Washington County Open Studio, Artist Spotlight: Randy Marsh, Cindy Marsh, Leopoldine Brew, Luis Jimenez
Continued series of local artist interviews for Washington County Open Studio Tour October 18-19.
Randy Marsh (top left) always wanted to paint and started seriously pursuing it 24 years ago. While he works in both acrylic and oils, he prefers oils because he “can blend, move and change (his) mind. It’s pliable and forgiving.” He paints to capture the feeling of a subject and hopes “viewers can put themselves into the frame of the picture.”
Randy is participating in the Open Studios Tour because it is an event that provides an opportunity to show his work, get feedback, and meet people interested enough in his work to purchase it.
Randy shares his studio space with his wife, Cindy. When you come to their studio on the Tour you will be getting a two for one experience. Their “small and cozy” studio is full of work. There will be so much to look at and enjoy.
Cindy Marsh (top right) is a lifelong artist who has tried acrylic painting in college, then moved on to woodworking, tole painting, sewing, and quilting until she settled in watercolors about 20 years ago. She enjoys “the way the water flows and the different effects you can get… blending the colors and also letting them blend into themselves.”
She hopes Open Studio visitors will both view her art “as a potential artist” and “come away feeling they could start painting too.” Cindy enjoys that the Open Studio provides a sense of community and reflected that “it is nice to be a part of something.”
Outside of the Open Studio Tour, you can see Cindy’s and Randy’s work at Fairweather House Gallery in Seaside Oregon or online at www.TempestArt48.com.
Leopoldine Brew (bottom left) has been creating art since she was 9 years old and drawing at zoos. She moved to Oregon in 2013 and decided to start painting wildlife.
She prefers to paint with oils as they allow her to blend and work on details such as eyes and fur. She aims for realism in her work and focuses on “expressions and the life of an animal” and feels “there’s no difference between a human and animal.”
A veteran of the Open Studio Tour, she loves “meeting different people from the Tour.” Her hope is when visitors come to her studio they will “experience the inner qualities of wildlife” and remember her when they “see the realism and depth of (her) art.”
Outside the studio she goes to sanctuaries to paint animals and then offers that work on giclee prints, mugs, and bookmarks with proceeds going to the sanctuary. She loves to support animals!
You can find her in her Hillsboro studio during open hours or online at www.leobrew.com.
Luis Jimenez (bottom right) began his path to art about seven years ago after retiring and “a period of recovery and deep reconnection with (his) inner self. Pyrography is a calling that came later in life.”
He shared, “It connects me with my roots. Burning wood is a slow, intentional, and spiritual act.” He sometimes combines the technique with paint, ink, or resin. “Each piece I create… guides me through meditation and my connection to what I call the source.”
During open studio, he hopes to invite visitors “into (his) surreal world… and spark a cultural memory, or maybe just a moment of stillness in the middle of a busy day.” He loves opening his doors and sharing with people not just the essence, energy, process, but also the space where it begins. Visitors will see his tools, sources of inspiration, and probably hear epic music playing in the background.
You can see his art in the Summer Art Showcase at the Brookwood Library through 8/31 and on Instagram at @pyrographybyluis or at www.pyrographybyluis.com.
Amy Mower is a local artist and lifelong Beaverton resident. She is passionate about the future of the arts in our community.
