hayley barker.

Allow me to introduce my friend and Portland artist, Hayley Barker. Her latest body of work, titled Cathedrals, is now on view at Charles A. Hartman Fine Art. The work is inspired by the diary of Opal Whiteley, which in Hayley’s words, “focuses on her uniquely religious relationship with nature.” In her diary, Opal speaks of "cathedrals" that Hayley describes as “locations in nature that Opal routinely revisits in the text, places where she plays, prays, and performs makeshift rituals.”

Hayley was generous enough to share with me her own “cathedrals” - the sites in her neighborhood of some of her recent paintings. It was so exciting to be in the physical space of her inspiration, breathing more life into the already vital work. This beautiful show comes down June 30th, so please treat yourself and go see this work in the flesh.

Of note, I didn’t realize it until I was editing the film, but I do believe that Hayley’s paintings seeped into my subconscious during the making of some of these photographs. Hayley, thank you for your inspiration, generosity, and for sharing your brilliant work.

To learn more, please visit the gallery's website, Hayley’s website or her blog devoted to this project.

Side note: There is a little project of mine in the works, PDX studio visits, featuring Portland artists on this blog or perhaps a blog all on its own - so please stay tuned.

Please click on the photos to view larger. I think they look nicer that way.

Hayley Barker owns the copyright to all images of the paintings. Painting images courtesy of the artist and Charles A. Hartman Fine Art.