Awesome Tiny Art Show

  4 x4″ Mixed media, $35 each

Here’s a sneak peek of my entries to the Awesome Tiny Art Show at The Drawing Board on Madison Ave/4th Street. These are up all week, so if you find yourself in downtown Corvallis, stop in!

The opening night for the Awesome Tiny Art Show will be this Friday, June 21.

Held at The Drawing Board
Friday, June 21, 6:00pm – 8:30pm

 

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Also, I have a large collection showing at the Majestic Theater on 2nd Street until August 5th! Drop in and see original art journal pages and several large mixed media paintings in their large conference area. Opening reception TBA.

In Print!

This week, I am the featured artist in the Corvallis Advocate newspaper. It was pretty neat to see my work in print around town! It’s a fun little interview with some commentary on my work and a little background about me. I think they did a great job showing all my work! I sure wasn’t expecting the brightest of my work on the cover! You can read the online interview by clicking here.

Live Painting – in the Window!

The other week I had an opportunity to do some live painting in the window of our local art store in downtown Corvallis, The Drawing Board.

It was a neat experience-partially hidden, partially exposed… It was a bit different than being out in the open at a coffee shop or art opening, but I was right at home amongst all the art supplies!

Check out more of my process below. I’ll be holding an acrylic painting class at the Drawing Board June 14th where we work on a smaller version of a mixed media acrylic painting and I’ll walk you through each step.

 

Spring/Summer Classes @ The Drawing Board-an Update

I wanted to share a few examples of the type of work we’ll do in my classes this summer at The Drawing Board in Corvallis, Oregon.

This Friday, May 31st, I’ll be sharing with you my journey with Art Journaling and we’ll dig right in and get our hands dirty! Below are some examples of what we’ll be working on. All you need to bring is a journal, at least ~9′x5″ and unlined. Please bring a size you feel comfortable with. We’ll build up layers of paint, ink paper and have fun adding our personal touches with words and make our own Trees of Plenty! Get ready to get your creative juices flowing! If you can’t make this one, mark your calendar for Friday, July 12th also at 1pm!

The photo above shows the layering process and the way we’ll work!

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The next Acrylic Painting class, Friday, June 14th will now be an organic, mixed media feel…building up layers of paint and paper, graphite and oil pastels on our wood boards or canvases. Below are some examples! This approach is uplifting, energizing and sooo much fun! Wont you join me?

Thanks for joining me! I look forward to creating together! Please don’t hesitate to email or message me with any questions you may have!

Come Create With Me!

If you have ever wanted to learn the basics of painting with acrylics, curious about art journaling or just want to get creative, now is your chance! I’m happy to present several classes to you this summer.

In a just two weeks, I’ll start teaching a few afternoon sessions at our local art supply shop, The Drawing Board This our very own little candy shop. Amazing selection of supplies, tucked away in this tiny spot. Mike, the owner, is just great about custom ordering supplies any artist could need. Excited to contribute to the classes held there! Sign up in person or give them a call 541.224.3797.

Here are my classes:

Introduction to Acrylic Painting

Friday, May 17, 1:00pm – 3:30pm
and Friday, June 14, 1:00pm – 3:30pm, at The Drawing Board

We’ll be taking a beginners look at acrylic painting. I’ll be covering supplies, basic composition, basic color theory, and paint application. Sort through all the available materials and simplify so you can get to the fun part – painting! We will work and finish one 8×10 still life or landscape painting each session. Please wear clothing you can get paint on. Beginners welcome! A small class fee includes instruction and all supplies.

Acrylics and paper © Rachel Urista

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Art Journaling

Friday, May 31, 1:00pm – 3:30pm
and Friday, July 12, 1:00pm – 3:30pm, at The Drawing Board

I’ll be familiarizing you with the expressive world of Art Journaling and give you some basic pointers on starting your own Art Journal. Be ready to play with paint, paper, photos, ink, oil pastels and more! Please bring your own unlined journal. We will have a few for sale the day of the class. Please email me if you have any questions (rachelurista@gmail.com). Ages 10 and up, (sharp tools) A small class fee includes instruction and all supplies.

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 Mini Magnet Making (aka super cute original art magnets!)

Friday, July 26, 1:00pm – 3:30pm, at The Drawing Board

Come learn how to make your own mini masterpiece magnets! We’ll work with layers of paint, stamps and paint markers to create tiny works of art. Each student will make up to 6 mini canvas magnets (2×2 each). Ages 10 and up (small pieces). A small class fee includes instruction and all supplies.

To sign up, come by The Drawing Board or call 541.224.3797. Visit their site at
http://www.drawingboardweekly.com/artevents.html#classes

Hope to see you there!

Live Painting • Imagine Coffee, Corvallis

A fantastic photo by CPR Photography

Check out more of their work at
https://www.facebook.com/Photography.CPR

Photo by Connor Price

Photo by Connor Price

And here are the final pieces…Freshly made.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a local art zines launch party. The Midnight Muse showcases all kinds of art in the Willamette Valley. The event was great: a fashion show, poetry readings, dancers, musicians and of course…live painting!  Click here to see their blog. Check out their latest zine, available for FREE download.

I had a blast working on several wood panels while talented local bands played and people checked out the art show. What I really enjoyed most was connecting with people…sharing my process and getting people inspired to create!

These pieces began with a colorful under painting in acrylics, then were layered with ink, graphite and oil pastels. I had so much fun having my friend Jess Graff lend a hand (literally) to the paintings. There is always something a bit magical and unexpected about collaborations that I love.

Stay tuned for more events to come. I will be live painting this May and through the summer!

Temporary Artists’ Guild Sale

Just a few weeks ago, the newest Art Guild in Corvallis had an art sale and show. I am proud to share that I am one of the newest members of the Temporary Artists’ Guild in Corvallis. This is a great bunch. I am so grateful for this organization-meeting like-minded people and sharing resources and inspiration is invaluable. I so excited about the future as the Guild builds and grows. Check us out at
http://temporaryartists.org/

Below are pictures of my table at the Temporary Artists’ Guild sale a few weeks ago. I had an amazing time meeting more members of our community and chatting about my art. Many new projects are in the works, including LIVE painting this Saturday at Imagine Coffee in Corvallis at 7pm, and many more exhibits, art sales and classes!

   An assortment of my handmand mini magnets

Prints and Paintings!

Stay tuned for more news on classes more art shows and sales!

Midnight Muse Issue #6

I am happy  to announce my art has been published in the Midnight Muse Magazine,  issue #6. You can check out this local Art Magazine in the Willamette Valley here: 
https://www.facebook.com/MidnightMuseMag

They will be having a great Launch Party in April to celebrate the new edition, where will be live painting! Click here  for info. More details coming soon!

An Artful Journey Retreat, Santa Cruz

This is a long post! Lots of pictures, and they only hint at the beauty, magic and intensity of the retreat. I spent a total of five days up at the retreat center and traveling, three of which were filled day and night with art-making, close-friends, new friends and self-reflection…Travel, and travel with art especially, can really do amazing things for one’s soul.

I chose Jesse Reno’s workshop at this retreat “No Limitations.” It was a three day immersion in painting, magic, & intuition. You can see his work here JessseReno.com its really amazing art!

As we built up layer upon layer of paint, mask like faces and familiar creatures & symbols surfaced. Learning the power of intention, the power of letting go, painting without a pre-conceived notion was not easy, but was true gift to practice. My pieces came out more personal and powerful than I had imagined…This workshop was incredible and I am excited to see what the future holds!

The Retreat Center

Jesse Reno works on a demo

We had tables but eventually, I worked on the floor too. More space, new point of view!

Celebrating outside at the end of the workshop

One of my paintings…rich with personal symbols and familiar creatures.

Second one of my paintings from the workshop, and a close up below…

A third piece of mine from the workshop, and close up below.

Of Prayer Flags, Art Retreats and Art Tables!

Busy busy time just before Spring arrives! I am preparing to go to an art retreat An Artful Journey in Santa Cruz where I will be taking Jesse Renos class called “No Limits” Very excited for this!

I just finished my Prayer flags and sent them in for the retreat also. Cannot wait to see everyones! I had so much fun making them – combing paint ink and a lino-block print on muslin cloth. Turned out brighter and more beautiful than expected! I think I will have to make more…especially for my garden this summer.

Lastly, very happy to announce I will have art for sale at the retreat. I am busy working away at the table set up, mini paintings and itsy bitsy magnets.  Immersing myself in pattern, color and textures…

Hoping this brings some spring color to the last of these winter days!