Category Archives: Exhibitions

“Going on Record” show is up!

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This morning, bright dark and early, several members of Westside ArtShare hung almost 50 pieces of art at Insomnia Coffee Co. (5389 W Baseline Rd, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123). All of the art is created on old vinyl LPs. It was so much fun to see what people did with them, and the variety of styles. Each piece will sell for $85.

Right after we put the show up, one of my paintings sold! That’s an exciting way to start off.

Come and see the artists and the art at our reception on Tuesday, October 4 from 6:30 to 8.

artshare-going-on-record-flyer

Are you coming to the show on Saturday?

Affordable Art collage

This collage shows only a tiny fraction of the wonderful art that will be available at Affordable Art for Everyone this Saturday, September 24, at the Washington County Fair Complex.

I’m honored to be working with these artists and to see the amazing reaction to the show–and it hasn’t even happened yet! I’m so excited I’ve been losing sleep, but it’s only two days away now. Hope to see you there!

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11 days left!

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It’s been a whirlwind around here as I get ready for the event. This has been such a learning experience. I’ve worked on graphic design, lined up sponsors, placed ads in local publications, promoted on social media, and probably dozens more things in addition to getting the artists situated.

All of the hard work is so worth it. As the day gets closer, I’m getting butterflies envisioning the booths all set up. Last year it was amazing to see the artists arrive and to see the variety of work that they brought, and I can hardly wait to see this year’s show!

Details are on our website and I’ve also been posting sneak previews of the art daily on our Facebook page.

Remember when I said I entered the Lake Oswego festival?

With some of my paintings at the Open Show of the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts.

With some of my paintings at the Open Show of the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts.

“Rumpelstiltskin” won an award and “No More Candy.” found a new home. What a good day at the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts!

It’s an amazing show. I had so much fun walking around recognizing work by familiar artists and finding new ones to look up when I got home. Definitely worth a trip this weekend!

Lake Oswego Festival

Lisa Griffen, "No More Candy." Mixed media on 16x20" canvas.

Lisa Griffen, “No More Candy.” Mixed media on 16×20″ canvas.

I finished this painting on Thursday and dropped it off yesterday, along with 5 others, for the 53rd Annual Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts that takes place next weekend (June 24-26). This is my first time doing the Open Show at the festival. I’m excited about entering my paintings in such a big show that gets over 20,000 visitors. Standing in the long line to drop off art, I was looking at the beautiful florals and landscapes around me and thinking my art would definitely stand out–hopefully in a good way.

When I got home, one of the show volunteers had written me to say that he was glad to see my work there and that photos online don’t do my paintings justice. That made my night!

Rumpelstiltskin is my name

What a fun, energetic reception! The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale show opened tonight at the Portland’5 Center for the Arts, where it will be on view until the end of May. I’m honored to be included in this show, especially now that I’ve seen the other art. So many fascinating and beautiful interpretations of these stories, including some of the lesser-known tales. It’s worth a look so if you’re in the area, stop in and check it out!

"Rumpelstiltskin," by Lisa Griffen. Mixed media outsider art painting on 20x16" canvas. Currently available at Portland'5 Center for the Arts.

“Rumpelstiltskin,” by Lisa Griffen. Mixed media outsider art painting on 20×16″ canvas. Currently available at Portland’5 Center for the Arts.

Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Art Show

When I was a kid I read every fairy tale book at our small-town library, so it’s exciting to be accepted into this show. The library was in a historic building in the Sonoma plaza and I still remember being 8 years old, going downstairs to the kids’ room, smelling the deliciously musty scent of old books, and hearing the cellophane covers crinkle as I opened them. The stories inside made a big impression on my young imagination.

Portland artist Kelly Williams came up with this evocative theme and is curating. She’s chosen a great group of artists and I can’t wait to see how everyone interprets the various stories. I think I’ll keep my painting under wraps until the opening. The show is at the Portland’5 Center for the Arts. It opens with a reception the evening of April 7 and runs through the end of May. Definitely worth checking out!

Affordable Art for Everyone

Affordable Art logo

It feels like I’ve been waiting for ages to open the applications for this year’s Affordable Art show, but today’s the day! All the ducks are in a row and the application info is polished up. I’m thrilled that people had already started to apply by noon today! As artists start submitting images, I can imagine the event taking shape. It’s gonna be a good one!

Humphrey

Lisa Griffen, Humphrey, mixed media on 8x8" wood.

Lisa Griffen, Humphrey, mixed media on 8×8″ wood.

This is one of my paintings that sold at the Big 500 show at People’s Art in Portland. The show ran from mid-December to mid-January and eight of my ten paintings sold. I heard from several artist friends who had similar results, so it seems like it was a very successful show this year!

Old Soul

Lisa Griffen, Old Soul, mixed media on 8x8" wood.

Lisa Griffen, Old Soul, mixed media on 8×8″ wood.

This is the fourth of my ten paintings for the Big 500 show at Peoples Art in Portland. There was about half a day when I considered painting over the figure that was emerging in this painting but I kept going with it and I love the way it turned out.

Sunday was the deadline so my paintings are all turned in. This is my third year doing this show and it now feels like an annual tradition: get the Big 500 paintings done and then the holiday season really starts!