Anton Pavlenko, Kim Schult & Michael Orwick interpret the Pacific Northwest light, landscape, flora & fauna in a dynamic showing of oils and acrylics.

Anton Pavlenko

I often find myself revisiting recurring themes and subjects in my art, frequently returning to familiar outdoor locations. This year has been no exception. My artistic travels and explorations have consistently revealed how changes in the natural landscape, coupled with my own growth as an artist, have left their mark on both the world around me and my perception of it.

Throughout this year, my painting journeys have kept me closer to home, focusing on scenes I can easily reach by car within a day's trip. This deliberate choice allows me to maintain a more intimate connection with the landscape, keeping the breadth of my artistic reach within a more human scale.

 This collection of recent work feels akin to selected pages from my visual diary. Some pieces are poignant memories of my summer travels, while others are contemplative studio musings inspired by the Pacific Coast.

Kim Schult

I am a full-time artist from a little town in SW Washington. The medium I enjoy working in, is acrylic paints.

My favorite subjects tend to be animals. Ravens and crows top that list. I love the corvids because of their beauty, brains and love for their families, and their wonderful voices.   I also draw inspiration from my visits to the Oregon coast. 

 I'm currently gearing up for the Stormy Weather Festival at Dragonfire Gallery in November. On my easel now, is a 30" x 48" painting based on ravens and their love for each other.  I Hope you'll come see what I'm making for the festival.

Michael Orwick

As a painter my creative journey is fueled by a profound fascination with the interplay of light and atmosphere within diverse landscapes. It is the transformative power of light that etches indelible memories of a place onto my mind, becoming the wellspring of my artistic inspiration.

In my quest, I aspire to transcend the ordinary and elevate the beautiful to the extraordinary, harnessing the elusive essence of fleeting moments.

Through my work, I invite viewers to rediscover the world through a fresh perspective, to see familiar scenes anew. The canvas becomes a portal where reality converges with imagination, and I aim to evoke a sense of wonder that encourages contemplation.

In essence, my art seeks to illuminate the subtle poetry inherent in our surroundings, reminding us that beauty is often found in the ephemeral and the overlooked.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3

The gallery opens at 10am with a dynamic showing of oils and acrylics from featured artists Anton Pavlenko, Kim Schult and Michael Orwick.

4-6pm:  Meet the Artists at a wine  reception. Enjoy a serene blend of live acoustic music provided by guitarist Christopher Frick and pianist Chris Kenji Beer.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

11am-3pm:  The featured artists will be in the gallery to talk about their work and conduct demonstrations.

4-7pm:  Festival Reception with gallery artists, great conversation, and appetizers & wine.

Enjoy  live music provided by Portland guitarist Jason Okamoto. A self-taught musician and composer, he combines elements of bossa nova, flamenco, and French gypsy jazz.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

11am-2pm:  Artist demonstrations continue. Enjoy coffee, tea, and light bites

Anton Pavlenko and Michael Orwick will reprise the ever-popular Dualing Easels, collaborating on - and each completing an original oil. A new twist this year introduces a third canvas, a Creative Third.  As described by Michael and Anton:

 Creative Third: Two Artists, Three Masterpieces

"Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of showcasing our painting techniques by sharing our palettes and canvases with one another in the Dueling Easels live demonstrations. Our individual artistic styles couldn't be more different, and we've always found it both challenging and intriguing to work side by side without influencing each other's unique styles and expressions. This year, we’re changing things up and are introducing a third canvas, a free space where our ideas can collide, blend, and flourish without reservation. 'Creative Third' is a celebration of our artistic partnership, where we can work together to break free from the constraints of our separate visions and courageously dive into the uncharted territory of combined creativity. We invite you to witness the mesmerizing fusion of our distinct voices, resulting in the birth of three masterpieces that are greater than the sum of their parts."