"Velvet Tiki" - Velvet Paintings by Juanita

Come by Emerson Space Case to see the fabulous and fascinating works of Juanita, the velvet painting queen!  In this series, Juanita explores the glorious kitsch of tiki aesthetics, paired with Day of the Dead imagery.  Also displayed are Juanita's marvelous painted velvet coats and pillows.

Juanita's paintings have graced the walls of Voodoo Doughnut (three locations!), Laughing Planet, and Portland Mayor Sam Adams.  She has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Oregon Art Beat, and "Black Velvet Masterpieces," a book of velvet paintings.

Living in Portland Oregon, Juanita loves to paint on black velvet. She keeps busy with commissions and has shows of her paintings throughout the West. She now paints on velvet coats, pillows, jewelry and paintings.  For commissions, contact her via her website.

As a sidenote:  Did you know that Portland was once home to an entire velvet painting museum (where several of Juanita's paintings were once displayed)?  Those of us who had the privelege of visiting Velveteria will never forget.

Li'l Orphan Art: A Showcase of Found Objects

If you haven't seen it, you missed it, because this blog post is late (sorry!), but in October we had a fine little showing of found art.  Those lovely and ugly things you can't resist at thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales.  We gathered things from our friends and put them all together in a tribute to the sincerity of orphaned art.

Big thanks to our contributors:
Chelsea Appel
Kristen Bilous
The Emerson House
Kendra Hadlock
Lettie Jane Rennekamp
Ilan Schraer
Swoops
Kevin Witmer
Benjamin Parrish & Amber Smythe


The show was curated by our resident owl sous-chef, Percival May.

(these chickens have real feathers attached!)

(all the way from Denmark)

Highlights from BEST SUMMER EVER

This post is quite belated, but here it is!  Lettie Jane Rennekamp and Amelia Pillow's BEST SUMMER EVER events were officially a success at Emerson Space Case.

Here are some photos to prove it.

First, here are some shots of Lettie's fantastic colorful paintings and exquisite hand-lettering which adorned our windows for the duration of the project.

And a bike wash in the hot hot sun of summer.  Perfect.

 

A bake sale as well, though it was more of a bake-share than a sale.  Lovely treats and joke-telling abounded.

BEST SUMMER EVER - happening now!

Lettie Jane Rennekamp wants you to have the BEST SUMMER EVER, so she has masterminded an art show with her lovely painting and illustration skills, and series of events here at Emerson Space Case!

In her words, "BEST SUMMER EVER is the idea that if we all put a little energy towards having a good time and enjoying the sunshine, our short, special summers here in Portland might last a little longer, and the sun might shine a little more."

Here's the schedule of events, all of which take place on the sidewalk & in the garden at Emerson Space Case on NE 30th & Emerson.  We hope to see you there!

BBQ

Thurs 8/25

6pm - 9pm

Come take refuge from the noise of Last Thursday!  Featuring homemade sausage by Jeff Garritano

LEMONADE STAND + gentle dog petting zoo

Saturday 8/27
noon to four

Bring the little ones for some lemonade and dog love.

BIKE WASH

Saturday 9/3
noon to four

We can wash some of the dirt and debris off people's bikes, pump up tires and grease chains (boy do I hate a squeaky chain). Possibility for other light maintenance.  We would welcome any maintenance help from folks who are bike savvy!

BAKE SALE / extravaganza

Saturday 9/10
noon to fourThis is less a bake sale and more a bake extravaganza. It is more about making treats and sharing them with your friends. Bartering, tipping and donating are strongly encouraged as we don't want bakers to feel that they are wasting their time or resources. However, the main benefits of this event will be a GOOD TIME, hanging out and sharing snacks in the neighborhood.

SURPRISE!

Saturday 9/17
noon to four
The last event in this BEST SUMMER EVER showcase will depend on the participation and excitement of the preceding events. Amelia and I have hatched a couple of giant plans and we will be feeling them out with you guys as the events progress. I do know that this event will be rad and summery. Hopefully, if all our good energy is going to good use September 17th will be hot and sunny. We will announce this event at the BAKE SALE one week prior. 

"Just To Tell You Once Again" - Art Inspired By Michael Jackson (now showing thru August 10)

lovely velvet paintings by Juanita

musical entertainment at the opening event!  (here's Stephanie Brachmann singing "Who Is It?")

James Dean Kindle doing "Muscles" (a Michael Jackson-penned song written for Diana Ross to sing)

Liberian Girl does "Ben"

Thank you Joey Edwards for taking photos at the event!

lithograph by Rita Alves

coming June 30th to Emerson Space Case...

“ J u s t   t o    T e l l   Y o u   O n c e   A g a i n ”

Art inspired by Michael Jackson

a group show at Emerson Space Case



Featuring artwork by:

Rita Alves
Stephanie Brachmann
Eddie Butler
Joey Edwards
Sarah Flores
Kati Green
Laura Hensley
Juanita
Angela Marks
Chrissy Ortez
Karen Radd
& Ilan Schraer

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Please join us for the opening reception

JUNE 30, 2011
7pm – 9pm

with live music by Pendleton's favorite playboy, JAMES DEAN KINDLE,
and special guests Liberian Girl


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Celebrating two years since the birth of Emerson Space Case

- and -

commemorating two years since the death of Michael Jackson.

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The art will continue to be displayed in the space JUNE 30 – AUGUST 10, 2011.  The gallery is viewable at all hours of the day from the sidewalk.


Emerson Space Case is a window art gallery on NE 30th Avenue & Emerson Street in Portland, Oregon.

Call for Art! This time in color!

Check out our colorized flyer!

With only a couple of weeks left before the submission deadline, we're working on getting some musical entertainment for this show's opening, which will be on June 30th.  Also, we've already received two excellent art submissions!  It's going to be marvelous.

Here's the call for art again:


CALL FOR ART


Emerson Space Case is seeking Michael Jackson-inspired art for a group art show, Just to Tell You Once Again:  Art Inspired By Michael Jackson, to celebrate our two-year anniversary!  This show will open June 30, 2011.


All media will be considered!  Send us your art!  Drawings, paintings, sculptures, doodles, poems, whatever it is that you do!


Deadline for submissions is June 17th, 2011


WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

You may be wondering to yourself, "Why Michael Jackson?  Why now?  What has this got to do with Emerson Space Case?  Where's my sweater vest?"

So here's the story.  We opened our first Emerson Space Case art show on June 25th, 2009.  As we were scrambling to cross all the t's and dot the lower-case j's of that show, on that lovely summer afternoon, we heard the sad and shocking news of the death of Michael Jackson.  He was in our hearts for the remainder of the day as we installed that first show, and we can't help but think that a hint of his spirit somehow lives on in that space forever more.

And that's why we've decided that for our two-year anniversary show, we should commemorate and celebrate him with a group art show.  Can you get on board with that?