Shirley Reade: Exquisitely Detailing Nature's Gifts

Writer's Notes: Getting to Shirley Reade's home studio turned into a scenic adventure for me. I forgot what I'd seen on a map I looked at two days before and turned down the wrong road from Main Street. I ended up driving about five extra miles down picturesque Jasper Road before turning around and stopping at the Little Red Farm Nursery for directions (yes ... this man actually asked for directions!). They weren't sure know how to get where I was going so I called Shirley and learned I was just 5 minutes away from my destination.

When I arrived at her home, Shirley greeted me at the door and we went in to her spacious living room which had many of her paintings on the walls. We sat at the dining room table and had a casual interview about her life as an artist. Shirley then gave me a tour of her art classroom where she teaches on-going acrylic painting classes two days each week. I took several pictures of the classroom space which she had created in the home's double garage. Next we headed upstairs to Shirley's studio. On the stairway wall were several of her paintings of cats. Her well-lit studio had two large drawing boards containing two different paintings in progress. As a "photo-realist", Shirley paints from photos and often mixes scenes from various photos to create the setting for the piece she is working on.

After spending some time in her studio, I suggested we go outside to find a place for me take take a photo of the artist for the newspaper. We walked out to Shirley's back yard which was wonderfully landscaped with paths surrounded by flowering rhododendrons and other flowers and bushes.

I noticed an interesting tree with dark purple leaves which Shirley told me was a "smoke tree" (I have just the right spot for one at home!). After taking her picture in front of a densely leaved climbing bush, it was time to head for home (this time, taking the right road .... just a few blocks away from Main Street where I managed to turn the right direction -- which was actually left!).

Thank you, Shirley, for showing me your studio and sharing your journey as an artist for everyone who reads this "50 Artists" blog.

More photos of Shirley Reade's art follow the newspaper story. Be sure to see her website as well. She designed it herself and maintains the site for marketing her work.

Featured in the Springfield Beacon (May 31, 2007)

50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield
Celebrating arts and culture in our community

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Shirley Reade
Exquisitely Detailing Nature's Gifts

Shirley Reade has a passion for painting what she sees, feels, and breathes in the world of nature. The meticulous details in her art bring to life whatever subject she paints -- animals, florals, seascapes, and children.

Since moving to Springfield in 1999, Shirley has been active in the Emerald Art Center, including serving as President of the organization for two years. She is a dedicated art teacher who offers on-going acrylic painting classes two days a week in her home-based classroom.

Shirley also continues to be a student, taking workshops by well-known artists as well as classes to learn what she needed to know to create her own website and marketing brochures.

Considered a "photo-realist", Shirley often creates a series of paintings on subjects of fascination to her -- experiencing each subject of the art to greater depths. In her own words:

Inspiration To Begin: "I grew upon in the Tualatin Valley -- a beautiful, scenic place with a river we waded in, fished, and hiked along to rushing waterfalls. My love for nature while growing up has been the inspiration for a lifetime of creating art."
Important Mentors: "Jim Daly, a local artist, has been a wonderful teacher, especially in helping me with portraits of children. I also continue to learn from Terry Isaac, a wildlife artist, whose workshops regularly I go to in Salem. I consider Robert Bateman, who taught Terry, an important mentor as well."

Value of Art in Life: "My painting has made me appreciate things in life even more ... to see things 'come alive' in a different light. It has been a way to 'let go' and experience myself in ways not available in any other part of my life. For people who come to the Emerald Art Center for classes and workshops, it opens new avenues to them -- helping overcome fears of trying things they've never done before."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I hope people who stand in front of my paintings will be able to 'walk' right into the scene and feel what I did when I painted it. As an art teacher, I hope my students will remember feeling fulfilled -- having enjoyed a relaxing time in their classes with me -- and most important, to no longer be afraid to express whatever they want in their art."

For more information about Shirley Reade and to see additional photos of her art, visit the blog: www.emeraldartcenter.blogspot.com and the art center's website: www.emeraldartcenter.org.

"Exploring" by Shirley Reade

______________________________________________________
About The Artist

Birthplace: Portland, Oregon

Arts Education: Self-taught (worked for Alexander Arts in Salem, learning
from television artists; wrote step-by-step art books)

Media of Choice: Acrylics and oils

Favorite Place to Do Art: In her quiet home studio

Favorite Subjects to Paint: Focuses on themes and does various series:
"Floral Fantasy", "Cat Tales", "A Walk on the Wild Side".

Favorite Award: Springfield "Mayor's Choice Award" (2006)

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association (Emerald Arts Center)

Website: www.shirleyreade.com

______________________________________________________________________

# # #

All art images and photos of the art are copyright of the artist.

"Treasures of the Sea" by Shirley Reade


"The Open Door" by Shirley Reade

"Old Efrum" By Shirley Reade


"Glacier Daisies" by Shirley Reade

Dotty Light: Savoring Life's Beauty

Writer's Notes: Two weeks ago, while walking home from a meeting at the Emerald Art Center, an idea came to mind: To commemorate the organization's 50th anniversary, why not write an article each week for 50 weeks about a member artist? Seemed like a great way to celebrate people who've contributed so much to the cultural life of our community. After thinking about it for a day or two, I wrote an e-mail to Matthew Smith, editor of the Springfield Beacon newspaper, and he responded with "I think it is a wonderful idea". So here we are with the first article.

While thinking about how to go about conducting the artist interviews and photographing their work, I decided to create this new blog about the nearly year-long project ahead of me. The blog allows me to share more photos of each artist's work as well as provide more information about them than what the newspaper has space for each week. And it extends the "visibility" of the artists' stories beyond the newspaper's reach ... beyond the borders of Springfield ... to our neighbor, Eugene, and all of Lane County (where many of the over 200 members and supporters of the Emerald Art Center live) ... not to mention, to blog readers around the world!

Dotty Light - At Home in Her Studio

Because I had heard that Dotty Light was one of the original members of the organization -- the only active charter member "but not the oldest" she later reminded me -- I wanted to interview Dotty first. I called and arranged an appointment with her and drove to her home a day later (after seeing Dotty and her husband, Frank, the night before at the gala 50th Anniversary Celebration at the art center).

I was warmly welcomed by Dotty and Frank's daughter, one of their eight grown children who had come for Mother's Day and, as she said, ended up staying for "mother's week". She took me upstairs to Dotty's studio, along the way showing me another room used for framing art and painting storage (Frank does the framing of her art, much to Dotty's delight!).



The studio, converted from a bedroom, was spacious from my perspective -- even including a small couch which we comfortably sat in during the interview. A small desk with an easel holding a "pink roses" painting was at the far side of the room next to the window. Several paintings were propped up on the floor for my selection to photograph. A dormer wall on the way into the room was filled with award ribbons from the many art exhibits Dotty had entered over the years.

Dotty arrived and warmly welcomed me. We decided to sit and talk before doing any photographs. After our interview (see story below), I asked Dotty to stand next to the painting on her easel. Together, we decided to use the "pink roses for someone special" painting as the newspaper photograph. I took several photos of Dotty's art which are included at the end of the newspaper article.

I enjoyed my time with Dotty and hope that the photos I took do justice to the beauty of her work.


Featured in the Springfield Beacon - May 24, 2007

50 Artists: 50 Years of Art in Springfield

Celebrating arts and culture in our community

By Todd Peterson
For The Beacon

Dotty Light
Savoring Life's Beauty

Artist Dotty Light is the only active charter member of the Springfield arts organization which began as the Willamalane Arts League in 1957 and has grown to over 200 members today.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, the Emerald Art Center at 5th and Main has been an important part of Dotty's life in our community. She served on the organization's board for many years, as president for two years, and has held every office except treasurer in her 50 years as a member.

Dotty's love for art, for the beauty she sees in her life, and for the people who've supported her work as an artist are best expressed in her own words:

Inspiring Beginning: "My husband, Frank, encouraged me most. I saw a story in the Springfield paper about a class for artists and said to him that I wished I could go but, with five preschoolers at home in 1957, didn't see how I could. Frank said 'you're going to take that' and got a babysitter. And I went. That was the first of the many classes and workshops I've attended over the past 50 years."

Important Mentors: Sergei Bongart an artist I took a workshop from in Idaho just a year before he died. I have a wonderful book about him. Also, a marvelous local artist, Laura Gubrud ... a quiet lady and extraordinary teacher ... whose workshops I took every month. There were many others ... Joyce Pike, Don Ricks, Delbert Gish, and Bill Reese.

Among the art masters, I love all of the Impressionists, but not everything they do. I like their looseness. They do paintings you can 'walk into' and finish in your own mind almost."

Value of Art in Life: "My art has meant an awful lot to me. At first, I didn't have much time when we were raising young children and I could only paint at night. After the children were gone, we created a studio for me in a bedroom upstairs and another room we use for framing and storage of my paintings. With my art, I can relax and not think about things I need to do tomorrow. But there is a different kind of tension ... more relaxed ... when I'm painting. I also do lots of reading of art books. I love my books and never tire of reading about artists and their art."

Her Artist's Legacy: "I would just like people to enjoy my art . . . to continue to stop and see what I experienced while doing a painting . . . when I'm gone. Everybody needs the aesthetic . . . to experience beauty in their life, no matter what work they do. We need a cultural idea here in Springfield. The Emerald Arts Center offers so much for children that no longer is available in their schools. For me, it has been a wonderful part of my life and learning as an artist."

For more information about Dotty Light and to see additional photos of her art, visit the blog: www.emeraldartcenter.blogspot.com and the art center's website: www.emeraldartcenter.org.

Pink Roses for Someone Special by Dotty Light

___________________________________________________

About The Artist

Birthplace: Garnett, Kansas

Arts Education: Workshops & Classes from Outstanding Artists

Media of Choice: Acrylics, oils, watercolors, pastels

Favorite Place to Do Art: In her studio at home

Favorite Subjects to Paint: Flowers and Landscapes

Favorite Award: One-woman show at Huntington Beach Library & Cultural Center

Arts Organizations: Emerald Empire Arts Association (Emerald Arts Center) for 50 years; Pastel Society of Oregon.

Website: www.emeraldartcenter.org
_______________________________________________________________________

# # #

More photos by Todd Peterson of Dotty Light's paintings (all art images are copyright by the artist):

Symphony in Greens by Dotty Light



The Pot and The Potter by Dotty Light




Almost Winter by Dotty Light

Thank you, Dotty, for sharing your work and your time with me ... and for all that you've contributed to the growth and success of the Emerald Art Center!

Welcome to "50 Artists" & Their Art

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Emerald Art Center, the Springfield Beacon newspaper is publishing an article on individual member artists each week for 50 weeks. The articles written by Todd Peterson show an example of the artist's work, a photo of the artist, and answers to a four-question interview. Each artist is asked:


1. What or who inspired you to begin your work as an artist?

2. Did you have mentors to guide you (or favorite artists/teachers)?

3. What difference does creating art make to the quality of your life and to people who experience seeing art at the Emerald Art Center?

4. What legacy as an artist would you like to leave for future generations?


We hope you enjoy the series of articles, offer comments, and follow-up with the "50 Artists" to view more of their work (and support them with your purchases!).