Artists create for 30 days

The Art-A-Day show concept originally started with a handful of artists who wanted to push themselves to be creative in their practice on a daily basis. These five artists have dedicated one month to producing a body of work; one piece each day for 30 days.

The pieces will be displayed as a collection giving viewers the opportunity to observe each artist's body of work and discover how ideas flow, patterns surface and evolve, and color-themes gain strength.

Sterling will show a collection of non-representational graphite and oil paintings. After the seventh day into the project she found herself saying, "My, oh my, what have I gotten myself into?"

But what started out to be a chore soon became an enjoyable experience as each piece took on a mood of its own. "Regardless of the subject matter that appeared, my main goal was to break up the space in an interesting manner. Each piece is different and unique, truly an expression of that particular moment," Sterling said of the experience.

Elle, who is known for her whimsical ceramics, will have thirty hand built tea pots on display. Elle interpreted the challenge differently than the other artists; rather than making a finished ceramic piece each day (something virtually impossible considering the drying time, glazing and firing involved) she worked for 30 consecutive days. She built, glazed, and fired her work in batches. Elle kept a journal as she created her work, logging her sketches, notes, and lamenting the challenges she faced -- excerpts of that journal will also be on display during the exhibit.

"I love doing small daily oil paintings," said artist Rehfeld. "They have an immediate freshness about them. Whatever you are thinking about that day influences your art, almost like a visual diary...The colors I use change every day; I never know what colors or subject matter I will paint next." Rehfeld will display an assortment of 6 inch by 6 inch landscape and still life oil paintings.

Jones will showcase a new series of colorful abstract oil paintings. When asked about her experience, Jones said, "My day turned into a painting! A joke, a wave, a butterfly, that special place and Thelma Giusto...tiny one-a-day imagery. It has been a stimulating challenge of discipline, excitement, and spirit!"

Hood River legend Nilsson will be launching a body of new acrylic paintings done in black and white. Nilsson wanted to try something fresh and different which led him to shelve his trademark palette of vivid color for this exhibit.

"I love the graphic quality of white against black; it really makes composition a focus which can be very simple or very dramatic."

The public is invited to a First Friday reception on July 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. The artists will be at the reception to talk about their experience.

Art-A-Day will be on display through Aug. 2.