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WASHINGTON COUNTY ARTS GUIDE SEPTEMBER — NOVEMBER 2013
incorporate into her art. In her back yard, a canopy is home to what she calls
her “Rustatorium.” There she uses vinegar and water to transfer oxides from
the rusty metal pieces to rice paper, a feature that often figures prominently in
her work.
In the bedroom-turned-studio upstairs, cups of colorful waxy mixture simmer
on a hot plate as Nichols paints on wooden panels. She is barefoot, her toenails
painted lime green.
Down the road in Sherwood, artist Sharon Orella makes unique copper wall
hangings in part of her living room nook that she has claimed for her crafting
and artistry. Everything is carefully organized into plastic bins and tubs in her
work area, as Orella has many different materials on hand.
To make her unique copper pieces, she starts with a thin copper sheet. Using
metal-working tools and a variety of other implements, she works to carve
shapes and figures into the copper. Sometimes she follows a pattern, other times
she goes freehand.
Once carved, she then uses a torch to heat the copper design, creating a
colorful alloy and an interesting effect. This is a process that Orella has
developed herself.
“It’s been this journey of figuring it out,” she explained.
Orella also specializes in jewelry. Her intricate pieces are made with beads
and stones, including bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
Part of the fun of the tour, explained Weber — who has helped the event
grow significantly in the past few years — is finding out that your neighbor is an
artist.
With all the artists scattered around the county, tour-goers may find just
that.
Working out of a studio in her downtown Hillsboro home, Joyce Gabriel is an
artist by trade. A creative director at Pacific University, Gabriel got her start in
graphic design.
Her studio, tucked inside a charming historic home, boasts a large white
drafting table and plenty of natural light from double French doors that open up
to a masterfully landscaped backyard. In the back you can find the studio where
her husband, blacksmith Tim Gabriel, will also have his studio open for the tour.
Inside, Joyce displays her current project: artist trading cards. Each card —
she has created a few dozen — has a unique design.
Many of her drawings start as pen and ink. She often later adds hue with
watercolors.
In addition to her art cards, Gabriel shows her art journals which she always
Tour
continued from page 5
COURTESY PHOTO
Sherwood
artist Sharon
Orella uses
metal-working
tools and
other
implements
to create
copper wall
hangings.
