Live Oregon

2014-march-april-natalie-fletcher-bodypaint-11

A Body of Work

ARTIST NATALIE FLETCHER is keenly aware of local weather patterns. A bright, sunny day could leave her models vulnerable to sunburn or dehydration. She studies cloud migrations and shadows carefully. If they are changing too rapidly, her canvas—human flesh—could easily reflect a moment that has passed once a piece is complete and ready to be photographed. photo by Meg Roussos Fletcher, 28, uses body makeup to transform her models into vistas of cloud cover, mountain peaks and winding highway. Photographic prints of her work show human forms merging into their surroundings to stunning effect—a woman becomes a handsome aspen tree and a sprawling meadow; a man resting his hand on a surfboard becomes part of a sandy beachscape, with its frothy sea and jagged coastline. Though her finished models are an arresting sight, the draw for Fletcher is the interaction with her models. Helping a person metamorphose into art is…

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Home Grown Chef: Honey Soy-Glazed Chicken

photo by Carrie Minns I AM IN LOVE WITH MY GAS BARBEQUE. I rely on it for large family gatherings as well as quick weeknight meals. Unfortunately, the incessant rain in the winter and spring months makes outdoor grilling less thrilling. So, what’s an Oregonian to do? Quite frankly, stay inside and make friends with her oven. While this honey soy-glazed chicken can be cooked on your grill, it tastes equally delicious baked in the oven. As a bonus, the sweet aroma from the roasting chicken that fills your home will draw family and friends into your kitchen and away from digital screens of all kinds. This dish is optimal with bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces. You can, however, make it with boneless, skinless breasts. If you do, reduce the cooking time by at least half. I’ve marinated this dish for as little as a couple of hours to more than…

oregon road trip, oregon music, oregon roads

Trip Tracks: Oregon tunes for the journey

featured photo by Talia Galvin Highway 97 Journey Through Time on Highway 97 I was halfway to the North Pole on Highway 97 before I reached Shaniko, the ghost town in northern Central Oregon. A sign read: “45th Parallel. Halfway Between The Equator And The North Pole.” Also known as the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, this road is the passage for the journey from the all-but-abandoned Shaniko north to Biggs, at the intersection of Highway 97 and I-84. This is a land of wide open spaces, where dryland wheat farming has taken hold. Residents along this route are mostly growers who depend upon the whims of nature to determine crop viability. Though the climate is dry, farmers have worked with what nature provides and wheat has been a staple of the economy here for generations. On a clear day, driving through this rolling outback lets you take in views that…

Eqestrian_Wine_Tours_photo_by_Sarah_Hahn

Gifts for Lovers Who Love Wine

It’s always around this time of year that the conversation starts in my house.  What to do about Valentine’s Day? I, like many women, try and pretend that it isn’t important to me, but if the day rolled around and there wasn’t at least a card and a flower picked from some bush, I would probably have my feelings a little hurt. I mean, who doesn’t like to be showered with affection and sometimes roses and champagne?

Eqestrian_Wine_Tours_photo_by_Sarah_Hahn

Over the Moon in Oregon Wine Country

Say “Be Mine” with Wine 
Long cold winter days practically beg for cozy romantic getaways to warm both your heart and soul. But you don’t need to head to a tropical location to turn up the heat in your love life; this Valentine’s Day, Cupid’s pointing his arrow straight at Oregon Wine Country. Rediscover the romance in your relationship and watch the sparks fly when you plan a romantic getaway for you and your special sweetheart to any of the following wine country inns.

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Big Woody Recap

Fans of barrel aged beer and small-batch whiskey braved the winter chill January 17 and 18, 2014 at the perfectly suited Leftbank Annex in Portland to celebrate the inaugural Big Woody Festival. Inspired by the five-year running Little Woody Beer Festival in Bend, Oregon, the Big Woody Festival celebrates the historical relevance of barrel aged beers, featuring a wide range of beer styles. 

robert delahanty, music nonprofits, oregon nonprofits, music nonprofits

To the Tune of Selflessness

Across the state, giving Oregonians dedicate their lives to helping share the gift of music with people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles. Our residents provide instruments and lessons, mentorship, and inspiration via life-enriching nonprofit organizations. The following local nonprofits are committed to providing a cultural experience to community members who might need it the most. 

Photo-by-Jeff-Weissler_at-Pairings-Portland-Wine-Shop

Pour on the Cheer: What to do in Wine Country This Winter

The whirlwind of the holiday season has passed, but winter is just beginning. With the holiday season behind you, you might find yourself looking for wine-related things to do; for your amusement, to entertain visiting guests, or just to escape the blustery weather. Good news, you’ve come to right place. I’ve compiled a list just for you that is chalk full of activities to bring you cheer in the New Year. Though there might not be any grapes left on the vines to see, and the Valley views could be obscured by a thick layer of clouds, a visit to a local winery this time of year is still a good idea. Many of them are open year-round (call to ensure the one you want to visit is open). Rest assured, you’ll be warmed by a delicious glass of wine and a dose of friendly hospitality when you arrive. Dundee…