Photo-Illustrator

AKA Urban Retrospectives Artwork by Beth Kerschen using a unique blend of photo-illustration and printmaking to make urban landscapes that celebrate the great creativity, personality and culture that evolves in urban centers. www.bethkerschen.com

[bethkerschen]

I have big news to announce (well, big for me) that is forcing a huge change in my business. I have to discontinue many of my Portland art prints, etchings, notecards, postcards, coasters, tote bags, and towels. The City of Portland has trademarked the White Stag Portland, Oregon sign (and all the multiple historic versions of it). This was their way to raise money for the electricity and upkeep of the sign. This means I have to pay The City to use the image of the sign. I had a license for 3 years, but this year they changed pricing to a complex fee structure and a requirement to report every-single-usage of the sign. I used the sign so much (70+ SKUs) that I can’t afford to keep the license. Also, I license my images to other publishers and I earned royalties on the sales, but The City royalties cost the same, so I’d lose money on a huge part of my business and The City would actually earn more than me in these cases. To add insult to injury, the workload of keeping track of every sale is impossible for my one-person business as well. I realized I just can’t afford to do any more Portland work with this beloved sign. So…I am taking this as “a sign” that I needed to change my business and branch out and do different work of other cities and expand my brand new work I did last year (that isn’t city specific). The good news is, I am allowed to sell the work I have in stock from when I had the original license. So, check out the Store link in my bio and check out what I have available. About 80% of my Portland pieces will be discontinued as they sell out. My newsletter subscribers had first dibs, but there are still a number of things in stock. So, please check out my Online Store (link in bio) and get the last of this work (and maybe think of the gifts you have to get soon ☺️) I’d love the support as I transition my work. Thank you! #portlandoregon #trademark #portlandtrademark #portlandart #portlandartist #pdx #pdxart #cityscape #trademarkcity (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck9jzhCvlia/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkerschen]

Road Trip 2021: My favorite sign of the trip. Frostop is on the way to the West Entrance to Yellowstone and what a great classic drive in diner. I had to stop and get a burger, tater tots, and a rootbeer float...it was sooo, flipping good and such great service. This is going to sound a bit dramatic, but...the food was so good and cooked in such a way that it brought back memories of a lost time - I don't know - it must have been a memory of my first burger and rootbeer float from a proper diner as a child. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ (And luckily I had a hike planned that day.) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Um...a confession...The restaurant is designed as a Sonic and you park and eat (Instagram doesn’t support wide enough photos). Well, I was getting the food to go, but failed to mention it to the waitress...and as soon as I got the food, I drove off...Um...without paying. Thank God I remembered before I got too far and I immediately turned back...I felt so stupid. They said it happens a lot and they were so grateful that I came back. Whew, so I am I! This nostalgia inducing food deserves every penny! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #preservingkarma #americana #forstop #rootbeerfloat #rootbeerfloatsign #sign #bestsignever #roadtrip2021 #roadtrip #roadsideamerica (at Frostop Drive-In) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVy9Z65JgQm/?utm_medium=tumblr

[bethkerschen]

Road Trip 2021: This is Martha of Martha’s Cafe in Blackfoot, ID. Well, she is actually called the “Uniroyal Gal” - these statues were made for Uniroyal Dealerships to hold tires…and Now she is associated with Martha’s Cafe. I went in and had the best breakfast sandwich with real hash browns (it was worth the diet cheat)…it tasted like home cookin’. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Apparently Martha was dressed a bikini back in the day, but now she has a big ring on her finger and is engaged and wearing a bit more clothes. 👙⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #roadtrip #Idaho #kitch #statue #Americana #breakfast #rodsideamerica #roadtrip2021 #uniroyalgal https://www.instagram.com/p/CVdm6HrhZTA/?utm_medium=tumblr

[bethkerschen]

Brand New Series -- IN FULL COLOR (mostly). At @sidestreetartspdx in Portland, Ore. for the month of July! Open for First Friday - Tomorrow night! From 5 PM to 7 PM - I'll be there with @13fields to talk about our wonderfully (unplanned) synchronistic color palette and any other questions you have about our work. (Swipe to see) 😊️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This piece is called: "If Good Was Profitable" Photomontage Metal Print 16" x 20" x 0.5" Limited Edition of 8 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This piece was inspired by BLM murals and messages from the summer of 2020. I wanted to change my cityscape scenes to show more more awareness and compassion allowing everyone to thrive. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #lifteveryvoice #inthistogether #compassiononcity #wealldobetterwhenwealldobetter #standtogether #unity #USAunity #helpingeachother #unitythroughcity #makingbridges #unityacrossthecountry #bethkerschen #photomontage #metalprint #photoillustration #compassionart #fineartmontage #collage #collageart (at Sidestreet Arts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQzImPbhJ0g/?utm_medium=tumblr

[bethkerschen]

RIP George Floyd. Rest in Power. Remembering you and how your sacrifice sparked a boost of awareness. Let us never forget because much more work, growth, and awareness is needed...I’m am still learning as well. (Photographed July 2020) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #oneyeargeorgefloyd #portlandoregon #ripfloyd https://www.instagram.com/p/CPTrTZsBJag/?utm_medium=tumblr

[bethkerschen]

More from the tulip fields @woodenshoefarm ... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I am working on some new photomontage pieces and they are totally different than my older work. I almost feel like a different person working on these pieces. I have even worked the second image into a new piece! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #tulip #tulipfestival #tulipseason #tulipfarm #spring #traveloregon #oregon #barn #tulips #NWSpring (at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/COlKPJHhaw4/?igshid=mxx9a7m13rds

[bethkerschen]

I am taking this crazy time to finally do some Oregon things that I haven’t done much...one was seeing the cherry blossoms at Waterfront Park and the other is to see the tulip festival in Woodburn, Oregon. It’s about time!! (Swipe) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, you are gonna see a lot of tulip photos from me this week...about 10-15 out the 250 I shot! 🌷💐 I am doing a kindness by editing them down. 😆 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Also, I’m experimenting how to put these into my new urban collages I am working on. 🤔🧐 #tulips #tulipfestival #tulipseason #tulipfarm #spring #traveloregon #oregon (at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/CObpCeZBcgx/?igshid=iwfuy5ig9kju

[bethkerschen]

A front stoop and staircase in Portland that has a Easter feel... 🐣 #putabirdonit #portland #oregon #frontporch #stairs #pdx #pdxstyle (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNRCaplB257/?igshid=csipyc9ldl9k

[bethkerschen]

I’m honored by this collector’s placement of my “Tower of Portland” piece as part of their awesome coffee station and hand painted doorway. ♥️🙏 ☕️ A perfect start to a Portland Monday morning. Thank you @little_bungalow_blue!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Posted @withregram • @little_bungalow_blue One of the first spaces we set up upon our arrival was our no-shame coffee bar, where we stash no less than 3 types of coffee producing instruments. I finally framed my print of Portland Tower by @bethkerschen and it seemed fitting to hang it here. We 🤎 Stumptown! . . . #coffeestation #coffeebar #breville #bodumcoffee #frenchpress #bethkerschen #stumptown #photomontage #PortlandNative #bungalowstyle #littlebungalowblue @breville @bodum #portland #oregon #artandcoffee (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAowqJBlNT/?igshid=eftgs7ah4jg9

[bethkerschen]

Thank so much @debbe.hamada for selling and highlighting my artwork in your beautiful new space! ♥️🙏 (swipe to see full wall.) If you all are in Sellwood/Milkwake area check out Tiny Tilde at @starspdx! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Posted @withregram • @debbe.hamada Introducing Urban Retrospectives, the photography collage of Portland artist @bethkerschen. Now in the Tiny Tilde booth #28 @starspdx. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌟 Curated for our space are some of the iconic bridges in Portland including our beloved Sellwood Bridge and the nationally treasured St. John’s Bridge. I love that each of Beth’s designs feature different viewpoints of the same bridge. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌟 Beth feels art cannot exist without exploration. So with camera in hand she explores our city to appreciate the intricacies and details of our urban community. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌟 Each 8”x10” image is printed on archival matte paper and ready to frame. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #portlandartist #portlandoregon #travelportland #sellwood #sellwoodmoreland #sellwoodbridge #stjohnsbridge #stjohnbridgeportland #rossislandbridge #photography #bridgephotography #pdxartist #pdxphotographer (at Stars & Splendid) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMU81QMhcQA/?igshid=1wqndhqhslw39

[bethkerschen]

Happy International Women’s Day - from the Rose City!! Women have taken a big hit during the pandemic juggling career, kids, safety, friends and family more than ever! Wishing you all a chance to Stop to Smell the Roses. 🌹 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “What’s one lesson I've learned [during the pandemic] is to not only have empathy, compassion, and patience for others but to save some for yourself.” — Kristine Rodriguez, GRL Collective ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ "Find the space to think big picture. In order to be your best self professionally and personally, compartmentalizing your time and establishing a finite end to the work day and the beginning of the evening is crucial," — Spotify's chief content officer Dawn Ostroff #stopandsmelltheroses #rosecity #portlandoregon #roses #urbanmessage #internationalwomensday #paintedmessage (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMK0Q2ZhgMe/?igshid=vivr1x9p17rd

[bethkerschen]

Minty & Blue ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #mosaic #portland #oregon #house #architecture #colorfulhouse #minthouse #colorfulhouses (at Southeast Portland, Portland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMII-GRh2DQ/?igshid=k4rdy1vbq7jo

[bethkerschen]

Okay, Pandemic check...how are you feeling? Like Teddy? The gargoyle? Penguin? Or The Blues Brother’s? I have been talking to friends and the big topic is pandemic fatigue — and they are feeling like Teddy here — With school being at home and everyone is home all the time - there isn’t much variety and space. I’m feeling all 4 depending on the moment...I feel like the Blues Brothers when I can get out for a walk or hike. I hope you can channel some Blues Brother’s fun this winter. Stay strong and take time for self care. 💗 Spring will come before we know it. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKkB1JwhqWj/?igshid=1vi82tno6tavy

[bethkerschen]

Scroll... Even in the winter Forest Park is gorgeous. I have been going as often as I can (but not often enough), as it seems to be the most effective way for me to recharge. I’m so thankful for this amazing place. #momentofzen #forestpark #naturebreak #portlandoregon #biggestcitypark #moss #pnw #nwmoss #treeswithoutleaves #treeswithmoss #hike (at Forest Park - Wildwood Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKKCowGBcUu/?igshid=sn8q1gesyfb4

[bethkerschen]

This is a brand new photomontage of mine! Titled “Notice Who You Serve”. It part of the “Generous Kingdom” online exhibit @verumultimum! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In this piece I broke new ground and added figures into the work. I was reflecting on the events of 2020 and for me it was a year of waking up to some realities about our financial, governmental, educational, and healthcare systems that support our cities and their people. I wanted to add a human element into my work. In a generous kingdom, all people would be served equality, with respect, and vast opportunity. When we all do well, we all thrive. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I normally prefer to work in B&W for various reasons (primarily to create a cohesive feel), but vibrant colors in some of the buildings was irresistible - most of the combination of colors came together naturally. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This 16x20 piece is available as an archive pigment print for $200, and then I am doing limited edition of 8 printed on metal for $750 (which is a ready to hang piece). Swipe to see the metal print. Both available through Verum Ultimum Gallery. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #photomontage #photocomposition #photoillustration #bethkerschen #fineart #cityscape #urbanlife #diversity #weallshouldthrive #whodoyouserve #peopleincities #metalprint #archivalprint #fineartprint #citylife https://www.instagram.com/p/CKHZJ6QhRVR/?igshid=sgs5lkhqudol

[bethkerschen]

Well, I am gonna try to keep swinging into 2021 with some brightness! 🔅 🔆 🔅 I am working up business plans for next year. In the process, I found my 2020 plans made in January and, um, they really got derailed. I have a sense 2021 will still be a bit rocky as well...But I am going to keep plugging away with focusing on a couple specific projects and connecting online. It might be like this photo...some clean and messy parts, but hopefully I’ll come out looking pretty. 😄🤩 (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJcFi6Fhsl9/?igshid=ds7dq6qd79sm

[bethkerschen]

Pink? Why not? I know the holidays (including the New Year) are so different for everyone one this year...doing gatherings with Zoom, FaceTime, having a smaller circle, and/or doing a lot of testing and mask wearing. So why go with a traditional tree? Or...out of all the chaos, a is traditional tree🎄 is exactly what you needed? Either way, both are@good in my book and I hope you found some joy through this time of year and found some sort of sliver (or pink) lining by doing things differently. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #portlandoregon #holidaytree #pinktree #holidaylights #christmaslights #christmastree #pink #celebratedifferently (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRaIsPhSo5/?igshid=190altuuewntv