - Sentimental Reflections Hillsboro Jackson Bottom en Plein Air

Sentimental Sunset - Myrtle Beach SOLD

The interest for Sentimental Sunset - Myrtle Beach and Cannon Beach Sentinels was generated by the website.  My purchaser saw my exhibit at Sweetwater Farm Furniture, Googled me, saw those two paintings and purchased them.

Sentimental Sunset - Myrtle Beach : SOLD

Spring Art Exhibition at the Purest Cafe

Anna Lancaster is participating in the Spring Art Exhibition at the Purest Cafe.  Those who love to visit Saturday Market in Portland, Purest Cafe is just 2 blocks from the Portland Waterfront.

Visit at 115 SW Ash Street, Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97204
More info online at https://www.facebook.com/purestcafe.pdx?ref=ts

Drop that Pulls the Waterfall by Anna Lancaster

June Artist of the Month, Martinazzi Starbucks

Anna Lancaster will be the June Artist of the Month at the Martinazzi Starbucks.  Starting June 1 - 30, 2012 during regular store hours of 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM.

Located at 19321 SW Martinazzi Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062. Anna will be exhibiting her new abstract works.  Hope you can venture into the dining area when getting your favorite Starbucks delight.

(503) 612-1614 ext. 7762 | www.starbucks.com/store/7762

Mossy Cavern by Anna Lancaster

1st Thursday in the Pearl, June 7th

For any of my friends who enjoy 1st Thursday Art walks in the Pearl.

I will be again participating in the June 7th, 1st Thursday in the Pearl with 30 pieces of art in the art gallery space of Sweetwater Farm Furniture, located at 1400 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209.

The Artists Receptions starts at 7:00 PM. Food, fun & DJ music.  Anna's exhibition of 30 contemporary and traditional paintings is ongoing as a regular featured artist. Many talented Portland area 2D & 3D artists are on exhibition, as well as, traditional to MCM, original furniture made by independent Oregon furniture makers; including original home decor items such as lamps and pottery made by Oregon craftsmen.

If you don't usually attend the 1st Thursday events but work in Portland within convenient travel of the Pearl District, my work will continue to be exhibited as a regular featured artist at Sweetwater Farm Furniture Gallery throughout the year.  Store hours are Monday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Floppy Roses by Anna Lancaster

The Emerald Spring Exhibition 2012

“Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” by Anna Lancaster

Exciting news for this month, my painting “Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” was accepted into The Emerald Spring Exhibition 2012. This work was completed in 2011 and is an 18x 24 oil impasto on canvas.

This year’s Emerald Gallery Spring Exhibition runs from May 1st to June 1st, 2012. The Juror for this show is award winning Pastel Artist, Dawn Emerson of Terrebonne, Oregon. The artists reception is at the Emerald Gallery on Saturday, May 5th 5:30-7:30pm

The Emerald Art Center is located at 500 Main Street, Springfield, Oregon, 97477. Their contact phone number is 541-726-8595. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm.

The Emerald Art Center Juried Spring Exhibition presents a challenge to area artists to strive for excellence through competition and by experiencing the works of other artists. The Emerald Spring Juried Art Exhibition is held each May. Emerald Art Center exhibits 50-60 juried art pieces selected from over 300 entries submitted from across the United States. This program expands the horizons of area artists and residents, giving them the opportunity to view quality fine art on a broad scale from artists around the country, while bringing national recognition to Springfield. Generous award donations from center supporters make this exhibition very popular with national artists; a night mare for the Juror but very exciting for Oregon local artists who are chosen to participate.

The idea for, “Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” was conceived at the first Wilsonville Festival of the Arts in 2004. It depicts a 'Ballet Folklórico' dance troop that valiantly performed despite Oregon’s predictably, unpredictable spring weather. It was one of the first times I participated in an outdoor art fair in the Oregon area. As I recall, it was a cool and rainy June exhibit. The dance troop was determined to perform. They raced in and out from a canopy as occasional sun brakes interrupted the rain. It was a breath taking sight to see the beautiful colors reflecting from the wet macadam beneath the dancer’s feet as they excitedly moved through their choreographed traditional numbers. The dancers looked as though their ages ranged from grade school through high school. The kids were having a blast at the challenge of completing a dance. It was like the sun was shy invited dancer who kept changing his mind and leaving the dance floor before for the music stopped.

It was one of those days that exemplified my dad’s favorite saying, “The best camera you can own is the one you have with you when that unforgettable moment presents its self.” I had forgotten mine. I agonized as the beautiful moment passed and I was unable to capture it in pictures. In 2010, I participated in the Silverton Festival of the Arts. Thankfully I did have my camera that weekend when a Ballet Folklórico troop shared their traditions of Mexican dance. I must have taken 100 pictures of the different routines and beautiful folk costumes. I finally had the photo reference material to express the beauty I saw in 2004. I have several paintings in progress from that photo shoot. “Ballet Folklórico Between Spring Showers” is my first completed work from those images I took in Silverton.

Wikipedia states that Ballet Folklórico de México is a folkloric ballet ensemble in Mexico City. For five decades it has presented dances in costumes that reflect the traditional culture of Mexico. The Mexico City ensemble has appeared under the name, Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández. The women usually go bare foot while dancing. The ballet works and musical pieces reflect various regions and folk music genres of Mexico. Many of the ensemble's works reflect the traditions of indigenous Mesoamerican culture.

Emerald Art Center always do such a nice job, I’ve made it in twice over the past 10 years. It’s always an honor and exciting pleasure to participate.

New Acrylic Painting Workshops @ Oregon City Michael's



Our November Sea Scape Project

My Display for December's Painting Demonstration

If you are out and about on Saturday afternoon in Oregon City, I will be demonstrating acrylic painting  with Grumbacher Acrylic paints and medium at the Oregon City Michaels from 1-3 PM to promote my weekly Acrylic Painting Workshops.

 “Acrylic Painting!” you ask? Yes, here I am, an oil painter of 20 plus years teaching an acrylics painting class. The economy plus a personal desire to explore the medium for plein air reasons have urged me to jump at a job opening for a Michael’s Associate /Grumbacher- Chartpack Acrylics Painting Instructor for the Oregon City Michaels.

My new job as an acrylics instructor has proven to be both fun and profitable. Thank you Lord. I hope some of my friends who have asked when I would start teaching again because of their interest in lessons will try out f my workshops. Classes are weekly, Wednesday nights, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Further information about the workshops is available at my website. AnnaLancasterFineArt.com

Do I have some concerns as a long time oil painter? Initially yes,  so  I did some research. For the saved expenses on supplies I find some very nice satisfying results. Here are some interesting facts about acrylic paints. Much of this information is from an excellent article Golden paints published a great e-article on their website about the durability and properties of oil and acrylic paints. Here are the links to that original information.

http://www.goldenpaints.com/technicaldata/faq/i_prod.php

http://www.goldenpaints.com/justpaint/jp12article1.php

Now as a Grumbacher Acrylic Painting instructor, I feel the need to recues myself of a conflict of interest. I’m not intentionally promoting Golden Acrylics over Grumbacher Acrylics but I need to give credit about where I found the information

Acrylics are a very durable medium. They don’t have the same proven track record because they were developed in the last century during WWII. The technology has not been around as long as the technology of oil based paints so there is no real time observation of how acrylic paints hold up beyond 70 years. There are ways of lab testing all painting medium for UV exposure, heat, cold, elements and moisture. Acrylic and oils both hold up well in those conditions. An exception is how acrylic paints hold up in extreme cold which can affect their ability to setup and cure when they have warmed again. Acrylics dry so quickly, you wouldn’t be refrigerating or freezing the paint to continue work with the same pallet as you would with an oil pallet. My guess is that you wouldn’t want to plein air paint with acrylics in a snow storm.

I read in American Artist you shouldn’t freeze your oil paint because it could affect the adherence but I’ve oil painted for 30 years, freezing my oil pallets and my oldest paintings look as beautiful as the day I finished them. But I guess in 130 years I may retract that assertion; )

Only time can be the real judge. Oil paintings that are several centuries have shown that elements can cause oil paint to crack over time as the paint becomes more brittle and looses ability to adhere to the painting surface. In laboratory testing, acrylic paint surfaces where found to be more porous than oils and subject to absorbing dirt in ways that oils are not. Time will reveal if that will affect the paints durability.

When it comes to how you prime your canvas for oil painting there are definitely some issues of acrylic vs. oil. Oil priming with ground for oil painting allows for both chemical and physical bonding to take place so an oil primed canvas is more stable for oil painting than an acrylic gessoed canvas. Only a physical bond can take place between oil paint and acrylic gesso.

Linen is less subject to rot than cotton duck canvas. So your most stable surface to paint oils on is a linen canvas primed with lean oil based primer with ground as opposed to acrylic, water based gesso with ground.

For my plein air painting friends, If you use acrylic as your under painting, you’ve got to first coat the under painting with mat medium or even better, clear acrylic gesso that dries semi transparent but has more ground than acrylic mat medium. Just acrylic paint from the tube will dry to slick for a physical bond to take place between the oil and acrylic. Clear gesso does cloud the color which defeats the purpose of the under painting, in my opinion so personally I would opt for the acrylic mat medium for oil glaze over the acrylic. If the under painting is a layout for oil impasto, I would use the clear gesso because of the increased amount of ground.

I currently don’t use the medium of acrylic for my under paintings. I only combine medium for my specific mixed media pieces which are a whole different animal. For now, I’m content to keep my oil paintings pure oil and my acrylic paintings pure acrylic.

Our 1st Landscape Project