The oldest & largest art gallery in Portland

Last week’s First Thursday opening at Attic Gallery was fun. When I arrived, I was so excited to see all my work placed so prominently in the front window!

Attic Gallery is the oldest and largest art gallery in Portland, so this is an honor indeed–especially since they agreed to squeeze me into their schedule, which is already fully booked for the next year!

You can see my painting “Majestic Giants” placed in the center of the front window, with several of my other large-scale paintings visible in the background.

I feel like my artwork never fully translates through photos, because you can’t tell the scale of them. Here’s a photo with me in it for scale–but they are so much better in person, where you can get up close and check out the depth of the color and texture.

The owner of Attic Gallery, Diana Faville, founded the gallery in 1973 in the attic of her home, when she was a young mother. It has since grown into something wonderful. Her passion for art is evidenced by the wide variety of talent represented in the gallery.

Diana’s daughter, Maria, works at the gallery and will greet you with a friendly smile.

I had a great time chatting with some of the other artists currently exhibiting there. Here is David W. Ferriday (with his work behind us.)

And Norwegian painter and singer Kristin Blix. I particularly enjoyed a group of small pieces she did in collaboration with her 4-year-old son.

It was entertaining–as it always is at art openings where nobody sees you at first or knows you’re the artist–to sort of stand in the background and watch people walk in the door and observe their reactions to my work. For that moment, I can be like a fly on the wall.

It is always gratifying to hear a passing person say to whomever they’re with, “Ooh! Look at THIS!” while making a beeline for my paintings.

If you’re in Portland and looking to feast your eyes on some art, I highly recommend dropping in on one of these First Thursday events. Lovely ambient music was provided this time by Tony Kalhagen.

Once you’re inside the gallery, it just goes on and on. In addition to the gigantic main gallery showroom, there are many back rooms also filled with incredible artwork. So many treasures to be found!

My paintings will be on display there through June 27th.

Attic Gallery: 206 SW 1st Avenue Portland, OR 97204   503.228.7830

Check it out!