Carrie Moore
News from the Knoll
I am fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest and witness so much life on our property and on our travels. Flowers, garden greens, foliage, koi, frogs, and endless birds make this place come alive daily.
OPen studios tour
I’m delighted to be included in the Oregon City Open Studios Tour on Saturday and Sunday, October 4th and 5th, from 10am to 4pm.
The entire self-guided tour, of which I am a part, spans Oregon City and Beavercreek and features 37 artists included in 17 studio stops along the tour. It offers guests a unique opportunity to meet local artists, shop directly within the local art scene, and get a peek into the artists’ creative spaces.
I’m combining my annual holiday show with this event, so please drop by The Knoll for early holiday shopping, hot cider, and a sweet treat. I’ll let you know when more details about the featured artists and tour route are available.
My open studio will feature new paintings, copper sculpture, leatherworks, and, as always, exciting new copper creations. I’m bringing back the salmon, with some new designs for home and garden!
I plan to have a series of ocean wave cards on hand for you folks who still believe a handwritten note is the BEST kind of note! See you in October!
let’s talk inspiration
I grew up a stone’s throw from the sea, and smelling the brine of the ocean as the barks of sea lions echoed up the side of the cliffs on a clear night is one of my formative memories. Although my family and I frequently journey to the coast, I am fortunate enough to hear the rippling of water from our koi pond at our home. These majestic fish are a constant source of inspiration to me. I’m working on a painting which I will share when finished, but here’s a peek at my wiggling, always hungry muses. Hopefully, you can find a source of inspiration in your home or backyard.
And when I am fortunate enough to be at the coast, I’m constantly taking photos, trying to capture the best light. Here’s a photo I recently took at the Washington shore, and the resulting piece. As you can clearly see, the photo was an inspiration. As an artist, I get to play with color, perspective, subject, and light to convey my own vision. This piece will be displayed at the 301 Gallery in Hood River.
let’s talk technique
My everyday ornaments have been a lot of fun to design! I’m constantly dreaming up new images that might work with my sculpted copper medium. My latest inspiration is the iconic Astoria-Megler Bridge, which connects Astoria, Oregon, to Point Ellice, Washington. The tallest point is nearly 300 feet above the lower Columbia River, which allows for giant cargo ships carrying containers, grain, and minerals. You’ll also see car carriers, Coast Guard cutters, tow boats, and the ever-present commercial and private fishing boats, which is what I’ve chosen to memorialize in my latest copper creation.
I often draw on my iPad in an affordable program called Procreate. It’s where I do pen & “ink” drawings. Essentially, I can quickly edit, erase, and layer - all the fun stuff a good graphics program can do. I use it like a virtual sketch book. The finished copper product should be ready for my October show.
find your creativity
My main forms of artistic creativity are drawing, painting, and sculpture. But I also find great creative satisfaction in landscape design, gardening, flower arranging, and cooking. You might like to sew or restore and repurpose furniture. You might be someone who can put an outfit together to make it singularly your own. Have you ever been greeted by a beautifully set table at a friend’s home? All these things spring from creativity and add something special and deliberate to your everyday life.
Find something that delights you and make it your own. Don’t worry about messing it up or not getting it right. I’ve come to understand that failure is a key ingredient to success. The point is to keep taking that creative leap by adding as much beauty to your life as possible. We could all use a little more light. It’ll change your life.
So cheers to life in the Pacific Northwest with roots in Southern California - some of the many places and things that have shaped me as a creative!
Thank you for following!
-Carrie
