My solo show opened last night at the McVarish Gallery in Astoria, Oregon. I was excited to have my parents attend one of my shows, along with my Aunt and Uncle! A lot of great people showed up and made the evening fun and kept me talking. Here is a collection of photos from the evening.
I don’t know if it matters when deadlines are. For me I seem compelled to work right to the edge no matter if necessary or not. Next weekend is the opening of my show in Astoria, Oregon. The show is called “Transitions” at the McVarish Gallery. So I suppose it is appropriate that one of the final paintings for the show shares part of the show title.
I am framing work for an upcoming exhibit. Part of the process is editing your work and trying to select the most powerful pieces. I took this photo of three of my small cloudscapes… only two will go. I have my opinions but would love to hear from you! Which two paintings do you like the best?
This weekend I didn’t get enough work done. I did manage to varnish and frame this recent painting. I am still scrambling to get work ready for my solo show at the McVarish Gallery in Astoria, Oregon. That opens June 9th and last into mid July.
This is a 16″x20″ acrylic painting. As summer approaches I wanted to capture snow disappearing from the mountains… “between the snowman and the rain”. I have painted two northwest alpine scenes along these lines. They both have an ethereal ghostly presence that I really enjoy. I will post the other painting soon.
This is a detail from “Snoqualmie”.
A little moody forest scene. I painted this one a couple months back and decided it looked great in an extra frame I had! I was planning on taking it to my show but it looks like I have sold it this morning… I really should focus on retaining work for my exhibit that is just two weeks out! A bird in the hand? Poor bird.
As my June 9th solo show approaches I am gathering together works and documenting new paintings.
This painting, “Crashing”, is 20″x16″ acrylic/ open acrylic on aluminum panel. The panel is primed with gesso and treated much like any other hard surface used for painting.
When I was a child there were two destinations, the Oregon coast and Wyoming. My Mom’s parents lived in Oregon, my Dad’s parents… you got it Wyoming!
I feel a real love and connection to both places. I am excited to have a show in Astoria, Oregon in June. So close to the coast you can see it from the Astoria Column. When you fill the gas tank at Safeway you hear sea lions barking and complaining about the fishermen. In July I will be going to the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, the greatest place! Family will be at both destinations and I am excited about these adventures.
I now reside in Idaho, I seem to have split the difference between Oregon and Wyoming. I was thinking about these amazing places, the past and the unknowable future. What does today’s rambling blog have to do with this painting? Aside from the obvious coastal connection, everything.
This acrylic painting is one of three in a series. Yesterday I sold one of the set but the buyer agreed to let me bring it to the Astoria show, June 9th, which was great! I was not planning on another show so soon and had signed up for a bunch of commissions. I have too much to do but I am really thankful to have people interested in my work.
Instagram: @bsostrom
When my father turned 80 he decided he wanted to go sky diving. Half way through that age he booked a jump when I was coming down to visit. My cousin Eric and I both decided to jump with him which was a big adventure for a Friday morning!
My sister wanted to go as well so now my Dad is going to jump again with her in two weeks! He makes 80 look pretty darn good.
Photos were taken by my Uncle Mike Wingert!
