Tag Archives: painting

Art Fest

Art Fest is coming soon! This Saturday, July 11, members of the The Green Cab artists’ group will be showing art, talking art and making art at the studio of Helvi Smith in Forest Grove.

We’ll be there from 10 am to 4 pm, counting our blessings that the temperature is only supposed to be 81 instead of the 90+ temperatures we’ve had for the past couple of weeks.

I hear the Artosaur, my friend Christine’s latest project (because who doesn’t need a 6 foot sculpture of a T Rex to scope out art events around town?!) will be there too.

Visitor from the Dreamtime

Lisa Griffen, Visitor from the Dreamtime, acrylic and ink on 18x24" canvas.

Lisa Griffen, Visitor from the Dreamtime, acrylic and ink on 18×24″ canvas.

I watched the movie Tracks on Netflix. It’s about Robin Davidson’s solo trek across the Australian desert in the 1970s. Then I read her book, which gave a lot more detail, especially about the Aboriginal people she met along her way. That got me interested in reading about the spirituality of indigenous Australians. I’m especially intrigued by the Creation stories about the Dreamtime.

A few days after I finished all that reading, this figure showed up in my painting, clearly emerging from those explorations.

Art Challenge

Simon. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

Simon. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

These are my black, white and red paintings for the 6th Annual Art Challenge at Village Gallery. I’m glad I chose to use these colors and I like the way the paintings turned out. The photos look a little fuzzy for some reason but they’re bright and sharp in person.

The reception is tomorrow from 2-4 pm. It’s going to be a fun reception with a good crowd, so if you’re in the area, stop by and see us!

Bertrand. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

Bertrand. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

George. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

George. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

Francois. Mixed media on 6x6" canvas.

Francois. Mixed media on 6×6″ canvas.

Cat and Kittens

This painting is a little different– the colors are more muted than my usual palette, there’s more going on in the background, and it has three figures instead of one. I’m happy with the subdued colored and the rawness of the mother cat. I’m also happy that it sold the day after I posted it on Facebook!

Cat and Kittens, mixed media 20x16". Sold.

Cat and Kittens, mixed media 20×16″. Sold.

Painting outside

We’ve been having the nicest spring I can remember in 24 years of living in the Portland area. Yesterday I was in the studio looking at the sunshine outside and realized I could be painting out there! I didn’t even want to take the time to set up an easel. I grabbed a big canvas I’ve been working on and propped it on the chairs from the studio. It was so good to paint with the sun warm on my back. I’ll be doing more of this for sure. Though next time I may need to get some sawhorses or a table–something more stable than the chair method.
Painting in the backyard

Wheeee!

Here’s a new little painting. Maybe I shouldn’t call it new…the dog started to emerge back in July. Then he hung around the studio, frozen in his downhill race, until I finished him up this week.

Original outsider art painting, mixed media on 14x11" canvas. $90.

Original outsider art painting, mixed media on 14×11″ canvas. $90.

Love of Portland

Lisa Griffen, Opening Doors. mixed media on 20x20" canvas.

Lisa Griffen, Opening Doors. mixed media on 20×20″ canvas.

Today I dropped off these two new paintings at People’s Art in Pioneer Place for their annual Love of Portland show. This is the third time I’ve participated and I’m happy to be involved. The show opens with a reception/birthday party for the organizers on February 21.

Lisa Griffen, Not the Boss of Me. mixed media on 16x20" canvas.

Lisa Griffen, Not the Boss of Me. mixed media on 16×20″ canvas.

And now for something completely different

Lisa Griffen, Artic Sea. acrylic and oil pastel on 20x24" canvas.

Lisa Griffen, Artic Sea. acrylic and oil pastel on 20×24″ canvas.

This year I want to slow down a little bit on my exhibition schedule and spend more time experimenting and exploring. This painting is one where I tried some different techniques. I had a lot of fun with it and I’m happy with the result.

As the description says, I recently read In the Kingdom of Ice. It’s about 19th century explorers’ attempts to read the North Pole. The book is full of reverent descriptions of Artic conditions, the strange lighting effects and weird weather and the feeling of being in awe of nature.

Sold

Lisa Griffen, Fighting Words. mixed media on 8x8" wood. Sold.

Lisa Griffen, Fighting Words. mixed media on 8×8″ wood. Sold.

The Big 500 show wrapped up this week and I found out these two paintings sold! I’ve sold quite a few paintings by now but I still get excited every time someone buys one, and I always wonder who it was who made that connection with the art. It’s a good feeling to know they’re out there in the world.

Lisa Griffen, Snarky the Cat. mixed media on 8x8" wood. Sold.

Lisa Griffen, Snarky the Cat. mixed media on 8×8″ wood. Sold.