here’s amy rupple’s [talking picture]: “I moved from Madison, Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon in the winter of 1996. I drove the whole way… the car breaking down, almost getting trapped in a blizzard (thank goodness for State Troopers), with an old boyfriend. We were off to start a new life in the Pacific Northwest. Well, I’m still in Portland, but he didn’t last long.

Every now and again, I drive back home to Wisconsin along that same route. Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming is my favorite stop along the way. Not only for its majestic presence, but for the lore behind it as well.

When you enter the park, you crest a long hill, and bam. There it is. That crazy mound of rock in all its glory, with a giant meadow laid out before you. On this particular day, storms were moving in and out, and I just had to see that view over the hill with the skies as turbulent as they were. I drove there from my hotel in Sundance, Wyoming, skirting hail, tornadoes and the approaching darkness of night. But as you can see from the photo, it was well worth it. You can take hundreds of photos of this place, and never get the same shot. As long as the light changes, so will the big rock.” -@my

if you’re in the bay area this friday evening (november 6th), be sure to stop by rare device for an amazing new show from artists Amy Ruppel and Lisa Congdon, Gently by the horns. Lisa and Amy have put together a show paying homage to one of their favorite animal groups: the cloven hoofed, horned, furry creatures that belong to the family Bovidae. They each chose five different Bovids to render in their own own style, including the Yak, Duiker, Bongo and Chamois. The installation will also include horns and antlers from our collections and a fake fur chandelier.

Rare Device
Friday, November 6th, 7-9 pm
1845 Market Street
San Francisco 94103
415.863.3969

[ Lisa Congdon ]

[ Amy Ruppel ]

Hello all! It’s Lisa reporting from Portland again. I am so lucky to have so many talented friends here in the Northwest. One of my favorites is Amy Ruppel, who is as kind and generous as she is talented. Today I went with Amy, my friend Diana and my eight-year-old niece (also a big fan of Amy’s) to see her most recent body of work entitled Migratory Patterns at the Grassy Knoll Gallery in Portland.

Migratory Patterns is the most impressive and diverse collection of Amy’s work that I have ever seen. Included in the collection are a wonderful combination of her popular trademark encaustic paintings—along with about fifteen hand painted wooden houses and “shrubs”, cheery wall murals, and, most impressive, meticulously hand-printed (by Amy) fabric from hand-carved wooden and rubber stamps.

I highly recommend checking out this beautiful collection of work (much of which is still available for purchase) at Grassy Knoll Gallery, located upstairs in the historic Merchant Hotel at 123 NW 2nd Avenue, in Old Town Portland. And you’ve got plenty of time to see it—it’s up for another three months through the end of August, 2008.