Archive / Portland

Ellen George at PDX Contemporary Art

Untitled (Elemental 14) by Ellen George

Ellen George has a subtle and wonderful show at PDX Contemporary Art during the month of May. The gallery is full of wall pieces that bear a close inspection. Each work consists of a single vertical rod with translucent bits of what turns out to be polymer clay running the length.

Each piece is made of tiny individual bits so that you can spend a good bit of time just focusing on the nuances of one individual work. The polymer is worked in such a way to leave parts translucent, which creates a fabulous glowing effect when paired with the chunkier, more solid bits toward the center.

After working for artists for years who focused on small elements making up a much larger work of art it would be impossible for me to not love these. The works are very evocative of natural forms but even without that they are simply visually stunning which doesn’t always get enough credit in the art world.

My only complaint is that the gallery has so many pieces displayed it’s impossible to get to spend time with each work to enjoy all the nuance. Give yourself time to really enjoy the show when you visit.

Don’t miss the 3 pieces in the window off the main gallery from Nancy Lorenz. She has three small canvases worked with burlap, gesso, and gold or silver leaf which really caught my eye. The pours made me think of a Lynda Benglis, with that fabulous fat and flowing movement.

Check out the show until May 28th.

Visit PDX Contemporary Art Tuesday through Saturday, from 11-6. They are located at 925 NW Flanders Street in Portland, Oregon.

2016 St. Johns Bizarre in Portland, Oregon on May 14

The 2016 St. Johns Bizarre is almost here and Panda With Cookie is happy to be a vendor! This is their 10th year and promises to be a fabulous show. The Bizarre takes place in St. John’s at North Lombard Street and North Philadelphia Avenue on Saturday, May 14th, from 10-7 pm. Craft booths close at 6 pm.

There will be over 100 handmade vendors and a main stage with new bands each hour including Chanti Darling and Quasi. The parade goes through from noon-1 and there’s plenty of food, fun, and games for the whole family.

I will be set up with many new products including my watermelon cat bed, plush kangaroos, and plush sharks. I’ll also have new catnip toys and the popular Sasquatch baby onesie. Stop by and say hello!

Now I Am Myself Inaugural Show at Wolff Gallery

There’s a new gallery in town with a sweet grand opening show. Now I Am Myself opened at Wolff Gallery on April 7th and features the work of Audra Osborne, Briana Cerezo, Calethia DeConto, Jamila Clarke, and Lauren Crow.

The show as a whole is strong and it’s a treat to see an entire show dedicated to diverse female photographers. How great is it to have a gallery state on their website that their “goal is to broaden the Portland art scene by prioritizing the exhibition of work by traditionally underrepresented artists”? Photos varied in price but there were a number of small works at very reasonable prices for people who want to support artists but can’t drop hundreds on a photo yet.

Lauren Crow’s photos are reminiscent of Nan Goldin’s early works with a hint of Catherine Opie. The lighting used in the small selection of grouped photos has stuck in my head and though not directly related, I keep coming back to the colors of The Gossip’s Standing in the Way of Control (CD version with hotpink case). I dig all those things so I dug these photos too.

Jamila Clark’s photos were a stand out to me. The scenarios are quite composed but manage to stay simple. Something To Cling To and The Shovel kept drawing me back to look at them. Audra Osborne’s Nope had the same effect. Maybe it’s the use of a bright dress in a more muted background? Women presenting themselves with their faces deliberately obscured? A dramatic moment captured with no explanation?

Briana Cerezo has a fabulous series called p l a y i n g h o u s e on her website that is worth checking out in its entirety. Very Robert Gober but flesh instead of wax. They are obviously highly composed but seem effortless in execution, similar to Calethia DeConto‘s photographs in the back room.

In fact, the show for the most part is a breeze. With few exceptions the photos manage to be complex without being overworked in the setup. Here’s a moment. Here’s a moment. I don’t need to marvel at the expense and womanpower it took to set up the scene and lighting and can instead marvel at that moment captured and wonder at the story.

I eagerly await their follow up in early June.

Wolff Gallery is located at 618 NW Glisan Street. Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 pm with additional hours on first Thursdays from 6-10 pm. Now I Am Myself runs through May 13.

Crafty Wonderland 2015 Portland Oregon

We’re just 2 weeks out from the biggest craft event in Portland! It’s time for the 2015 Crafty Wonderland super colossal holiday sale! This great event takes place December 12th and 13th from 11 am to 6 pm at the Oregon Convention Center in Hall D. As always, they have fabulous free goodie bags for the first 150 shoppers each day. Admission both days is free.

For the first time they are also doing a ticketed event on Friday, December 11th from 5-9 pm. $20 gets you in to shop early without the crowds along with a free drink ticket and entry into a raffle.

Panda With Cookie is thrilled to be here for our first Crafty Wonderland holiday sale! I’ll be fully stocked with all sorts of fabulous plush toys, cat ornaments, and unique baby onesies for great gift giving.

Buy handmade and support your local crafters! See you there!

2015 Madeleine Marketplace and Tree Lighting

Panda With Cookie will be at the 2015 Madeleine Marketplace and tree lighting on Thursday, December 5th, from 2-8 pm. There will be over 40 handmade vendors along with the school wreath and poinsettia sale. The Christmas tree lighting starts at 6 pm.

I will have a great selection of handmade plush toys for all ages, as well as baby onesies and my 2015 ornament collection. The brand new pizza and pie cat beds will also be available. Come find me and say hello!

2015 Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar

Panda With Cookie is thrilled to be a vendor at the Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar on Sunday, December 6th, from 9-4. Laurelhurst School is located at 840 NE 41st Avenue in Portland, Oregon.

There will be over 80 handmade vendors, BUNKtruck for lunch, and their annual wreath auction.

You’ll find a couple of my onesies in their raffle, and I’ll have a good selection at my table as well, including the popular Sasquatch onesie above.

Hoping to spend a good amount of time shopping? They will be offering onsite child care! Check out the Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar Facebook page for details and to reserve a spot now.

As always, all my 2015 holiday shows can be found on my event page.

Llewellyn Holiday Market 2015

Panda With Cookie will be at the 2015 Llewellyn Holiday Market on Saturday, November 21st from 10-5. The Llewellyn elementary school is located at 6301 SE 14th Ave in Portland, Oregon.

I’ll have some of my new 2015 products like the pirate pizza and my magnet sets. I will also have my 2015 ornament collection available.

The 2015 Llewellyn Holiday Market is a fundraiser for school field trips and after school programs. In addition to all handmade vendors they will have a raffle (enter to win my pirate squid onesie!) and food available.

Check out their Facebook page for more information and additional vendors. Last year was a great event and I’m looking forward to this year as well!

Crafty Wonderland, Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar, and More in 2015!

Hey Portland! Tis the season of the holiday craft show. Panda With Cookie is pleased to announce I’ll be selling my wares at the Crafty Wonderland holiday show, the Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar, and more in November and December. My full schedule can be found on my 2015 holiday show page.

I’m also in production with my custom cat and dog ornaments. If you’re interested in ordering ornaments made to look like your cat or dog to be picked up at any of my Portland area craft shows, please send an email to pandawithcookie@gmail.com. I can get your order prepared for you to pick up at any shows you plan to attend and avoid shipping costs.

There are a lot of great craft fairs and great artists and crafters this year. Consider supporting them when buying your Christmas gifts.

2015 Give Guide in Portland Oregon

It’s that magical time of year when the Willamette Week 2015 Give Guide comes out and you get to decide which Portland area non profits you want to donate to!

This year they’ve picked 143 organizations in 9 different categories that you can learn about and donate to. They have a number of different packaged incentives from local businesses including free slices at Sizzle Pie ($10-$999) or a $10 gift certificate at Tender Loving Empire ($2000-$3999).

And there are six big give days this year which enter you into a drawing for a Powell’s Books $500 shopping spree, Portland Thorns and Timbers tickets and more.

Take some time to browse the 2015 Give Guide and check out all the worthy recipients. A lot of groups have matching donations set up or have incentives listed on their pages. Want to make sure low income families can feed their pets? Check out the Pongo Fund. Do you think women should have a 24 hour hotline to call for domestic violence support? Look at the Portland Women’s Crisis Line. Mentoring homeless and transitional youth? You can give to p:ear. Take a look and find your groups for the year.

20 Days of Handmade: Mandy Allen Metal Arts

There are only a couple of posts left for 20 Days of Handmade! Today’s pick is another artist I met at the Grout Elementary holiday fair this year, Mandy Allen Metal Arts. She uses silver and anodized aluminum to create lovely and light jewelry and wall art. I love her gingko leaf inspired pieces such as this necklace. I’ve long been a fan of anodized aluminum and really enjoy her color combinations and metal cuts. Each piece has a lot of movement and never looks heavy.

Mandy Allen Metal Arts can also be found tomorrow at the Handmade Northwest Formal show!