PMA Biennial and Beverly Rippel Workshop



Beverly Rippel, Pink Cap Gun I, 2010,
oil and encaustic on linen

 The 2011 Portland Museum of Art Biennial is a varied and strong show.  Alex and I attended the early opening and were able to find quite a few works that we enjoyed.  Although the Sunday paper review of the show made only a scant mention of "traditional landscape painting," the choice of paintings for the show tilted to a realist approach and I found this surprising and in a way reassuring.  I also attended a workshop ("Studio Revealed" PMA blog entry of April 5, 2011)  led by Biennial artist, Beverly Rippel.  We received a spirited, hands-on view into Ms. Rippel's studio approach to subject and technique, and spent some time looking at and discussing her Biennial work, "Pink Cap Gun I."  When you go to the Biennial, the work is best viewed from the 2nd floor balcony as opposed to craning one's neck viewing it from the exhibit floor.  It is quite striking, beautiful and disquieting at the same time.