ean-Marie was chosen Ambassador for the State of Oregon by the Portrait Society of America. The role of the ambassador is to help create a better awareness of portrait and/or figurative art, and to inspire interested artists toward consistent improvements in methods and techniques. It is the hope of the Portrait Society that through this type of effort, portrait art can achieve a greater level of appreciation and understanding.

Oregon Chapter of Portrait Artists holds first meeting

        The Oregon Chapter of the Portrait Society of America held its first meeting April 10 at the studio of Clarke Berryman, Woodburn. The fourteen members who attended shared samples of their work and spoke of their lives as portrait artists. “It was wonderful to finally meet the people I’ve been emailing and speaking with by phone,” said Jean-Marie Koch,” Ambassador the Oregon. “It was almost like a family reunion!”

        Following lunch, the group took turns showing paintings and portfolios and sharing personal stories about how they became interested in painting portraits. Many had the common history of drawing faces as children and dreaming of being an artist. Several spoke of the happiness and excitement of becoming a portrait artist following many years of working at other jobs. While some artists had been fulfilling their dream since childhood, some had started painting portraits as little as nine months ago.

        The last part of the afternoon was spent in discussion of what the group wanted to do in the future. Everyone agreed they would meet at least twice a year and have various workshops, portrait demonstrations and programs with special speakers. They also wanted presentations on a variety of subjects including art reproductions, marketing, websites, life-drawing with draping, finding commissions and promoting portraiture in Oregon. One idea that was greeted with great enthusiasm was to organize and hold a portrait art show. The show would feature the works of the Oregon artists and would help to promote portraiture and figurative painting in the northwest. The group will be sharing information on future art festivals and shows as well and marketing and promotional techniques. All agreed that they we excited by the friendships and synergy being created by the organization of the group.

        When asked to share their dreams and goals, some spoke of becoming masters at their art and the desire to support themselves as highly successful artists. Others said they simply wished to continue to create beauty and enjoy their lives as artists. All of the artists expressed a deep love and appreciation for the gift of creating portraits. Two of the artists will be attending the conference in DC.

        The next meeting of the Oregon Chapter is planned for October, at a place yet to be determined.

Left, standing: Trish Walsh, Fred Haun, Anna Lancaster, Cathleen Rehfeld, Jan Maitland, Clarke Berryman, David James, Stephen Koch, Ron Boyd. 

Left, seated: Jean-Marie, Natalie Harris, Lynne Patton, Diane Russell, Naomi Deitz.