Every morning I wake up and check my phone only to be disappointed and then doom scroll. So today I decided to not pick it up and BAM! Okay I get it, I need to stay off my phone.
Joel Fleminger
@joelfleminger.bsky.social
Just trying to keep my senses with painting, bike rides and hopefully humor.
I never thought I could find less effective politicians than Governor Kate Brown and Mayor Ted Wheeler but then we ended up with Governor Tina Kotek and Mayor Keith Wilson. What is it with Oregon that attracts such bland, visionless politicians? And why do they run for reelection?!?!
In 2026 Portland Oregon you are much more likely to be killed by a vehicle than murdered but Portland Police keep letting drivers off without holding them responsible. A driver who breaks traffic laws and hits pedestrians or a bicycle rider needs to be held responsible. This is not controversial.
There are so many terrible things happening in the world right now that I feel like we could write an entire set of new lyrics every week for The Rolling Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil and never repeat something from the previous week.
When your kitchen towels smell like rotting shellfish, believe them.
Frank Blacks album Frank Black is the serious rock version of a They Might Be Giants album.
I absolutely hate organized spots, both professional and collegiate. Love them or hate them they are the home team, the alma-mater, and therefore all their sins are accepted because it’s fun to watch. But really it’s billionaires exploiting blind loyalty and a sense of tradition for their gain.
You know what won’t help the airlines? When trump fires air traffic controllers and pushed for unqualified replacements. You know what else won’t help? When people can’t afford to take trips because they are drowning in medical debt. Greed and selfishness is always short sighted.
So, we’re all boycotting flying for the holidays now, right? Because I’m pretty sure I’m losing my healthcare just so people don’t have to have the sads at the airport.
Every democrat senator making a statement about voting no is just performative. It shows no courage to vote no because it comes with no real risk. Courage would be standing up and voting to oust Schumer in favor of real leadership that represents us.
My first kiln firing is done 😭😭😭I never thought I’d get to this day but here I am and it’s all so ✨✨✨
One of those days when I need equal parts coffee and nap.
I prefer to have 3 to 5 paintings going at the same time so I can work actively on some while thinking passively about the others.
Hey artist friends, after my weekend at the art book fair I think you might need to hear this: STOP worrying if your art is good or bad, just make fucking art.
Haven’t been good about keeping up on this platform but here are two current paintings in progress.
Finally updating the shop a bit including this little anarchist cat mug.
My show opening last night at Sidestreet Arts here in Portland, OR went great. The gallery did a great job arranging my work along with @joelfleminger.bsky.social and Sarah Fine’s work. The show will be up for all of May or you can view it online! sidestreet-arts-llc.square.site/may-2025-fun...
I have a show opening up this Friday, May 2nd at Sidestreet Arts in Portland alongside my husband, painter @joelfleminger.bsky.social and fellow ceramicist Sarah Fine. Here’s one of the pieces I’ll be showing. You can preview the show here: sidestreet-arts-llc.square.site/may-2025-fun...
When approaching painting from an internal place rather than directly from life, the challenge is to resolve images that function both emotionally and pictorially. My group show Funky Town will be up all of May at Sidestreet Arts in Portland.
I’m really excited about this new little ceramic sculpture I just finished, it’s called: Maybe read it again…but carefully. It will be on view in Portland, OR at Sidestreet Arts with a show opening on May 2nd!!!
Here is the smiling face of a woman who after three years of illness, surgeries, and various therapies finally finished physical therapy yesterday and is pretty much better!
I really am so proud with the level of disgust this little bud vase spider-eyed lady is expressing because it is exactly how I feel with the state of things right now. erikarier.etsy.com/listing/1888...
The world is imploding but I still make my living pinching little mugs into existence. So here’s a little redheaded number with a snake handle reminding you that YOU ARE A GENIUS OF YOUR OWN BODY. erikarier.etsy.com/listing/1888...
The start of new things for showing at the purple door in Portland this October.
Painting while rejection letters trickle in. Pause and keep painting .
Might have to title this one “I swear it’s not a turnip, or at least I didn’t mean to paint one”.
Some of the paintings I’ll have showing at Side Street galley next month in Portland.
In the past putting myself out there or acknowledging to myself that painting is what I want to do would shut me down. It’s weird to feel the opposite and even more invigorated. Getting ready for the next show at Side Street Gallery with @erikarier.bsky.social.
