I took my local friend Tony’s advice and parked my car downtown, got on my bike and cruised around Bend in search of local talent.
I met this dude on the sidewalk slanging kind wire wraps. I bought a ring to support his work. On this trip I’ve aquired/bartered/ or have been gifted multiple pieces of jewelry. I rock them with pride!
After kicking it with Jordan I rolled to the Old Mill District and lucked into a quaint yet potent Art Gallery Collective. I was greeted by one of the Artists: Janice Druian who gave me the hot tip, that if I paint in plein air I HAVE to paint at Smith Rock State Park. ( which I owe her one! that place is dope)
After experiencing Janice’s collection of work, I peddled on over to the Old IronWorks District. Finally I found the droids I was looking for! A real authentic art colony. Printmakers, bakers, jewelry makers, ceramists, painters, and sculpters.
They were kind enough to invite me to their life drawing workshop later that evening. But before that I was stoked to kick it with Stuart, who makes jewelry and is a heck of a craftsman. His shop was the real Don Steele. “Stuart’s of Bend”
That evening I returned to the Old IronWorks District and participated in their 5th Life Drawing Workshop. Having hosted over 5 years of Life Drawing Workshops at Location 1980 I jumped at the chance to support another collective’s effort to embrace the age old practice of studying from the live nude, word.
During the life drawing session, I was pleased to meet the acquaintance of Abney. Abney was a printmaker and he had an eye for serious detail. All the artists at the studio were open and down to share their space. When I go back to Bend, I’m going there first.
