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Alexis Spakoski

The Arts Center Exhibitions:

• 'Portals,' Winter Show & Silent Auction, 2011
• 'Where Birds Dream' Winter Show and Silent Auction, 2010

Artist's Statement, 'Jump for Joy!' - 'Portals,' Winter Show & Silent Auction, 2011:

The “Portals” theme sparked an image in my mind of a figure leaping through a “door”— leaving a world of darkness and entering a world of light, color, and whimsy. My ceramic work often portrays dogs, and so I envisioned a performing circus dog jumping through a decorative ring (the portal). The back half of the dog would be a black color, and the front half dotted with colored spots. This image represents to me the shifting of one’s psyche— the feeling of joy upon leaving doom and gloom behind and moving forward into a lightness of being. “Dreaming Dogs Studio” is a small, but cherished space in my backyard where I create whimsical little sculptures mostly of dogs and cats— sitting on chairs, ottomans, or in little shrines. I play around with different ideas depending on where my memory and imagination take me. But ultimately, the imagery in my art is intended to bring more joy to our world.

Artist Statement, “Where Birds Dream” Show and Silent Auction, Winter 2010:

My piece is titled “Sky Blue Dream” because I imagined WHAT birds might dream of while in the safety of their cozy home— flying freely in the sky.  The woman represents Mother Nature, providing her ample skirt as a bird house.  

Though my background lies in graphic design and freelance illustration, I have found handbuilding in clay to be my artistic passion.  Dreaming Dogs Studio, a small space that I cherish, is in my backyard, with a view of my peaceful garden.  The imagery in my art comes from what I love— scenes of dogs, cats and various animals abound, whether performing on little stages, leaping in moon-lit gardens, or simply sitting on comfy chairs expectantly waiting to play.  My children and pets provide inspiration for my art, as well as the magic and whimsy of my own memories and imagination.  Most of all, I create objects that I hope bring a little more joy to our lives.

I am a member of the Willamette Ceramics Guild and display my ceramics locally.

Visit Alexis Spakoski's website.