Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Portland, Oregon artist Margret Short - a modern day master of 17th Century Dutch art using the chiaroscuro technique to create still life and floral paintings.

Historical Pigments

Backwards and in High Heels: Lessons from Stories about Nearly Unknown Gifted Women Artists of the Early and Current Years of Oil Painting

by

It's no secret that history books are written by those in power. They write what they want and what they want known. It's been my experience that many gifted women artists have gotten the short paintbrush when they deserve much more recognition by historians. It is common to see a scant handful or more often zero talented female artists' … [Read more...] about Backwards and in High Heels: Lessons from Stories about Nearly Unknown Gifted Women Artists of the Early and Current Years of Oil Painting

Getting Down to Specifics: Part Two

by

This commission piece was a delight to paint, and each day a pleasure, not work at all. As the painting progressed, I found it hard to stop at the end of each painting session. Often, I took photos of the transformations and sent them along to the clients. Because of the marvels of the iPhone camera, it was easy to document day to day progress and … [Read more...] about Getting Down to Specifics: Part Two

Getting Down to Specifics: What’s in Your Mind’s Eye?

by

Part One One of the most enjoyable projects in my painting life is working directly with collectors planning a commission piece, and this was no exception and loads of fun. Several months ago, a couple from nearby Washington State contacted me inquiring about a very personal painting for their collection. They wished to include a few heirloom … [Read more...] about Getting Down to Specifics: What’s in Your Mind’s Eye?

Quintessential Blue Comes to an End

by

Circles Modello Joker in the Tulip Garden Mystical Modello Vessel for the Water Endlessly Modello Palpable Modello Infinite Modello Crystalline Modello Quintessential Blue comes to an end. All paintings are on view at Bronze Coast Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Thank you for following my stories of the … [Read more...] about Quintessential Blue Comes to an End

The Final Home Stretch: Quintessential Blue

by

Quintessential Blue Pigment Project has been great fun for a pigment nerd like me. For this series, I used some unusual colors on my palette with unexpected surprises. One is the cobalt turquoise and the other manganese blue that both are now my all-time favs. Though neither are historical colors, I know I will continue to explore making and using … [Read more...] about The Final Home Stretch: Quintessential Blue

Brushing Down the Home Stretch

by

Time is getting crunchy now and there are five more paintings to go. The only solution is to do multiples in each post until peeks are revealed before the Spring Unveiling event this coming weekend. So far, the blues covered are the ever-glorious lapis lazuli, its modern equivalent, ultramarine blue, and a personal favorite, cobalt turquoise blue. … [Read more...] about Brushing Down the Home Stretch