The GreenRoom Gallery
Ocean and Element Fine Art
What is the reason behind a surfer's intense passion for riding a wave, an experience which often lasts only a few seconds?
Could it be that those few seconds fortify a connection with nature which we all seek?
Or could it be a quest for 'aquatic intelligence'?
There is no question that the scientists of yesterday and tomorrow are drawn to the concept of bottling the philosophy, physics, and
dynamics of water itself.
Water is something which is solid when cold and invisible as a vapor when warmed. It gathers together and separates again.
It is truly one of the most devious of elements and natural substances which we can try to embrace.
As a surfer, an artist, and someone genuinely attracted to science I have spent my life pursuing various forms of celebrating
water and my fascination with it.
I have sought out articles in Scientific American magazine where scientist try to reason and prove that waves moving through
water may actually be matter.
At 12 years old I pressured my parents to let me buy a windsurfer so that I could feel the freedom of traveling across a body
of water, being propelled only by the wind.
And for 25 years I have 'drawn lines' on a wave's face with over 50 hand shaped surfboards. Some 'lines' I am proud of
while others are simply a memory of an amazing 'wipe out' or breath holding session under a cold canopy of whitewater.
I have traveled the United States, Canada and Mexico to chase the energy moving in, and over, water. In my search I have had
moments of discovery while windsurfing and kitesurfing such as learning that wind's strength is directly affected by the amount
of water vapor in its breath. I have been inspired by the thrill of discovering the advanced technology of wetsuits while surfing
cold waves as far north as Vancouver, Canada. And as a visual artist I am continually challenged with the trial of creating art
that expresses the emotions of my water experience. Though there have been moments of clarity, the challenge of expressing waves
and water in art is proving to be a never ending search.
In this search I landed in Astoria, Oregon which is now the home of The GreenRoom Gallery.
Astoria is rich in a history of men and women earning money, glory and sustenance from water. For hundreds of years Indians,
fish hunters, seafarers, life savers and surfers have experienced the power of water in this area, the oldest settlement on the
west coast.
The city is essentially a peninsula surrounded by water. On three sides lie three bridges which gap the rivers surround and
enable a person to venture out from Astoria's downtown. Each of these bridges is also a path to the ocean where my wife and I
frequently bring our family to experience our amazing wide sand beaches which we still find to be the most impressive of all
our travels.
Over 70 inches of rain a year promise water filled air to the people here in Astoria over 196 days a year---everything is wet---
almost all the time.
Scientists over the past decade have been studying the negatively charged ions which fill the air we breathe in wet environments
such as rain forests, ocean beaches, rapid rivers and….Astoria.
They are consistently proving that these negatively charged ions are very invigorating and relaxing to humans. Negative ions
found in wet air are now being used widely in anxiety therapy as an effective remedy.
Conversely, an abundance of harmful positive ions are found in environments surrounded by fluorescent lights, re-circulated
air, and the computer monitors in which you are reading this now.
Unfortunately, for many it is a necessity to live and work in a positive ion rich environment. The masses of people who migrate
to the ocean beach on weekends are testament to the therapeutic negative ions in the ocean's misty air.
Aside from the extreme idealist yuppie, we feel that most people will be moving to areas abundant in the world's most valuable
resource-water.
For these reasons we are happy to call Astoria our home, and the home of our gallery.
So, if you feel the need to come relax in Astoria's wet air please stop by and examine our current artist's works. Feel free to
yell up to the loft where I may be painting another piece for the gallery walls.
We hope to surpass any 'art snobbery' by displaying art which simply celebrates a passion. The message is clear and there
need not be any discussion of 'what the art is about'.
Our mission and goal is to promote arts which celebrate the understanding and beauty of water, energy, the ocean, the wonders
of weather (we call rain-ism), and those who practice the art of riding waves.
Our gallery is adorned with images by artists who possess aquatic intelligence and the need to express it.
Please wander around the website and support artists you appreciate by buying a print or a DVD. Most artists appreciate the
gesture of acceptance, in a purchase, even more than the money they earn.
And if you are an artist, who understands our passion, please submit a few pieces of your art by emailing them to us….we may be
interested in helping you pursue your passion.
Gallery Interior
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