Saturday, February 16, 2013

Interpreting Nature Abstractly- Pam Jersey Bird


I interpret nature in an expressive gestural and abstract manner.  I feel as though I am creating rhythmic visual symphonies when I paint. I want to take my paintings beyond representational accuracy, from what I see to what I experience.

Moving water captivates me. Whychus Creek runs through my neighborhood in Sisters, Oregon and for thirteen years I have been experiencing and observing the water as it moves, sometimes gently and often rapidly. As the seasons change, the light and colors vary. In the summer the foliage is thick, the air is warm, and the water gentle; in the fall the banks are covered with yellow ochre and orange aspen leaves, there is a chill in the air, and the water is rapid; and in winter ice forms in the corners around rocks, and snow covers the pine needles.  I shiver as I walk along. 
From my studio I look out onto the forest. I watch the pine trees sway in the wind and collect snow in the winter. I am inspired by the textures I see, the branches that twist and turn; the needles and aspen leaves that fall and collect in layers; the tangles and debris are a fascination for me. I am a mark maker and the forest floor provides me with endless inspiration.  In my abstract paintings I want to give a hint of  the mysterious and hidden aspects of nature, that which gives all life meaning through my abstract interpretation.
I work in acrylic paint because it dries quickly, allowing me to apply layers and thin glazes of color, stroke upon stroke. I like the effects I can create with acrylic such as incorporating what I call “happy accidents” or the randomness of drips, scraping, wiping back, and mixing color on the canvas. I do not work from sketches, drawings or photos.  My memory of a place and the feelings of that place guide my interpretation as I paint. The result is a unique presentation that takes me far from traditional representation. Every painting is a result of a synergy between the painting and me and emerges as an unexpected gift.

“ I paint not what I see but the feelings they arouse in me.”   Franz Kline

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

WALK on the "WILD & TAME" SIDE


First Friday for March is coming up in Bend's Downtown, a time when many new art shows have their Opening Receptions. Be sure to enjoy the evening's Art offerings by visiting Alleda Real Estate on Minnesota Ave. Vivian Olsen and Joren Traveller each have many new art pieces, paintings, as well as Joren's sculptures, in their 2 month long exhibit called "WILD AND TAME".




Monday, February 11, 2013

Pam Jersey Bird - Featured Artist of the Month




Pam Jersey Bird came of age in the 1960’s in New Jersey. Growing up in New Jersey, 20 minutes outside of Manhattan, allowed Pam to visit NYC often and to enjoy the museums and galleries that at the time were exhibiting a great number of abstract expressionists. Her appreciation for abstract painting began here and has remained as a foundation for her own aesthetic and work. An appreciation for abstract painting was imprinted on Pam as early as high school. Her high school art teacher had been a commercial artist in New York and her college professors came out of the New York School of Art. One college instructor knew Motherwell personally.

Bird graduated from Rowan University (then Glassboro State) in 1969 with a degree in Art Education. In a time when men dominated the art world and the womens’ lib movement had not taken hold yet, it seemed prudent to become a teacher while still pursuing her interest in art.  A diverse career in the arts followed, teaching art on many levels including art centers and community colleges. She also worked at an advertising agency for a number of years.  In the 80’s Pam worked as an Art Museum Educator. In this capacity she operated the museum’s education center, developing her skills as a program manager, including designing classes; hiring and overseeing artist instructors;  and preparing press releases and in house graphics. All through these years she was painting in watercolor.

   Upon moving to Oregon in 1990 she began working in acrylic and collage focusing on an abstract approach.  She has exhibited her paintings widely in California, Washington, and Oregon and is a member of several professional artists associations. She is a signature member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters and has been a finalist and winner of awards in national juried competitions. She was a finalist in the 2010 Artists Magazine Annual Juried Competition. To see her work, link to her web site from the side bar.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Kaseberg Begins Festival Season



La Quinta Art Festival
Cameron Kaseberg kicks off his summer art festival season in La Quinta, California March 7 through 10th for the La Quinta Arts Festival. The La Quinta Arts Foundation's signature event has been ranked the #1 Fine Art Festival in the Nation by Art Fair SourceBook. This award-winning event attracts art patrons and tourists from across the nation as one of the Coachella Valley’s premier attractions. Live Entertainment, Delicious Food, Wine and Beer complement an amazing experience of visual arts.

Tommy's Place
by Cameron Kaseberg
Only the best artists qualify for La Quinta Arts Festival. Undergoing a rigorous jury process competing with nearly 1,000 applicants from across North America, these artists display mastery of their respective medium and excellence in presentation to qualify for La Quinta Arts Festival.

The 31st Annual La Quinta Arts Festival is held in the visually stunning setting of La Quinta’s Civic Center Campus (78495 Calle Tampico La Quinta CA) in the greater Palm Springs area – Southern California’s preferred desert resort location. Produced by La Quinta Arts Foundation, in partnership with its Premier Sponsor the City of La Quinta, La Quinta Arts Festival raises funds for the Foundation’s non-profit mission of Promoting & Cultivating the Arts.

Visit Cameron's website and Facebook page for current exhibit schedules and new information.

Pam Jersey Bird- Looking at my Inspiration





A creek runs through my neighborhood and I walk the banks almost everyday with my dog. I watch the creek and foliage change from season to season and I have become fascinated by the movement of the water and the reflections of color and light. These observations have made their way in to my abstract paintings.


I will often do a 5 x 5" sketch in pencil to determine my values or a colored sketch to establish my colors before I start a large painting. I always work in a gestural style to represent the way I paint with strokes of color.


This is a painting I did on 30 x 22" paper in acrylic before doing the painting below on canvas. It was an interesting process of taking from the original and altering at the same time.



This is a finished painting entitled " Water and Tangles".  It is 48 x 36" on canvas in acrylic paint. I feel like the area in the upper right reads as sky in work on paper but in this painting it read more as water. I would love to hear any comments you may have on my process or inspiration.