When I am not ranting : - )

I don't rant all the time - well - sort of

Since arriving in Portland, my muses have kicked back into gear and I am involved in an art group [ORA]

This group [http://www.northwestjewishartists.org], was asked to mount a 2 week show at the Oregon Jewish Museum [http://www.ojm.org] and we chose an Exodus theme.

This show opens tonight and if you are in Portland, it's part of first Thursday - tonight - February 7th

Oregon Jewish Museum
310 NW Davis
5-8 PM

My Exodus

For months my mind had been a blank on what and how to do this. Then in December I remembered that my son had asked me to write down some tidbits about my life as he was interested in "things I used to do" - so for him - I had started that... He even gave me a sort of title: From Cambria Heights to Portland. In addition, over the last few years I have been sorting through family and my own photos - over 70 years of pictures - yow!

Then it hit me! It was exactly 40 years between my leaving New York City and arriving in Portland...that could not be a coincidence I said. And voila - From Cambria Heights to Bridgeton Road: my 40 year journey to the promised land - was born!

At least it the idea was there -but no logistics - except my mind was focused on maps and photos. I yelled "help" to old friends and new for over a month - and suddenly the other day one local friend came up with an idea from a magazine she was looking at - and I then put out a "help" request on a mastermind business call that same night. Guess what - a woman on the call had seen something similar to the magazine idea with an added component - and so the planets aligned for me - the two ideas gelled and I am now in the process of putting the idea onto foam boards that will be hung in the Museum this Sunday for the opening next week!

There really are no coincidences - I have always been a believer in the idea that everything fits together and this sure is an example... This display is an abridged version of the journey - there are several of us in ORA and the museum is not spacious...so I am thinking of later doing an ebook using many more of my writings and photos and dedicating it to my son...

Tonight I will take some photos and some video footage to post on the ORA blog and elsewhere...

Change of pace

I have ranted this week - but it's been in my own home : - )

My art group is having a show this coming Sunday and I have been busy getting ready. What I have learned is that although I love taking pictures and doing other forms of art - I HATE the "getting ready for a show" part. I'll be back to more regular blogging next week.

But I must say that watching the Red Sox win last night made the matting process a lot more fun...and after I set up my space this afternoon - I will return for more matting while watching game 2 of the World Series.

Here is our Press Release

ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists
503.244.0794
info@northwestjewishartists.org
http://www.northwestjewishartists.org

CELEBRATION OF ART:
Portland, Oregon- October 28th, 9am-3pm
Neveh Shalom
2900 SW Peaceful Lane
Portland Oregon

The magic begins as you enter our Main Exhibit Hall. Live music by well known recording artists and performers will greet your ears, and a coffee house featuring fresh treats will tantalize your palate as you listen to the musical stylings of Stephanie Schneiderman (of Dirty Martini fame), George Fendel, jazz pianist, and Justin Jude, recently named "Oregon's Best Singer/Songwriter 2007!"

Stroll from exhibit to exhibit to experience a unique show that blends the best elements of a gallery opening with an artist colony tour -- with a coffee house of a forgotten age tossed in. Celebrating their second year as a collective, ORA artists invite the public to
discover their new work. Although the artists are Jewish, Judaic and secular works are available for purchase.

Members of ORA are: Rosana Berdichevsky , collage and multi-media; Lynn Dorman, photography; Leslie Elder water colors, Robin Esterkin, water color, acrylic and mixed media; Laurie Fendel, fabric construction; Diane Fredgant, silk painting; Sara Harwin, fabric construction, acrylic painting and serigraph prints; Julie Hockley, hand-cast precious metal jewelry & ritual objects; Esther Liberman, handmade bead work; Sharon Segal, acrylic and mixed media paintings and cards; Eddy Shuldman, fused glass; and Sabina Wohlfeiler, water color paintings.

You don't need to be Jewish to come look, schmooze with the artists, nosh a little, and buy art that speaks to you., Best of all, admission is free!

For more information please visit our website: www.northwestjewishartists.org