Happy Holidays

Did 2009 slam by or am I imagining it? Thanksgiving has come and gone with much less "crambelly". Christmas lights are beginning to appear on the dashboard. Soon the whole page will be ablaze. I will decorate my window and pick up pine boughs that the Sou'westers blow down to fill the apartment with cheer. I really can not justify terminating 5 plus years of a tree life for a couple of weeks feeling. (A live pine is a whole lot farther from "The Cross" on the farm than in my living room.)
So Merry Merry, y'all! See you in 2010! B. Martin

Ocean Park Food Bank accepts Mural Proposal (WA)

This October, gypsy Coastal artist, B. Martin, will donate her artistic talent to produce a mural in the Ocean Park Food Bank on Bay Ave. in Ocean Park, WA.
In gratitude for the sustance provided year-in-and-year-out by the food banks to the entire Long Beach Peninsula, Ms. Martin, who begun her mural career in Portland, OR, 1984, thru the Metropolitan Arts Commission, has designed a fruits & vegetable landscape.
The Ocean Park food bank recently saw the retirement of it's long time manager and acquired a board of directors. Paint for the mural was donated by Jack's Country Store in Ocean Park.

All Cells a Sieve?

How costly a tomb does a boomer assume?? Happy Halloween!

Azure Beauty Salon mural, B. Martin

Here we are at the end of August '09! Spent last weekend painting this mural on canvas for Amy Chadwick's Azure Beauty Salon and Spa in Ilwaco, WA.http://www.azuresalonandspa.net
It came off without a hitch and will last a millenium. Keeping my hand in the game. Number one Son, Indus Johnston , cosmetologist from Oceanside, CA,(see Facebook) does his magic here. Hope the "Sha-zam, Sam" grafitti style can still raise a few cockles and muscles.
The weather here on the Columbia River at the Pacific Ocean in the southwest corner of Washington state has been gorgeous. The river has been gridlock with salmon fishing.

Bam! for Obama!

Regarding the civil unrest about health care: Recognize a race riot when you see one...and, What is consistent about the infirm protesting about the cost of care?! They have been paying thru the nose for decades. What is to protest about the whole country getting on board to pay for it? No one sees the families of the terminally ill upset about the choice to end life. Genocide is about the absense of opportunity for the young and healthy to persue happiness. Nationalists immersed in German history have an agenda to promote and do so for any reason.

Email: ilwacoartist@gmail.com/ ; ilwacocroa@gmail.com/ ; ilwacocroa@yahoo.com

Tourism is the name of the game on the Peninsula

At the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean abound 21st century views that are too spectacular. Two light houses, the fishing Ports of Ilwaco and Nahcotta and bed & breakfasts too numerous to mention as well as a sandy beach almost 30 miles long have replaced the graveyard tag given in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Light Houses protect mariners from characteristics of the river/ocean

The oyster, our world

The Long Beach Peninsula is noted for its oyster farms in Nahcotta, WA.

Black Lake Lillies

Just north of Ilwaco is Black Lake, so named because the pine forest creates a rich black shadow over the waters. Here a fishing derby is held in the spring and white swans pause to assemble.

View of Baker Bay Marina, Port of Ilwaco, WA

At Cape Disappointment where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, the beautiful, scenic fishing boats rest in the bay marina.

Jetty Boulders

Thanks to these slate grey boulders transported by the Army Corps of Engineers from tunnel excavations mid-Columbia River and piled-up into jetties, the treacherous Pacific Ocean surf of the northwest coast at the river's mouth, Ilwaco, is subdued.
Rock lovers will be blown-away by the enormous sculptural serenity of the structure anyone can climb with caution. Cape Disappointment light house is seen in the distance overlooking Washington's beautiful Waikiki beach at Fort Canby State Park.

Now that we are alone...

Remember when the GAP between the rich/poor was all about jeans? Then small business kings/queens replaced the Hollywood ones. Then we elected to become pan democratic in party but the s-whining began in earnest. Let's tune out the morning edition between the stained man/key to the keep, and think more about how spring/fall has been replaced by tornados. How long before the twitter of federal employees becomes a roaring lobby intending to blow the man down? And... Why is the game of monopoly more important than the Constitution?

STUDY DRAWING

You might like to "Study Drawing" with little known Long Beach Peninsula, WA, Cartoonist, Mijimo, recently of the CROA-Gram, for the Summer of 2009. 360-642-5532: Become Unrecognized! Get Exploited! Earn Nothing! studies in pen & ink, charcoal and pencil will be conducted.

And the Hits Keep Coming!

Hi, People! Tho' CROA is closed, I keep on keepin' on. Latest work to the right is a large plywood sign, a copy of '40's motorcycle club motif. A friend of mine, Dale McGinnis, intends to erect a restaurant on Bolstad Ave. in Long Beach, WA. He's a Harley-Davidson afficionado and imagines crowds of folks dining on fish n' chips with a view of the Pacific Ocean from the second story. I was happy to get the dream working. B. Martin

C.R.O.A. ENDS!

Dear Members and the public in general:
I, as chairperson of the Columbia River Organization of Artists located on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State, Barbara Martin, am sad to say that CROA has been dissolved! This in not entirely without joy in as much as the Peninsula Art Association has regained its former glory and is now back on its feet and having wonderful art shows at the World Kite Museum.
As you remember, CROA branched off of the PAA because its leadership was in disarray after decades of activity (2004/5). We enjoyed quite a bit of success. A new community center grew where our meetings, shows and benefits were accustomed to take place.
So, I bid you adieu! Please visit this site for a more personal blog that allows me to show you my work and that of my associates.
Thank you so much for visiting CROA. B.M. Martin, Long Beach, WA: ilwacocroa@gmail.com

Ilwaco Community Center due to open May 2, 2009

Although PACE has already moved into the newly remodeled community center and the Timberland Library will move in during the two weeks before April 7, the ribbon cutting ceremony will not be until May 2, '09. We should, however, as an organization have the opportunity to submit an application for the second Thursday night from 6-8 PM.

Annual Kite Festival Poster Contest, 2009

Drop original art off at Campiche Studios, Long Beach, WA on Pacific at Bolstad between March2-8, '09 (10-5PM) Judging will be by March 13. 350 ltd. ed. posters will be printed, Artists wins $1500. Artwork 32 x17 or 17" x 32. No smaller that ll x 14"/ Good Luck!!

Oysters & Art benefit Auction, March 7, 2009

Oysters & Art, 2009

If you missed last fall’s silent art auction benefiting the Boys ‘N Girls Club, the Children’s Dentistry Program, the PAA Scholarship fund and other world children’s support programs, it was moved ahead to March 7 , 2009 and will be held at the Chautauqua Lodge in Long Beach, WA, from 6-9 PM. There will be a limited live auction.
Oysters & Art Benefit Auction
Chautauqua Lodge
March 7, 2009, 6-9 PM
Tickets $30

Include local Hor’s d’oeurve specialties & Champagne
Submit 3 pieces maximum, original art or limited edition prints by February 18th to either:
Beach Dog or Farmers Insurance
1517 N. Pacific 25902 Vernon St.
Long Beach, WA Ocean Park, WA 98640
Fill out the dropoff forms. Indicate a modest minimum bid. 50% will return to the artist.
For more information call
Lynn Raymer: 665-2685 or Dick Fisher: 665-6721.

Happy New Year 2009

from your editor & chair, Barbara M. Martin

We are all looking forward to the inauguration and then to dealing with the “recession” which seems to be happening in the east and will move our way.
CROA recommends to you the article in the Artist’s Magazine of Jan/Feb 2009, “25 Ways to Survive a Recession”. Among the more stellar suggestions are: #4: photograph your own artwork; #13: Google for “free art classes on line”; #15: consider doing only two sizes of paintings 1) large, to minimize framing needs and 2) small, for free gifts and promotions.

Soon the new Ilwaco Community Center will be ready to inhabit, March if all goes well. At that time CROA will resume its activities, meetings, benefits, art shows & classes. We are grateful for the support you have shown while Columbia River Organization of Artists has lain dormant over 2008. It is true we are at low ebb, but with the completed renovation, there is renewed hope for a close, convenient, ready outlet for our talents.
The Peninsula Art Assoc. of Ocean Park has come a long way in rejuvenating its program, awakening a newsletter and expanding into the Long Beach area since CROA found it necessary to branch off in 2004. So keep your fingers crossed that CROA will resume meeting in the new, remodeled Ilwaco Community Center in the spring of 2009!