Time, life's lessons and fortune cookies. A new exhibit of pastels by Portland artist Michael Satern will reveal a body of work that represents the interplay of those three subjects and how they are all intertwined.

In the past year, our nation began the process of recovery from one of its greatest tragedies. As a result, a spirit of community grew and the experience helped us realize the importance of family, friends and neighbors.

 "As I reach my forties, the hours of the clock, the days of the week, and the movement of the sun all seem to move faster than ever. Suddenly, there is not enough time to savor the moments with family and friends. At the same time, I finally realized that all of the events in my life, small or large, all held a lesson that could be learned - if I chose to do so. Ironically enough, some were as simple as the wisdom found on the little piece of paper hidden within a cookie.

"In approaching this exhibit I began the same way I always had - the same imagery, the same style. It felt empty and unchallenging. After experiencing moments of terror, similar to writer's block, and many unfinished paintings, I discovered that it was time for a change from what had always come so very easy. What I really wanted to say was more about how I see life instead of "aren't these colors pretty? And-by-the-way, there isn't any message here." Maybe another way was to become a "born again artist;" proselytizing about the gift of each moment and every minute of our lives. 

"The medium of pastels derived from my love of drawing and the uncooperative nature of my paintbrush. When I picked up the first piece of chalk and started to move it across the paper, I knew I was where I belonged. The ability to blend colors or scratch through layers to expose a complementary color below gave me an immediate sense of satisfaction. The fortune within the drawing began as a few words or thoughts, but the final words came as the piece developed. Some of the sayings are actual fortunes I have gotten, some clichés of our time and some, just "Saternisms," wrought from a few years of therapy.

"I remember as a child, my grandmother telling me that the older she got, the faster time seemed to pass. At that young age I really didn't comprehend or believe her words. Now they ring all too true. If you take only one thing from viewing these pieces, I hope that it will be that life is so very sweet and precious, albeit short, and within each day is something to learn and remember, much like the wisdom found in a fortune cookie."

  - Michael Satern, 2002

Michael Satern is a graduate of Western Oregon University. An award-winning graphic designer, Satern has worked in the private and public sectors and is currently the art director for the Port of Portland. He has also taught drawing and painting throughout the Willamette Valley through the Oregon Art Commission's Artist-in the School program as well through the Salem Art Association. He has two incredible daughters and currently lives in Portland.

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