Artist Amanda Houston hosted the LCAC group at her Cornelius home and studio in April. Ten members learned of Amanda’s artistic journey from fashion design in the corporate world to the solitude of creating breathtaking landscapes in oil and pastel. Well-documented and well-spoken, Houston described some of her frustrations and successes as an independent artist. Her life is full: creating art, fulfilling commissions, teaching, showing, and marketing her work. It was eye-opening to see how Amanda manages her successful art career.

Studio notes: How little can I put in and get away with? How much detail can I put in? Lose an edge on every shape. Connect adjacent shapes in similar value. Sharp edges have to be accurate. Use four values.

Thank you Amanda, for sharing this entertaining and educational time with us. We wish you all the best as you continue on your artistic path.

Twelve LCAC artists are represented at the Portland Bottle Shop for the annual Love PDX show. Running through June 30, the art features a variety of mediums that capture aspects of Portland from wild to manmade and places in between.

Visit the shop for lunch, dinner or happy hour to enjoy work by Irene Stauffer, Dana Gillem-Klaebe, Sheila DeLaquil, Suzanne Ebert, Eileen Holzman, Elizabeth Chadwick, Judi Davis, Marty Urman, Cindy Geffel, Laura Garner, Michele Sabatier, and Leslie Ebert. All work is for sale via individual artists.

Portland Bottle Shop, 7960 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97202. Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm; Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm

Congratulations to Sheila DeLaquil whose paintings are included in the latest exhibit at the Columbia Center for the Arts. Located in Hood River, Oregon, the exhibit runs from May 1-June 2 with an opening reception May 3, 6-8pm.

Off the Wall is devoted to three-dimensional art forms and non-traditional mediums and methods. CCA challenges local and regional artists to create sculpture, installations, or any type of artwork that can be seen from all sides.

For more information, visit www.columbiaarts.org