News — featured artist
September is here and the end of summer is drawing closer (Waaah!). But Portland still feels warm and sunny, and all your garden greenery and succulents are (hopefully) still kicking. Here to capture September’s essence one potted plant at a time is our Artist of the Month, Rachel Ann Austin!
It is pretty easy to surmise by looking at her work that Rachel is a big lover of gardens and tuned in to the quiet beauty in everyday life. Self taught, Rachel has been painting full time for over ten years. Common themes of abstracted landscapes, plants, and maps are evident in Rachel’s handiwork. When not in the studio, she can be found digging in her garden and dreaming up ideas with her family. When we wondered what she’s currently working on, Rachel said, “I am reading lots of books on gardening, plants and cooking this summer - some of my favorite things.”
As someone who spends so much time outside capturing various flora and landscapes of Portland, we had to ask Rachel to weigh in on the whole issue that some Portlanders have about umbrella usage. Here’s what she had to say: “I love umbrellas! They keep you dry, are very cute, and you get to hear the pitter patter of rain as you walk. I take a lot of walks in all kinds of weather and will go back and forth on taking one, but it always makes me happy when I do. And I’m a native Oregonian and think all that umbrella snobbery I hear from people is silly. Go umbrellas!”
We encourage you to come feast your eyes on Rachel’s new original plant paintings we are lucky to have in stock for the feature, as well as woodblock prints and greeting cards that are perfect for any occasion, or find her online at http://www.rachelannaustin.com. And enjoy the rest of the summer season!
Words by Joanna Kurimsky
It’s summer, it’s super hot out, and it’s best to keep things simple...like a cup of coffee in the morning and a cold beer at the end of the day! Our August Artist of the Month will get you from one to the other.
Founded in 2015, Coffee Beer’s Phillip and Jessica believe that coffee and beer should be just that - two fine beverages that are delicious to drink being served in an approachable setting that fosters memorable experiences amongst amazing individuals!
People are in love with Coffee Beer’s straightforward design and color palette, and their blunt, irreverent messages - such as “Death Before Decaf” (yes!), and their take on the Holy Trinity (coffee beer burritos, or coffee beer pizza). Come check them out - we’ve got lots of extra cool stuff for this month, including glass cans, tote bags, new mug designs and more! Coffee Beer has also recently paired up with Kayla Carlson of Paper Puffin to create adorable black and silver enamel pins that feature cool cats enjoying beverages!
Find out more at https://www.coffeebeer.me, and read on below to hear what Phillip and Jessica had to say about stuff!
What do you predict for your business in the future?
Magical, amazing things! We are going to be releasing a whole bunch of new merch this summer and we will be opening up our flagship brick-and-mortar shop in SE Portland. Along with all of our merchy goodness, we will be serving up everyone's two favorite beverages (Coffee & Beer) from sun up to sun down and getting you to and from the best parts of your day!
Who is your current celebrity crush?
Sam & Dean Winchester (from Supernatural).
What art and craft fairs and events are you looking forward to in the coming year? (Besides ours, of course!)
PIN PALS (Holiday Edition, Dec.2&3) at our friends’ place and NUCLEUS Portland Gallery (1445 SE Hawthorne Blvd) - there’ll be enamel pins, patches, beers, and merch galore!
Favorite local artist currently?
Rambling Hands / Scout & Whistle / Jason Sturgill
Favorite word and/or swear word?
Aw Nuts!
What are you reading or what podcast are you listening to?
The Greatest Generation (Podcast), Nancy (Podcast), Love + Radio (Podcast), There Be Monsters (Podcast), Reply All (Podcast), Serious Eats (Podcast), The Sporkful (Podcast), StartUp (Podcast)
Favorite beer, wine or drink?
Rainier Beer always and forever, but we've really grooving on Gilgamesh Brewing & Claim 52 beers as of late. For Coffee, Junior's Roasted Coffee at Guilder and Upper Left Roasters.
Do you carry an umbrella? What is your stance on umbrellas in Portland?
Nope. Handle it like a boss...or run!
- by Joanna Kurimsky
artist of the month, featured artist, place and time design, portland prints
July Artist of the Month: Place & Time
Our Artist of the Month is actually a duo - the dream team of Kenneth Poirier and KT Goeke of Place & Time!
Kenneth Poirier is a Portland based graphic designer and illustrator with a love of classic advertising, and KT, who grew up in Germany before relocating to the Pacific NorthWest, currently works as a bank manager and is pursuing a MBA. They met at a community event in 2014 where she was representing US Bank and Kenneth was promoting his previous art print business.
Their paths crossed many times afterwards as they were both serving on boards of local organizations. Immediately drawn to his talent, KT contacted Kenneth and began featuring his artwork on the walls of her bank branch. Eventually Kenneth and KT decided to join forces and utilize his artistic talent and her marketing skills to create ‘Place & Time’.
Blending gorgeous color and intricate detail, the work of Place & Time is a heartfelt shout out to Oregon as well as the vintage posters and tourism adverts of the Art Nouveau period. From their glossy postcards to their ready-to-hang rugged wood prints on solid hemlock planks, their work sells fast to locals as well as visitors.
Check out http://placeandtimedesign.com/ for more info and come into the shop to get an up close and personal look at Place & Time’s beautiful handiwork.
