Coolest Ink, Smoothest Drink in PDX

Proud Winner (me)

Rich and I had a smooth night with the fine folks at the Virginia Cafe.  We walked in and the cool air and soulful tunes from the jukebox surrounded us and a well inked young man beckoned us to pick a spot.

Zombie Josh, our fine server at VC in PDX 

  I love to sit in booths and their well seasoned dark wood nooks did not disappoint.  As soon as I sat I felt the history of all those good times before...A glance at the back of the menu proved my antenna for past shadows correct.  Virginia Cafe was established almost 100 years ago in 1914.

Lovely light fictures and signs abound at VC

My hubby is his namesake & aptly surrounded by gold tones

Sipping a drink in a perfectly lit and time honored bar seduces the senses like a fine gem and glistens like a firefly in a jar...capturing the hope of an early spring...

Burgers are delicious
& the tater tots (I had) ...to die for

 This place is the perfect spot if you like bar room ambiance, excellent pub fare, friendly folks (with gorgeous tattoos), and a memorable juke box mix .  It also hits a pitch perfect note of nostalgia  (you can't manufacture this type of atmosphere either, it comes from years of service and great food and drink).
We capped off the night with a sinfully luscious irish coffee...
A warm, but not too sweet perfect end to the perfect night...

the art in great service by Zombie Josh

 I felt so lucky to be one of the winners (in February) of the annual lip print contest...I had to blow Rich a kiss...

just for you...

Thanks VC...we will be back

Posted by Jennifer G Cutshall

We Did A Rain Dance & It's Raining Buckets...

We are exhausted and thirsty for more coffee from too many 

art delivery and art pick up trips in the rain.
And not enough sleeeeeeeeeeeeeep....

'Not complaining, 

just considering the predicament (with Rich )

over our morning cups o' Jo...

...while wishing for more morning zzzzz's, 

but having to walk our enormous Mo...

Moses and Petey

"Rain Dance"
by Richard Cutshall
11" x  14"
MM on Paper 2013

     We may be a little weary today, but the rain  in Portland seems to have blessed us, just as tulips push through the soaked ground we have many opportunities sprouting from seeds planted long ago.  And our version of the rain dance is the work we do in the studio.
         While we've missed the warmth of family and the sun in New Mexico (a hearty CAPS LOCK shout out to Beth, Adam, and Erin) the rain has been a secret driving force...driving us deeper into the cave of our work (thanks rain).  There's always unseen growth under a veil of rain.

"Lady Godiva's Veil"
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall
pen, acrylic on paper
18" x  22"

We have so much to share, so I'll post updates more often...

Time flows quickly through buckets of rain.
On my way to see our neglected winter garden I glanced at many time markers...
 valentines roses with brown edges...

the unused bike still waits to join the hoards of pdx pedalers...

 remnants of my great artist hubby's toilings...

our upended Christmas tree begging birds to sing and vermin to burrough....

Lead to our neglected garden bed...

all pics taken LIVE for you

that is filled with strong memories...

and so many hidden promises...

     Life can be rugged here, but I try to remember that by stepping in the mud we get closer to the prettiest blooms...and everything seems to come up right as rain!
    I promise to post updates soon about all our excitiing art happenings as they germinate and bloom...thanks for reading!
with fondness from our rugged liitle outpost in PDX

Post by Jennifer Cutshall

MOMA or MOMP?

photo by Jessica
from suitcase and sippycups 

Reflections on MOMA's decision to include video games in their distinguished collection.

Is it the Museum of Modern Art or the Museum of Modern Product?

The Museum of Modern Art holds such power for me.  As a young girl (and budding artist) growing up in Park Slope I envied the distance it created for the viewer.  Its' walls seemed to chant this is greatness, this is a far off kingdom of riches as I slipped through the corridors.

After all it housed contemporary cutting edge creations.  The genesis of the art of the day initially created without dedicated corporate influence, without public relation meetings, and without statistical reports/ projections.  Sadly, we cannot say the same about video games.

Admittedly video games employ the creativity of many folks.  Artistic elements and design concerns are called upon in similar ways, but a great work of art is born first with singular inspiration. Van Gogh didn't compare the buying pattterns of various demographics to attract the right audience to his Starry Night, and Picasso did not let some kid pick the background colors for Demoiselles with the click of a mouse...

"Demoiselles"
Pablo Picasso

How can we as a culture allow product to contaminate everything that is sacred?  Why are more people not outraged by the idea? Why do we live for the product?
I beg you not to buy into it..a true art form is not a pre-fabbed product.  There  may be an art form at play here.  One that seduces our will and weakens our intention.  It is the art of our industrial machine...we are drawn to look at visual stimuli manufactured to get us to dig deep into our pockets...is it artistry, slight of hand? smoke and mirrors?   wizardry?

The studied professionals at MOMA know far more than I could ever dream of fitting into my world art view, but my opinion is drawn from an allegiance to the art maker in a world absolutely whirling with consumerism.

The Mona Lisa  has more reason to smirk at our tackiness and our ability to include everything. The cave paintings at Lascaux should be grateful for their dark position.   Outsider artists should run deeper into the hills...

Is product art?

Is product design?

What births product?

What births great art?

And if product is crowned as fine art of the modern age where will it end?  Twinkies are not served at the Corton...Coultraine didn't give listeners an option to double time or syncopate.

We receive art because we are intrinsicly drawn to moments of singular pointed inspiration...we are drawn to the drama of human greatness that lives ouside of marketing meetings and board rooms...art is born in an elemental place that cares not about buying patterns

A video game can be great, maybe even moving, but a video game is not and will never be fine art! It lost that chance the moment it affixed a bar code to it's box.

The images in this blog have become icons and products over time, but they began without the intention of ever being mass produced...they began singularly. Video games are created to be mass produced and sold as a product first.

Would Mona Lisa moan for MOMA's faux paus?

I moan, but I will continue to visit the MoMA with a mixture of awe and inspiration churning in my belly because as in art and in life no one hits the mark every time...
and in missing the mark we sometimes get a wake up call.

Post by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall

A Great Start to 2013 (a quick update)

Richard and I are truly thrilled about present and upcoming projects...

Lost Trails
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall
see now at the Oregon Showcase

The Oregon Artist Showcase at Chehalem Cultural Arts Center in Newberg was an absolutely stunning exhibit and I was proud to be a part of it.
Kudos to the jurors for bringing an outstanding line up to this showcase.  The jurors for this exhibit were Mary Lou Zeek of Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in Salem, Oregon and Loni Parrish of Art Elements Gallery in Newberg, Oregon.
 http://www.chehalemculturalcenter.org/oas-2013-2

A view of 2 of Richard Cutshall's  pieces at Clatsop Community College

Richard had 6 pieces selected for inclusion in “Community Ground – Art Faculty from Linn-Benton and Mt. Hood Community Colleges” at Clatsop Community College.   This exhibit was curated by artist and CCC faculty member, Richard Rowland. 

https://www.clatsopcc.edu//about-ccc/press-releases/ccc-exhibit-presents-art-faculty-linn-benton-mt-hood-community-colleges  

We will be sending additional updates as shows open, so please check back often.    

Thanks for sharing in our journey...we couldn't do any of it without your continued gaze.



Post by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall

2012... on My Mind

The Party Ended Early
by Richard Cutshall
21.5" x 27.5"
MM on Paper 2012
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105127075/original-mixed-media-painting-the-party

It seems I'm always a liitle behind the curve of the new year in my swing.

I don't get over the gust of holiday fanfare until mid January.  I start to reflect on the previous year when most folks are resolving to drastically ammend their resolutions.

So while you may be in the thick of 2013...you're doing your taxes, buying the latest stamps, and scrolling through your timelines (seeing 2012 as a blur of snapshots)... I am just beginning to let go of 2012 (in my checkbook at least).

Share a toast to 2012 
A year in art images from 3 Spirits studio...

It Lives and Dies in Cerrillos
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall
from her solo show, "Herding the Night Sheep"
 at the Fireside Gallery

The Fallen
by Richard Cutshall
from the 2012 Faculty Show at MHCC

Hands always working
in the print studio 2012

from Rich's Excavation show

Preparing to ship work to Texas for Jenn's solo show at LHUCA

Shots from Jenn's "Moon of My Memory" show at LHUCA

Eternal Crown
by Richard Cutshall
shown at the Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery in 2012

Portland Art Museun
through the courtyard and across the street to find
the Portland Art Musem Rental Sales Gallery

interior shot of the Pittock Mansion

Fleeing The Darkness
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall
part of the Let Us Speak Our Minds show at the Pittock Mansion

Lighting The Way
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall
Awarded second place in the
Let Us Speak Our Minds show

Exorcising Restraint
by Richard Cutshall
Oso Bay Printmaking Exhibition

Losing Windows
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall
part of the Portland Open Studios Tour

From the Materializing series
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall

view of Jennifer Gillia Cutshall's work
as part of the 99% show at Rogue Community College

 

 Through rain and hearts of fog we find our passion every day here in Portland, Oregon.
We will keep heading toward blue skies and saltier seas for 2013...

Abundance Explodes

Mi Madre Tienes Muchas Caras
by Richard Cutshall
Mixed Media on Paper 42" X84"

Richard has been no stranger to great art news since relocating to Portland...he has been in so many great shows and it seems they just keep on coming.

He has so much to look forward to...the following group shows are just a snapshot of the great things to come for the visionary artist, Richard Cutshall.

*Paper in Particular Columbia College in Missouri opening  (2/3/2012-3/3/2013)

*Tales They Told Us 3/22/2013-5/12/2013

*9x12 Works On Paper Current show, Fort Worth Community Arts Center (11/19/2012-12/2012)

*Mount Hood Community College Fcaulty Show Gresham, OR 1/3/2013-2/3/2013

*Linn Benton Community College and Mount Hood Community College Faculty Show at Clatsop Community College, Astoria, OR, 1/10/2013-2/14/2013

Abundance seems to be exploding for Richard and we couldn't feel happier!  I feel so proud to know that his  years of dedication and hard work are being recognized.  I know the best is yet to come and I can't wait to pop the cork when that watershed event materializes.

"Abundance Explodes"
by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall
Pen and Ink with watercolor on Paper
9 x 12

I too feel fortunate for being selected for the following upcoming shows:

*Feature Artist, Art on the Ridge, Seattle, WA (December 2012)

*99% Show, Rogue Community College, Grants Pass, OR (December 2012)

*9 x 12 Works On Paper, Fort Worth Community Arts Center (11/19/2012-12/2012)

*Au Natural International Exhibition, Clatsop Community College, Astoria, OR (2/21/2013-3/28/2013)

This time of year encourages reflection. We have been blessed and we are truly grateful.  We are thankful for our collectors, not just for their support, but for their attachment to our vision and their abilty to celebrate our process.
 It was about a year ago when we opened our etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/3spiritsstudio) and we are so happy that we did.  We've met the most amazing people through our shop.  We are grateful every day for our etsy shop and our etsymates.  You know who you are...I did not want to list names (for privacy reasons), but you have been a gift to us.

The success of any artist may seem like a lonely affair and in a way it can be, but it is the procession of followers that propel our sails, so thank you during this season of exploding abundance. 

Thank you to our collectors, our etsymates, thank you Ron (Blackdogsun.com) for always helping with techno, support, and humor. Thank you, thank you Betty...
  And thank you Beverly and Jerry, thank you, thank you, thank you (I truly tear up when I think of you, you are angels to us).  You are as much a part of the work as the paint and the canvas!  

"Procession"
by Richard Cutshall
Mixed Media on Paper
78" x 44.5"

May we always be blessed by a flowing Procession...

post by Jennifer Gillia Cutshall