The Hero’s Journey Show Reflects its Viewers

January 12, 2017Poppy Dully

The current show at Columbia Center for the Arts is a bold collection of works by 20 artists from San Diego to Seattle whose perspectives are as diverse as their styles. The hero’s journey theme is based on Joseph Campbell’s analysis of multiple cultures and their universal storytelling structure. Regardless of the source, these stories include the protagonist hero, a mix of allies, mentors, tricksters and villains entwined in a quest filled with obstacles. The journey is the underlying format for countless films from The Wizard of Oz to Star Wars and many others.

Applying this theme to art is nothing new. Seeing this diversity of artistic executions however, provides an enlightening view not only of the artist’s journey, but of how we see ourselves. Working in bronze, wood, fabric or paint, each artist has created a unique expression of the theme.

One of the most provocative pieces in the show is by Troutdale sculptor, Bud Egger. “Poet’s Lament” is a powerful bronze figure – a hero in a meditative pose which seems to summon inner strength. The sculpture is mesmerizing in its shape and masterful execution. In contrast is a series of paintings by Chehalis artist, Charles Funk. He integrates multiple allies in the form of birds and fish to create dreamlike stories in which everything is alive with meaning. Funk’s work magically echoes his Native American heritage.

Another series by Cuauhtémoc Kish of San Diego combines fabrics and beads intricately quilted into elegant portraits of mythic archetypes. There is a playful, trickster quality to these that compliments local artist Rodney Stuart’s wooden figures. These whimsical characters invite you to create your own narrative.

A large acrylic painting by Portland artist Rick Wheeler titled, “Ancient Stories” is an interpretation of petroglyphs combined with animal totems. The longer you look at this haunting piece, the more you will find. The complex arrangement of characters engages you in personal reflection.

Reflection is, in fact, the goal of the show. The hero’s journey format is as old as storytelling itself. We relate to the hero and to the quest. We are challenged to imagine how we can overcome adversity. Our personal involvement in the story helps us see, learn and act from our inner power. Through the artist’s visual narrative, we discover our own hero qualities and find our path.

Students from Lyle Middle School are also displaying related works in the Gallery Nook this month. They have created self-portraits in collage based on the hero’s journey. Their storytelling enthusiasm was evident at the show opening earlier this month. The Hero’s Journey Show will be on display through January 29.

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Chas Martin curated The Hero’s Journey show. A Hood River resident from 1981-1998, he is a former president of the Columbia Art Gallery, predecessor of Columbia Center for the Arts. His current work is on display in the lobby of the Center this month.

The Hero's Journey Show at Columbia Center for the Arts

January 9, 2017Poppy Dully

"The Hero's Journey" at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River is my first experience curating a show. I am very pleased with the results. The call for entries was a straightforward request:

Is there a difference between man and myth, or is each the reflection of the other? Explore the stories that define our lives through archetypal characters, cultural symbols, and dreams. These timeless stories guide us, anchor us and help us understand who we are and why we are here. “The Hero’s Journey” will reveal how men visualize themselves and their personal mythologies. Working in a variety of artistic forms, participating artists will consider their personal journeys, archetypes, the adventure of the examined life, and the deep roots of individual artistic expression.

The theme evolved from a discussion on Joseph Campbell's lectures which have influenced much of my own work. The call for entries resulted in a show of 30 artists from LA to Seattle. Interpretation of the theme vary widely, but also create a curious continuity.

The show will be on display through January 29, 2017 at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River. As a compliment to the Hero show, I am exhibiting a series of sculptures, masks and paintings in the Center's main lobby.

The art of teaching art to different learning styles

January 9, 2017Poppy Dully

In November, I participated in the Young Audiences Teaching Artist Studio, a 5-day intensive workshop focused on classroom skills for artists who teach. Teaching artists are working artists who share their knowledge with students while working collaboratively with classroom teachers to integrate art into related studies.

I thought my experience as an artist and communicator was sufficient to connect with students. Yes and no. Yes, I knew how to connect with some students. No, I was not connecting with all students. Here’s one of the things I now understand more fully.

There are many different learning styles. Some students learn best through reading. Others learn through hearing. Some learn faster through hands-on exercises. Still others benefit through song, dance, role play, etc. I’m a visual artist. It comes as no surprise that I learn best through images and kinesthetic or hands-on techniques. But that’s just me. The art of teaching art has to address all learning styles.

One participant in our cohort is Julie Keefe, a photojournalist. In a short, highly interactive presentation she called “Camera Yoga,” she explained options for framing a photo. First she created a rectangle with her thumbs and index fingers. As she shifted her frame back and forth from horizontal to vertical, she described the frame in a series of terms: tall or wide; portrait or landscape; hot dog or hamburger. Then she added more dimension to the task by identifying different points of view: birds eye view, dog view, snake view. As she described each, we used our hands to frame each angle of viewing – looking down, looking straight ahead and looking up. We were in motion, engaged and actively putting new information to work. Finally, using a series of projected images, she anchored these concepts by having us identify the photographer’s point of view for each shot. This all happened within a few minutes. Yet each person in the room, regardless of his or her learning style was actively learning.

A teaching artist is expert in both an art form and the skills for communicating that knowledge to a full spectrum of learning styles. This is one of many valuable experiences I gained during the workshop. I have already integrated a number of techniques. With my painting students, I have them drag an empty brush over an existing painting to help them examine the brush strokes of the original painter. I found this creates a bit of suspense which fully engages students. Then we imitate those strokes with a brush loaded with pigment. In the process, they see, feel, hear my description, and describe their own observations. It also makes their strokes more deliberate and expressive.

Young Audiences Teaching Artist Studio is a professional development program for teaching artists in Oregon and SW Washington.

First show of 2017: A Sequence of Incidents

January 3, 2017Poppy Dully

"Bird Man" mixed media sculpture under construction

January 6-29

COLUMBIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Hood River

I juried "The Hero's Journey," a show which opens January 6, 2017 at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River. The show includes 30 artists from Oregon, Washington and California.

Concurrently, I am showing my most recent work in the Lobby. This is the first time this series has been seen outside my studio. I'm building it under the working title: "A Sequence of Incidents."

The incidents involve juxtapositions of 20+ sculptures, masks, watercolor paintings and a diorama.This series compliments the Hero's Journey theme.

Reception: Fri, Jan 6 from 6-8pm. Open to the public.

Free Watercolor and Acrylic Painting Demos

November 7, 2016Poppy Dully

My studio is open for visits by appointment. I work in my studio most days unless the weather is really too good to stay indoors.

If I'm in the studio, I am usually willing to share whatever I'm working on and to talk about my goals and processes.

Please contact me if you would like to see works in progress, ask questions, learn about techniques.

Location: 7830 SW 40th Ave., Portland OR 97219

Corner of SW 40th and Multnomah Blvd., across from the Post Office. Four blocks west of Multnomah Art Center.

Call or email to arrange a visit.

New work for Portland's Big 500 Show

November 6, 2016Poppy Dully

This is a series of 8x8" panels for Portland's Big 500. I've done these in acrylic. I'm anxious to recreate these characters in large format - maybe 4x6'. I feel the need to do something large. I think restricting myself to this really small format showed me how much I really like to physically dance with the surface - a little tough with an 8" panel.

Past, Present or Future?

January 18, 2016Poppy Dully

What's the difference between memories and ideas? Both are totally imaginary. One is a series of impressions about an event that we think has happened before. The other is a series of impressions of something that we think has not happened yet. The further into the past or ruture you try to see, the fuzzier the thought becomes.

"Mask of Memory" is a mixed media sculpture that evolved from a series of sketches. I created a form of a face, then created three different masks from that form. With some additional modifications, I assembled the three together and painted with a variety of pigments and polymer finishes to get an iridescent effect.

Exploring Personal Mythology Through Sketches and Sculpture

December 15, 2015Poppy Dully

There is a process for creating 3-dimensionl art. I don't always follow it. Or, more accurately, the process changes with each piece, depending on how the idea evolves. "Birdman" is a working title because I do not yet know what the final form of this work will be. I have several ideas, but I'm keeping my options open.

These images document the evolution of the project so far. It is an ongoing exploration of the symbols from my personal mythology. What exists in the mind’s eye will be realized in the physical world.

The Persistence of Rivers

October 27, 2015Poppy Dully

Rivers and river canyons have been a recurring theme through my 40 years of painting and sculpture. It started while driving the Kancamagus Highway along the Swift River in New Hampshire. One sketch led to another.

The twisting, converging tributaries recur throughout nature: tree structures, root systems, arteries, appendages and antlers.

Fragile Surface, reductive 5-color block print 1985

Rivers are a primal configuration symbolizing connectivity and confluence. To explore a river is to follow each tributary to its source, then find your way back to the main river channel.

I’ve never followed a duplicate tributary. Each is unique. The exploration, like jazz, is a journey to the origin of the passage and then to abstraction before returning to the central theme. At the source, you understand another perspective, a new insight of the passage.

River canyons carve passages through time. It is such and fundamental theme from which to tell a story – once upon a time....

Man Turning into Sky

October 5, 2015Poppy Dully

See a video of the finished sculpture.

This piece is still in progress. It started a few weeks ago as a quick graphite and watercolor sketch. I know instantly it would have to become three dimensional. I've been exploring sculpture for several months. This in not new territory. In the early 1980s I did a number of dioramas and free-standing sculptures. I always found it far more engaging to work with images in real space.

After the first sketch came a series of variations in graphite. Once I committed to creating the sculpture, I also decided to take my time and enjoy the process. The sculpture was build from left to right. The base rock was cut from layers of plywood. Next was a brass rod structure to provide a rigid armature for the body. The skeletal structure was added as a construction of wire and rigid cardboard to establish proportions. That was bent and twisted countless times as the two dimensional sketch began to find its spacial form.

The head, chest, pelvis, arm, wing, and legs each move on a different axis. As the body was formed from corrugated cardboard, the final pose took shape. At this point, I was still building left to right. The leg positions were still being changed every time I looked at it. The sculpture did not stand up until the legs were in place. The balance was finally established

Once the legs were finalized, I had to solve the cloud problem. I did not know what material I would use or how I would make it stable enough to last. Experiments with assorted fabrics and media resulted in a cloud-like look that is very rigid.

Creating the surface and attaching the clouds are the final steps. As this reaches completion, I now have a model for additional watercolors.

This piece and its component stages will all be on display for the Portland Open Studios Tour on October 10, 11, 18 and 18.

Visit my studio during those days to see this and other characters in development.

January 6-29

COLUMBIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Hood River

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