December 2022 Exhibit
Hook, Pulp & Weave
A celebration of fiber as art
We’re excited to host the annual Hook, Pulp and Weave once again, a rich and diverse invitational exhibition exploring fiber as art, opening in conjunction with Astoria’s Artwalk, Saturday December 10th. Always a favorite exhibition at Imogen, this year’s annual exhibition will not disappoint. Functional and nonfunctional work will be included in this unique exhibition of textile-based arts. Color, texture, and composition form the backbone of this diverse collection designed with the gift giving season in mind. Included to the diverse array is the extraordinary “crochet paintings” by Jo Hamilton, “vegan taxidermy” by Marjorie Taylor, wall hung linear space fiber drawings by Kimberly Lakin, wall hung art and throw pillows by Pamela Chipman, nuno felted scarves and wraps by Julie Kern Smith, needle felted wool sculpture by Patti Breidenbach, abstract wall hung fiber art of Susan Circone, intricate needle woven beaded jewelry by Celeste Olivares, large scale needle felted figurative sculpture by Amelia Santiago, paper cut assemblages by Kathy Karbo and the whimsical mushroom sculpture of Kim Tepe. Join us in celebrating the season with the artists, Saturday 12/10, 5 – 8 pm. The exhibition will remain on view through January 9.
Fiber based art has a long running history, with weaving techniques dating back to Neolithic times some 12,000 years ago. It is respected as one of the oldest surviving craft forms in the world that evolved from multiple cultures, including the Incans who utilized textiles as currency, which held a more prominent role then gold for trade. Native Americans, for centuries have created elaborate basketry for all uses, including vessels that were watertight, made from regionally known plant materials. Middle Eastern nomadic tribes, have been respected for intricate hand knotted rugs made of wool and silk, dating back over 4000 years, and the rich illustrative tapestries of the 14th and 15th centuries of European cultures, all helped to forge what we appreciate as textile-based art today. The term “fiber arts” came to be applied much later; post World War II with the insurgence of the craft movement. With this came the recognition of craft as fine art and the diminished idea of utilitarian needs.
Hook, Pulp & Weave is a collection of just a few examples of what textile or fiber art has evolved into. With the lessening of the importance of function, and the consideration of pure artistic expression being delivered through the fiber medium, artists have found a new voice to explore ancient arts, utilizing texture, color, and form. While some of the work included to this exhibition is functional, many pieces are based strictly on the principle of art form, utilizing fiber to create compelling and complex pieces.
We welcome back the intricate wall hung abstract compositions of Susan Circone from Portland. Her imagery places focus on subtle use of texture, pattern, and color. Coming from a career in geological sciences, her compositions are inspired by nature. Circone’s work explores the minutiae of the physical and natural world. She finds inspiration in the structures, textures, and forms observed in both organic and inorganic matter. The importance of the mundane and the microscopic, ignored, unseen, and often ephemeral, is a reminder of our temporal existence.
Pamela Chipman also from Portland is known primarily as a photographer. It was during the lockdown in 2020 that she began exploring with transferring her art to fiber during the pandemic. Experimenting with sun activated fiber dyes, she creates fabric prints from her negatives and local plant materials. She includes both wall hung pieces as well as gorgeous art pillows from her silhouette figurative photography and botanical imagery.
Celeste Olivares of Astoria brings a new collection of her intricately needle woven beaded necklaces and earrings. Each piece is an exotic one-of-a-kind design utilizing semi-precious stones, vintage glass, and crystal, often incorporating found objects. She exquisitely combines brilliant color and form with a result of timeless and original jewelry pieces.
We are also excited to welcome back the needle felted sculpture of Astoria’s Amelia Santiago. Her lifelike large scale figurative sculpture is created with careful attention to detail. She creates solid wool sculpture by hand, a painstaking process of forming felted wool through needle work into realistic creatures. Also working in needle felted wool are the small figurative sculptural pieces by Patti Breidenbach. Breidenbach brings a series of tiny dancers atop music boxes. Her new series is titled “Love is Love”.
Julie Kern Smith of Porland, returns with her rich and sophisticated wraps made of nuno felted wool and repurposed silk from vintage scarves and kimonos. Her choice of materials is exquisitely brought together through fusion of fiber, creating elegant and tactile wearable art forms. We also welcome back the delightful 3-d hand painted, paper cut assemblages of Kathy Karbo.
We welcome back the work of Marjorie Taylor. Taylor, creates what she calls “Vegan Taxidermy” that she describes as “animal replicas that are a mix of realism and fantasy.” Her one of kind sculptural pieces are made from recycled needlepoint, faux fur, chenille, beads, and ribbon. She proudly states, “there are no animal parts of any kind used in the construction.”
This year we are proud to include the work of 3 new fiber artists, Jo Hamilton brings her “crochet paintings”, large scale wall hung works created from yarn that she has crocheted. She brings a series of buildings/cityscapes as well as an extraordinary larger than life Man Moth. Her work is currently on display at the Portland airport and included to the permanent collection of the Portland Art Museum.
Kim Lakin includes her large-scale wall hung linear space drawings. She enjoys working with fiber medium for its tactile and sculptural qualities, describing it as the line between two and three dimensions.
Also new to Imogen are the delightful terrariums of Kim Tepe. Focusing on the natural world she brings the forest floor and all that grows from it, creating with mixed fabrics and stitching, intricate replicas of mushroom life.
Hook, Pulp & Weave
A celebration of fiber as art
We’re excited to host the annual Hook, Pulp and Weave once again, a rich and diverse invitational exhibition exploring fiber as art, opening in conjunction with Astoria’s Artwalk, Saturday December 10th. Always a favorite exhibition at Imogen, this year’s annual exhibition will not disappoint. Functional and nonfunctional work will be included in this unique exhibition of textile-based arts. Color, texture, and composition form the backbone of this diverse collection designed with the gift giving season in mind. Included to the diverse array is the extraordinary “crochet paintings” by Jo Hamilton, “vegan taxidermy” by Marjorie Taylor, wall hung linear space fiber drawings by Kimberly Lakin, wall hung art and throw pillows by Pamela Chipman, nuno felted scarves and wraps by Julie Kern Smith, needle felted wool sculpture by Patti Breidenbach, abstract wall hung fiber art of Susan Circone, intricate needle woven beaded jewelry by Celeste Olivares, large scale needle felted figurative sculpture by Amelia Santiago, paper cut assemblages by Kathy Karbo and the whimsical mushroom sculpture of Kim Tepe. Join us in celebrating the season with the artists, Saturday 12/10, 5 – 8 pm. The exhibition will remain on view through January 9.
Fiber based art has a long running history, with weaving techniques dating back to Neolithic times some 12,000 years ago. It is respected as one of the oldest surviving craft forms in the world that evolved from multiple cultures, including the Incans who utilized textiles as currency, which held a more prominent role then gold for trade. Native Americans, for centuries have created elaborate basketry for all uses, including vessels that were watertight, made from regionally known plant materials. Middle Eastern nomadic tribes, have been respected for intricate hand knotted rugs made of wool and silk, dating back over 4000 years, and the rich illustrative tapestries of the 14th and 15th centuries of European cultures, all helped to forge what we appreciate as textile-based art today. The term “fiber arts” came to be applied much later; post World War II with the insurgence of the craft movement. With this came the recognition of craft as fine art and the diminished idea of utilitarian needs.
Hook, Pulp & Weave is a collection of just a few examples of what textile or fiber art has evolved into. With the lessening of the importance of function, and the consideration of pure artistic expression being delivered through the fiber medium, artists have found a new voice to explore ancient arts, utilizing texture, color, and form. While some of the work included to this exhibition is functional, many pieces are based strictly on the principle of art form, utilizing fiber to create compelling and complex pieces.
We welcome back the intricate wall hung abstract compositions of Susan Circone from Portland. Her imagery places focus on subtle use of texture, pattern, and color. Coming from a career in geological sciences, her compositions are inspired by nature. Circone’s work explores the minutiae of the physical and natural world. She finds inspiration in the structures, textures, and forms observed in both organic and inorganic matter. The importance of the mundane and the microscopic, ignored, unseen, and often ephemeral, is a reminder of our temporal existence.
Pamela Chipman also from Portland is known primarily as a photographer. It was during the lockdown in 2020 that she began exploring with transferring her art to fiber during the pandemic. Experimenting with sun activated fiber dyes, she creates fabric prints from her negatives and local plant materials. She includes both wall hung pieces as well as gorgeous art pillows from her silhouette figurative photography and botanical imagery.
Celeste Olivares of Astoria brings a new collection of her intricately needle woven beaded necklaces and earrings. Each piece is an exotic one-of-a-kind design utilizing semi-precious stones, vintage glass, and crystal, often incorporating found objects. She exquisitely combines brilliant color and form with a result of timeless and original jewelry pieces.
We are also excited to welcome back the needle felted sculpture of Astoria’s Amelia Santiago. Her lifelike large scale figurative sculpture is created with careful attention to detail. She creates solid wool sculpture by hand, a painstaking process of forming felted wool through needle work into realistic creatures. Also working in needle felted wool are the small figurative sculptural pieces by Patti Breidenbach. Breidenbach brings a series of tiny dancers atop music boxes. Her new series is titled “Love is Love”.
Julie Kern Smith of Porland, returns with her rich and sophisticated wraps made of nuno felted wool and repurposed silk from vintage scarves and kimonos. Her choice of materials is exquisitely brought together through fusion of fiber, creating elegant and tactile wearable art forms. We also welcome back the delightful 3-d hand painted, paper cut assemblages of Kathy Karbo.
We welcome back the work of Marjorie Taylor. Taylor, creates what she calls “Vegan Taxidermy” that she describes as “animal replicas that are a mix of realism and fantasy.” Her one of kind sculptural pieces are made from recycled needlepoint, faux fur, chenille, beads, and ribbon. She proudly states, “there are no animal parts of any kind used in the construction.”
This year we are proud to include the work of 3 new fiber artists, Jo Hamilton brings her “crochet paintings”, large scale wall hung works created from yarn that she has crocheted. She brings a series of buildings/cityscapes as well as an extraordinary larger than life Man Moth. Her work is currently on display at the Portland airport and included to the permanent collection of the Portland Art Museum.
Kim Lakin includes her large-scale wall hung linear space drawings. She enjoys working with fiber medium for its tactile and sculptural qualities, describing it as the line between two and three dimensions.
Also new to Imogen are the delightful terrariums of Kim Tepe. Focusing on the natural world she brings the forest floor and all that grows from it, creating with mixed fabrics and stitching, intricate replicas of mushroom life.
November 2022 Exhibit
Facing You
Our 8th annual invitational portraiture exhibition
Pippa Arend, Reed Clarke, Denise Monaghan, Timothy Peitsch, Amelia Santiago, Ruth Shively and Aaron Toledo
Imogen is pleased to be presenting its eighth annual invitational exhibition exploring humanity through portraiture. This year’s exhibition will include the paintings of Portland based artists Pippa Arend, Reed Clarke and Ruth Shively as well as local Astoria talent of Denise Monaghan, Timothy Peitsch, Amelia Santiago, and Aaron Toledo; all exploring the essence of humanity. This evocative collection moves beyond a surface glance of an individual, inviting the viewer a step closer and to consider the underlying. Perhaps even to see ourselves through the eyes of others and what it means to be a part of humankind. Each portrait tells a story; we invite you to take part. The exhibition opens during Astoria’s Second Saturday Artwalk, November 12th, 12:00 – 8:00 pm and will be on view thru December 5th. Artists will be at the gallery from 5 – 7 pm, November 12 and available to answer questions about their work.
Many artists at some point in their career have placed focus on the human form as subject matter, for some it’s a practice of study, for others it’s a means to participate with humanity on a more intimate level. All seven of these artists fall into that category. Portraiture becomes a vehicle utilized to explore deeper reflection of who we are and what we convey via nonverbal communication, simply by stance, expression, or direction of gaze. These artists, all incredibly skilled with chosen medium bring suggestion of story and history through portrayal of individuals.
This year we are honored to include the work of two artists new to Imogen. Pippa Arends from Portland and Denise Monaghan of Astoria. They both bring work that honors specific individuals. Pippa Arend, the cofounder of p:ear, a nonprofit supporting homeless youth, brings three bold and energetic portraits of individuals she’s known through her work with p:ear. After 20 years of working with this population of youth she has come away with a strong perspective on what sets these young people apart. About this and the work she includes to the exhibition she states, “Some believe that people get what they deserve. Others think we receive only as much we can handle. All meted out through some act of karma or divine judgment. Such thinking ignores the whimsical nature of luck, good, bad or none. In this show, titled “FACING YOU,” I invite you to look into the eyes and lives of these faces—Jupiter, Oddessa, Kayla. These three strong, lovely, exquisite people have been dealt difficult hands, and they’ve played them with various amounts of skill and, yes, luck. I believe in luck, in all its light and dark, in its profound power to make or break a life. Which is why I also believe in compassion. For me, drawing has always been a path to empathy and compassion. WHO is this person behind those eyes? How does that taut cheek feel from the inside? WHY is that the posture they project? Is that smirk I see grimace or grin? For this body of work, I’ve created three portraits of p:ear youth, based on their own mugshots. The conversations we shared while searching for the photos were hilarious and raw, as revelatory as the narratives radiating from their faces. The youth I worked with for those 20 years at p:ear struggled, some to the end of their ropes. My intention here is to reflect their tenacious journeys as well as the luck they fled and the fortune they found.”
A portion of the proceeds from Pippa’s work will be donated by Pippa and Imogen directly to her subjects. Imogen will also be donating proceeds from all sales from this exhibition to p:ear.
Denise Monaghan also brings a humanitarian element to the exhibition, portraying individuals who have and are contributing to global issues through their skills. Working in oil on linen she brings 8 portraits of people dedicating their lives to the betterment of the world. About this series she states: “Mostly, I want to connect and learn, and I hope the viewers will as well. I believe we have to look at our situation with open hearts and minds. We need to include nature, only then can things change. The people I have painted bring me hope, their work and words have helped me understand human nature. I now know that some people can be absolutely wonderful animals.” Monaghan carefully creates composition in her portraits , placing each of her subjects within the landscape relating to their work and vision.
Reed Clarke of Portland, Oregon has dedicated much of his career as a fine artist, painting others. Often his subjects are known literary greats. Clarke also creates his own characters, referencing people he’s observed in daily life while bringing in elements to create dynamic composition. Known for his skill as a painter and printmaker, he has had his work juried into Clatsop Community College’s, prestigious Au Naturel: Nudes in the 21st Century exhibition several years running, receiving a first prize award as well as a purchase award from CCC. His skill is apparent in the nuance of palette to create mood and emotion through an intimate look and consideration into another’s experience, perhaps with a goal of fostering greater understanding and acceptance of who we are. About his work Clarke states:
“Faces and figures inhabit all my paintings and when I try to stray from this subject something I can’t resist always calls me back. In my work I hope to elicit a statement about being human that is familiar, and also seems impossible to say as clearly or completely in other mediums. When possible, I seek to emphasize the geometric shapes formed by different part of the composition and bring out the abstract surface rhythms of the composition. Ultimately however, I’m striving for a balance between recording a human subject that is compelling and creating a paint surface on the canvas that engages and rewards the viewer.”
We also welcome back the talented Amelia Santiago. Santiago who lives in Astoria is not new to Imogen, some may recall her incredible felted sculpture of our canine friends and other elaborate needle felted wool sculptural pieces. She balances her work as a fiber artist equally with her love of the painting process. After graduating from Pacific Northwest College of Art with a BFA in painting, Santiago traveled to Iceland where she became enamored with wool fiber, this led to a decade long career of creating 3-dimensional animal portraiture. Still, she never let the process of painting stray too far. About her work and processes she states: “I have been making art my entire life and I have always been drawn to the figure, both human and animal and often the two together. To me, painting a portrait is not only about the sitter but equally about the artist as well. I see myself in the images I make, and I think about the human condition. I think of our feelings about what is happening around us, our relationship to the other creatures we share this world with and our existence and effect on our environment. At the same time, I feel a portrait should be a work of art in itself. I love to push around paint, layer and build, sand and refine. I am enticed by realism but wild with color. I strive to create flow and depth and to think about light, shapes, and pattern. Most of all, when I paint portraits, I love that moment when the sitter comes alive, when the eyes begin to see things, I can’t see and don’t know and have feelings that are not mine.”
Joining us for again this year is Ruth Shively, a Portland based artist. Typically drawn to imagery of women she portrays quiet resilience and an innate sense of strength and beauty. About her work she states: “I work largely with the figure, concentrating on women. In awe of the strength women behold, I feel the need to express their character through my work. I can’t explain how I choose my subjects, I go with my instinct and immediate feelings and drawn to stark, positive/negative space. I like humor, mysteriousness and intimate mood, wanting the viewer to make their own interpretation. I studied drawing and illustration in school but I’m a self-taught painter and prefer this medium as I love the spontaneity of the paint and using color to create space.” Shively, who grew up in the Midwest has lived in Paris, New York City, Minneapolis and now Portland. She has exhibited her work in numerous group and solo exhibitions that have taken her from Los Angeles to New York and many venues in between.
After a several year hiatus we are pleased to be welcoming back the exquisitely rendered work of Astoria artist, Timothy Peitsch. Peitsch has always focused on the portrayal of people in his work, quite often people who are close to him. His last solo show several years ago at Imogen was an impressive series of graphite portraits of historical individuals who somehow added to the lore of Astoria’s illustrious history. Peitsch has always enjoyed the challenge of portraiture, considering it the purest subject matter, the most recognizable. For him it’s an exploration of personality, with the goal of capturing something beyond the surface ad finding an understanding or hint of who someone is, not merely what they appear to be. About his work he states: “A portrait is the most enjoyable platform for me to work from. I’ve always loved the viewers reaction to them. It seems like everyone brings their own narrative and life experience to my portraits. Inevitably the viewers will begin to tell me stories about a person they knew or a personal experience they had. It’s always fascinating to me that a portrait will trigger those memories and emotions in a person.
We are also excited to welcome back the work of Astoria based painter and tattoo artist Aaron Toledo. Toledo who relocated to Astoria in 1999 from Kansas City owns and operates Keepsake Tattoo, our neighbors here on 11th Street. His small scale and intimate oil paintings explore the relationship between people and the space they occupy, “zooming in on moments as if they are memories, exploiting the perceptions that energize these small captures of time. “As a nonacademic artist his education and career in art has been far from traditional. About his paintings he states, “My work is inspired by the often overlooked and singularly unimportant candid moments, the spaces we live, our most boring days, the far reaches of the earth, bad storytelling and good mistakes.” With a muted palette and limited brushstroke, he brings moody and gestural imprint, or glimpses into people’s personal world, a direct look at reality of moment and fleeting honesty of contemplation.
All seven artists share a commonality of commitment and dedication to the somehow marginalized within their work. Each brings beauty, vulnerability and rawness, elements that live within all of us. The power of the individual shines bright through compassion for humanity. Facing you, we invite you to step inside.
Facing You
Our 8th annual invitational portraiture exhibition
Pippa Arend, Reed Clarke, Denise Monaghan, Timothy Peitsch, Amelia Santiago, Ruth Shively and Aaron Toledo
Imogen is pleased to be presenting its eighth annual invitational exhibition exploring humanity through portraiture. This year’s exhibition will include the paintings of Portland based artists Pippa Arend, Reed Clarke and Ruth Shively as well as local Astoria talent of Denise Monaghan, Timothy Peitsch, Amelia Santiago, and Aaron Toledo; all exploring the essence of humanity. This evocative collection moves beyond a surface glance of an individual, inviting the viewer a step closer and to consider the underlying. Perhaps even to see ourselves through the eyes of others and what it means to be a part of humankind. Each portrait tells a story; we invite you to take part. The exhibition opens during Astoria’s Second Saturday Artwalk, November 12th, 12:00 – 8:00 pm and will be on view thru December 5th. Artists will be at the gallery from 5 – 7 pm, November 12 and available to answer questions about their work.
Many artists at some point in their career have placed focus on the human form as subject matter, for some it’s a practice of study, for others it’s a means to participate with humanity on a more intimate level. All seven of these artists fall into that category. Portraiture becomes a vehicle utilized to explore deeper reflection of who we are and what we convey via nonverbal communication, simply by stance, expression, or direction of gaze. These artists, all incredibly skilled with chosen medium bring suggestion of story and history through portrayal of individuals.
This year we are honored to include the work of two artists new to Imogen. Pippa Arends from Portland and Denise Monaghan of Astoria. They both bring work that honors specific individuals. Pippa Arend, the cofounder of p:ear, a nonprofit supporting homeless youth, brings three bold and energetic portraits of individuals she’s known through her work with p:ear. After 20 years of working with this population of youth she has come away with a strong perspective on what sets these young people apart. About this and the work she includes to the exhibition she states, “Some believe that people get what they deserve. Others think we receive only as much we can handle. All meted out through some act of karma or divine judgment. Such thinking ignores the whimsical nature of luck, good, bad or none. In this show, titled “FACING YOU,” I invite you to look into the eyes and lives of these faces—Jupiter, Oddessa, Kayla. These three strong, lovely, exquisite people have been dealt difficult hands, and they’ve played them with various amounts of skill and, yes, luck. I believe in luck, in all its light and dark, in its profound power to make or break a life. Which is why I also believe in compassion. For me, drawing has always been a path to empathy and compassion. WHO is this person behind those eyes? How does that taut cheek feel from the inside? WHY is that the posture they project? Is that smirk I see grimace or grin? For this body of work, I’ve created three portraits of p:ear youth, based on their own mugshots. The conversations we shared while searching for the photos were hilarious and raw, as revelatory as the narratives radiating from their faces. The youth I worked with for those 20 years at p:ear struggled, some to the end of their ropes. My intention here is to reflect their tenacious journeys as well as the luck they fled and the fortune they found.”
A portion of the proceeds from Pippa’s work will be donated by Pippa and Imogen directly to her subjects. Imogen will also be donating proceeds from all sales from this exhibition to p:ear.
Denise Monaghan also brings a humanitarian element to the exhibition, portraying individuals who have and are contributing to global issues through their skills. Working in oil on linen she brings 8 portraits of people dedicating their lives to the betterment of the world. About this series she states: “Mostly, I want to connect and learn, and I hope the viewers will as well. I believe we have to look at our situation with open hearts and minds. We need to include nature, only then can things change. The people I have painted bring me hope, their work and words have helped me understand human nature. I now know that some people can be absolutely wonderful animals.” Monaghan carefully creates composition in her portraits , placing each of her subjects within the landscape relating to their work and vision.
Reed Clarke of Portland, Oregon has dedicated much of his career as a fine artist, painting others. Often his subjects are known literary greats. Clarke also creates his own characters, referencing people he’s observed in daily life while bringing in elements to create dynamic composition. Known for his skill as a painter and printmaker, he has had his work juried into Clatsop Community College’s, prestigious Au Naturel: Nudes in the 21st Century exhibition several years running, receiving a first prize award as well as a purchase award from CCC. His skill is apparent in the nuance of palette to create mood and emotion through an intimate look and consideration into another’s experience, perhaps with a goal of fostering greater understanding and acceptance of who we are. About his work Clarke states:
“Faces and figures inhabit all my paintings and when I try to stray from this subject something I can’t resist always calls me back. In my work I hope to elicit a statement about being human that is familiar, and also seems impossible to say as clearly or completely in other mediums. When possible, I seek to emphasize the geometric shapes formed by different part of the composition and bring out the abstract surface rhythms of the composition. Ultimately however, I’m striving for a balance between recording a human subject that is compelling and creating a paint surface on the canvas that engages and rewards the viewer.”
We also welcome back the talented Amelia Santiago. Santiago who lives in Astoria is not new to Imogen, some may recall her incredible felted sculpture of our canine friends and other elaborate needle felted wool sculptural pieces. She balances her work as a fiber artist equally with her love of the painting process. After graduating from Pacific Northwest College of Art with a BFA in painting, Santiago traveled to Iceland where she became enamored with wool fiber, this led to a decade long career of creating 3-dimensional animal portraiture. Still, she never let the process of painting stray too far. About her work and processes she states: “I have been making art my entire life and I have always been drawn to the figure, both human and animal and often the two together. To me, painting a portrait is not only about the sitter but equally about the artist as well. I see myself in the images I make, and I think about the human condition. I think of our feelings about what is happening around us, our relationship to the other creatures we share this world with and our existence and effect on our environment. At the same time, I feel a portrait should be a work of art in itself. I love to push around paint, layer and build, sand and refine. I am enticed by realism but wild with color. I strive to create flow and depth and to think about light, shapes, and pattern. Most of all, when I paint portraits, I love that moment when the sitter comes alive, when the eyes begin to see things, I can’t see and don’t know and have feelings that are not mine.”
Joining us for again this year is Ruth Shively, a Portland based artist. Typically drawn to imagery of women she portrays quiet resilience and an innate sense of strength and beauty. About her work she states: “I work largely with the figure, concentrating on women. In awe of the strength women behold, I feel the need to express their character through my work. I can’t explain how I choose my subjects, I go with my instinct and immediate feelings and drawn to stark, positive/negative space. I like humor, mysteriousness and intimate mood, wanting the viewer to make their own interpretation. I studied drawing and illustration in school but I’m a self-taught painter and prefer this medium as I love the spontaneity of the paint and using color to create space.” Shively, who grew up in the Midwest has lived in Paris, New York City, Minneapolis and now Portland. She has exhibited her work in numerous group and solo exhibitions that have taken her from Los Angeles to New York and many venues in between.
After a several year hiatus we are pleased to be welcoming back the exquisitely rendered work of Astoria artist, Timothy Peitsch. Peitsch has always focused on the portrayal of people in his work, quite often people who are close to him. His last solo show several years ago at Imogen was an impressive series of graphite portraits of historical individuals who somehow added to the lore of Astoria’s illustrious history. Peitsch has always enjoyed the challenge of portraiture, considering it the purest subject matter, the most recognizable. For him it’s an exploration of personality, with the goal of capturing something beyond the surface ad finding an understanding or hint of who someone is, not merely what they appear to be. About his work he states: “A portrait is the most enjoyable platform for me to work from. I’ve always loved the viewers reaction to them. It seems like everyone brings their own narrative and life experience to my portraits. Inevitably the viewers will begin to tell me stories about a person they knew or a personal experience they had. It’s always fascinating to me that a portrait will trigger those memories and emotions in a person.
We are also excited to welcome back the work of Astoria based painter and tattoo artist Aaron Toledo. Toledo who relocated to Astoria in 1999 from Kansas City owns and operates Keepsake Tattoo, our neighbors here on 11th Street. His small scale and intimate oil paintings explore the relationship between people and the space they occupy, “zooming in on moments as if they are memories, exploiting the perceptions that energize these small captures of time. “As a nonacademic artist his education and career in art has been far from traditional. About his paintings he states, “My work is inspired by the often overlooked and singularly unimportant candid moments, the spaces we live, our most boring days, the far reaches of the earth, bad storytelling and good mistakes.” With a muted palette and limited brushstroke, he brings moody and gestural imprint, or glimpses into people’s personal world, a direct look at reality of moment and fleeting honesty of contemplation.
All seven artists share a commonality of commitment and dedication to the somehow marginalized within their work. Each brings beauty, vulnerability and rawness, elements that live within all of us. The power of the individual shines bright through compassion for humanity. Facing you, we invite you to step inside.
