Featured Artist:
Teena Wood, Sharon Martini

Wood's and Martini's works of art will be shown May 22 to July 17 at the Life's Crossing Gallery on the first floor of the Portland Donor Center. An artist's reception for Wood and Martini is Wednesday, May 24 , from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the gallery.

The artists will visit again July 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the "Celebrate Freedom Blood Drive."

About Teena Wood
My art reflects the simple beauty of everyday situations. I have always been interested in the magic and richness of color. I love to bring out the whimsey and heart of a subject, whether it be a scene or someone's pet. Animals are my favorite subjects, as I have been blessed with the love of many furry companions.

I draw what inspires my heart and soul and hope that my art inspires someone's heart or touches someone in some way. I feel I draw simple reminders of the important things in life, whether that be a moment looking out a window or a sunrise over a hill. I also try to add humor to my art as in the cat pictures, where some of those crazy cats display their humorous edge.

Growing up, I spent half of my life in Montana and the other half in Seattle. I would describe myself as a city girl with a country girl spirit. I have been involved with some form of art all my life. For many years I published a cartoon called ‘The Adventures of Mz Mouse,' which was published in many local publications and one national magazine. This is where my whimsical influence comes from. I studied art in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, where I now live. You may also purchase cards, prints and originals from my Web site .

About Sharon Martini
My mission with Lady Bird Designs and my Wonderfully Whimsical Works of Art by Sharon Martini is to "Unite all people in Joy!"

Once I had children of my own I found myself immersed in children's literature. One of the things I discovered was that the choices of material with characters of color were very limited, and if they did exist, the artwork tended to be much more serious and realistic. It was missing the whimsy and fun.

I decided to create exuberant, bright and bold multicultural art and books infused with playfulness an djoy — the Wonderfully Whimsical Works of Art by Sharon Martini were born!

I create in a variety of media from felt fabric collage, pen and Photoshop, acrylic, oil pastel, marker and gouache. My inspiration is my extremely vivid imagination and my life.

I beleive that we are all, no matter our color or culture, the same. My wish is that my happy, colorful compositions appeal to the child in every one of us and make you SMILE! (I, too, believe that we must hang on to our inner child, for when we do, we are more apt to let life lead us everywhere).

My Wonderfully Whimsical Works of Art by Sharon Martini have been featured on AM Northwest and can be found on slumber bags, hand-painted needlepoint canvasses, patches and note cards.