We are getting closer to completing the gateway art and sign mounument for the City of Tualatin.  It’s a big job with lots of coordination, but we are right on schedule.  Rip Caswell, our bronze sculptor has been feverishly creating the clay models of the geese for the molds which will be sent to his foundry in Joesph, Oregon. The foundry and Rip will be casting the bronze with the lost wax process.  Here is a video of Rip sculpting the geese.  He tells us he is getting “tired of doing feathers.”  And for sure he must be, with 7 life-size geese, that is a lot of feathers.  http://www.youtube.com/embed/k09fDScCP2w“

Initial pinch model of the design.

The process to create this beautiful monument included creating a “pinch model” of the design.  Studio Art Direct’s president and designer for this project, Janelle Baglien, felt that the pinch model was the best way to depict the 3-d aspects of the design for both the Tualatin Art Advisory and City Commissioners as well as help the structural engineer have a to-scale model to create calculations and design from.  The model was created by Rip Caswell.

The project is on schedule.  Coffman Excavation will be breaking ground this winter.  Eammon Hughes of Hughes Water Gardens in Tualatin will be creating the 20×20 water feature including the water related plantings and lighting.  The water feature will include bubblers underneath where the geese are lighting out of the water.  The bubblers will create a movement similar to when the geese’s wings push off the water to take flight.

20-ton sandstone rock after it was excavated from quarry site in Boise.

The 20-ton sandstone rock has been excavated from the quarry in Boise.  It is about 8′x18′ and will have “Tualatin” engraved in the new font style Studio Art Direct helped create as a standard for the City of Tualatin.  The rock will take a semi-truck and two pilot cars to get it here.  A large crane will place it on to the site where footings to handle seismic activity will have been built.  We expect to have the pond and rock sign installed by January 2012. 

In March, we will install the bronze geese.  We understand the City of Tualatin is planning a completion party.  In the end, the design will be as proposed to the City of Tualatin in our preliminary sketches created back in November 2011 (see sketch).

Studio Art Direct's Janelle Baglien created this design which won the competition for the art monument.

We would like to give a special thank you to Chad Rhea of Coffman Excavation.  Chad is our construction manager and has done a great job pushing through permits and herding cats.   Chad’s team will be out onsite this winter, so don’t honk at them if they hold up traffic a bit! It won’t be for long.

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to learn more about this design and why we selected geese as the art feature for this monument, see previous post on our blog at

http://studioartdirect.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/city-of-tualatin-selects-studio-art-direct-for-gateway-art-monument-and-sign/

 

Kaiser Westside Medical Center located in Hillsboro, Oregon.

We are excited to announce Studio Art Direct, Inc.  has been awarded the contract to provide art for the new Kaiser Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro, Oregon.  

Our work will include design, programming, selection, installation and coordination of site specific sculptures, interior art-in-architecture, and procurement of hundreds of 2-D works of art for the patient, exam, waiting areas, cooridors and treatment rooms.

Following the project’s theme of Tranquil Relief Through Nature, Studio Art Direct will select, commission and purchase works of art created exclusively by regional artists with a significant amount selected from the greater Portland area.  Utilizing the well respected guidelines of Evidenced Based Design, we will be looking for works of art that are beautiful, serene and have the ability to improve patient outcomes by lowering heart rates and reducing blood pressure. 

 100% of the artwork will be by regional artists .  “This is exciting news for area artists,” says Janelle Baglien president of Studio Art Direct and project manager for the new Kaiser project, “we have already contracted the art in architecture and large-scale sculptures to area artists and are now moving on to selecting the art for the walls.” 

 

The entry rotunda will feature a 16'x8' commissioned glass sculpture. The sculpture will feature gingko leaves and will hang from the skylight - the glass will sparkle and shimmer throughout the day and night.

Both Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Studio Art Direct are dedicated to sustainability and together we are excited to support our local art community.   “We are just wrapping the design and coordination with the architects and structural engineers for the large feature artworks such as bronze sculpture by Rip Caswell and Shelley Smith Curtiss, custom commissioned large-scale kiln formed and hand blown glass installations by Sue Grauten, and the art in architecture wall panels which will be filled with exciting commissioned works by Joe Futschik and Kirby Jones. And right now we are selecting, commissioning, and procurring original and reproduction 2-D works for the walls,” says Baglien.

 About the project

 

Kaiser Westside Medical Center, which is expected to earn a LEED Gold Certification for green and sustainable practices, consists of a 4-story, 283,000 sq.ft. hospital featuring 126 private patient rooms with views, new operating, recovery and diagnostic and treatment areas plus an extensive labor and delivery floor.  Adjacent and connected to the hospital is a  5-story, 110,000 sq. ft. medical office building.   The project is expected to complete in spring of 2012 and will see its first patients in the fall. 

 

Studio Art Direct is collaborating closely with Kaiser project managers, interior designers from Elerbee Beckett in San Francisco, architects PKA here in Portland and AECOM in Minneapolis, as well as Anderson Construction general contractors and their sub contractors and vendors. 

 

Portland artist Jeni Lee has been commissioned by Studio Art Direct for 14 paintings featured in various projects throughout the Northwest including the Hotel Modera, Red160 in Seattle, and Specht Development

FOR ARTISTS ONLY:

 

Themes and art selections

 

The theme of Tranquil Relief Through Nature will feature sub-themes by floor.  Each theme is designed to reflect the healthcare provided on that floor and speaks specifically to Kaiser’s members, visitors and staff.  To learn more, read this Evidenced Based Design.

 

Level 1:     Forest - protection and longevity

Imaging, orthopedics, exam, treatment, patient rooms, and emergency

 

Level 2:     Water – replenishment and healing

Major surgery, recovery, patient rooms, exam, treatment

 

Level 3:    Wildflowers - rebirth and rejuvenation

Labor and delivery, OBGYN, imaging, exam, treatment, patient rooms

 

Level 4:     Mountains & Oregon Landscapes – stability

Exam, patient rooms, administration  

 

Color Palette

 

The color palette for Kaiser Westside Medical Center chosen by Elerbee Beckett is a soft grouping of colors reflecting spring and summer and designed to warm the rainy gray days of Oregon’s winters.  The artwork will integrate and enhance the color palette. 

 

The color palette for Kaiser Westside Medical Center. Artwork will be selected to enhance this palette.

Studio Art Direct will be working with hundreds of regional artists already connected to the company and will be scouting for new artists. 

 Artwork will be selected based on several criteria:

 

- Artist must reside in Oregon or Washington

- Quality

- Imagery that is serene, peaceful, uplifting

- Creative integration of the theme by floor

- Use of color palette

- Oregon landscapes from the majestic coastline to eastern Oregon are always of interest

 

“The thing I encourage artists to consider when it comes to art for healthcare is to imagine it is your mother, brother, sister or daughter in the hospital looking at the art as a way to feel better, to heal.  All of us – visitor, paitent, staff – need healing.  I believe art has that power and that is what I want artists to focus on when they consider submitting their work for this project,” Baglien says.

 

 Giclee reproductions wanted

 

Because budgets are always a concern, Studio Art Direct has specified many giclee reproductions on paper or canvas for this project.  If you are an artist who has considered reproductions or already has super high resolution scans or photographs of your artworks, please send them for consideration.  The best way to submit reproductions to Studio Art Direct is to create a PDF of all images available and include the maximum size it can be printed and price per size.  Studio Art Direct has a tremendous amount of experience helping artists move into reproduction, so if you have questions, please email janelle@studioartdirect.com

 

How to submit your work

 

To submit your work please provide a low res jpegs via email to curator@studioartdirect.com  You must include the following information:

 

1.   Low res jpegs only

2.  Each jpeg must be titled with art title, size, and price

3.  Your full contact information including name, address, phone, website, and email

3.  A brief introduction of who you are and a description of your art and medium

4.  Works must be currently available for purchase

 

If your work is selected, you will be contacted.

 

We will make selections for giclee reproductions and originals by Sept 30, 2011

 

Fall Harmony Willamette by Mitch Baird of Portland, Oregon

How are Evidence-Based Art Programs different from regular art programs and what advantage do they offer hospitals?

Evidence-based art is based upon the principles of Evidence-based Design, and makes a commitment to basing design decisions on the best available research.  There is a small but significant body of research evidence today on the impact of art on clinical and behavioral outcomes of patients in hospital settings.

 

Viewing artwork with appropriate nature content has been seen to reduce stress and pain perception, as measured by physiological outcomes such as blood pressure, heart-rate, and skin conductance, in addition to self-report measures such as pain-rating scales and surveys. For example, in a study conducted in Sweden by Roger Ulrich, heart surgery patients in an ICU who were shown nature scenes with water, trees and high depth of field, showed lesser anxiety, suffered less intense pain, and required lower strength pain medication, than those shown abstract scenes or no image at all. Economic benefits of lower cost of pain medication, reduced length of stay, and increased patient and staff satisfaction, can be extrapolated from such studies and strengthen the case for taking an evidence-based approach.Unfortunately, the critical importance of Evidence-based Art programs has not yet been fully appreciated within the industry….

While experienced art consultants have the ability to provide aesthetically pleasing artwork consisting of pretty, local pictures, the insight into whether this aesthetic is appropriate for healthcare populations is often missing. Given the evidence on the therapeutic effect of using appropriate art (discussed above), this could be a critical oversight.
 
Yet another aspect of evidence that is relevant, in addition to the therapeutic benefit of art, relates to how presence and quality of art can effect patient/visitor perception of the quality of care at the hospital, act as a de-stressor for staff, have an impact on the branding of the hospital, serve as a point of focus and discussion for visitors, and of course, add to the overall appeal of the visual environment (these themes are emergent from a 2007 post-occupancy evaluation of the art program at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston). Artwork is often the most visible and noticeable aspect of the visual environment and this increases its potential impact on patients/staff/ visitors, and in the final analysis, the economic bottom-line at the hospital.
 
There are well-researched guidelines in place today for appropriate healthcare art based on rigorous research findings, which can be implemented, creatively, by experienced art consultants. Ulrich and Gilpin’s chapter on Healing Arts, in Frampton’s Putting Patients First, is one of the most comprehensive resources and recommends the use of

1. Waterscapes (Calm or non-turbulent water)
2. Landscapes (with visual depth or open foreground, trees with broad canopy, savannah landscapes, verdant vegetation, or positive cultural artifacts)
3. Flowers (familiar, healthy and fresh, in natural settings with open foreground), and
4. Figurative Art (depicting emotionally positive faces, diverse and leisurely in nature).

While these guidelines are in place today, an evidence-based art consultant has the onus of creative but conscientious interpretation, in order to ensure that the most appropriate art for the facility is chosen while maintaining a standard of visual appeal that is befitting to the hospital. Furthermore, there is little known on art for special populations, or different ethnicities, and mere prescriptive adherence to guidelines cannot suffice.
 
In the end, commitment to an Evidence-based Art program entails going the step beyond the implementation of existing guidelines, to improving and updating guidelines towards the maximum impact art can have on improving the healthcare environment. 
 
Published in FacilityCare Magazine. Vol 12. Number 3. May/June 2007

 

 

TUALATIN — A year from now, Tualatin’s entrance on Tualatin-Sherwood Road and Nyberg Street will be graced with a fountain adorned with large bronze geese. The Tualatin City Council approved the project Monday night and authorized the city to enter into a $367,987 contract for the final design and installation of the art feature.  Article by

Tualatin Community Totem will include 1000 lbs of hand scuplted bronze, 20-ton engraved rock and a waterfeature. Design by Studio Art Direct, Inc.

By Angela Webber / The Tualatin Times, Dec 15, 2010 -  The art piece will cost an additional $5,000 per year to maintain and should be completed by Dec. 15, 2011.  The art installation was intended to be part of a larger renovation of the city’s main entrance on Tualatin-Sherwood Road and Nyberg Street. In addition to the art installation contract, $1.2 million was budgeted for landscape design and construction along the road. All of the funds for this project come from Tualatin’s Central Urban Renewal District Plan.

In July, the city sent out a call for artists to submit ideas for the gateway art piece. The call resulted in 25 proposals, which were all reviewed by a selection committee that included city councilors and citizen volunteers.

At the council meeting Monday night, Councilor Donna Maddux said most of the committee members preferred the flying geese design, which stood out as a representation of Tualatin.

The winning concept was designed by Janelle Fendall Baglien, President of Portland-based Studio Art Direct. Studio Art Direct is a corporate art consultant firm which connects regional artists to projects for governments, hospitals and other organizations and businesses. Baglien has 25 years of experience in art and signs that include entryway signs in Sherwood and art pieces in Happy Valley and Portland.

What is certain is that the art piece will include geese, hand-sculpted in bronze by Troutdale artist Rip Caswell. The geese will have wingspans of 5 to 6 feet. According to a project proposal, the geese intend to evoke not only a tie to nature, but more symbolic meanings about teamwork.

The geese will appear to be taking off from a water feature, which will represent Tualatin’s wetlands, and will have lights to illuminate the installation at night. Oregon City-based Coffman Excavation will serve as the general contractor for the entire project, including the installation of the water feature.

In Monday night’s council work session, The City Council discussed the possibility of shifting some or all of the $1.2 million that was budgeted for additional landscaping at the city’s “main entrance” to a different project. This project would address complaints about parking spaces by businesses in Tualatin’s central district. The project might include a parking structure. The City Council will discuss that possibility at a work session in early 2011.

(Rendering by Wayne Chin)

About the Sculpture by designer Janelle Baglien

I chose geese because they are artistically elegant in their curves and movement, they are a reflection of nature, and most importantly, they are symbolic of what it means to live as a community. 

The influence and spirituality of geese has a long history. They were revered as a sacred bird in the Roman temples of Juno, associated with the North Wind in Greek Mythology and are a powerful totem and spirit guide for the Native Americans including the indigenous Kalapuya tribe of Tualatin.

According to Native American’s, geese teach us that the value of community is not an exclusive privilege or a burden but a shared opportunity. 

The Kalapuya looked to geese as the spirit guide of cooperation and belonging.  They believed that they embodied the spirit of communication, dedication, compassion and shared leadership. 

For Tualatin, there are lessons to be learned from the goose’s communal demeanor. They don’t ever leave behind an ill or wounded fellow bird. Should a goose become injured during a trek, another goose will leave the migrating flock to stay with its fallen comrade. The goose will stay with the injured until he has recovered or until its final breath. This compassion and selflessness teaches us that caring is a natural behavior and strength lies with in the power of two or more.  

 In flight, members of a flock alternate leadership roles. This teaches us that when we are balanced and in harmony with our community we will also know when to lead and when to follow.

Native lore says that if geese show themselves as your totem; consider your role in your family, workplace, or community.  It tells you to reach out for help or support and work together to accomplish more than double what you can do alone.  The Goose Totem is influenced by the element earth, which stands for steadfastness and stability. They are a sign of versatility, tenacity and focused energy.  Guided by the motto “In silence lies strength,” geese have big plans and, by climbing steadily, go far.

Further, geese have intricate methods of communication – not only do they sense when their brethren are in trouble; they also work as a team to communicate warnings.

The time when geese migrate announces the passages of the Great Circle of the Year, reminding us of the sanctity of the cycles of our lives and our relationship to nature.

Like Tualatin, geese congregate in groups that can reach the tens of thousands and together they strive for the greater good.

Daily Journal of Commerce  awards Studio Art Direct first place in the TOP PROJECTS 2009 by Women/Minority/Emerging (DMWESB) businesses for the permanent art collection at Happy Valley City Hall. Nomination submitted by Howard S. Wright Constructors

POSTED: Friday, October 29, 2010 at 11:54 AM PT
BY: DJC Staff

 In creating a permanent art collection at Happy Valley City Hall, Studio Art Direct wanted to support local artists and art-related businesses while also respecting the city’s limited budget.

Its successful strategy lay in a juxtaposition of historic art and images showcased by modern techniques. Ninety percent of the art on display was created by local artists and purchased below gallery and retail pricing.

Completed in 2009, the project involved the design, art selection, project management, historic research, archival image curation, production, printing, framing and installation of 36 pieces.

“I pushed the limits of art and technology on this project,” Janelle Fendall Baglien, the company’s president, said. “I did custom reproductions of both contemporary and historic art using archival pigmented inks printed directly to frosted Plexiglas, bamboo and sintra. These are not traditional art surfaces, so I had to step out of the fine art world and into the arms of local fabricators who could use the newest printing technologies from the commercial retail side and apply them to fine art.

“It was an experiment for us all. Frankly, it was a gamble,” she added. “But it turned out very well, and we are now working on creating a custom line of art using some of these ideas.”

Jason Tuck, Happy Valley city manager, complimented Baglien for enhancing the building’s unique lobby with a historic display that serves as a centerpiece.

“Janelle was able to integrate our needs for having a historic display that would not impede the flow of visitors in the lobby,” Tuck said. “We are very pleased with the results and have heard many times from visitors about how much they like the art and historic display.”

Established in 2006, Studio Art Direct specializes in art programs for hospitality, health care, institutional and corporate environments.

Hotel Modera  is an urban-chic-meets-Northwest-cool boutique hotel in dowtowm Portland, Oregon.  From the modern lobby to the perfectly outfitted master suites that cater to the business traveler, Modera brims with art created by Portland area artists. 

Portland artist Michael Hensley was commissioned by Studio Art Direct to create and abstract painting that burst with all things Portland. From volcanoes and loggers to bikes and beer, this painting has it all.

Studio Art Direct commissioned another 6 works of art for the Hotel Modera suites.  The hotel’s permanent art collection now totals 506 works created specifically for the hotel by Studio Art.

President, Janelle Baglien, the art designer and broker for the hotel, worked with local artist Michael Hensley to dream up this abstract painting that bursts with all things Portland.  “This painting is street meets art with a graffiti style.  You can stare at it for hours and still not find all the hidden Portland messages and insider nods to pdx culture,” says Baglien.   The original painting (shown here) was then scanned at super high resolution and made into archival reproductions using pigment inks on canvas 30×60. 

Giclee reprodutions of this painting are available to the public at 20% off the listed price.  Just give us a call at 503 230 9390.   Visit www.studioartdirect.com to learn more.

 

 

When selecting art, an emotional connection must be made between the art and the customer. For seniors in residential care facilities, local landscapes evoke memories and a deep connection that is healing and uplifting.

In 2009 Americans invested over $42 billion decorating their walls. However, how they choose to spend their dollars on art is changing.  Studio Art Direct studies the Unity Marketing 2010 art and framing forecast and provides insight to artists on how to benefit from the trends.  

“Americans are paying more attention to decorating their walls, but traditional art reproductions, for example, are being purchased less frequently today than they were in previous years,” says Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and lead researcher for the new study.  Consumers are investing more in original art because it has become more widely available through online galleries like www.studioartdirect.com and as working artists become market focused.  If you are an artist who still thinks the holy grail is to get into a brick and mortar gallery, we encourage you to think more broadly and consider regional art websites as well as your own online marketing.

To better display their array of original, reproduction, and self-made items, consumers also have a wide range of framing options from which to select, including a growing selection of ready-made frames and custom framing.  However, many American’s feel that custom framing is too expensive and look to the growing market of ready-made frames. As this market grows, there are more options in style and sizes. For the savy artist, creating work that fits standard ready-made frames might lead to more sales.

Americans Want to See Their Own Lives on Their Walls

As the American consumer demands increased participation in other areas of her life, it is only natural that she wants to be an active participant in her art.  “While it is true that most consumers view pictures on the wall as an important part of decorating their home, they express a more personal and emotional relationship to those treasured items they hang on their walls.”  Over 70 percent of the consumers surveyed agreed with the statement, ‘When choosing art for my home, the way the piece makes me feel is most important.’ 

At Studio Art Direct, we take great care in listening to and understanding each client’s personal form of expression and make an effort to connect with them emotionally.  Even for large projects like a hotel or senior care facility, the emotional needs of the client as well as the end user are extremely important to understand when selecting art. 

If you are an artist, you need to understand the emotional make up of your buyer. What are their characteristics? How can you touch them emotionally?  If you don’t know, ask people who have bought or expressed interest in your work.  What moved them? Why did they buy it?  You will begin to understand the expressive nature of your customer.  Take this information and think about it as you work – expand upon it and continue to reach further into the emotions of your future art buyer.

 Janelle Baglien, President, Studio Art Direct, Inc.  www.studioartdirect.com

Studio Art Direct features over 1000 works of art by Oregon and Washington artists. Photo of Portland's Pearl District by Brian Libby

In this information filled age, it is easy to find news-you-can-use that will help you with your art career, inspire and challenge your artistic technique, help you learn how to be a better collector, or provide helpful tips on running a gallery or frame shop. Here are some of Studio Art Direct’s art website picks:

For an array of art workshops that you can download for a few bucks, visit  www.artworkshops.tv

Northwest artists will love www.emptyeasel.com for their reviews of art portfolio websites, interviews with artists, and more.  Direct from Seattle, the information feels regional.

For international art business news take a spin through www.artnews.com and www.artforum.com

For a great list of show, gallery and competition opportunities visit www.artcalendar.com You will find great

articles about exhibiting, how to get into and prepare for art fairs and more insider information for galleries, artists and art publishers.

For great advice on how to prosper as an artist, sign up for Alyson Stanfield’s Art Biz Blog at www.artbizcoach.com

For more regional news and artist opportunities direct to your in-box, sign up for www.racc.org (Portland), www.artisttrust.org and www.4culture.org (Seattle).

If you are a collector, learn about current art marketing pricing, auction sales information, market trends and more at www.artnet.com and www.artprice.com

And of course, we must pitch ourselves when it comes to great online art websites.  Studio Art Direct is now the largest professional source for art created by emerging and established artist living in Oregon and Washington in the U.S.   The site receives about 75K hits per month and features over 1000 works by photographers, painters, sculptors, glass artists, print makers and muralists.

What are the trends in art, design and color for 2011 and beyond?  In this presentation, Global Color Research and Dupont share their forecast. 

This forecast is based on the current economic, environmental, social, and technological factors that are currently driving the human psyche.  Use this information to inspire you.

At Studio Art Direct, we need to be ahead of the trends in design and color because we often work with interior designers who are integrating these ideas into healthcare, hospitality, corporate and institutional projects.  Keeping an eye out for artists who are creating works that enahnce these designs are an important part of our services. 

Click here to go to the presentation:

Presentation was posted by David James from Colt Industries.

NEW YORK, NY, June 3, 2010 — Studio Art Direct has been selected for the 2010 Best of Portland Award in the Art & Graphics Company category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

http://www.us-ca.org

Based on requests from clients and insider news from this year’s ArtExpo in New York, Studio Art Direct makes a call on art trends now and in the future.  Here are the highlights:

Street style artists, Chris Haberman was recently hired by Studio Art Direct to paint a "Portland-esque" graffiti style abstract for 6 suites at the Hotel Modera in downtown Portland.

URBAN-INSPIRED Now more than ever, the lines between streets and studios blur – as artists take art to the streets, and street scenes to the canvas. Artful cityscapes, graffiti-inspired abstracts and everyday urban scenes photographed and painted are giving our cities a visual story for our times.

GRAFFITI A mash-up of words, numbers and comic style figurative coalesce in infinitely mesmerizing works. Inspired by the streets, graffiti style abstracts tell stories left to interpretation. 

NARRATIVE ART Every work of art tells a story, but some paintings seem to hold a more predominant narrative element than others. This year’s Artexpo offers a wide array of intriguing, innovative works that raise questions – and invite interpretation.

This nude by Bill Park (Portland artist) is selling well at Studio Art Direct's online art gallery.

FIGURATIVE The buzz we are hearing is the human form is back. Publishers, decor markets, and clients are ready to showcase the nude – but beware, art that camouflages the face, does not show too much T&A and incorporates color trends are what these buyers are looking for. Studio Art Direct placed 175 nudes in the Hotel Modera in Portland and it has been very well received by customers.  However, a very few were offended (we don’t know why).  Perhaps they’ll choose the Heathman on their next visit to Portland.

PHOTOGRAPHY ART ABSTRACTS Photographers become more creative as they push the limits of photoshop and other design programs to create works of art on paper, canvas, plex and aluminum.

ALTERNATIVE SUBSTRATES Plexiglas, metals, bamboo, FSC certified maple, kirei board, glass, gold or bronze metallics, and paper made of elephant poop (yep, that’s right) - printing art and photography with archival pigment inks on these surfaces adds an entirely new dimension to art reproduction and installation.

At Red160 Apartments in Redmond, WA, Studio Art Direct is reproducing a series of photos on frosted plex. The artwork is lit from the sides and the work floats in the inset of the wall which is painted bright yellow.

ART IN ARCHITECTURE  Interior designers and architects are

A typical way to hang artwork reproduced on plexi-glass is with beautiful aluminum stand-offs. The art floats off the wall. This photo shows art printed on both the plex and and a panel behind it for a 3-D effect.

 working to plan for art in the early stages of design so that works are not an after-thought but rather designed into the architecture.

As modern technologies such as reproductions on exciting surfaces and manipulating hand-crafted art in programs like photoshop expand the limits of what artists can achieve, Studio Art Direct continues to provide opportunities for artists to stretch their creative muscle in unique projects throughout the Northwest. 

About Studio Art Direct

The firm provides art created by Oregon & Washington aritsts to healthcare, institutional, multi-family, hospitality, and corporate clients. Visit http://www.studioartdirect.com for more information.

 

300 hand blown glass balls will dangle in clusters from 35' high atrium at Kaiser's new Sunnyside Hospital lobby.

 

Glass is one of the most serene and uplifting forms of art there is, making it perfect for healthcare settings where art can serve to de-stress patients, visitors and staff.  

Portland, Ore – At Kaiser’s new Sunnyside Hospital lobby scheduled to open in April, Studio Art Direct created a magnificent hanging glass sculpture which shimmers and floats from a 35′ high atrium in the admitting area. 

The sculpture consists of 300 hand-blown glass balls varying in sizes from 3″ to 9″ in diameter. The colors of amber, green and clear glass compliment the new interior palette and sparkle from the pendant lights above and westfacing windows at the top of the atrium. The glass balls, blown by local artists, were strung on thin aluminum cables attached to the ceiling in varying shapes and levels to create a scene of beautiful translucent balls floating down like snow flakes. 

Glass balls float down like colorful snowflakes in Kaiser atrium.

 

As patients, visitors and staff wind up the stairs to the surgery area, the glass balls are visible at eye-level. They float throughout the open atrium space creating a beautiful art installation that translates to happiness and serenity.

About Studio Art Direct

Studio Art Direct provides turnkey art programs for healthcare, hospitality, corporate and institutional environments.  To learn more www.studioartdirect.com

Mardi Grape is this years most trendy color. Photo: Anna Beaudry 2009/Maria Killam Colour & Design

Artists considering selling into the lucrative art publishing and corporate art markets must be aware of color, decor and fashion trends. Keeping a keen eye on what colors are being used most often by designers, furniture and accessories markets can help artists shape their palette and create works that sell.

According to a business blog for visual artists by Barney Davey, CMG, which has been successfully predicting color trends for 47 years, says this grape –officially called Mardi Grape – is a sophisticated crossover between purple, brown and gray. It’s a transfer from fashion with European roots.

Chosen by hundreds of color professionals as CMG’s 2010 Next Color, Mardi Grape used to be a fashion color. Now, it’s all set to be the year’s biggest star for everything else.

Purple is a neutral for first time – expect it to be around for a long time said CMG president James Martin: “Purple has been with us for a while now, but the big story today is that we’re seeing purple as a neutral for the very first time. This purple is browner and grayer, a neutral we can love long-term.

These days everyone is seeking versatile colors with staying power. Colors used to be the focus while neutrals were the understudies. Today, neutrals are the lead performers, chameleon colors that shift and change.”

According to CMG, look for these additional color trends in 2010:

•Red – Reds are strong with pink intuition; bright and clean with energy and excitement — a clean pop to go with neutrals.
•Orange – A rich, sophisticated color that moves away from earth-based colors to an optimistic orange, seasoned with a touch of gray.
•Yellow – A greener, more natural yellow, softened with gray.
•Green – Optimistic and uplifting, a clear and bright accent green with a slight shift toward blue.
•Blue – A saturated blue with gray influences; rich without being too luxe.
•Beige-Brown – A true chameleon to complement darker hues, it can be either matte or metallic.
•Neutral-Gray – Gray with a touch of purple, drawing inspiration from mineral, concrete and steel.

Color Marketing Group, founded in 1962 and based in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, is an international association of color design professionals. CMG’s major focus is to forecast the direction in which color is developing across multiple industries. For further information, please visit www.colormarketing.org

Visit Barney Davey’s site to learn more about how to create art for licensing and publication http://www.artprintissues.com

Bold graphics printed on plexiglas by artist Joe Futschik.

Studio Art Direct has been selected by the Mhyre Group to provide original and print artworks for two upscale apartment buildings in Redmond, Washington.

The target audience for the apartment buildings to be called Red160 are young professionals working in high tech related industries. As part of their services, Studio Art Direct helps clients select art works designed to enhance the image and feel of a building. Art often plays a unique marketing roll in helping clients lease or sell multi family projects. For this project, Janelle Baglien of Studio Art Direct selected works that are graphic with saturated colors, large abstract paintings, and prints on modern surfaces such as plexiglas and aluminum.

Selected artist include: Bill Park, Jeni Lee, Joe Futschik, TL Lange, and Parvez Taj.

About Studio Art Direct, Inc.

Studio Art Direct provides turn-key art programs for hospitality, healtchare, corporate, multifamily, and institutional buildings. The firm specializes in works created by Oregon and Washington artists. Studio Art Direct online ( http://www.studioartdirect.com ) is areas largest source for contemporary regional artworks in the United States.

Just a few artists selected for Holladay Park art program. L-R Zeb Andrews, Allan Stephenson, Doreen Wynja, Donna Young, and Jeff White

58 paintings and photographs created by twelve regional artists were recently installed at Holladay Park Plaza, a 16-story Continuing Care Retirement Community located in Portland, Oregon. The art program was designed by and purchased through Studio Art Direct, a corporate art services firm specializing in regional art.

Artists were selected from the www.studioartdirect.com online art collection and direct from the studios of painters and photographers throughout the region. Final selections were honed from over 250 works presented. The residents of Holladay Park Plaza were included in the selection process. One artist was selected for each of 18 residential areas. Much of the art depicts scenes from around Oregon including the coast, vineyards, urban Portland, the Columbia Gorge, and Central Oregon. Although initial focus groups studies with the senior residents conducted by Studio Art Direct president Janelle Baglien indicated lyrical abstracts as a preferred genre, ultimately residentent’s primarily selected nature and landscape art works.

Typically, artwork selected for senior housing or healthcare settings is selected from national or international publishers and in no way support the local art community. Therefore, a lack of connection to the art or artist exists – either visually or monetarily.

The Holladay Park Plaza art program put money directly in the pockets of many local artists, framers, fine art printers and installers in a very tough economic year. The management team of Holladay Park Plaza deserves recognition for supporting local artists and craftsmen and going the extra mile to involve the residents in the process.

After all art was installed, Studio Art Direct and Holladay Park Plaza threw an art party with music, champagne, and appetizers. Serveral of the artists selected attended giving the residents an opportunity to learn more about their art and the process of creating it. Baglien also set up a blank canvas for a group painting involving residents and project artists.

About Studio Art Direct
Studio Art Direct, headquarted in Portland, Oregon, provides turn-key fine art solutions for healthcare, hospitality and corporate environments. www.studioartdirect.com features 1000 original paintings, limited editions giclees, fine art prints, and photographs created exclusively by emerging and established fine artists from Portland, Oregon and the surrounding region. The online art collection is now available to the general public for purchasing.

You can read the article in Art Calendar's February 2010 issue.

Studio Art Direct president, Janelle Baglien, gives advice in the February issue of the internationally recognized magazine, Art Calendar. In the article titled “How To Launch and Sustain a Successful Artists Organization” by Renee Phillips, I discuss the benefits and pitfalls of for-profit versus non-profit business models and provide tips on creating and sustaining an organization.

http://www.artcalendar.com

Portland Business Journal – by Maureen McGrain Business Journal staff writer

 Janelle Fendall Baglien believes fine art in the boardroom is as important a feature as a projector or a whiteboard. Art can convey strong messages to customers and employees, but for the majority of people who do not “collect” art so to speak, the task can be daunting. Shame, since Oregon has such a prolific artistic community.

Baglien saw the disconnect and in March formed Studio Art Direct, an online retailer of works produced by Northwest artists….

Read more: Virtual gallery pitches NW art to corporate clients – Portland Business Journal
mmcgrain@bizjournals.com | 503-219-3420

Porrtland, Oregon – Studio Art Direct provided nearly 500 works of art by local creative professionals for Hotel Modera in Portland, Oregon. The Hotel Modera is a mid century modern marvel with sustainable design and packed full of sculpture, paintings, and photography by Portland area artists. Watch video:

Forbes Magazine, makes a “bold prediction” that art will finally sell online in 2010. Studio Art Direct www.studioartdirect.com agrees based on increased online sales in 2009. According to Susan Adams of Forbes, “Art will sell online. Back in the late 1990s, auction houses tried, and failed, to sell art over the Web. Sotheby’s partnership with Amazon and eBay‘s acquisition of bricks-and-mortar auction house Butterfield & Butterfield (now Bonhams & Butterfields) both flopped as it became clear buyers wouldn’t blow $5 million on a Barbizon plein-air painting; for those kinds of prices, they wanted TLC and in-person schmoozing. Buyers have since cozied up to the Internet, and things are finally changing. Christie’s says $95 million was bid or underbid last year using its online LIVE system. Expect more online art commerce soon.

We agree with this 2010 prediction, on a local level, and smaller scale than Christies, of course. We have seen an increase in online sales in 2009. Works have sold to customers from San Francisco to France.

We would also add to the prediction: Online art will become regionalized and more specific with certain websites providing genres or localized art making the search process easier for customers;  supporting local regional artists – on an invidual and corporate level – will increase.  Some companies, such as large healthcare providers are now making it a mandate that at least 80% of the artwork be created by local artists; and the popularity for archival quality giclees will continue to rise and more artists incorporate the medium into their portfolios. 

Read full story in Forbes Magazine:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/08/collecting-sothebys-christies-lifestyle-sneak-peek-10-ahmed-alsoudani.html