Usually Linda Holland is arranging artists to show their artwork but this time she is showing her own watercolor paintings at Clark's, 264 E. Main at 6pm -- 8pm on First Tuesday, May 1. The opening reception will have free wine and samples of Clark's sumptuous sandwiches as well as musical entertainment by Elijah Vanacek. That's a duo called Quartet with him and Justin Clark playing acoustic rock.
Linda Holland had a career in publishing and graphic arts and turned her business over to her daughter and son when she retired thus immersing herself in the arts. Joining local art groups in Hillsboro and becoming involved in local art and culture discussions, she eventually found her home by forming a non-profit artists' group, Tualatin Valley Artists, and becoming involved in the art side of Influence Gallery in Hillsboro in 2007.
Watercolor is Holland's medium of choice and she paints as often as she can while balancing other volunteer activities. She just finished three years on the board of Tuesday Night Market where she supervised the art projects of the ceiling tiles in Influence Music Hall; the Frida Project at M&M Marketplace and last summer the Hillsboro Happy Days Mural on the side of the wall of Joe's Pastime Bar by the vacant lot on Main Street.
Yearround she runs a business advocating for artists and musicians called Linda’s List. She arranges to show artists’ artwork at Weicherts Realty and Clark's Bistro. With Holland’s connections artists are able to show and sell their art and have a gallery experience without the expense. Over 30 years’ experience painting, Holland’s watercolor artwork gained popularity with a series of dragon and baby paintings and she then went on to portraitures and kindred depictions. But throughout the periods of painting different subjects she continued painting vivid florals. “Painting flowers soothes my soul,” she concluded. Originally from Montana, she moved to Oregon 30 years ago. Hillsboro has been her home since then and art has always been a part of her life.
Featured artist at Weicherts, 231 E. Main St., Hillsboro, for the month of May is Phonkadelic. You can see his artwork at an opening reception held on First Tuesday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will be hor d’ouervres and wine as well as music by the Koin Klub band.
Phonkadelic is an emerging artist who uses a variety of mediums to spread his art within different local communities of expression. Most of his work comes from the exploration of process. Rather than intending to represent one specific aspect or intention, he intends on inviting each viewer to a different perspective of what each piece represents.
With his roots in the underground art community, there is a layer of identity and anonymity throughout his overall catalog of art. With a strong push on the “art for art sake” mentality and an attitude that encourages the D.I.Y. aspect of things, his work is represented separate from himself in the public so that the focus is on each piece of art rather than the artist.
There are many other businesses showing art and providing snack and wine plus entertaining with live local music. Don't miss this fun, community activity. See you there!