We are excited to announce our Fall show featuring new artwork by Jason Dorsey. This will be Jason’s first solo show at Sunnyshore Studio where he serves as Artistic Director. We caught up with Jason to learn more about his upcoming show.
Sunnyshore Studio: Why the title Impressions of Camano?
Jason: By “impression” I mean that I want to capture the essence, the feel, the mood, the atmosphere of a place, a scene. Some of the paintings are from photographs that I’ve collected over the past six years of my meanderings on Camano Island and some are scenes that I’ve imagined. But in all of them I’m trying to capture the impression that I felt. My art is a mix of realism and impressionism. I’m painting a place that I love. I grew up on Camano and moved back to the area six years ago. I like to say that it is “my island.”
Sunnyshore Studio: What Camano scenes did you paint?
Jason: I don’t want to give too much away. So I won’t go into a lot of detail. But I will say that I grew up on the south end and I’ve enjoyed painting places I love there. Last summer I hiked around Camano on the beaches and there are paintings inspired by that journey. I’ve also tried to stretch myself in this show and so there will be a few more experimental paintings as well. Here are a few of the photographs that I’ve used as resources for paintings.
Sunnyshore Studio: What motivated you to do a show now?
Jason: A couple of things. First, This summer I took a three month sabbatical from my job as a presbyterian pastor. This allowed me to spend time painting at the studio which I really enjoyed. I was able to paint a number of Camano paintings that I really liked and I realized that I had a show coming together. The second reason is that I’ve taken over the business side of the studio operations from my wife, Jenny. This meant that I was more in touch with the day to day financial needs of the studio. We usually do a fall show for my brother, Jed Dorsey. But he was too busy with his Acrylic University to pull off a show this fall. I figured that it was time for me to step up and try to pull off a show of my own work. After all, I’ve been hosting quarterly art shows at Sunnyshore since December 2016 and this will be my first solo show. I’m excited and a bit scared too.
Sunnyshore Studio: Why scared?
Jason: It’s always a risk to put yourself out there in a solo show. What if no one shows up? What if no one likes your work? What if you don’t sell any paintings? Artists are insecure like everyone else. Putting yourself out there in a show is vulnerable, risky. I know that a few people will come. For sure my mom and dad who has been supportive of my art from my earliest days. And I know that my art is strong and stands on its own. The biggest risk for me is financial. Believe it or not, it costs a lot of money to just produce one painting. There is the cost of the paper and paint (watercolor paper and paint is not cheap!). And it costs a lot of money to frame paintings. It is possible to frame paintings and not to sell enough to just break even with what you put into the paintings. But at the end of the day I’m not doing this for money. I’m a creative person. Painting is a passion of mine.
Sunnyshore Studio: When is the show?
Jason: Impressions of Camano opens at our brick and mortar gallery (2803 SE Camano Drive, Camano Island, WA) on Saturday, November 6th, 10am-5pm. It will be open on the following Saturday, November 13, also from 10am-5pm. You can also view Impressons of Camano at our online gallery here. It opens on Saturday, November 6th also and runs through the 13th. We sell most of our artwork online these days. I’m excited that my friends from all over can enjoy my art this way.
I love your beautiful green painting. I make it to be a site I have been passing on Sunset Drive since I was a very little girl. It has been a way to see the different seasons go by in the face of that pond. I hope that this image will be offered for sale. I must have it.