Designer Adam Arnold, a 1990 Hudson’s Bay High School graduate, participated in the Portland Mercury’s Open Season fashion show May 7. Arnold said he sought inspiration in something he actually hates.
“It seems like some memo was sent out that it’s OK to dress the way you do for bed to go outside, or to a store or restaurant,” said Arnold, a 37-year-old Portland resident.
When he was sick with strep throat recently, he saw the value of cozy clothes. “I didn’t have a single piece of clothing that felt like a blankie,” he said. But his designs in the May show made the statement that the place to wear such clothes is not in public.
Arnold is motivated to try new things in other areas of his life. He recently moved to a larger studio at 338 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Portland, where he now crafts his made-to-measure clothing.
He spotted the space, but thought there was no way he could afford it.
“I decided that I just had to move in there, no matter what,” Arnold said. “When you work for yourself, you are constantly taking risks. I hadn’t taken a big risk for a while. I almost forgot that’s what you do.”
Battle Ground potter opens new gallery
Paulette Smith’s new art gallery doesn’t officially open until this evening, but Avalon Art Gallery has already made its first sale. Smith had a soft opening last Saturday, and the Battle Ground potter sold one of her own pieces.
“It was just mind-boggling,” said Smith, 60. “I hope it’s a sign of things to come.”
Avalon, located in Battle Ground Village, is a two-story, 1,500-square-foot space that will offer classes in a range of disciplines including pottery, jewelry making, drawing, painting and glass. The gallery also offers custom framing services.
Avalon currently has work by 23 Clark County artists on display, including featured artist Austin Barton, a local bronze sculptor who shows internationally.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Battle Ground Mayor Michael Ciraulo tonight at 5, followed by an artist’s reception that will go until 8 p.m.
Opening her own gallery has been “a lot of fun and a lot of work,” Smith said, adding that the space has exceeded her expectations.
Sound area gallery shows Vancouver painter’s work
The Cole Gallery in Edmonds is showing Vancouver painter Bev Jozwiak’s work until June 16. This show, her second at the gallery, focuses on watercolor paintings of figures.
“It’s more of a slice of life,” said Jozwiak, 57. “I just love to catch people. I don’t like them to pose.”
Jozwiak takes photographs of her subjects in unguarded moments and then works from those.
She has been painting full time since she quit her day job at Frito Lay 14 years ago.
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