Artist Spotlight: Cameron Kaseberg

Cameron Kaseberg

Cameron Kaseberg has been described as the artist who has taken the solvent transfer process of image making further than any artist working today. He has developed the once obscure process, brought to prominence in the 1950s by Robert Rauschenberg, to new levels of expressiveness.

From his earliest memories, Cameron has been involved in the creative and artistic world in one aspect or another. From finger painting and stitchery as a youngster, to a lifelong fascination with photography and digital imaging.

His interest in photography took him on a wonderful journey beginning with a job as teenager copying old photographs in the darkroom at Mel O’s Camera shop in The Dalles, followed by classes at the University of Minnesota and a stint as newspaper staff photographer at Lewis and Clark College. His photography brought him ribbons and awards, images published on magazine covers, time spent with friends and a great deal of satisfaction.

"Tall Tales" Solvent Transfer on clayboard

It was after Lewis and Clark College and the University of Minnesota that he found his place at Portland State University.  With guidance and mentoring from friend and professor, Robert Kasal, Cameron made his way to the Bachelors Degree in graphic design. In a drawing class taught by Mel Katz at Portland State Cameron discovered a new creative experience; the solvent transfer process. This was a new way of combining his background in photographic imagery with his desire for artistic expression.

 The solvent transfer process involves "borrowing" inks and subject matter from various printed media as well as his own photos and graphics, chemically dissolving them and transferring the image onto a new surface. Much as a photographer can manipulate the camera image in many ways, the solvent transfer can be changed, arranged, composed and continually altered to express the artist's aims. Additional treatment with drawing or painting techniques may contribute to the uniqueness of each of Kaseberg's works. Although called transfer prints, each is one-of-a-kind.

"The Story Tree" Solvent Transfer on clayboard (box)

In Northwest regional exhibits and at national art fairs, Kaseberg's works have been received with enthusiasm for their inventiveness and as expressions of human sensibilities. Today Cameron exhibits in galleries and travels the west coast exhibiting and selling his solvent transfer work at juried fine art festivals, which allows him to meet and interact with those that collect his work.  He continues to explore the solvent transfer process and draws inspiration for his work from his life experiences and those he interacts with.

Cameron on the art festival circuit.

What Kaseberg expresses in his work is based on his background of having been raised on a ranch in Eastern Oregon, having been educated in excellent schools and having lived long enough to reflect on life through his art work in ways that seem to appeal to the many who collect his work.

Work with community art organizations has also had a lasting impact on Cameron's artwork as well as personally. In 2009 Cameron was invited to join the High Desert Art League, professional artists' group working to support the advancement of its member artists through exhibitions, education and related outreach. That same year Cameron was appointed to the Redmond Commission for Art in Public Places, working to introduce art into select public locations and situations in order to create a unique sense of place and enhance the community identity of Redmond, Oregon. He gained an inside view of the art festival world when he joined the Art in the High Desert board of directors in 2010, a fine art festival in Bend, Oregon.

To learn more about Cameron's artwork and exhibition schedule visit www.kaseberg.com. For more information on his work in graphic design visit www.kasebergdesign.com.

It's First Friday: High Desert Art League Events!

It's Friday, April 5th. Get out and enjoy Bend, Oregon's First Friday with members of the High Desert Art League.

Helen Brown and David Kinker are exhibiting in the "Art About the Earth" show at the Tumalo Art Co. in Bend's Old Mill District, 450 SW Powerhouse Dr., #407, 541-385-9144, www.tumaloartco.com. The exhibit is a group show by gallery artists using all painting mediums, glass, photography, sculpture and ceramics the gallery will celebrate all things earthly...flora and fauna, animals and elements. First Friday reception is 5:00 to 9:00pm.

Pat Clark of Atelier 6000  hosts "Hidden Agendas" through May. National, international, regional and local artists are represented in the very first presentation of an exhibition devoted to the Artists’ Book. The handcrafted book may tell a story or expose hidden layers; reveal emotions or make you laugh as artists explore a wide interpretation of the theme Hidden Agendas. Who would have thought that books could be used for something other than, well, reading? Turn a page on the notion of ‘the book’ and look at it as a vehicle for art. Atelier 6000 is located at 389 SW Scalehouse Ct., Suite 120, 541-330-8759, www.atelier6000.com.

Pam Jersey Bird is a featured artist at North Sole located at 800 Wall Street. Pam's work originates in observation, yet she paints from imagination. As an intuitive painter she wants to take her work beyond realistic portrayal, from what is perceived to what is experienced. She loves working in this gestural style with many layers, painting very fast laying down marks and strokes. She then begins layering over with more glaze, letting lower layers peek through giving a sense of depth. Be sure to include this as a must see on your art walk!

A showing of animal paintings and sculptures by Vivian Olsen and Joren Traveller can be seen at Alleda Real Estate (25 Minnesota Ave., Bend). Two local wildlife artists present Wild and Tame, a combination of paintings and sculptures depicting a variety of media and animal subjects in an exhibit devoted to the animals they love. Both artists are members of the High Desert Art League.

Desperado Contemporary & Nostalgic Western Store at 330 SW Powerhouse in Bend features High Desert Art League member Barbara Slater who is inspired by the “out west” way of life and cowboy culture with a touch of city glitz. Painting oils with energy and spirit, this artist’s pigmentation is rich and succulent, while her brushwork is bold and responsive. Barbara continues her studies with different genres, painting still-lifes, florals, landscapes and animals. Animals are her present focus with images of vibrant roosters, horses, cows and other barnyard residents. Painting these rural inhabitants with love and respect, Barbara gives each animal an attitude and personality. www.barbaraslater.com.

For more information on the High Desert Art League visit http://www.highdesertartleague.com/http://www.highdesertartleague.com/ or join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/highdesertartleague.

New Works by Vivian Olsen

"TWO AMIGOS"  MIXED MEDIA

Featured Artist for the Month of March

Every so often I like to break away from painting with oils and experiment with new ways of painting - mainly to loosen up. This time I started with Chinese brush painting techniques and did several fast ink practice sketches on Chinese rice paper.

I liked what I was doing but wanted to use a more substantial ground so I chose a pastel paper  and taped it to a board. I placed the board slightly vertically on a table easel. I had done pencil sketches of the burros so, using them as references,  I began drawing freehand with ink and a Chinese brush, loosely placing in lines and dark washes. 

After I had a good black and white drawing I changed from ink to watercolor. From that point on I continued painting with a loaded brush, allowing the paint to drip down. 

No pastel was added to the "Two Amigos"

"BABY RAVENS"  MIXED MEDIA

I loved the loose effect I was going for so I painted the "Baby Ravens" next. Using the Chinese brush painting techniques again I sketched in the forms of the birds with ink, then diluted it to fill in gray values. After brushing in some darks I added watercolor washes, still using Chinese brushes and using flowing paint. Finally, I finished the painting with touches of pastel and a hint of blue metallic watercolor which is sold as a powdered pigment. 

I'm energized by this new method and will continue using it to create energetic  and fun paintings.

Vivian Olsen - Artist Feature

The Bumpy Road to Here

"Ebony and Ivory"   Pastel

Vivian is inspired by Nature and aided by imagination  - two ingredients which combine to create paintings that seem to come alive and glow with vibrancy and light. Observing the wildlife around her has always been her passion and enables her to paint expressive portraits of wild animals, especially birds.

With both a Master’s in Science-Biology and an Art Degree, from New Mexico Tech University in Socorro, N.M.   she is well-equipped to be the professional wildlife artist she has been for 30 years, as well as becoming a secondary high school art teacher. All through her teaching career she continued pursuing painting and exhibiting her paintings and etchings. 

"Sunset Cranes"  Oil

 To further her knowledge of painting she has attended many art workshops with a number of established artists, including George Post, Nita Engle, Zolten Szabo, Albert Handell, Steven Quiller, Richard McKinley, Terry Isaac, Camille Pzewodek, and Dawn Emerson. She traveled during her summer vacations taking classes and painting in France, Italy, Spain, and China. 

Over the years she has garnered awards from the Sandhill Crane Festival in CA., the Festival of Cranes in N.M., the Governor’s Gallery Invitational Exhibit of Santa Fe, N.M., and best of Show at NM Macey Center’s 1st Annual Open Exhibition.  She is also a signature member of the New Mexico Watercolor Society. She is represented in Eagle Crest, Oregon at Silver Leaf Cafe and at the Tumalo Art Works Gallery in Tumalo, Oregon.

View her website at: www.vivianolsen.com      

                                    and blog:  http://viviano-artist.blogspot.com 

A Little Smith Rock Action....

Hiking at Smith Rock State Park and continuing the planning and preparations for the first annual Smith Rock Paint Out, it only seemed right to share some photos from our morning outing. For more information on the Smith Rock Paint Out please visit our website at http://www.smithrockpaintout.com/ and LIKE our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SmithRockPaintOut

Vivian Olsen - Artist for March

 Setting Her Course

'Summer Deer'   Watercolor

       


Vivian Olsen was destined to become a wildlife artist. Her love of animals began when she was young and spent her free time exploring the California countryside where she lived.  Animals became her playmates. She felt an emotional attachment to the animals her family owned and she developed a rapport with the wildlife she observed in the surrounding hills and marshes. Being an artist was always a major part of her life and throughout her school years she was recognized for her special artistic talent.

'Sandhill Cranes'     Oil   

       Her life’s interest in drawing and painting wildlife was established during her early adult life when she worked as an assistant to a research biologist in the back country of South Dakota, Idaho, New Mexico, and Old Mexico, where she helped to observe, capture, and tag ducks and cranes in their marsh habitats. During those years Vivian did paintings and illustrations of wildlife for publications printed by the Wildlife Research Center at the University of Idaho and the Fish and Wildlife Department of South Dakota. 

She also raised several Sandhill Cranes for research purposes - and three lovely daughters.

VIVIAN OLSEN - Featured Artist for March

               What  comes first - Emotion or Creativity?

Vivian Olsen

As an artist Vivian draws inspiration for paintings from her imagination and from distant memories of animals and places she has loved. Animals give her a sense of peace and calm and represent her conception of what is most perfect and good, so in her paintings she depicts her subjects as peaceful and beautiful creatures. The themes of her paintings are peace, joy, simplicity, and beauty.

Color plays a major role in her paintings because of the emotional feelings and reactions colors can impart.  She loves to use golds, oranges, and reds along with the earth colors of nature to create strong contrasts.  She designs her compositions with curves which provide the viewer with an easy visual movement through her painting

'Quail Family Hideaway'    Oil

and furthers a sense of tranquility.

She says,  “I love the act of painting because it minimizes stress as I move into what I call my “art zone”.

Vivian asks, “Does the ACT of painting STIR up deep emotional feelings, or is it necessary to have the emotions FIRST to even be ABLE to create?”