Bits ‘n’ Pieces: Photo draws laughs – and controversy

Scott Burckhard suggested an idea for a wacky photo for the Brush Prairie family’s Christmas cards. His wife, Kristin, said, “If you’re OK with it, I’m OK.” They mailed it to family and friends, who all thought it was a hoot.

Then they submitted it to AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com. And it really caused a stir.

The photo’s caption reads, “Everyone is ready for the big guy to arrive, so we’re waiting for Santa in our favorite pajamas.” Kristin, 35, is posed with Ainsley, 4, and Thomas, 2, all in red or green pajamas, while Scott, 35, lies behind them, apparently nude.

Their first online comment reads, “Creepy and totally inappropriate.”

“I thought, ‘Oh, God. What did we do?’” Kristin said. Then other comments flooded in. “Totally hilarious,” said one. “This family is sweet and I am completely sure he isn’t totally nude.”

Indeed, Scott was wearing boxers, Kristin said.

The photo made the Top 10 in the website’s holiday photo contest with 17,964 votes, and has been featured on CNN, “Inside Edition” and KATU.

“When you put something out there, you’ve got to be ready to take the criticism,” Kristin said. “We didn’t really care about winning the contest. We thought it would be fun.”

North Bank artist has solo show at Portland State

Kanaan Kanaan likes to use his art to highlight what different cultures and religions have in common. His latest exhibit is no exception.

In “Graceful Names,” the 45-year-old member of North Bank Artists Gallery in Vancouver presents 99 names and attributes of Allah, the Arabic word for God. They range from The Grateful (Ash-Shakoor in Arabic) to The All-Forgiving (Al-Ghafoor) to The Merciful (Ar-Raheem). Each has its own 4½-inch-by-4½-inch digital print, featuring words and designs. Kanaan used archival ink and paper for the prints.

In addition to the small prints, Kanaan will exhibit one 4-foot-by-8-foot piece that includes all 99 works.

The show opens Jan. 6 at the Littman and White Galleries at Portland State University and continues throughout the month. There will be an artist reception Jan. 13, and a lecture by Kanaan on contemporary Islamic art Jan. 21. For information, go to http://kanaankanaan.com.

Reflecting on God’s attributes gives people something to strive toward, said Kanaan, a Palestinian artist born and raised in a refugee camp in Amman, Jordan. He’s an adjunct instructor in the art department at PSU.

“If we describe God as The Kind, The Graceful, The Merciful, then we should aspire to be kind and graceful and have mercy toward each other,” he said.

Kanaan’s work also can be seen through the end of January at North Bank as part of the gallery’s miniatures show. For information, go to http://www.northbankartistsgallery.com.

In April, Kanaan will have a solo show at North Bank called “Ishlonak?” — Arabic for “What’s Your Color?”

Kanaan said he plans to invite other local artists to participate “to reflect the colorful community that we have.”

Bits ’n’ Pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Courtney Sherwood 360-735-4561.