Painters Welcome

Coos Art Museum (OR), Call for Western States Artists: Expressions West 2014

Posted on December 7, 2013 by sjsartidea

Coos Art Museum (OR), Call for Western States Artists: Expressions West 2014

Deadline: February 1st, 2014 (postmarked)

Eligibility: Painters residing in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are invited to provide up to three submissions in one or more of four media: oil, acrylic, pastel, or watercolor.  Any and all themes of expression define the parameters of acceptable entries. Previous winners of cash awards from Expressions West 2012 and Expressions West 2013 are eligible to enter, but will not be eligible to win a cash award.
General Rules: Each artist can provide a total of up to three (3) submissions. There is a non-refundable fee of $20 for the first submission plus $10 for the second submission plus $10 for the third submission. Artworks submitted must have been created within the last 2 years (2012-2014) with a framed size limitation of 48 inches by 96 inches and a weight limitation of 40 pounds. Download the Entry Form (pdf).
Juror: Robert Canaga
Cash Awards: 1st: $1000, 2nd: $750, 3rd: $250, 4 honorable mention ribbons
(Unlike past competitions, Expressions West 2014 will offer cash awards – not – purchase prizes)
For more detailed information and submission guidelines: http://www.coosart.org/call-to-artists-expressions-west-2014/

New Zealand in Eugene

There is a movement afoot to FINALLY acknowledge the wine industry in Lane County! The Territorial Wine Trail, new tasting rooms, more coverage in the media, and now, 3 new wine bars in Eugene and one in Springfield!
Some people I talked to recently were worried that having tasting rooms in the city would discourage people from driving out to the wineries but I doubt that. I conversely think it will get people who would not have gone out to the wineries to taste and discover and perhaps venture out to sample other wines.
I wrote before about Route 5, the tasting room and wine shop at 5th Street Market, so today I will visit Capitello Wines at 540 Charnelton Street in Eugene (as apposed to 907 W 3rd Ave, where Eugene Magazine moved them to in the latest issue;) Great article by the way!
The face of Eugene is changing so rapidly that unless you drive around town and pay LOTS of attention you will miss what is happening. 
When I found that Ray and Jennifer had taken the leap and opened a BIG tasting room I got there as fast as I could.

I was greeted by Jennifer as she ran around getting things placed and putting out the Christmas decorations. She has such great energy paired with a deep knowledge of wines and it is such fun to see her eyes light up when she pours you a taste.
I am looking forward to relaxing and doing some real tasting next week but today I had one treat: The White Flight.  First came the Marlborough region Cab Sauvignon that spoke clearly of place. Bright, lime, crisp fruit, kiwi, and spice on the nose with a wonderful mouth-feel and finish. One of my favorites!

Next on the list was the Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. I was blown away by the deep grapefruit, melon, lush white fruit of this wine. I could not stop tasting it! My freind Shannon Curren, who is opening the tasting room for Pyrenees Winery down town, described it as "rolling around on a fresh cut lawn with half a grapefruit"You simply MUST try this wine even if you are a Red Head! The last was the Walnut Ridge Sauv that is sourced near Junction City and has classical passion fruit and lemon zest with a smooth finish. Very good.
This weekend on Saturday from 4:00 there will be a ticketed event that will include the Urban Wine Circuit and visit all the wineries in town plus you will get to taste the guest wines from the region! 
You MUST taste the 2010 New Zealand Oinot Noir. I am not going to spoil the surprise, just stick your nose in and go for the ride!
Be sure to visit The Oregon Wine Lab on your visit.

 

Keeler Eastate Vineyards

Drinking the Chardonnay I traded a painting for today. Keeler 2011 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay. Eola Hills AVA. Hints of melon and warm honey on the nose, nice body with lush mouth-feel. Tart with just a hint of citrus and a little honey that slides over the sides of the tongue leading to a smooth finish. Tiny bit of oak for smoothness.Really a fine wine. You can feel the energy from the vines in this one. Bio-dynamic Chardonnay at it's best.
Get it while you can. http://www.keelerestatevineyard.com/EstateWines.html

Willamette Valley 18x24 oil and wax on gold leafed linen mounted on panel.

A Trip to Portland to Visit America

As of late I have been shut away in the studio painting for my show in April-July next year so wine has been less important to me. However, I did make a trip north last weekend to visit the Great American Wine event along with the Northwest Wine and Food event.
What a blast! 
The first wines I tasted were from Virginia and I was pleased by what I tasted. There are seven AVAs and a good variety of grapes, such as the usual Viognier, Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay along with Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, and Norton*.
They have been making wine there since 1607 so they have some depth of knowledge. My favorite was the Barboursville Vineyards 2012 Viognier Reserve.  Aged on the lees contact and kept from  oxygen in stainless steel, it shows concentrated aromas of tropical fruits and white pear. Very different than the west coast Viogniers but great non the less.
Next stop was Maryland where Briana Berg was pouring some equally tasty wines.  Of note was a Cab Franc that blew me away. Boordy Vineyards Cab Franc Reserve 2010 was by far the best wine I tasted from any of the east coast wineries. Deep black cherry with top notes of wood and dry herbs. My guess is some whole cluster in there. Outstanding wine. Next was late harvest Vidal Blanc by Big Cork Vineyards. I am not familiar with this grape and was pleased by the aroma of peach and honey, and the taste, though sweet, was not overwhelming. Bright notes and a wonderful aftertaste. Very good wine!
I also tasted a some REALLY bad wines that I will not go in to here but most of them were made with grapes starting with N.
 The Great American Wine festival participants are mostly listed below. Thanks to the Great American Wine Festival. I had a great time tasting.

COLORADO WINE

Boulder Creek: 2011 Cabernet Franc

Canyon Wind Cellars: 2012 Anemoi Apeilotes

Carlson Vineyards: 2012 Cougar Run Dry Gewürztraminer

Colorado West: 2012 Elks Gewürztraminer

Ruby Trust Cellars: 2011 Gunslinger

COLUMBIA GORGE WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION

Cathedral Ridge Winery: 2010 Cabernet Reserve

Cathedral Ridge Winery: 2012 Riesling

Jacob Williams Winery: 2012 Chardonnay

Jacob Williams Winery: 2009 Syrah

Memaloose Winery: 2011 Cabernet Franc

Memaloose Winery: 2012 Trevitt’s White

IDAHO WINE COMMISSION

Cinder Wines: 2012 Dry Viognier

Clearwater Canyon Cellars: 2009 Renaissance Red

Koenig Vineyards: 2010 Syrah

Ste. Chapelle: Soft Huckleberry

Livermore Valley Wine Country

Concannon Vineyard: 2010 Conservancy, Cabernet Sauvignon

Garre Vineyard & Winery: 2009 Primitivo

John Evan Cellars: 2010 The Paracelcian, Cabernet Sauvignon

Las Positas Vineyards: 2009 Casa de Vinas, Cabernet Sauvignon

Little Valley Winery: 2010 Tempranillo

Longevity Wines: 2012 Livermore Valley, Chardonnay

McGrail Vineyards & Winery: 2010 McGrail Reserve,Cabernet Sauvignon

Murrieta’s Well: 2012 The Whip, White Blend

Nottingham Cellars: 2011 Casa de Vinas, Petite Sirah

Retzlaff Estate Winery: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tamas Estates: 2010 Double Decker Red (blend)

Wente Family Estates: 2012 Morning Fog, Chardonnay

 MARYLAND WINE

Basignani: 2007 Lorenzino Reserve, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc

Big Cork Vineyards: 2012 Chardonnay

Big Cork Vineyards: 2012 Late Harvest Vidal

Boordy Vineyards: 2012 Dry Rose, Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon, Syrah & Petit Verdot

Boordy Vineyards: 2010 Cabernet Franc, Reserve, Eastern grown Cabernet Franc

Crow Vineyard and Winery: 2012 Barbera Rose, Barbera, Vidal

Elk Run: 2011 Syrah

Knob Hall Winery: 2012 Willow, Traminette, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Vidal Blanc

Knob Hall Winery: 2011 White Oak, Chardonnay, Traminette, Vidal

Old Westminster Winery: 2012 Chardonnay

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard: 2010 EVOE!, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon

2011 Columbia Valley Viognier

MISSOURI WINES

Hermanhoff Winery: 2010 Vidal

Les Bourgeois Winery: 2011 Premium Claret

Montelle Winery: 2012 Chambourcin

Montelle Winery: 2012 Dry Vignoles

St. James Winery: 2009 Norton

St. James Winery: 2012 State Park Seyval Blanc

Stone Hill Winery: 2012 Chardonel

Stone Hill Winery: 2011 Chambourcin

OKLAHOMA GRAPE GROWERS & WINEMAKERS ASSOCIATION

Chapel Creek Winery: 2012 Oklahoma Tempranillo

Chapel Creek Winery: 2011 Oklahoma Norton

Coquelicot Vineyard: 2010 Estate Sangiovese

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VINTNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Dragonette Cellars: 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon

Dierberg/Star Lane: 2011 Dierberg Chardonnay

Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard: 2012 Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Chardonnay

Foxen Winery: 2012 Pinot Noir

Hitching Post: 2008 Hitching Post Pinot Noir Perfect Set Sta. Rita Hills

Lafond Winery: 2011 Pinot Noir AVA Sta. Rita Hills

Lucas & Lewellen: 2008 Cabernet Franc

Refugio Ranch Vineyards: 2010 Barbareno, Santa Ynez Valley – Syrah / Petite Sirah

Santa Barbara Winery: 2012 Chardonnay AVA SB County

SOUTHERN OREGON WINERY ASSOCIATION

Agate Ridge Vineyard Ledger-David Cellars

Cliff Creek Cellars Plaisance Ranch

Deer Creek Winery RoxyAnn Winery

Del Rio Vineyards & Winery Serra Vineyard

Devitt Winery TesoAria Vineyard & Winery

EdenVale Winery Trium Vineyard & Winery

Kriselle Cellars

VIRGINA WINE

Barboursville Vineyards: 2012 Viognier Reserve

Rappahannock Cellars: 2010 Meritage

Rappahannock Cellars: 2012 Viognier

Tarara Winery: 2012 Nevaeh Red

THE WINE ROAD NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY

Alexander Valley Vineyards: – 2009 CYRUS

Alexander Valley Vineyards: 2010 Sin Zin

Silver Oak Cellars: 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Stonestreet Winery: 2011 Gravel Bench Chardonnay and Broken Road Chardonnay

Trione Vineyards and Winery: 2012 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Trione Vineyards and Winery: 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Twomey Cellars: 2011 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir