One of my favorite eccentric painters is, James Mallord William Turner. Turner was a painter at a time when England was changing from the old world leader to the new industrial revolution leader; from the slower and beautiful world of schooner ships to steam locomotives, iron ships and bridges. It was a time of rapid changes in their world. Turner painted in an unconventional way from his contemporaries possibly because he never really felt part of their club as he came from the working class. He managed to go to the best schools because of his talent but, he never felt accepted.
 
When talking with TCPM curator, Carla Albright about doing a paint night at the museum, I brought up Turner. She seemed surprised and said ”that’s an impressive painter to pick!” My thought was, Tillamook is a place of storms that blow through you...just as Turner's paintings show! Storms are something that people here can relate to! Even though so far this year, we haven’t seen many!

This particular painting, Snow Storm - Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth Making Signals in Shallow Water, has a famous story attached to it. This is the painting where Turner supposedly lashed himself to the mast of the ship he was on and painted in the storm! Can you imagine doing that? I am not sure he did do that, but the way he painted made people think it was done on the spot. It has the feeling of the moment.
 
So, I started my painting using his kind of tools: palette knives, brushes and his very favorite tool-- old rags! It was challenging and fun! I tried to think of how to break it down into parts and slowly build up the color, the waves, and finally... added the details,making sure to keep the rag to smudge all along! Smudging can make anything look better or completely go away! The more I study the painting, the more I see how much he left so much to the viewer’s imagination...incomplete lines.
 
Although we can only approximate this wonderful painting, it is a fun challenge to try painting a storm at sea! I have a second attempt started, and invite you to come try your hand. Join us for Art Accelerated’s Paint Night:  Storming the Museum, Saturday, March 2nd, 6 - 8pm at the Pioneer Museum on Second Street in Tillamook.  For fifty dollars we will supply everything needed for your masterpiece as well as food and drink!  I will be leading the Storming Paint Night, and we will have extra helpers to aid your efforts as well. 
Sign up today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/storming-the-museum-tickets-55028275052
See you soon.
                
By Christine Harrison  
 

It was a week before Christmas
When round the table
Art Accelerated Board Members did gather
When all of a sudden
Christine’s phone did ring
And who should it be but
Melo, our most generous Landlord
With news that YES, indeed,
He would love to lease us another building
With more classroom space---
The Annex right behind the Gallery!
In no time at all,
We all agreed:
Yes, we need the space for
Future growth of our programs
For youth and adults alike.
In no time at all, Melo and his crew
Renovated and sheetrocked and painted,
Even installed a new floor.
Then Diane, Connie, Dennis and Christine
Wiped and caulked, washed and mopped
Until all was ready and sparkling clean
For students one and all.
And exclamations heard
Throughout the town:  “Thank you, Melo,”
For such speedy work to make our space
Top-notch in so little time,
Making it a Merry Christmas for all of us
With hope for the future in this
Beautiful space
Encouraging
Love for ART
In the Heart of Downtown Tillamook.
 
By Cindy Gardner
 
 

Something about the fluffy, brown donkeys with their white-rimmed, dark eyes and ears in knee-deep snow draws me to them instantly. Momma’s head nestles over Baby’s back defying their wild nature.  Against the gray, steel-blue light shining through the bare-branched backdrop of a cold, Utah morning outside Monument Valley, these sweet creatures want me to paint them...I can just feel it! Inspiration at last!!!
 
Which colors could I combine to make their coats deep, chocolate brown?  I guess the young one is more a latte brown whereas momma is mocha.  And how would I paint that glow in the steel blue sky?  Which canvas and what size?  Hmmmm,,,,which brushes? Should I start with the background and move to the donkeys or the other way around? Or do I need a class to get me started?
 
How about you?  Have you always wanted to paint or draw simply for the pleasure of it?  What about write a poem or a short story?  Encouragement, along with classes and instructors, await you at Art Accelerated.  We are beginning a New Year at the Gallery at 1906 Third Street right in downtown Tillamook, where we just recently added a new, spacious classroom space behind the Gallery. Newly painted and renovated with a beautiful floor, space is waiting for you to get started on this one creative life you possess.  Come join us!
 
The next Writers’ Meet Up will be Wednesday evening, February 6th from 6-8 PM in the new classroom space and is free of charge!

Christine leads an Artists’ Workshop every Tuesday from 1:30-3:30 PM in the new classroom and she will be there to encourage you in your painting, drawing and/or printmaking.  $5 per session or $20 for 5 sessions...flexible dates(bring your own materials if you have them)

Cindy Gardner
Photos courtesy of my sister, Becky Williams, on her trek last week from Oregon back to Arizona via Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. Thank you, Rebecca Sue!