Budding artists are invited to learn to paint with oils on canvas with local artist, Liz Pike, at the upcoming “Sip&Paint for Good” event at Reflection Plaza in downtown Washougal.  It’s scheduled for Wednesday, August 14 and will support the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance. It will run from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at a cost of $45 which includes all art supplies.  Space is limited to the first 25 participants who sign up and advanced registration is required.  Register by calling or texting 360-281-8720 or email pikeadvertising@comcast.net.  Participants will be invited to sip on lemonade and coffee as they create their masterpieces. 

“I am excited to partner with the City of Washougal to provide Sip&Paint for Good events,” said Pike. “Washougal is a very special place.  I love that they are leading the charge on all things art in east Clark County with their murals, public art pieces and the events that promote local artists.” 

As an artist instructor, Pikes says she has just three rules: 1. Relax, 2. Have Fun, and 3. Learn Something. “I teach in oils on canvas because it’s the only medium I chose to work in,” she explained.  “I love the unmatched textures of oil paint. My students learn a little bit about composition, how to use their light source effectively on their canvas, and basic brush stroke instruction for various techniques.” 

Participants will work on small format canvases which is ideal for beginners who have not painted before. According to Pike, within a two-hour period, everyone is able to successfully complete their painting.

“They leave the event with a painting and a smile on their face,” she said.

Pike’s students appreciate her relaxed teaching style and how with just some basic instruction, they can create a beautiful painting in their own unique style. “Most people also comment on how relaxing it is to paint,” she said “They are able to clear their mind and recharge. It’s a great way to leave the hectic world behind in exchange for some peace of mind.”

According to Pike, many people simply think they cannot paint, or perhaps someone along the way discouraged them or they’ve just been afraid to try something new.

“I believe everyone is an artist,” she said.  “Several friends of mine have started painting with me and they are wonderful artists. All they needed was a little nudge. I encourage the public to roll up their sleeves and come paint in the Plaza with me in beautiful downtown Washougal. I promise they will have fun and learn something new. Come to Sip&Paint, you’ll have lots of fun!”

Steampunk artist Russ Ray can’t sit still. When he’s not working in his landscape design and construction job, taking care of his family, or joyriding on his motorcycle, you can find him in his shop creating brilliant works of art.

“Steampunk industrial ideas have always been in my head, but now it’s really happening,” said Ray. “Maybe it’ll turn into my full-time job? My very first one was a table that has raw metal with heavy beams and it was turning into this steampunk. I didn’t design anything on paper, it was just in my head.”

That was just last winter. To date, Ray has completed 10 tables and nine lamps.

“Steampunk just happened,” he said. “I saw a few things on the Internet that amazed me. I love to work with metal, which is why I work with so much with it. For the antique tables I was using the old barn wood. I just sand it and apply a light layer of stain and oil.”

He finds the gears, scales, and old things at swap meets, antique shows, and all over the Internet. They bring materials from all over Portland to these venues, and to Ray, they’re treasures.

“The parts are not cheap,” he said. “The old wood isn’t cheap. A lot of these things are hard to find. Nothing can be built exactly the same. They’re one of a kind. It’s really hard to find exactly the same parts.”

So what is steampunk?

Officially, it’s a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction.

Wikipedia says “It is a mixture of the Victorian era’s romantic view of science in literature and elements from the Industrial Revolution in Europe during the 1800s.”

“It’s just what I do,” said Ray. “Steampunk.”

Ray, 42, a husband and father of 5, also refers to his work as industrial art.

“I got started last winter designing the work,” he said. “I have more time during winter and just keep building. Landscape work is seasonal.”

“This guy cannot sit still,” said his wife, Elena Bogomaz.

It’s true, he says.

“I cannot just sit still and watch TV. When we got snowed in he went into full panic mode. It pushed me to do something in the garage.”

Ray was born in the Ukraine, came to the United States in 1997, and has lived in Camas for past 17 years.

“We’re so glad he’s here,” said Marquita Call, curator of the Camas Gallery. “He’s our featured artist on August 2 during the Downtown Camas First Friday. We can’t wait!”

Since meeting with Ray, Call has added an entire steampunk section in the gallery, which is where you can view much of his work.

He says each piece gets better, and that he now builds two types of tables: Antique and industrial rustic. He started with industrial rustic and then moved into antiques.

“This is how it always works: I find a piece and then I work around it,” he said. “I just envision it in my head. I will start to build and then put it on paper but the final product will change a lot. The cool thing with steampunk is I build pieces with themes like Marines or Air Force. I pretty much stay with antiques now. I’m fine to build any of these tables for people who want them.”

Reception desks can be built for a particular location, and he also sees an increased demand for modern styles.

“The electrical work is something I learned from my construction experience,” he said. “For residential and commercial they’re different. Residential lamps are 2-wire.”

How long does it take to build a lamp?

“A simple one will take two days to build,” he said. “I spend 80 percent of my time scavenging for pieces. I call myself an American Picker. Mostly I look for gauges to put in all lamps. Gauges, water meters, different valves. Most of the pipes are old ones mixed with new ones. Some of the pipes are really old. The wood comes from old barns or schools that are 100 years or older. For industrial rustic most of the wood is newer. The antique tables are old wood. Older wood has thicker cuts.”

He invites you to attend his reception at Camas Gallery on Friday, August 2 from 5-8 pm. You can also find his work at www.OldBarnCustom.com

Camas Gallery is located at 408 NE 4th Avenue in Downtown Camas, Washington.

The Washougal Art Festival will once again transform Washougal’s Reflection Plaza into a gallery of fine works of art.  The event, presented by Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA), will feature 29 professional regional artists, Saturday August 10 from 9 am to 4 pm at the plaza, 1703 Main Street, Washougal.

“More than 50 artists applied to be a part of the festival this year,” said Janice Ferguson, WACA Board Member. “A jury of local art professionals selected the individuals who were invited to participate.  We are delighted with the high caliber of art that will be on display and for sale and excited to showcase these amazing artists.”  This year the festival increased the number of artists from 25 to 29.

For a preview of artists and their work, visit the WACA website at www.WashougalArts.org.  Artists are Linda Andrews-Riggs, watercolor; Mark Amerman, acrylic & mixed media on canvas; Kathy Beckman, acrylic & mixed media on canvas; Eric Berlin, hand sculpted animal porcelain; John Broughton, photography; Marilyn Estenes, fiber and photography; Anni Furniss, acrylic on canvas; John Furniss, wood work; Katy Fenly, jewelry; Chrissie Forbes, recycled robots, oils; Josh Hancock, blown and sculpted glass; Beck Lipp, wooden boxes & spoons; Brenda Lindstrom. oils and acrylic; Toni McCarthy, jewelry; Glo McCollough, acrylic on canvas & prints, Savannah Mendoza, photography; Annette McCabe, oil on canvas; Nokes Anderson, custom leather work; Liz Pike, oils on canvas; John Reylea, reclaimed wood art; Karen Reule, silver filigree jewelry; Pam Sharp, watercolor; Faun Scurlock, photography; Gary Suda, ceramic pottery; Cyndee Starr, mixed media; Patricia Thompson, mixed media fiber; Ray Tufts, wood work; Erskin Wood, photography; Barbara Wright, pen, pencil, water color, graphite.

Performance artists are also being welcomed back to the festival this year.  The line-up features Jay Koder and Al Perez, performing from 10:30am -11:45am, Daniel and Lindsay will present a dance performance at noon, Wayne Havrelly plays from 12:15-1:30pm and Rain and Shine Trio will perform from 2:00-3:30pm.

The work of prolific local muralist, Travis London was selected as the image for the 2019 Washougal Art Festival poster and advertising.  “We love how this stunning watercolor image features the beauty of downtown Washougal,” said Jim Cooper, WACA president. “Each year our festival committee seeks out a work of art that is ‘Washougal inspired.’  We are thrilled that Travis created this for us!” London’s local mural work includes the WACA-funded “Historic Lager” on the side of the Big Foot Inn in downtown Washougal.  A limited number of signed 2019 WAF posters will be available for purchase at the festival for a $20 donation.  He will also have a booth at the festival. 

The festival is family-friendly and features The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party who will be offering free, fun, artistic projects for children.  “This has been a very popular part of our event,” said Ferguson. “We love providing kids a chance to explore their creativity and leave with artwork of their very own.”

New this year will be a silent auction for works of art donated by participating artists.  “A goal of the festival is to raise funds to bring more public art to our city,” explained Chuck Carpenter, WACA board member.  “This auction is one way we do that.  We appreciate the generosity of our festival artists for their donations and the participation of festival attendees to bid generously on these wonderful items.” 

Proceeds from this year’s festival will help fund an original Heather Söderberg casting, “Dreaming,” to add to the public art of Washougal.  “This life-sized bear is amazing in its character and detail and is certain to become a community and visitor favorite for taking pictures with,” said Carpenter.  “Like the bronze Seaman sculpture in Reflection Plaza, this too will be large enough for people to sit with for pictures and will add more charm and interest to our downtown.”

The festival welcome back local restaurant, Alex Smokehouse, as the main food vendor at the event.  They will be serving their popular barbeque items and other fare.  The Washougal Lions will also be on hand selling delicious root beer floats with proceeds benefitting their community work.

While in Washougal, visitors are encouraged to discover works of public art using the WACA art map http://washougalarts.org/local-art/ which provides locations, artists name and the year for more than 30 installations around town.  Maps will be available at the raffle table.

WACA Board Members and Festival Committee members working alongside Cooper, Ferguson and Carpenter are Joyce Lindsay, Rene Carroll, Suzanne Grover, Kelli Rule, Susan Warford and Alex Yost.  The Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Washougal Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.  Other event sponsors include The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party and Camas Gallery.

“Our past festivals have been such a success for us, our artists, and the community that we are excited to host the event again,” Ferguson said. “We are pleased to provide accessibility to original art in such a fun, festival environment.”