AUGUST 2012

We held an open gallery day in mid August. Taking the curatorial theme of “summer”, the colorful, lively show was engaging for kids, as well as ‘serious’ collectors, friends, artists and lots of other folks who simply love to explore new art.

Ice cream, island berries and Sauvie Island iced coffee kept visitors nourished while checking out the grounds and all of the artwork.

This ‘PDX creative’ owns a well-kept classic mid-century home that sits amid the tees and ivy in a forest-like yard. He has carefully selected each object in his home and his great taste shows. We knew that each original piece would affect the whole space, we spent time with each work in his home.

We have helped this emerging collector discover & integrate two fabulous cornerstone pieces.

[Show as slideshow]

JUNE 2012

Attending the 2012 Ford Family Foundation’s Hallie Ford Awards on Thursday evening was a totally enlivening experience. Held at Weiden+Kennedy Headquarters, this is the third year $25,000 unrestricted awards were given to three jury-selected “Oregon visual artists and their exploration, conceptualization, production, exhibition and documentation of new work”.

As an attendee, I experienced an electricity in the air that is hard to describe. The folks that came out to honor the recipients were the leaders and advocates in the arts from Portland and around the state. The attendees and their enthusiasm is indicative of the importance of this award to the state, the artists and to everyone their art touches.

I personally, deeply appreciate that by giving the gift of unrestricted funds, the Foundation also gives the opportunity to these artists to practice full self expression to create the most authentic work possible… How rare it is that an artist can truly set aside objectives, fiscal or otherwise, to focus purely on the act of art-making.

My own curating, art match-making and art/design integration work is rooted in my belief in the value of authentically created work. I search for artists who are working from their spirit, rather than with a commercial intention or more production-oriented approach.

On Thursday, the attention was on three remarkable artists with the intention of honoring and supporting that sense of self and a unique perspective.

Presenter Norman J. Smith, President of the Family Ford Foundation, recognized Michelle Ross, Ellen Lesperance and Akihiko Miyoshi with honors. All three artists are in education, serving on the faculties of the Pacific Northwest College of Art, Reed College and the Oregon College of Art & Craft, respectively. They were selected out of a field of 182 applicants from across Oregon.

JUNE 2012

More nature came calling inside the gallery today. Actually, a lot of dragonflies seem to be finding their way to my desk.
This one accepted a ride to the door on my finger.

JUNE 2012

What a beautiful day for a flow of people though the new gallery space.

The sun came out, birds were chirping away and even a lamb escaped the fence for added entertainment.

Thank you for all who came out and shared your interest and appreciation for original art. We appreciate the commpliments and admiration in the for breadth and depth of the collection of works and the new space.

MAY 2012

Heidi McBride Gallery & Art Consultancy presents

William Park
Celebrating 25 years of painting

A celebration of new and retrospective paintings by William Park opened Friday, the 4th of May. The event was co-hosted by Sitka, who benefited from purchases made that night. The Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, located on the Oregon Coast, fosters creativity, intellectual inquiry, and education and helps others discover more about their core creative selves and their connections to nature.

William Park’s show is open to the public
May 2 — 20th, 2012
12 — 5 PM Wednesday—Sunday

The closing event is from 5 – 9 PM
on Friday, May 20th

2637 NE MLK, Portland

William Park is an inspiration not only because of his undeniable talent as a painter, but because he has the courage to follow his dreams.

“In May 1987, at age 41, I saw myself in a vision at age 70 having never become an artist. I felt the complete despair of having wasted my life, not doing the thing I knew I was meant to do.

I began painting that day.

Twenty-five years later, I feel huge gratitude for receiving and listening to my vision. Something shifted in me that day that made me an active participant in my life.”

– Bill

MAY 2012

Today a humming bird flew in the gallery. He hummed against the window in confusion. So graceful, yet clearly in distress.
The beautiful creature allowed me to gently capture and escort him to the outside, but not before curious Foster took a peak.

I did some research and found that Hummingbirds are among the smallest of birds, most measuring in the 7.5–13 cm (3–5 in) range. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12–80 times per second.

This experience was not the first of its kind. Last month we had a frog sneak in!

I guess even the native animals want to check out the artwork.