A Labor of Love

It's been nearly a year since I last posted but here is one of the highlights from the labor of love which has consumed most of my time, The Beautiful Lives Lost Portrait Project:

We did it! Artists from the Pacific Northwest came together and made 58 portraits to honor and remember the 58 people lost to gun violence at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas last October 1st. Families were in Vegas for healing events, including our show and our tributes to their loved-ones were given to them to take home. Huge thank you to all the artists who donated their time and talents to make this special show happen and another shout-out to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa for sponsoring and hosting our show. We feel good about this effort coming full-circle with the portraits going home with the victims families. Thank you to all of you who also gave money and time to help get these portraits to them.

All portraits may be viewed on our website
https://beautifulliveslost.wixsite.com/portraitproject

Beautiful Lives Lost Portrait Project Slideshow from Mary Anne Funk on Vimeo.

Beautiful Lives Lost Portrait Project

I've enlisted 58 artists to help with an important project to remember those killed in the Las Vegas Mass Shooting

Visual Poem: Beautiful Lives Lost Portrait Project from Mary Anne Funk on Vimeo.

It is easy to feel powerless in the face of terrible news, but as artists, one thing we can do is make portraits of the individuals who died to call attention to the senseless violence and show they are not just another statistic. We can honor their memories and share a loving gesture with grieving families and communities. Kindness often begets kindness. We hope to continue this cycle rather than violence. #beautifulliveslostportraitproject

Northwest Beauty on View

I never tire of viewing or painting the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Here's my favorite neighborhood park and the gorgeous Oregon coast. This and 25 other paintings will be on view at the St. Johns Art Constitutional, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Spring in St. Johns, 20x16", oil on canvas, Quin Sweetman

Cape Arago, 14x11, oil on panel, Quin Sweetman

Later that evening, the painting of the Columbia River Gorge paradise 

the American Indian's called Wahclella Falls, will be on view at the 

Recycled Rain Project Show in the Ford Building Gallery, SE Portland, opening Saturday, 6-9 p.m.

"Rain Made Paradise", 18x24", acrylic/rain-water on Canvas, Quin Sweetman,
for the Recycled Rain Project Show

Painting Now Up for Auction to Benefit Efforts to Protect the Arctic

Artful Activism, Oil on Canvas, 16x20", Quin Sweetman

It's official, my painting of the sHell No protest at the St. Johns Bridge is now up for auction to raise funds to protect the arctic. Bid now and please share with your friends and followers to raise awareness:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Impressionist-Painting-Quin-Sweetman-Artivism-St-Johns-Bridge-/262023872173?

Prints also support the cause and show your support: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/245845552/artful-activism-st-johns-original?ref=shop_home_active_1

See the painting and buy prints locally at Peoples Art of Portland Gallery, Downtown, Pioneer Square Mall, Top floor http://www.peoplesartofportland.com

Many thanks!

Quin Sweetman

Artivist

Artivism: My Artful Activism

Quin Sweetman, "Artful Activism, St. Johns Bridge", Oil on Canvas, 16x20"

Here's the painting I made during the protest. It was made on site, otherwise known as "Plein Air Painting" and hence, has an "unfinished" impressionist quality, which I think adds to the feeling of action. Several people have expressed interest in bidding on this work to benefit efforts to fight drilling in the arctic. I will post an auction site soon, but for now, please send me your contact information if you would like to be notified of the auction or purchase a print of my painting. Many thanks! Quin Sweetman, Artivist

Update: Plein Air Today covered my painting and wrote a nice piece about Artful Activism http://www.outdoorpainter.com/parting-shot-activism-art-artivism/