About Martha Parisi Dirksen

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It's simple, really: I paint what inspires me. When I see something so astonishing, so thrilling that it takes my breath away, I want to capture it in a painting. That's it. There's no great message. I want my paintings to transport you to another place and time, thereby transforming you, the observer into you, the participant. As a ‘scape artist, I capture those moments that had a profound impact on me: the sky right before a deluge; a crashing, stormy sea; the dramatic interplay of light and color. My paintings are informed by the mood created when colors contrast within a vibrant atmosphere. I want to forever recall those scenes that so deeply stirred my senses.

 

When I retired and began to pursue my passion, I focused on land- and cloud-scapes. Over the years, I turned my attention to the sea. To me, the sea is hypnotic like a blazing fire, alluring and seductive, inviting me to peer beyond the surface. Each wave feels like a crooked finger, beckoning me closer as it rumbles and rolls toward land. To capture both the depth and luminescence of a scene, I paint with oils and use glazing techniques to reflect the light to the viewer, compelling them to return. 

 

All my paintings are studio compositions from photos I have taken, or things I have seen: a Nebraska cornfield; an abandoned section of Historic Route 66; the sea tumbling over a jagged coastal shore in Oregon. For an isolated instant, I hope nothing else exists for you but that moment.

 

So if when you look at one of my paintings, you feel the weight of the imminent storm pressing on the horizon and smell a sweet pungency in the air, then I have succeeded in capturing that moment. If the sound of waves drowns the thundering in your heart and you can taste the saltiness in the mist, then I have succeeded. My passion is to catch both a moment and a feeling in a way that will pull you into the scene, stirring your senses over and over again.

I hope my art touches your soul.

 

And if you see something that interests you, please drop me a line for additional information or purchase details. Thanks for looking!

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Education/Exhibitions/Shows/Festivals/Memberships

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Associate of Arts – Fine Arts

Portland Community College – Portland, Oregon - 1974

 

Bachelor of Science – Organizational Development and Human Resource Management

George Fox College (now University) – Newberg, Oregon – 1995

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• Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts – Open Show

Lake Oswego, Oregon – 2016

 

• Clackamas County Arts Alliance - Artist Exhibit Program

Public Services Building – Lobby Gallery

Willamette Falls Medical Center Gallery

Oregon City, Oregon – 2017

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• The Great Nautical Art Show - OSA Gallery

Portland, Oregon - April 2017​

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• Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts - Artists' Vision: "The Skies Opened"; Open Show

Lake Oswego, Oregon - 2017

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• 35th Annual Rose Festival Art Show - (Honorable Mention) - OSA Gallery 

Portland, Oregon - June 2017​

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• Oregon Society of Artists Fall Juried Show - OSA Gallery

Portland, Oregon - September 2017​

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• Beaverton Arts Mix - (Mayor's Choice Award; Juror's Award) - Beaverton Public Library 

Beaverton, Oregon - 2017​

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• Oregon Society of Artists Spring Juried Show - (Honorable Mention) - OSA Gallery

​Portland, Oregon - March 2018​

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• Water, Weather, Wind & Rain - (First Place) - OSA Gallery

Portland, Oregon - April 2018​

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• 36th Annual Rose Festival Art Show (Artistic Merit Award) - OSA Gallery

Portland, Oregon - June 2018​;
Rose Schnitzer Manor - Cedar Sinai Park
Portland, Oregon - July 2018

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• Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts - Artists' Vision: "Artifacts of a Journey"; Open Show

Lake Oswego, Oregon - 2018​

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• Oregon Society of Artists Fall Juried Show - OSA Gallery
     Portland, Oregon - September 2018

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• Clackamas County Arts Alliance - Artist Exhibit Program

         Happy Valley Library - Lobby Gallery

         Happy Valley, Oregon - 2018/2019

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• Oregon Society of Artists Salute to Volunteers - OSA Gallery

 Portland, Oregon - January 2019

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• Oregon Society of Artists Spring Juried Show - OSA Gallery

          Portland, Oregon - March 2019​
 

• Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts - Open Show (Honorable Mention)
      Lake Oswego, Oregon - 2019

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• 37th Annual Rose Festival Art Show - OSA Gallery
      Portland, Oregon - June 2019
      Rose Schnitzer Manor - Cedar Sinai Park
      Portland, Oregon - July-September 2019
   

• Oregon Society of Artists Fall Juried Show - OSA Gallery (Artistic Merit Award)
      Portland Oregon - September 2019
   

• Clackamas County Arts Alliance - Artist Exhibit Program
      Lake Oswego Adult Community Center Gallery
      Lake Oswego, Oregon - 2019/2020

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• Oregon Society of Artists - Volunteer Art Show - OSA Gallery
       Portland, Oregon - January 2020

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• Oregon Society of Artists Spring Juried Show - OSA Gallery Online

          Portland, Oregon - March/April 2020​​​​

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• Oregon Coast Council for the Arts Online Art Show - Newport Visual Arts Center

          Newport, Oregon - May-Labor Day 2020​

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• Oregon Society of Artists - The Art of Sheltering in Place - OSA Gallery Online

          Portland, Oregon - June/July 2020​

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• Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts - Artist's Vision: "Small Worlds"
      Lake Oswego, Oregon - 2020

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• Oregon Society of Artists Fall Juried Show - OSA Gallery Online

          Portland, Oregon - September/October 2020​

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• Beaverton Arts Mix Virtual Art Show & Sale

          Beaverton, Oregon - October 2020​

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• 39th Annual Rose Festival Art Show - OSA Gallery

          Portland, Oregon - June 2021​

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• Beaverton Arts Mix Virtual Art Show & Sale

          Beaverton, Oregon - October 2021​

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• Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts - Artist's Vision: "RE:emergence"
      Lake Oswego, Oregon - 2022

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Oil Painters of America - Associate Member

Oregon Society of Artists - Member

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts - Member

Oregon Art Shine Project  - Participant