Many things pass down between the generations, from great-grandpa’s nose to season sports tickets. For Camas artist Bryn Howell, the passion for art spreads across three generations.
Howell finds inspiration in nature, never going far from her Camas roots, capturing scenes from the Steigerwald Lake and Lacamas Park’s lily fields. Though the 37 year-old artist earned her bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of Idaho, she’s only been painting for two years, finding time after her son began elementary school.
“Painting is a lifelong thing, I’m just trying to get started,” Howell said, adding that she hopes more of her time can be spent painting as her two children grow older.
Howell grew up watching her father, well-known Northwest artist Mike Smith, painting scenes from their backyard. That same love for the outdoors and art has trickled down to Howell and to her two children, Aidan, 10, and Sam, 9, as well. “I love that my kids are engaged in art,” she said, striving to strike a balance between motherhood and painting.
And she enjoys seeing the results. During an Portland gallery exhibition of both Howell’s and her father’s work, her daughter Aidan made sure to bring her own painting to hang proudly on the gallery wall.
“It was great to see all of our paintings together,” Howell said with a laugh. Howell’s oil paintings will be featured at the Second Story Gallery on April 1-30. An artist reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. April 1.
Local filmmaker seeks funds for his next project
Vancouver independent filmmaker Ryan Philbrook has a completed script for a feature-length psychological thriller titled “Grey World.” He filmed the first five minutes, but needs help financing the rest of the project.
So, like many creative people, Philbrook, 23, is turning to the crowd-funding site http://www.kickstarter.com.
Philbrook is soliciting pledges through Kickstarter, but the backing only comes through if he reaches his goal of raising $50,000 by mid-May. Otherwise, pledges go unfulfilled.
As of Monday, he had received one pledge of $5 from a friend. In exchange for their support, backers get gifts tied to the project that escalate as the pledge values increase. For example, someone who pledges $1,500 receives, among other incentives, a walk-on role in the film.
Philbrook, a 2006 Prairie High School graduate, hopes the community will help fund “Grey World,” but he’ll seek out investors if the Kickstarter campaign is unsuccessful.
“Grey World,” which Philbrook wrote and will direct, is his second feature-length film, following on the heels of “Stupid Men.” He also wrote and directed the short comedy “Max and Drake: Rule the World.”
Philbrook has learned more about the craft with each project, and says “Grey World” will be his best effort yet.
“‘Grey World’ is much darker and more serious, and I also think it’s more polished,” he said. “I’m really proud of it.”
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