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.
# # #
What are the art trends for 2008
We have been asked a question: What trends are we seeing and what style of art are our clients buying? The answer varies depending on the project, but we can tell you of a couple of trends that we have seen that may carry through 2008.
a) Original abstract paintings on large, gallery wrapped canvases(2.5-3″ depth). Large meaning 4′x6′ or bigger. We have sold several 6′x6′ and larger paintings. Clients typically like to see an abstract that has “something in it they can relate to.” for example, we have commissioned paintings that have the original architectural sketches of a project collaged on the canvas and a translucent abstract painted over it. It is subtle, yet it is something the client is proud of and can relate to. We have also incorporated graphic elements of a logo into a painting in a very subtle abstracted way.
b) Oversized black and white photography. About 20″x30″ has a good “wow factor” and are affordable. Photographs in a series with a common theme work well in corporate environments. Popular themes that we are seeing are intimate nature shots: pebbles, sand, water, leaves in groupings of at least five and Oregon photos that are slightly abstracted.
c) Abstracted landscape paintings that reflect a slight relation to nature with foreground, horizon lines and sky are very popular.
d) Colorfield paintings that reflect popular color trends such as yellow, brown and blues, purples and browns, autumn colors (rust, olive, dark brown, pale yellow, and a bit of blue), apple greens and browns, and so on. Always check West Elm, Pottery Barn, and other mass market accessory and furniture stores to follow current color trends.
e) Impressionistic landscape paintingsare very popular with medical facilities. Abstract paintings have been proven to increase heart rate and blood pressure. Whereas landscapes are soothing to the soul and actually aid in the healing process.
e) Affordability is a keyfactor for most corporate clients. Giclees, reproductions on interesting surfaces, and affordable originals are the first order of business for clients who want to fill their spaces with art, created by local artists, but who are not necessarily “collectors” investing in an artist. Originals under $2000 always sell well. Reproductions that take into consideration the high cost of framing are also popular. Giclees selling at less than $200 fit the bill here.
f) Creating a body of work in a series is also important. Most of our clients have long corridors and public areas that need to feel thematic and pulled together. A series should be the same size, same substrate, same medium and same general style and subject matter. It is not unusual to install 20 art pieces on one corridor.
The Art of Hotel Modera in Downtown Portland
April 3, 2008 – Portland, Oregon Studio Art Direct has been awarded the contract to provide artwork for the Hotel Modera in Downtown Portland, Oregon.
The remodeled hotel, formerly the Days Inn on 6th and Columbia, will feature a mod-elegant ambiance reflected in pure white color palettes, clean lined furnishings, and natural woods. Named Hotel Modera for its mid century modern style, this new luxury boutique hotel will rival the Heathman, Hilton, and Benson.
To enhance the overall design, Studio Art Direct curated 300 works of art created exclusively by local artists. The art is designed to reflect a mid century modern ambiance with minimalistic paintings, large abstracts, nude gesture drawing sketches, glass works, marble sculpture, modern monoprints, and oversized black and white photographs of Oregon’s natural environment.
Artist selected for the hotel include:
PHOTOGRAPHY: Stewart Harvey, Gary Wilson, Thorsten Ott, Aubrie Aurand, Zeb Andrews, Doreen Wynja,and at-risk-youth from Focus on Youth photography program.
Photographs are stunning modern black and whites capturing the beauty of Oregon’s beaches, farmlands, vineyards, deserts, and dowtown Portland urbanscapes. Images were shot digitally and on film using techniques such as pinhole, infrared and time lapsed photography.
One entire floor will be dedicated to Focus on Youth. This is an organization which puts cameras in the hands of at-risk-youth and teaches them to “shoot beauty” and develop the film. These photographs are remarkably well done and are an effort to give back to the community by both Studio Art Direct and the hotel owners.
ORIGINAL PAINTINGS & WORKS ON PAPER: Bill Park, Martha Pfanschmidt, Jeni Lee, and Janelle Baglien.
Several main lobby pieces have been commissioned specifically for the hotel lobby and public areas. Works include large abstracts and minimalist paintings, nude figurative drawings, and monoprints.
GLASS AND MARBLE SCULPTURE AND ART D’ OBJECTS - artists to be determined.
Hotel Modera will open in late May 2008. Designers include Holst Architecture and Corso Staicoff Interior Design.
