<![CDATA[PATRICE CAMERON

<![CDATA[PATRICE CAMERON - BLOG]]>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:10:44 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Thoughts from the River's Edge....]]>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 14:00:20 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/thoughts-from-the-rivers-edgeThere is a special kind of silence that exists by the water's edge. It isn't the absence of sound, but rather the presence of a rhythmic, living flow. It moves, breathes, and changes every second. To paint a river is to capture and appreciate it's moments.... I photograph them and they become my visual journals, a foundation of everything I feel while there, and later paint.

The course of a river flows from it's headwaters in the mountains, to it's mouth, often an ocean.
The headwaters are where small streams merge as the river flows downstream, joined by other streams called tributaries. This forms a larger river system.
At it's mouth, the river slows and deposits sediment and forms an estuary, where fresh water mixes with saltwater. Estuaries act as 'nurseries' for marine life. Ha! There's your lesson for the day.

I love hiking rivers, and witness the balance between power and vulnerability. Part of sharing my work is a reminder that these waters are a gift... that needs our respect, and protection.

My art, like the river itself, is a journey of constant transition. The past few years I have focused on the wild waters and meadow landscapes, with streams. As I move into this new year, my focus is shifting downstream. I'll be exploring estuaries by kayak. They are sanctuaries of calm, and wildlife. I'm eager to see how this transition from mountains to tidal streams will change my palette, and soul.

I'll be writing quarterly this year.
Much painting to do for the galleries and upcoming shows.

I post new work on my website as soon as it's completed.
Contact me if you are interested in a piece.
Please forward this to someone you know who loves rivers too.

]]><![CDATA[BRINGING NATURE INDOORS]]>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:16:43 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/bringing-nature-indoorsHow nature calms the mindand supports well-being
Hello everyone! I took the summer off writing to enjoy the beauty of hiking rivers in the Pacific Northwest, mainly Washington. Sitting by the river and listening to nature sounds, feeling immersed in the scene, was exactly what I needed.
Back in the studio, I enjoyed the same feelings ,as I recreated them on my canvas. Do all artists feel this way? What about nature is so satisfying? One evening I started looking up the effects of nature on people and came up with some interesting info to share, especially in regards to art. Ready?

Yikes...this doesn't look very calming!
Ha, it's an underpainting and sketch of a new river painting.

My scientist husband will be interested to know there is science behind the calm. We are wired to seek connection with living things and relax around water, plants, earth and sky. This is because long ago, our ancestor's survival depended on them. Art that references those cues... gives the same relaxing response, even if the visual nature is pigment on a canvas.

I learned about "soft fascination"...something that is interesting to hold our attention without demanding it. Nature scenes create this soft fascination and helps the brain to recover from mental fatigue.

Viewing natural scenes and nature art reduces stress. Many studies have agreed on this. And here's another interesting concept... many natural patterns, like ferns, coastlines, clouds, tree stuctures, contain fractals, or repeating shapes of differing scales. This is also associated with stress reduction and why abstract art with those patterns feel soothing, without depicting anything literal. Look for that next time you are visiting a gallery.
Greens and blues are restful and earth tones feel grounding.

I start adding structure and color from the top to the bottom. My eyes see distance at the top, so essentially I see myself working from back to forward. Adding darks in my shapes, then some lights and mid tones. Notice how I let some of that crazy yellow green show through. Sunshine causes interesting colors in water.

Here are some of the best places to put art for the biggest wellness impact:

Because of that 'soft fascination', the workspace is a great place for a nature piece...in your line of sight rather than behind you, on the wall.

The entryway is perfect for a serene work of art and is a calming, first impression.

Choose tranquil scenes of horizons, water, and botanicals, in bedrooms. Keep the scale generous without dominating.

And the larger the landscape in your livingroom, the larger the room will seem as it draws in your focus. Complementing this with a tactile throw and a stone vase will make the calm three-dimensional.

LULLABY IN MOTION
Finished 22x28x1.5 gallery wrapped oil on canvas.
Multiple layers between drying times.
$950

Timeless nature referenced art honors pattern, light, texture, and breath. You should feel it. Your shoulders should drop as your breathing slows.
Nature-inspired art has been doing this for centuries...from cave paintings of animals to Japanese sumi-e ink washes, Arts&Crafts florals, Scandanavian folk art and today's nature photography. Artists are returning to waves, stones, clouds, trees, and horizon lines... because they speak a visual language our bodies instinctively understand.

Shows & Sales
DEE DENTON GALLERY
September 29 to October 27,2025
368 S State St
Lake Oswego 97034

LOCAL 14 SHOW & SALE
October 3-5, 2025
World Forestry Center
4033 SW Canyon Rd
Portland 97225

CHARBONNEAU FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
October 10-12, 2-25
Charbonneau Country Club
32050 Charbonneau Dr
Wilsonville 97070

Gallery Representation
VALLEY ART GALLERY
November 7-December 31, 2025
2022 Main ST
Forest Grove
Artist Reception November 7
6-8pm

SALEM ON THE EDGE
156 Liberty St NE
Salem, 97301

CURRENTS GALLERY
532 NE 3rd St
McMinnville, 97218

Lots of new work going to each show.
Come see what I've been working on this year!
Blessings
Patrice

]]><![CDATA[WHEN NOT EVERY PAINTING IS A MASTERPIECE]]>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:33:52 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/when-not-every-painting-is-a-masterpieceHello Everyone!
The Pacific Northwest boasts colorful displays... and the warm sunny days declare summertime! I am happiest with lush beauty around me.

As usual for me, I am in the studio creating, experimenting, and pushing myself in areas I have not tried before. Sometimes my work develops beautifully and I am satisfied with myself and talent. I don't post pieces that challenge or annoy me. I work on it until I reach a point where I am aware I am no longer making meaningful progress....and then I put it aside, take a break, and start on something new the next day. Eventually I'll come back to it, see it as a challenge, and work it til.... I paint over it with white gesso and start again....something new and with a different twist. Keeps me in the studio.

Here are a couple paintings I recently finished, and am pleased with. Yes, I know it's summer, but I put on my Christmas playlist and I'm good.

And what about those images that never make this newsletter. I think about those and wonder what the Masters did. My curiosity led me to some interesting info...you interested?

THE LAST SUPPER
Leonardo DaVinci

Artists have good and bad days. DaVinci was a difficult artist for patrons to work with as he would abandon commissions. He had lots of rejections and considered himself a failure.

The Last Supper commission did not turn out well for him. He was commissioned to paint a fresco...which is a technique, rapidly done, using watercolor paints on a wet plaster wall. The colors penetrate the plaster and becomes fixed as it dries. Davinci wanted to take his time and decided to use tempera and oil paints on a dry plaster wall. That didn't work and the pigment didn't stick to the wall, and actually degraded the image.

I'm sure many artists have failed paintings but none quite so famous as this one. Most of the Old Masters would rework their paintings until they were satisfied.

DaVinci was a perfectionist and re-worked his paintings alot. He actually had quite a small body of work completed in his lifetime, about 20 paintings, which are now incredibly valuable.

Rembrandt, VanGogh, and Michaelangelo all set aside and reworked their art.

A common theme I found was their perfectionism and willingness to refine their art. This demonstrated a commitment to growth and mastery.

This one went to the critique group. I was happy with it and after listening to suggestions from other artist's I trust...I gave it my own critique and felt a couple of changes would strengthen the composition...My critique group is a great safety net!

I'll be in the studio all summer getting ready for several Autumn shows.

If you are interested in coming over to see new works for purchase before they go out to galleries or shows, contact me for a visit. Many of you have already been over. The hot pot is always ready for a cup of tea.

Blessings,
Patrice

]]><![CDATA[ARTISTIC FANTASY...or is it?]]>Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:25:15 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/artistic-fantasyor-is-itHello everyone and Happy Springtime!

I've been busier than usual in the studio this past month and have a couple really good examples to show and tell. Each showing a painting progression and the point where... fantasy and reality meet, during the creative process.
Intrigued? Let's start...

Oil paints are on the palette, cup of tea nearby, Pandora radio on Shuffle, and currently playing xmas music.
I've taken transparent paints of mid to dark values and kinda-sort-of, strategically placed them on the canvas, left. I've included my sketching tool so you can see how I define my shapes, and space.

On the right I have removed alot of paint with Kleenex tissue, small sponges, and Q tips. What you are seeing is the staining affect of paint, paint left alone, and a couple of hours of removal, to create lighter values. Am careful to keep the darks where they are needed. This is all very technical and requires practice and time.

And then I get up and leave for a little time...either going for a walk outside or getting lunch. I've found it so important to disengage from the painting at this point so when I come back, I am looking at it with new eyes and feeling my next move.

Then,I spend time examining it's entirety. I'm fully present....and I walk into my painting and am there looking around and sensing balance, color, and realize the painting has 'good bones.'

Then the question "where is this composition taking me?" I see where the strong diagonals of the path and mist meet... to where the mist identifies the top of the path. Hmmm...I wonder what's beyond that curve?

I am a creator in this place and am adding opaque paints now, my brushwork controls the energy of the moment. Lavender mist, through the trees. I feel it's coolness on my skin as I soften edges. The mid ground trees need warmer green in the branches coming forward, yes, that's good.

Then I smile at the colorful mess in the foreground path and mix complimentary colors and enjoy the strokes placed to receive the light. Neutrals give energy to those wild colors and add cohesion to the story, a misty morning hike on the mountain path. What beauty lies ahead?

I'm back now.
As I paint, I rely on technical creativity to a certain point
then allow intuitive ideas or inspiration that bubbles up, to guide my next steps. Want to come into another painting with me?.....

Another fun start laying in transparent paints and developing my sketch with shapes. I get right into the subtraction portion while the paint is still wet enough to work. I leave darks and some paint and have fun with those spiky grasses. I can leave it like this to dry and finish later, or continue applying the final paint...which is known as alla prima painting.

After a short walk in the sun with Angel, the wonder dog, I return and take in the painting.

I walk right into the background determining an Autumn palette, and add the sky. Pink mist and a couple orange brushstrokes for and abstracted sense of trees.
Long simple strokes create a resting place for the eyes which is needed to balance the busy foreground grasses. The water is an important secondary player and gently guides.
Early morning sunrises are softer, as the hot sun is not high in the sky producing bright highlights. Colors seem more saturated and the outcome is pleasing to me.

IIII Intuitive painting and intuitive living are pretty much the same.
We all have guidelines and when overwhelm occurs it's helpful to disengage
for a short time and do something nourishing.

Come back, open yourself to answers...
get quiet and allow ideas and inspirations to bubble up.
Then try them out. The outcomes may be pleasing to you too.

For those of you following the emergence of my Misty Landscapes...this is where I will be exhibiting them all, for the first time!

Plus, this amazing group showcases authors, world traveling animal and bird artists, competitive award winners, instructors, and Pacific Northwest favorites.

Artist wine reception Friday and Saturday 5-7pm.
Look for me...would love to chat with you!
Blessings,

Patrice

]]><![CDATA[ART AND THE EMMERGENCE OF SELF...A Journey of Expression]]>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 16:05:03 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/art-and-the-emmergence-of-self

Hello again and welcome to this month's art letter.
I'm sitting in my studio looking at the paintings of misty landscapes I started back early December. I had determined this is an area I want to explore with oil paint on canvas. I started with a small 12x12 canvas, and an intention of working larger...as I enjoy the way my body moves to music while my painting arm has full motion to navigate the brush. Not like a wild woman, but one who is in tune with both inner and outer experiences
In my practice, I work in a series which allows me to paint a single subject from multiple angles. The creative journey is not always about the finished painting... but the process of exploration, learning, and self-discovery. (The Masters worked in series...like VanGogh, who worked for five years on paintings of sunflowers! Yikes.)
But this series approach allows me to embrace the beauty of my mistakes and each painting becomes a stepping stone towards creative growth and insights.

This next painting is larger and painted after 9 small pieces.

Now this is my most recent. I have put in hundreds of hours painting, exploring, making mistakes, and persevering. This piece is the first to express parts of me that feel true and unique. Not necessarily the color palette alone, but how I placed paint and walked inside the painting. I feel as though I have excavated this, deep from within. It's different from when I first started.

Art is a mirror reflecting our unique perspectives, emotions, and experiences. But it's not just confined to the canvas. Everything we do...whether it's cooking, writing, or even how we interact with others... is an expression of uniqueness. Each choice we make is a brushstroke on the canvas of our lives, contributing to a masterpiece that is truly ours.

Embrace your journey and remember that every mistake can be a step towards something great... our authentic self.

]]><![CDATA[CELEBRATING WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT]]>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 15:57:31 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/celebrating-whats-most-importantCelebrating What's Most Important... Happy Wednesday everyone, and what a perfect day to celebrate yourself!

Yes...in today's newsletter we are going to take a moment to celebrate the most important person in our lives: ourselves. We are all busy, which makes it even more important to pause, reflect, and appreciate our unique journeys. Let's start by acknowledging where we've been. Our life is a tapestry woven from our experiences which have shaped us into the person we are today. That's worth celebrating!
In our daily hustle it's easy to overlook the incredible things we accomplish...growth, connection, creativity. Go ahead, admire all your current endeavors.
And as we honor our past and present, let's not forget to dream! Our aspirations fuel our motivation and give us desires we strive for.

I have been celebrating myself lately. I completed a year long intensive art program with 20 new large paintings in my portfolio and the invitation for a solo show going up February 1st...this Saturday. This was last years big dream! Let's look at some:

Celebrating ourselves is not an act of vanity; it's a necessary practice of self-love and acknowledgement. By recognizing where we've been, appreciating our current efforts, and dreaming of what's to come, we cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves.
And remember... each step you take is worthy of celebration. We are works in progress and that is something to be proud of.

]]><![CDATA[ART IN ACTION]]>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 15:51:05 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/art-in-actionART IN ACTION...Hello again Friends!
I'm happy to announce my art portfolio was accepted by Milan Art Institute and I have received my certificate of mastery!

Soon after, I was approached by an artist friend extraordinaire, Susan Curington, who has been working on an epic sized mural and asked if I would paint all the children's faces. It took me 5 seconds to answer.

As an artist, I often find myself reflecting on the power of art to overcome boundaries and promote connections, one of art's many super powers! This recent opportunity... to add to Susan's large mural at the elementary school, highlighted the importance of community collaboration for me.

This mural features a vibrant collage of children from diverse backgrounds blending the essence of the community. While I spent my time painting on the weekends, Susan engaged with the students and offered to let them paint, which infused the project with life. This collaboration not only empowered the children but also instilled a sense of ownership and pride in their school environment.

Community based art projects like this one are important. They serve as platforms where artists, like Susan, can engage with local voices. This is where the mural becomes more than just paint on a wall... it transforms into a coordinated narrative that may inspires future generations.

Here the mural is still in progress, but I wanted you to realize the scope of this project. There are big windows across from it and it's one of the main hallways the children use.

I am grateful to contribute my small touches to this grand project! It was very fulfilling for me and an inspiring reminder again, how art strengthens bonds while making the community beautiful.

]]><![CDATA[ONE'S QUALITY OF ATTENTION]]>Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:07:43 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/ones-quality-of-attentionHappy Autumn, Friends!

I've been walking in the foggy mornings with Angel, the wonder dog, and enjoying the moody softness of tree shapes and colors. And if that wasn't enough of a blessing...the sun came out and exploded colors before me! Those flaming scarlets, oranges, and my favorite...the greens transitioning to deep purples! My focus allows me to capture the moments on a deeper level.

I write about this experience because it leads me to what I want to share today... how our 'attention' shapes both the artist's creative process and also the experience of the viewer.

These images are from a recent hike at Duncan Creek, Washington.
What do you see? .... Now what do you really see?

For artists, attention is not a passive observation. It is an active engagement with their surroundings, which enhance the subtlety of life, that often goes unnoticed.

When an artist becomes immersed in their surroundings, they develop a heightened awareness to details, textures, color, and emotion, that is often added into their work. These special additions enrich the narrative. This produces art which is a reflection of the artist's vision and viewer's shared experience.

Let's consider those of us who view and appreciate art. Our quality of attention also plays an important part in the reception of art! When a viewer focused on a work of art, they are able to connect and interpret the artists intentions through their own experiences. This process gives art meaning.

In this noisy world..the depth of our interest is what enriches our life.

Here is my latest painting...HEALING MOMENT.

Take a look at her and focus on an area that interests you. What comes up for you, curiosity, emotion? Is there a story that is emerging that reminds you of something or somebody?

It's also ok if purple is your favorite color and you like the unusual background.

There is quality in all attention.

]]><![CDATA[ART AS A CATALYST]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:51:25 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/art-as-a-catalystLast year around this time I started noodling the idea of what my life would look like if I had gone to art school, as my family expected. I surprised them all, me included, as I announced my decision to enter nursing. It was a good decision and provided me with many years of rich experiences in the 'healing arts'. I like that term. Still, thoughts of an art career, teased.
I eagerly shared in January I had enrolled and started and intensive year art program and am thrilled to announce that I completed my studies... three months early!

"COSMIC CONTEMPLATIONS"
30"x24"x1.5"
A deep thinker, she elevates her thoughts for inspirationn.

This achievement was not without it's challenges, there were moments of doubt and countless hours of focused practice. Through it all, I found a deeper connection to my art and creative spirit!

Comparing who I am as a nurse and artist I see the process in both decisions involved exploration, the decision, commitment and focus plus....a strong belief in myself that working through failure will make me stronger. This period of art immersion exposed fears... and triumphs. And this inspired me.

"BEAUTY & BALANCE IN NATURE"
30"X24"X1.5"
There is perfection in nature's balance. Beauty in transparency.

My present body of work features oil paintings of women, each radiating expansive spirits and open hearts. These pieces embody archetypes of courage, nurture, resilience, and more. Each woman tells her own story, wrapped in a fantastical mystery that invites the viewer to explore their own emotions and experiences. The colors, textures, and expressions are optimistic and designed to heal and soothe, creating a sanctuary of reflection and empowerment. I paint what i feel and who I am.

"PRISM FOR LIGHT"
30"x24"x1.5"
A lover of rain, she eagerly anticipates the rainbow!

I am overjoyed to share that I have been offered a solo show, an opportunity to exhibit the culmination of my efforts over the past eight months. This exhibition represents one of my greatest accomplishments, and I can hardly wait to unveil the stories that have unfolded on my canvases. this is not just a personal milestone but a celebration of the community that has supported me throughout this journey. Your encouragement has fueled my passion and perseverance.

"LIGHT AS A FEATHER"
24"x30"x1.5
Outgoing and playful...a powerful balance of confidence.

As I continue to build my portfolio, I am reminded of the power of art to connect, inspire, and heal.

Stay tuned for details about my exhibition. It starts
February 1, 2025 in Portland.

It's that time of the year again!

I am delighted to be a part of the Local 14 Art Show & Sale at the WORLD FORESTRY CENTER, in Washington Park.

I am bringing some of my Ladies and will also have Pacific Northwest River paintings and framed 12"x12" florals in oil for small spaces.
Always a fun show.
I'll be there...come visit!

Blessings,
Patrice

]]><![CDATA[How Artists Develop Their Creative Voice]]>Wed, 25 Sep 2024 16:16:03 GMThttps://www.patricecameronfineart.com/blog/how-artistsHello Good People and welcome to this sun filled August!

I had the pleasure of jurying and awarding an art show this weekend. The artists were very high caliber and accomplished and I soon realized the basic elements of art and technical skill would not be the total focus of my evaluation.

Today I want to write about the artist's "secret sauce"...their artistic voice. What is this?

It refers to an artist's unique style, perspective, and expression and can be seen in their choice of subject and technique. It reflects the artist's personality and experiences allowing them to convey their ideas and emotions through their painting.

When an artist is in tune with their unique qualities...and paints what they love...and how they want to paint it...they are expressing true self, and using their voice. This voice is not fixed and is constantly evolving.

So how does one pick up a paint brush for the first time and get to the point of expressing a beautiful or dynamic idea through painting?

Here's a good spot to break for a visual treat...one of my newer painting:

Here is my version of the phoenix arising from the ashes...
a well lived woman experiencing the ups and downs of life, who emerges stronger and ready for her next delights, and challenges.
24x30x1.5 oil on canvas

Let's look at the Old Masters. Many started as apprentices providing them with skills, techniques, and exposure to various styles. They studied anatomy, light, perspective and experimented with different mediums and techniques that allowed them to discover what resonated deep within.

Life in their time influenced what and how they painted. They also drew from their personal life experiences, engaged in critical reflection, and welcomed feedback from peers and patrons.
Their artistic voice developed as a culmination of skill, observation, personal expression, and engagement with the world. They were dedicated to painting and willing to explore.

This sounds familiar to the contemporary artist and addresses the process of development. Let's put it all together.... after your next visual treat:

Objects many times have symbols or special significance that elicit meaning. Combining symbols can aid the artist in storytelling. Moon is feminine and comes out in the evening when owl is active. Owl is symbolic for wisdom and intuition and covers the woman's vision, making her rely on inner information.

This is my voice...my way of interpreting parts of my life and visually creating this idea.
24x30x1.5 Oil on canvas

How does an artist know if they are utilizing their voice? There comes a switch when you are no longer imitating but rather, creating your own. This is a reflection of one's inner knowing.

It's not about adhering to what you feel is expected of you but seeing the potential in an idea and embracing that potential through action.

And one' artistic voice is not about perfection...it's about authenticity.

So, nearing the end of the awards ceremony this weekend I presented an award to a gentleman for an exceptional rendition of his self portrait. I asked him to talk about his process and the painting, and at the end he said, "I struggled and didn't like it...so I gave up the struggle, took a big brush, and just started painting."

That is what a deep personal voice looks like and what honored him with
"Best of Show."

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Community based art projects like this one are important. They serve as platforms where artists, like Susan, can engage with local voices. This is where the mural becomes more than just paint on a wall... it transforms into a coordinated narrative that may inspires future generations. ​

Community based art projects like this one are important. They serve as platforms where artists, like Susan, can engage with local voices. This is where the mural becomes more than just paint on a wall... it transforms into a coordinated narrative that may inspires future generations.