July 2009
A selection of new alla prima oil paintings by Rachel Schlueter are featured this month at the Upstairs Art Gallery. Our opening reception will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 10 during Arts! Arcata at 1063 G Street inside the Umpqua Bank building.
Among the paintings of Schlueter’s exhibit are six plein air works of a young scrub jay she encountered while camping for several weeks near Helena off Highway 299 last month.
“A benefit of plein air painting is a sense of discovery,” Schlueter said. On her first day at camp she stumbled upon a fledgling jay she later named Juno that had fallen from its nest and was about to be devoured by a raven.
“We embarked on an adventure of bird rescue and within
three weeks we’ve seen a flightless ball of fuzz turn into a soaring blue angel,” she said. “He’s clever, delightfully playful and an accomplished thief. He has been a delight to paint and a wonder to watch grow-up.”
On display with Juno are paintings of roses, a pine cone and a couple of cats.
Artists also showing this month include Micki Dyson-Flatmo, Ken Jarvela, Ellen Land-Weber, Jim McVicker, Linda Mitchell, Theresa Oats, Kathy O’Leary, Amy Uyeki and Peter Zambas.
For more information about the exhibit call Meridian Fine Art, at 826-7184.