Seeing Red

March 19, 2017

This post contributed by Tianna Lewis.

Don Schwartz, Little Red Umbrella in a Big Universe — Don Schwartz, Little Red Umbrella in a Big Universe

Red is an attention grabber. It is the color of danger, and desire. Our eyes have evolved to hunt the scenery for the red berry, or the trail left by the wounded animal. This fact isn’t lost on contemporary consumer culture. Red is frequently the color of choice for marketing campaigns that want to make their product stand out. But we have to use this color with caution; a little bit goes a long way, and too much can be overwhelming. But when an artist finds the right amount, the viewer is inexplicably drawn in.

Donna Howard Day Break — Donna Howard, Day Break

Janet Holt, Reorganizeing The Landscape — Janet Holt, Reorganizing The Landscape

Lyn NanceSasser, Up the Pathway — Lyn NanceSasser, Up the Pathway

Mary Dennis, Fall Display — Mary Dennis, Fall Display

J Swofford, High Priestess — J Swofford, High Priestess

Chi Meredith, Borderline — Chi Meredith, Borderline

Carolyn Cole, CC 144c (red) — Carolyn Cole,CC 144c (red)

Bruce Clark, Colors - Portland Japanese Garden — Bruce Clark, Colors – Portland Japanese Garden

Paul Zegers, Centennial Sundown — Paul Zegers, Centennial Sundown

Mitchell Wolfsehr, Waiting for Mike — Mitchell Wolfsehr, Waiting for Mike

Karl Kaiser, Stratum 169 — Karl Kaiser, Stratum 169

Barbara Rawls, Hood Canal Barge — Barbara Rawls, Hood Canal Barge

Hazel Schlesinger, Poppy Fields — Hazel Schlesinger, Poppy Fields

Jenny Smith, Red Poppies and Blue Flowers — Jenny Smith, Red Poppies and Blue Flowers

To see more works by these artists, please Browse the Artist Directory

Spring Loaded Art »

The Rental Sales Gallery, Portland Art Museum recognizes and honors the Indigenous peoples of this region on whose ancestral lands the museum now stands.

These include the Willamette Tumwater, Clackamas, Kathlemet, Molalla, Multnomah and Watlala Chinook Peoples and the Tualatin Kalapuya who today are part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and many other Native communities who made their homes along the Columbia River.

We also want to recognize that Portland today is a community of many diverse Native peoples who continue to live and work here. We respectfully acknowledge and honor all Indigenous communities - past, present, future - and are grateful for their ongoing and vibrant presence.