Studio Art Direct creates an art collection for Happy Valley City Hall that honors the past and celebrates the future
Combining historic photographs, original paintings, and limited editions by local artists, Studio Art Direct created a City Hall art program that honors the past and celebrates modern art.
Historic panels on frosted plex
Portland, Oregon – The city of Happy Valley developed very quickly over the past several years because it became part of the Oregon’s famed Urban Growth Boundary. With that, homes parks and schools replaced farmlands. To honor the past, Studio Art Direct worked with locals to gather historic images of the farms and people from the late 1800’s on.
Jason Tuck, Happy Valley Development Director
The beautiful old photographs, some as small as 3″x5″, were drum-scanned for the highest quality and resolution then optimized in Photoshop cleaning scratches, balancing color and creating consistency throughout all images. The historic images were then printed on 4′x4′ frosted plex panels with beveled edges. On each panel, Studio Art Direct supplied a brief history based on its research. Each panel was hung in the large, main lobby windows with an Arakawa cable system. The light shows beautifully through the frosted plex illuminating the historic panels.
60x48 by Donna Young
Studio Art Direct also commissioned two local artists to paint 48×60 oil on canvas landscapes reminiscent of the valley’s scenery. In an abstract landscape style of painting, Donna Young and Scott Gellatly painted beautiful artworks capturing the aura of Happy Valley.
For the “planning area,” Studio Art Direct’s president, Janelle Baglien, used modern technologies to create 8 two-layered, floating art installations which showcase some of Happy Valley’s parks, buildings, and landscapes. Original plan drawings were scanned and printed on
Plex panels with a landscape rendering floats over modern photography.
frosted plex with beveled edges. These images, including the original “skinny paper” sketches of the new City Hall, were then floated 1/2″ over another complimentary photograph printed on Sintra or sustainable bamboo. Each 20×30 multi-layered art piece was mounted with beautiful 1″ aluminum standoffs for a modern look. The result is three-dimensional and takes a standard architectural or landscape rendering and turns it into a true work of art.
In addition to commissioned and “out of the box” giclee applications, we provided open edition and limited edition paintings by regional artists for office and general areas through out the building.
Giclee on canvas by Marla Baggetta was stretched on 2" bars for depth and drama.
Commercial brokers and the art of leasing- how to improve leasing with art
Art seen through the windows can make an empty space come alive and attract attention.
In today’s competitive office and commercial real estate market, commercial real estate brokers need to get creative when it comes to leasing space. One way to do that is with art.
Art can turn a life-less space into a feast for the eyes and senses. As with residential home staging, customers want to feel an emotional connection to the place where they will do business. Of course, many other factors play into leasing commercial and office space, but with the feirce competition that exists, whatever you can do as a broker to make a space more appealing can help close the deal. Here are some ideas:
- A boring “for lease” sign on the window is not going to get you noticed. Fill empty, foreboding windows with art and creative vinyl graphics. The effort will help make the building come alive. This is an especially good strategy for urban areas with pedestrian and slow moving traffic. You will entice customers to take a closer look.
- Turn a large, soul-less space into an art gallery. The art will add vibrancy and character to a life-less space and help clients understand the scale. Often shows that are up for one month or more will get publicity in the local newspaper art gallery listings. And this is a good way to get press for a building.
- Publicize an art show/open house party. You will draw excitement from the broker community, potential leasors, and the public. You will also receive media coverage for the event and substantially increase traffic through the space.
As a broker, this may sound overwhelming because art is not your expertise. However, all you need is a good partner. Just contact a local art curator to handle artists, logistics and PR. Find them through your regional arts council. All you need to do is make sure that insurance and landlord issues are resolved.
About the author
Janelle Fendall Baglien is an artist and 20 year veteran of marketing and publicity. She is president of Studio Art Direct, Inc., a Portland, Oregon firm specializing in enhancing healthcare, hospitality, commercial, office and corporate spaces with art created by regional artists. http://www.studioartdirect.com
Studio Art Direct requests artist submissions for healthcare in Pacific Northwest
Blossom Blue by Katie Simmons
With the slow down in the U.S.economy, Studio Art Direct predicts a substantial increase in giclee/reproduction art sales in 2009/10. This is good news for regional painters, print makers and photographers.
Historically, sales of original paintings significantly decrease with a recession. However, there is still a need to fill blank wall space with quality artwork. Especially for the corporate clients we serve. Inexpensive posters are out of favor, while more “original-looking” artwork is in demand. Giclees on canvas and paper are an excellent solution at an affordable price.
The demand for giclees comes from our existing customer base:
a. Direct corporate art sales to healthcare facilities, hotels, offices, resorts, and institutional clients.
b. Online sales to West Coast design professionals placing artwork in projects.
c. Online sales to West Coast framing shops providing art as an add-on business line.
d. International sales to general public.
To meet the demand, we are creating a print-on-demand program and increasing the availability of reproductions for sale on our website at www.studioartdirect.com .
We are seeking artists submissions for our giclee art program.
All works must be created by artists residing in Oregon or Washington as we support a sustainable business model – regional business supporting regional artists.
We will purchase reproductions on an on-demand basis directly from artists and will work with local fine art printers for production. Studio Art Direct will handle all customer fulfillment including sales/marketing, billing, framing, shipping/delivery and/or installation. Essentially, we become the sales and production arm for your art.
For artists & photographers, this could mean an income stream during lean times.
We know there are a lot of local artist creating outstanding 2-D work, but we need your help finding them. We are asking you to get the word out to your photographer and artist colleagues, or submit your work. If you are interested in learning more, please read on for details or call 503.230.9390.
MORE INFORMATION FOR ARTISTS
We will be curating giclee art until June, 2009.
Artists must be residing in Oregon or Washington. Artwork must be of the highest quality and suitable for healthcare facilities. We have a priority preference for soothing, healing and uplifting artwork.
HOW TO SUBMIT: Artists are to submit (3) low res jpeg images of their art work to info@studioartdirect.comwith GICLEE in the subject line. Art will be reviewed by our team for suitability for our clientel.
Accepted artwork will be uploaded to www.studioartdirect.com online art gallery in appropriate categories by our staff. We will work with artists to hone artist statements, resize and optimize images for the web.
Submissions are to include:
1. Title and original medium
2. Size including image size and paper/canvas size
3. Giclee substrate (canvas, bamboo, paper, other)
4. Artist wholesale price
5. Retail price
6. Artist’s full contact information
7. Brief artist bio/statement/resume
Images must be, or ready for, the creation of a high resolution digital file (enough for high quality printing at at least 150 DPI for an oversized print – approximately 36×48+.) We prefer that the pre-press have also been completed, calibrated for your printer and approved by you.
ABOUT STUDIO ART DIRECT
Studio Art Direct, the region’s largest source for art created exclusively by Oregon & regional artists.
Our website www.studioartdirect.com receives 60K unique hits per month. We sell directly off the web on an international basis but the majority of our sales are to clients and projects we directly seek and solicit to.
For more information, visit www.studioartdirect.com and click on “clients & projects” for 2008 project list.
Studio Art Direct shares 2009 color trends for art
Artist Sidonie Caron uses the sunset palette for "On Wings of Doves"
As you might have guessed, these color combinations evoke a beautiful sunset memory – reds, oranges, yellows, and golds. These colors are not artificially bright nor mistaken for muddy earthtones. They are rich and elegant feeling – vibrant and natural at the same time. Some are describing this palette as “comfort colors infused with energy and sophistication.”
metallics. The luster and texture of metallic accents are essential to the
“Ahhh” factor here, so bronze, copper, and warm golds are added for depth, pop, and a high level of sophistication.
Studio Art Direct completes a successful year of corporate art services
Artwork for PacTrust office building in Vancouver, Wa.
Portland, Oregon – Studio Art Direct is proud to have completed so many outstanding art and graphic projects in 2009. Here is a partial list of projects and clients. For more detailed info including photos and links, CLICK HERE
Tetherow Golf Community, Bend OR (Rebecca Etlin & Glenda Anders of Ankrom Moisan Artchitects) – custom commissioned paintings for club house lodge.
The Strand Penthouse, Portland OR (Stu Ankrom of Ankrom Moisan Architects) – custom commissioned paintings for penthouse condo.
Esquire Apartments / The Brasserie Montmartre, Portland OR, (Carl Coffman of Norway Development) – full exterior redesign, interior finishes, logo, website, graphics, signage and art. www.esquireapartmentsportland.com
Premier Storage Hillsboro, Hillsboro OR, (Jeff Norris of Storage Partners)- full graphics and signage package including logo, corporate ID, signage & wayfinding, brochure, display advertising, open house party, postcard advertising.
Greenhills Country Club, San Francisco CA (Marilyn Soljaga of Soljaga Design Group)- custom commissioned gicless for prestigious clubhouse.
Forest Edge Apartments, Portland OR, (Brian McMahon of Township Development)- full graphics and signage package including logo, corporate ID, signage and wayfinding, and brochure.
Well Arts Institute (Nonprofit 501(c)3, Portland OR - pro bono design and graphics including logo, brochure, theater programs, marketing plan budget and calendar, and PR.
Hotel Modera, Portland OR (Alan Battersby of Posh Ventures)- 340 works of art for luxury hotel in Portland, Oregon. Winner of NW Design Awards, Peoples Choice IIDA Oregon Award, Boutique Hotel Magazine Best Lobby Award.
333 Office Building, Las Vegas NV (Equastone)- custom artwork featuring photographs of Las Vegas strip, dancers, celebrities, and Hoover Dam from 1920-1950. Reproduced on canvas.
Sacred Heart Hospital, Eugene OR (American Art Resources) – black and white photographs for new hospital in Eugene. Images from the Oregon Natural Beauty Collection.
River Park Landing, Astoria OR (Chester Trabucco) – graphics, signage, website and investor presentation brochures for this unique condo project located on the Columbia River. www.riverparklanding.com
Talent Medical Staffing, Portland OR (Warren Johnson) – logo, graphics and website for this start-up company headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
PacTrust, Vancouver WA (PacTrust) – custom giclee on canvas artwork for Class A office building.
“Our business was built on a sustainable model – regional business supporting regional artists. But we are very excited to report that we have exported local artwork to Hawaii, Atlanta, San Francisco and Las Vegas,” explains Janelle Fendall Baglien, president of Studio Art Direct.
With 60,000 hits to www.studioartdirect.com website, online sales have increased 50% in 2008.
The prospects for 2009 look promising despite the economic downturn. As consumers and business-to-business clients try to save money, sales of reproduction artworks are expected to increase. “Our focus will be on custom Giclees with hand embellishments by the artist this coming year. We are trying to achieve an original look and feel at an affordable price point,” says Baglien.
Studio Art Direct will also introduce a sustainable art line with art images reproduced on bamboo, hemp, and FSC certified Green materials. Baglien explains that eventhough art purchased locally is sustainable – for the economy, community and environment - people are looking for an even deeper level. “We are really pleased to introduce some of the first sustainable/green art solutions available in the United States,” explains Baglien. Studio Art Directs GreenLine will be available in March 2009.
Studio Art Direct adds art line for medical facilities
Serene landscapes, like this painting by Studio Art Direct's Marla Baggetta, are proven to improve patient outcomes in healthcare facilities.
Portland, Oregon- As the healthcare industry continues to build and renovate facilities at a breath-taking rate, Studio Art Direct is keeping pace with artwork specifically curated for placement in hospital, memory care, continued care, outpatient, and other health related environments.
Twenty years ago it was unheard of for a medical facility to invest hundreds of dollars into artwork. But the healthcare industry has realized that environment – design, colors, artwork as well as functionality – can improve patient outcomes, reduce staff stress and burnout and increase effectiveness in delivering care. And it is not a theory. It’s known as evidence-based design, and there is a considerable and growing body of research and information to prove it (The Pebble Project/Center for Health Design, Texas A&M University College of Architecture, and Georgia Institute of Technology, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.)
Because researchers have found that the additional cost of design improvements such as art for public spaces and patient rooms quickly paid for themselves through operational savings and increased revenue, medical facilities have become more sophisticated in their art selections.
To meet the demand, Studio Art Direct is curating hundreds of new original and limited edition works created exclusively by Pacific Northwest creative professionals. Works must meet specific medical design criteria.
Choosing the right art for medical facilities can be a complex task. Each area of a healthcare facility requires artwork that is conducive to patients, visitors and staff. For example, patients in recovery from surgery need to view specific kinds of images designed to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and lessen discomfort. Areas like Chemotherapy require very realistic images that are still and clear for patients who may be experiencing nausea. Artwork for dementia and Alzheimer facilities need to evoke long term memories and other senses such as touch and sound. Chaotic, ambiguous or surreal images need to be avoided in psych facilities.
Over the next 10 years, it is estimated that $200 billion will be spent on hospital construction in the United States. This amount does not include other healthcare related facilities such as memory care, assisted living, in-patient mental facilities, out-patient facilities, therapy centers, and oncology and surgery centers.
Locally, facilities like OHSU, Kaiser, Providence and Legacy are incorporating sophisticated artwork into their facilities. The application of art and design in these healthcare settings will continue to grow as returns on investment, improved patient outcomes, and employee retention are realized.
Studio Art Direct
Studio Art Direct Demystifies Commissioning Art for Corporate Projects.
Tetherow Golf Club Art Commission
Portland, Oregon – It is a rare occasion when we can find the right number of artworks, in the right size, in the right colors, in the right style for a corporate art project. So often times, more often than not, we commission works of art specifically for resort, office, medical, or hospitality projects.
Commissioning art is a leap for most clients, even for design professionals. People are simply more comfortable buying what they can touch, feel and immediately relate to. But the satisfaction of commissioning art specifically designed to capture the feeling, aura, image or design of a company or interior style is an exciting and rewarding process for everyone involved.
Rarely do you have an opportunity to breathe your ideas into a work of art. Who would dare? But many artist leap at the opportunity. It pushes them into places sometimes unknown. Allows them to spread their creative wings on a work of art guaranteed to sell and often is some of the best work they create.
Commissioned works of art can bring elements of surprise and a feeling of ownership to the buyer that simply can not be gained in buying off the shelf.
Here are some helpful tips for commissioning artworks for corporate art projects:
Start with size:
Parameters always start with size and substrate – assuming the artist you have chosen is working within the style, palette and genre you already prefer. So start with size. If you have some graphic skills, take pictures of the walls you want to place art on, measure something to make it to-scale, and place an artwork image into the photograph in the size you want. You will find that often the size that you think you need is not big enough. Creating a to-scale image will help you understand the balance of space to artwork. This is the starting place for all Studio Art Direct projects. It is often required in projects that are still in construction document form – meaning the space is not built yet. We use graphic design programs to “program” a project including floorplans showing location, and to-scale images of art sizes and concepts in elevation form – often including the specified wall colors, furniture swatches and flooring.
Choose a color palette:
We know, we have heard the old saying “art doesn’t have to match the couch.” And it does not if you are a collector. But if you are looking for artwork for a corporate project often the interior design scheme and style is of utmost importance. A few basic color swatches is the perfect place to start. When the options for artwork are in the millions, honing down selections to a palette helps define the process and makes what could be overwhelming manageable.
Choose a style, genre and medium:
There are some basic guidelines we often share with clients. If you are a medical facility, stay away from red and abstract paintings. Instead consider landscapes that are soothing – they are proven to lower heart rates and aid in healing. If you are a condo developer longing to attract the young and hip, choose abstracts and large graphics. If you want to create a feeling of serenity and peace, go with colors in the same palette as the room in soft, subtle, minimalist shapes. If you want to create excitement, go with bold strokes in contrasting colors to the space. For a style that seems to appease all the art connoisseurs that may be weighing in on your choice, abstracted landscapes will make 68% of employees, customers and visitors happy. Know that you will never get 100% consensus.
Choosing a medium, such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, monoprints, photographs, encaustic, or mixed media, doesn’t require knowledge of the medium itself. What you are looking for is a style of art. How the artist gets there should be left to the creative professional. But know that watercolor, photographs and print-makings will most likely need to be framed and under glass. This incurs additional expense.
Find the right artist, for the right project:
Artists are enormously talented and can shift from medium, to style, to genre depending on the body of work they are currently creating. But working within their current groove will garner the best results. So, search online at sites like www.studioartdirect.com or from thousands of artist websites and find a style, palette, medium and genre you like and contact that artist with your ideas. Don’t make a watercolorist paint with oils. Don’t ask a figurative painter to do landscapes. Don’t ask an abstract artist to do realism. Chances are they can do it, but there studio and mind is set up for creating their current body of work style – so find the right artist for the right project.
Know that some artist are offended when asked to create a commission. And that is perfectly OK. Don’t feel jolted. Move on. There are many artist who enjoy the commissioning process and are more than happy to work with you. It is a vetting process.
Communicate your vision:
Your vision and ideas should be communicated to the artist verbally. Talk with several artists. Find someone you feel comfortable with and who you feel understands your vision, budget and goals.
Get it in writing:
At Studio Art Direct, we have Letters of Engagement for every commission. The Engagement clearly states our expectations and the process including progress viewings of artwork, schedules, payment terms and conditions. Remember that contracts are merely an outline of expectations for both parties. Conflict only arises when expectations are not met – so spell it out. Revise as needed and get a signature. And remember, no matter the contract, the artwork is always the sole ownership of the artist. For the life of the art. Any use beyond the contract agreement is expressly prohibited by federal law.
If you don’t have “an artistic bone in your body” – though we at Studio Art Direct would challenge that – then speak your vision through an artist. You will achieve great satisfaction, and so will the artist.
Art of a recession – Studio Art Direct shares how to market your art business in an economic downturn
Janelle Fendall Baglien, president of Studio Art Direct and author of the article, warns that the list is long and to achieve each step could take as much as a year, but urges artists and art related businesses not to be overwhelmed. Just chip away at it, now, while you have the time.
Studio Art Direct
For artists and galleries, a recession can be a scary time. But an economic downturn can provide great opportunity.
An economic downturn is a great time to market.
Tough times may actually provide us our best opportunity to reach out to art customers with little or no competition because so many of our competitors are doing just the opposite of that in an attempt to save money.
Competition is easing.
Everyone has the bravery to seek out clients in good times, creating an atmosphere of extreme competition. Reaching your customer with your message proves to be exceedingly difficult. NOW is the time to have faith in your art or service, to reach out to your customers and to secure your success for the future.
A slow down in art sales means time.
Time to get your business in order and create marketing systems. Update your website, create postcards that are generic and all-purpose, photograph images, update your resume, create effective electronic files for your art with title, size and price of each image in jpeg format (low res for emailing), produce an online and offline portfolio for presentations to galleries, clean and organize your studio. Think positively, be an example of confidence, and get ready for 2009.
Here are some easy and cost effective ways to market now:
Build that database.
I can’t express how important it is for you, whether you are with a gallery or not, to build a powerful email and mail database. Get all those business cards you have in a pile on to your computer – especially email addresses. Take one day each week to put all new contacts in your database. Treat it like gold and back it up often.
Email is the most effective and inexpensive ways to market a visual medium like art – use it! I recommend Outlook (PC) or Entourage (MAC) for an excellent email and database system.
Submit an article online.
Everyone knows about the internet, but not everyone knows the free ways to get exposure on the internet. You can write an article about your art, how you do it (how to), your clients, or anything somewhat newsworthy and submit it to one of the many sites that accept them. At the end of every article you should have one succinct paragraph that begins with About (You). Here is where you mention your art business and have a link to your website. Each site has it’s guidelines on how the articles are to be written, so make sure to follow them. This will help establish you as a leader in your industry as long as the information you share is helpful and not self-promoting. Go beyond art websites (big competition) try more open source like www.searchwarp.com
Use guerilla marketing techniques.
Use www.overnightprints.com or www.modernpostcards.com and have some postcards made (and don’t forget business cards!). During your slow time, go down to your city art walk or art events or a busy cultural event and hand them out. Put your message directly into the hands of prospective customers. Make sure you have an attractive offer. This could mean a discount on your art or a small art card giveaway. Be creative. Entice people to visit your studio, gallery or website.
Take care of your best asset – previous art buyers.
Client retention is the best form of marketing. Finding a new art buyer is 100 times harder than selling to your existing or past clients. So treat anyone who has bought art from you like they are a cherished aunt. Send them a Christmas card this year (make them yourself). Throw a “client appreciation” party in your studio or home. Stay in touch with them. Love them. Build a relationship with them. Their referrals and future buying power are your very best asset. You should have a separate or tagged database that includes art buyer clients only (for the above purposes).
Max out online opportunities.
Set up an account on www.myspace , www.facebook and www.linkedin . You can set up an account with a social networking site, giving more information about your business and connecting to other businesses to network and exchanges leads.
Start a blog .
Update it often with new work and thoughts about your process of creating. Use www.wordpress.com It is my favorite – lots of template choices,user friendly and FREE. I recently discovered you can download Movie Media to the blog. I haven’t done it yet. But have someone video tape you in your studio talking about why you create, how you create, your process. It is a great way to create a bio that sells. Load it to your blog. Load it to your website. Load it to www.youtube.com and send the link to your database.
Change your website address.
Your website address should be YOUR name – this will help your website pop up when people Google you. To buy a new domain name or check availability of it, go to www.dotster.com or www.verio.com . Have your new domain name DNS directed to your existing website.
Register your blog and website.
Be sure to register your domain website and blog with all major search engines and online directories. Most is free. Do not use paid services. They do not work unless you can spend a fortune. The goal is to get your name all over the web! Sign up for Google analytics as well. You can track who people are that come to your website.
Cross pollinate with other businesses.
If you’re feeling the pinch of the economy, most likely other businesses in your area/industry are feeling it as well. Find other businesses that don’t compete with you but have similar clients. Try to get a deal to hang your art or exchange postcards promoting each other’s business. Or if your business is online, do a link exchange with other businesses. Do not over due the link exchange or Google may lower your organic search results. Be selective in who you work with both online and in the brick and mortar world.
Consider submitting to art publishers.
Yes, a double edged sword, but art publishers will get you exposure, especially online. And you can receive a small but steady income. Check out www.editionslimited.com as a great example of quality and popularity.
Send out Press Releases.
Press Releases can be a very effective way to bring attention to your art business. If you have something that impacts the community or are inspired to create because of something that impacts your community, then you can have someone write a press release for you. If you hire someone to do it for you, make sure they know how to write and distribute it. Again, remember the topic must be something that impacts the community and not just a self-serving piece promoting your business. Personally, I like www.fineartamerica.com for press releases. It is free and fairly easy and art related. It also gets picked up readily by Google. Look at other free PR sites on the web. Type in a search – “free press release websites” and cull through them.
Create a list with full contact info for ALL press related contacts and websites. Use it often.
Paid services will submit your release to specific regions or trade publications. It is worth the cost for an important release. In my opinion, PRNEWSWIRE and BUSINESS WIRE are the best if you are going to pay: http://www.businesswire.com http://www.prnewswire.com
Create a new body of work.
If your current body of work is not selling, take this time to open your self up to new ideas and let the creative juices flow. Keep marketing your current body of work, but play around with new ideas now. Personally, I believe with a recession comes the desire for the public to want to be surrounded by uplifting and inspirational colors, art and ideas. Be the messenger of hope.
To get an idea of what colors will be popular in the next year or so, look to new car colors and home accessories – they lead trends.
About Studio Art Direct
Studio Art Direct is a professional corporate art services firm serving the West Coast. Clients include interior designers, architects, art consultants, medical facilities, hotels, multifamily, commercial, corporations and institutions.
http://www.studioartdirect.com is the largest resource for emerging and established art created by artists from Oregon and Washington in the U.S. The website features all mediums including original paintings, limited editions, sculpture, photography and glass works. The online gallery is open to the general public 24/7.
About the Author
Janelle Baglien is an artist and 20 year veteran of corporate marketing and communications.
Contact:
Janelle Baglien, President
(503) 230-9390 www.studioartdirect.com
Lehman’s art collection to hold value, unlike their stock
At least we know that the value of Lehman’s corporate art collection will hold its value. We certainly can’t say that about Lehman Brothers stock. For corporate art collectors, Lehman’s collection of 3,500 works of art is to go on the auction block! If you are in the market for a Gorky, de Kooning or Newman, now is the time!
Will this expected $20 million go to paying secretaries, investors, or anyone else hurt in the scandulous ruin of Lehman? If the art was purchased as corporate art, by the company, the Fuld’s have no right to reap the rewards. Perhaps Mrs. Bush needs to decorate the halls of the Whitehouse with some fine, and rather haunting, contemporary art?
Kathleen Fuld, trustee of MoMA–and wife of beleaguered Lehman Brothers’ CEO Richard Fuld–recently announced that she will be auctioning 16 works of post-war and contemporary art through Christie’s on November 12th, following a related report (covered by AO) that Lehman may sell some or all of its 3,500-work corporate collection.
The Fulds make regular appearances on ARTNews list of Top 200 collectors, and have been collecting since the 1980s, focusing mostly on drawings and studies that yield insight into the artists’ creative process. The auction will include drawings from the likes of Barnett Newman, Arshile Gorky, Willem de Kooning and Agnes Martin, and is expected to raise $15 to $20 million.
PSU Raising Money with Online Art Auction – Buy Now
We wanted to let you know about an excellent art buying opportunity going on right now through Portland State University. Harrell Fletcher has organized an online art auction to benefit the PSU art Department including student scholarships, The PSU MFA Monday Night Lecture Series, the new Art and Social Practice MFA Program and the Center of Art and Social Practice.
The on-line auction is a great opportunity to get a bargain on works not only by local/Northwestern artists but great works by far-flung artists too. It is also a chance to participate in a new kind of auction designed to benefit vital and important programming here in Portland.
PDX artists in the auction: James Lavadour, Marie Watt, Storm Tharp, Kristen Miller , Brad Adkins, Joe Macca
Link to the auction
China Olympic’s Opening Ceremony Brings Tear to My Artistic Eye
Beijing Olympics Artistic Blockbuster
Portland, Oregon – I am absolutely electrified by the artful beauty of China’s Olympic opening ceremonies. The spiritual nature of this age old culture which intertwines the oldest religions in the world with the beautiful, seductive romance of poetry, music, calligraphy, painting, dance and martial arts creeps down somewhere to my gut in a place I did not think China could reach. Modern technologies like LEDs and pyrotechnics pull me into a modern grip yet sends me back to a, perhaps, collective memory of my ancient roots or a sacred past. Through it all what punches through the color and the choreography is the people. Just people, powering it all. Creating it all, and some how pulling us into a place deep within our soul that reminds me of what connects us – art.
The tear, posed to drip down the corner and over my cheek is a simple wish for peace. In this moment of artful connectedness, I pray that a cleaver of evil will not split me from my overwhelming appreciation of this coming together.
Art and the athlete can transcend everything, at least for a moment.
Janelle Fendall Baglien, Studio Art Direct
Studio Art Direct breathes new life into Brasserie Montmartre
New exterior colors for Brasserie
Portland, Oregon – The Brasserie Montmartre was one of Portland’s most treasured restaurants. Native Portlanders will remember the magic acts, crayon paintings, jazz and the French vibe. Located downtown on Park Avenue, the building was purchased in 2007 by Norway Development (Carl Coffman) and a total historic renovation is now in progress.
Originally built in the French Revival or Baroque style in 1907 as a hotel, known as the Calumet and then later as the Esquire Hotel, Norway is completely gutting and rehabbing the entire 7 floors. The first floor will be the restaurant, the second floor offices and meeting rooms, and floors 3-7 will apartments with a beautiful penthouse at the top.
Now dubbed the Esquire Apartments, the entire building will be eco-friendly with LEEDs Gold status. It will also be a state and federal historic landmark. Much of the old floors, moldings, brick walls and other period finishes will be re-used in the building. And yes, even the Brasserie Montmartre restaurant will be back.
Studio Art Direct is providing a full package for the project including exterior building coloration, interior finish selections which will evoke a vintage modern feel, art, signage, website, logo and public relations.
CALL TO LANDSCAPE PAINTERS
July 25, 2008 Portland, Oregon –- Studio Art Direct is currently curating permanent art collections for several projects in the Pacific Northwest including hotels, resorts and corporate headquarters.
For these projects, we are specifically interested in large landscape paintings on canvas and panel utilizing mixed media, encaustic, acrylic and or oils. Of particular interest are paintings with Oregon subject matter.
Paintings must be large (36″ to 96″) and original. Paintings must be of highest quality and craftsmanship. Those in the impressionistic or slightly abstracted styles – with care in creating a unique look at nature through the painter’s eyes – are of most interest to us. No Mt. Hood, Multnomah Falls, or other “typical calendar type shots” will be accepted. No works on paper accepted for this series.
Up to 5 artists will be chosen for these projects. Studio Art Direct will purchase the work on behalf of our clients at artist wholesale prices only. No galleries please. Budgets for purchase are $1000-$5000 each. Emerging artists are encouraged to submit. You must be an artist residing in Oregon or Washington to be considered.
Submit at least (3 to 5) low resolution jpegs of your work to curator@studioartdirect.com by AUGUST 1, 2008. Please provide complete contact information, your wholesale artist price for each painting/jpeg, size, medium, and substrate within your email.
For more information about Studio Art Direct, visit our website at www.studioartdirect.com
Bank of America gifts the Portland Art Museum $600,000.
PORTLAND, ORE.—Today, the Portland Art Museum announced a major gift to its Art Access Endowment to fund free admission opportunities. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has pledged $600,000 towards free Museum tours for school groups, grades K through 12. Each year the Museum welcomes more than 20,000 children through school groups and field trips.
“This gift will allow children to come face-to-face with the artistic wonders of the world, past and present. At a time when schools are cutting funding for the arts, Bank of America’s donation will encourage educators to utilize the Museum and its collections as a vital resource, inspiring our children with mankind’s greatest creative achievements,” said Brian Ferriso, the Marilyn H. and Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. Director.
“Through a wide variety of programs, Bank of America works to strengthen artistic and cultural institutions and, in turn, the communities we serve,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America Oregon/SW Washington market president. “We are proud to support the Portland Art Museum to permanently eliminate cost as a barrier to area schools’ access while providing a transformational opportunity for our local youth.”
Studio Art Direct Post
31 Artists. 31 paintings. $31 dollars.
Last year, an art show called “Thirty!” brought out crowds that lined up around the block waiting to get in to a standing-room-only space to see 900 small paintings created by local Portland artists. In the four-hour opening, over 700 of the paintings were sold – that’s almost three paintings per minute throughout the course of opening night. This year brings the sequel, titled “Thirty One!”. Thirty one local artists have thirty one days to create thirty one paintings, apiece. The result: 931 small (7″ X 7″ 
original panels on sale for $31 apiece, and 31 larger paintings up for silent auction.
This is all happening on Friday, August 1 at OM Tradition Arts – 14 NE 10th Ave @ E. Burnside, right here in Portland.
For more information:
http://www.thirtyshows.blogspot.com/
And for photos of last year’s event:
http://flickr.com/photos/tysonrobichaud/sets/72157603460051087/
http://flickr.com/photos/sepiasalax/tags/thirty/
http://flickr.com/photos/wyattdemille/2104479006/
http://flickr.com/photos/wyattdemille/2104457972/
AIA exhibit demonstrates art’s versatility (DJC article)
Studio Art Direct president encourages architects to try to integrate fine art into their buildings
POSTED: 04:00 AM PDT Wednesday, June 11, 2008
BY SAM BENNETT as written in the Portland Daily Journal of Commerce
At Hotel Modera, Janelle Fendall Baglien put a nude drawing in every bathroom. For good measure, she also placed a few in the lobby of the recently opened downtown Portland hotel.
“Hotel Modera has a modern shape with clean, masculine lines,” said Baglien. “I thought the hotel needed some curves. And what better curves than a woman’s body?”
As president of Studio Art Direct, which helps architects and interior designers place art in commercial buildings, Baglien said art is playing an increasingly important role in the built environment.
“Art in the built environment is more important than it ever used to be,” she said. “People just expect to see nicer buildings and they want a nicer finish and artwork.”
Baglien demonstrates how art, technology and the human figure intersect in a new show called “Naked: Art on Raw Surfaces” at the American Institute of Architects’ Portland gallery space at 403 N.W. 11th Ave. The exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The show is designed to educate architects, interior designers, trade professionals and artists about new ways of integrating fine art into buildings. The event will showcase new techniques that allow art to be reproduced in almost any size on a multitude of surfaces, including green/sustainable surfaces.
The show features a nude painting reproduced on a variety of materials, including bamboo, eco-friendly paper made of elephant droppings, panels made of sorghum and resin made of recycled plastics.
Last week, during the exhibit’s opening night, which coincided with the Pearl District’s First Thursday art walk, AIA Portland was bustling with art lovers and the curious. They watched as local artists William Park, Aimee Erickson and Sidonie Caron portrayed a partially nude model in chalk. The artists generated about 80 figure drawings that are on display and on sale at the AIA.
“We are excited to merge so many elements into this show, including demystifying figure drawing, experimenting with sustainable surfaces and most importantly, encouraging designers to incorporate art in the early phases of design using fine art created by local artists,” said Baglien.
She said her clients are turning to Studio Art Direct as more architects are thinking about the finishes of the building and not just what she calls the “hardscape” of the building. In addition to walls, art can go on ceilings and floors, she said.
“I’m giving architects ideas for how to integrate art into the built environment, not just use plunk art – art that you plunk on a wall.”
“Art on Raw Surfaces” Show a Smashing Success
Studio Art Direct’s “Naked: Art on Raw Surfaces” saw 300 people come through the opening reception party at AIA Portland’s gallery on June 5th. The show included the month long exhibit by artist and president of Studio Art Direct, Janelle Fendall Baglien, of one of her original nude paintings printed on 20 varying surfaces including sustainable surfaces such as bamboo and sorghum as well as modern finishes like glass, frosted plex and aluminum. This show will hang until June 30th.
For the opening party, Baglien included live figure drawing. Professional figure model Julie Webb posed for artists William Park, Sidonie Caron, and Aimee Erickson. Their sketches went up for sale as drawn. Many of the drawings are still available for $100 each at AIA until June 30th. (AIA Portland Gallery 403 NW 11th, Portland, Oregon). Photos by Katy Cannatelli [katy@aiaportland.org]
Oregonian coverage of Hotel Modera Art by Brian Libby
Art at the Hotel Modera
by Brian Libby
Thursday June 05, 2008, 10:44 AM
One of the amenities of the new Hotel Modera is the art. A lot of art.Local artist William Park had an impressive show of paintings last month at Mark Woolley Gallery called “Life Is Good,” which fused colorful abstraction with wildlife portraiture. But it’s arguable that the acclaimed Park’s best recent work is on view more permanently down the street from Woolley’s space, as part of the dilapidated former Days Inn City Center’s transformation into the chic Hotel Modera.
With its sleek renovation designed by Portland’s much-admired Holst Architecture, the 174-room Modera, at Southwest Fifth Avenue and Clay Street, has become the city’s latest and perhaps most impressive boutique hotel. Along with interior flourishes of marble, stained wood and stylish furniture, the hotel has invested about $150,000 in artworks by local artists for virtually every room and public space on the site, as selected by art adviser Janelle Baglien of Studio Art Direct.
Modera’s lobby is a dramatic open plan with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking a new courtyard, the latter converted from a parking lot by landscape architects Lango Hansen. Baglien sought a variety of curvy, circular forms in the artworks, be they abstractions or figurative nudes, to counter what she felt was a masculine design with its straight lines and hard surfaces.
The lobby’s centerpiece is Park’s massive 72-by-72-inch painting, “the white album,” a vivid swirl of creamy white plaster. Although it’s a gorgeous work, it’s also no accident the painting’s circular form recalls Hotel Modera’s logo. Baglien gave Park explicit instructions for what to paint.
“Not all artists work well on commission,” says Baglien. “I needed people I could trust.”
Although Baglien recalls Park initially bristling at having instructions, it led to an exceptionally compelling painting.
Park was also commissioned for two other works in the lobby. At first, Baglien felt that a colorful abstract painting near the entrance called “This will look different next time” was too yellow, so its primary wavy form was retouched to become darker, like a warped record album. There is also, on the facing wall, Park’s charcoal sketch of a quite curvy nude woman, “Sienna.” It, too, was made to order.
By the front desk is a multihued print of tree branches by Martha Pfanschmidt called “Traversing Time.” It also adds an organic feel to the clean-lined architecture and interiors. A few feet away are two photos by Stewart Harvey documenting the arrival of Raymond Kaskey’s “Portlandia” statue downtown via boat, before it was hoisted onto a pedestal atop the Portland Building. In Harvey’s black-and-white picture, the statue towers over Waterfront Park; one yearns for it to be returned there for a new permanent home.
The hotel has an inordinate amount of art in the bathroom, too.Modera is just the latest of several downtown hotels, either new arrivals or renovated existing establishments, to exhibit artwork by local or renowned names. At the hip Ace Hotel on Southwest Stark, for example, Portland artists such as Ryan Jacob Smith painted murals on the walls of rooms. One of the city’s top dealers, Elizabeth Leach Gallery, has often displayed works by its represented artists at two downtown establishments: Hotel Monaco and the Heathman Hotel. The Monaco even has a dog living on the premises named Art.
The venerable Heathman has long displayed its collection of Andy Warhol prints from his “Endangered Species” series in the elevator lobby of each floor, as well as in its adjacent Heathman Restaurant. Although prints admittedly aren’t as valuable as original paintings, there’s far more Warhol in the hotel than you’ll find across the street at the Portland Art Museum. For the former Mallory Hotel’s 2006 changeover into the classic Hollywood-themed Hotel deLuxe, curator Tessa Pappas accessed a collection of old studio photos featuring the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Alfred Hitchcock and Judy Garland.
At Hotel Modera, in addition to established artists like Park, Baglien chose work by a variety of emerging and under-represented artists, particularly photographers, with impressive results. The ground floor, near a series of meeting rooms, includes a series of abstract paintings by Jeni Lee that recall the rusty-hued works of James Lavadour. One floor with a Willamette Valley theme features luminous black-and-white vineyard shots by longtime McMinnville photographer Doreen Wynja.
In these high-contrast shots, vines and leaves backlit with intense sunshine appear to radiate light from within. Another floor of the hotel is devoted to photos by at-risk teens from the nonprofit Focus on Youth Photography Project.
The irony is that if you live in Portland, there’s no reason to be seeing most of the work at Hotel Modera or any of these new generation of local hotels unless the work occupies a prominent part of the lobby. Are these places yuppie havens? Sure.
Even so, these establishments now form a kind of shadow network of exhibit spaces in the city, providing opportunity to countless local artists, be they partial to boutique hotels, Motel 6 or camping. And besides, the former Days Inn has never looked better.
Hotel Modera, 515 S.W. Clay St.; www.hotelmodera.com, 503-484-1084.
Hotel Modera Artwork Gets Oregonian Coverage
Studio Art Direct received a very nice article about the artwork at Hotel Modera in Friday’s A&E section of the Oregonian. See artcle http://www.oregonlive.com/art/index.ssf/2008/06/art_at_the_hotel_modera.html
Naked: Art on Raw Surfaces
S
tudio Art Direct presents “Naked: Art on raw surfaces”
art show at the AIA New Center for Architecture gallery space June 5 – 30.
Art, technology and the human figure will intersect in a fascinating show called “Naked: Art on raw surfaces” June 5 – 30 at the AIA’s new gallery space in the Pearl District: 403 NW 11th, Portland, OR.
The art is created by Janelle Fendall Baglien, president of Studio Art Direct, a Portland based corporate art services firm. The show is designed to educate architects, interior designers, trade professionals and artists about new ways of integrating fine art into the built environment. The event will showcase new technologies that allow art to be reproduced in almost any size on a multitude of surfaces including green/sustainable surfaces.
The show will feature a nude painting reproduced on an exciting variety of materials including eco-friendly paper made of elephant poop, bamboo, panels made of sorghum, and resin made of recycled plastics.
The show kicks off with a Reception Party on First Thursday, June 5, 5:30 – 8:00 pm. During the party, local artists will be sketching a live model (tastefully draped) in a long pose and ending with a series of short gesture drawing sessions. Artists will sell their work as drawn. Audience members will be encouraged to grab charcoal and paper and join in for the gesture drawing poses.
“We are excited to merge so many elements into this show including demystifying figure drawing, experimenting with sustainable surfaces, and, most importantly, encouraging designers to incorporate art in the early phases of design using fine art created by local artists,” says Janelle Fendall Baglien, President of Studio Art Direct.
About Studio Art Direct
Studio Art Direct provides personal corporate art services to design professionals, offices, headquarters, medical facilities, condos, hotels and resorts. We help our business clients enhance their environments through affordable fine art created exclusively by Portland, Oregon and Northwest regional artists.
Our online art gallery, www.studioartdirect.com, features 900 original paintings, limited editions, giclees, sculptures, glass works, printmakings, and photographs created by Portland area emerging and established fine artists. The website exists as a resource for designers but is open to the general public 24/7.
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