SE Walk presents rare artistry‚ each medium unique, and well done

You don’t need to fight for a parking place, as you might in the Pearl, when you take in the SE Area Artwalk. Take a look and see who we met on our stroll‚

Annie Meyer, of Studio 2507 on SE Clinton St., shows us her unique, artistic tiles.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Southeast Portland artists flung open their studio doors the first weekend in March as they participated in their fourth annual ArtWalk. From SE 9th Ave. to 41st Ave., 75 artists amazed visitors with their works of art.

Because we couldn’t visit all 45 locations, we took in the talent of five artisans showing their works in the Inner SE Portland portion of the show.

Our first stop was at Studio 2507 on SE Clinton St. where we met Annie Meyer.

“I’m a painter working in three mediums,” Meyer explained. “I do paintings, ceramic tile and monotype prints. My subject matter is the human figure, and landscapes of France.”

Admiring her miniature works of art, ceramic tiles, Meyer told us she’d been creating tiles since 1984.

“I love the SE ArtWalk,” said Meyer. “It’s a free, friendly event, exposing people to local artists and their work.”

Charley Wheelock of KaPow Designs sits on one of his benches, with his kids, Madeleine and Leo.

Wooden works of wonder
In a woodworking shop, we meet Charley Wheelock of KaPow Designs. He showed us custom cabinets he was making. But, he looked lovingly at newly-finished benches he had on display

“These benches are made out of pallet stickers,” enlighten Wheelock. “They were in a pile, being sold as firewood. I started milling them, and found a crazy variety of hardwoods. So, I designed a line of furniture that would minimize the amount of milling. I’ve succeeded, there is very little waste‚ and these benches showcase a huge variety of wood.”

Scott Stewart, furniture artist, sits at a unique table of his design and construction.

Wheelock suggested I meet the owner of the wood shop located on SE Division St. at 25th Avenue, Scott Stewart.

There, we asked the name, or nature, of his business, and Stewart answered simply, “I’m a furniture artist. I mostly create custom, commissioned furniture and wood artwork. But, I also do my own line of designs, unique to my style.”

Sitting on one of his designs — a hand-made chair — Stewart glances over at the “Iris Table” next to him. “The way they open up, it reminds me of the flower.”

House of art
Our final stop was on SE Brooklyn St, just east of SE 23rd Ave. to see Kristin Yount’s “house of art”.

Customer Marge Weigert visits Kristin Yount at her neighborhood home-turned-art-studio.

“I make terracotta pottery,” Yount told us. “I like the color of terracotta.”

In addition to her unique designs and decoration, Yount told us she makes her own lead-free colors, which she uses to paint the pottery. “My pottery is all ‘food-grade safe’. You could put it in the dishwasher, but you shouldn’t. After all, it is a work of art.”

Amy Stoner shows her acrylic paintings

At the same location, we also met Amy Stoner. “This is my third year exhibiting in the ArtWalk,” relates Stoner. “I like the sense of community this event brings about. I also like meeting other artists in the area. That is how I met Kristin, who is hosting me here.”

The best part, Stoner said, is seeing people who are interested in your work. “Having them stop by to talk for a while is much better than, for example, meeting them at a store or gallery,” she added.

Want to learn more? Check the website  www.seportlandartwalk.com, or call (503) 232-0745 for more information.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

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