art – The Western Howl

April 2, 2025

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Surefire Design has been in business in downtown Albany for at least 20 years. Despite this, many don’t know it exists, even in the heart of town. They walk past it on Saturday nights out, on the way to church early Sunday and spot it from the coffee shop across the street — wholly unaware of what they’re missing out on.

I joined the team three years ago, leading up to my high school graduation. It was the first job I ever got. I lacked experience, expertise and honestly, craft; painting was not my forte by any means. But I was 17, broke and desperate for purpose. Everyone I knew had a plan in place. I hadn’t prepped for college, hadn’t known what I wanted to do with my life, had no leftover friends and a dreaded home life — but I could have this job.

It was never just a weekend thing or teenage gig to me.

When I hated going home, I’d take extra care to sweep and make sure the tables were spotless. I’d check the windowsills for dust and organize the back — take my time, make it last. I would not always be so lucky.

There was a day over the summer when one of my coworkers called out last minute, leaving the shop dark and door locked. I had gotten into a nasty fight at home, leaving me to feel so unaligned and unwanted that all I could think to do was drive to work. I flipped the open signs, prepped the tables and manned the counter. It was grounding.

My first year in college was isolating and dead quiet. I lived off-campus and couldn’t make nor keep any connections with my peers. But at the shop, certain customers lingered longer at the counter so we could chat, some families knowing me by name. I remember the regulars, lost to the revolving door of life, and the times children offered me birthday cupcakes from their special day.

Before I turned 20, I was offered the position of studio manager. I took it without a second thought — originally unaware that this little pottery painting shop would cement itself into my character and build me as a worker, as a leader and person. That it would make my gloomy days a little bit more colorful, that I could find some semblance of peace at the front desk. That I could grow so close to my coworkers and customers.

I’ve been lucky enough to weave my own presence in the studio. I painted the counter pink and it’s my voice on the shop phone voicemail. I’m in a state of constant reinvention and renovation of myself and of Surefire Design, and it has been so fulfilling to work somewhere I love.

And, no, we’re not currently hiring. But we’re always accepting resumes.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

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“Patterns in Nature”

March 5, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

A new art exhibition, “Patterns in Nature,” was created by Jennifer Bracy, an art and design professor at Western. It was put on display Feb. 20 and will run through March 21. Located on the second floor of Hamersly Library, the exhibition stays true to its title, depicting many patterns that are commonly found in the natural world.

Bracy has been a professor at Western for 16 years. She created the exhibition while on sabbatical.

“I just look at (the exhibition) and it feels very rewarding,” Bracy said. “I made a lot, I accomplished a lot. I was productive, but also I was ready to get back in the classroom and was feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.”

Seven years prior, while on another sabbatical, Bracy created a set of works also inspired by nature’s patterns, however, she knew that she wanted to explore deeper within that subject.

“Patterns in Nature” contains many series of works, with some being deliberately planned and others being more spontaneous.

Bracy explored techniques, specifically in print-making, that were experimental or non-traditional. One thing that surprised her while creating this exhibition was how many different tools she could experiment with, including a potato masher and foam rollers wrapped with bubble wrap or string.

Bracy wanted play and experimentation to be the driving force. “Some whole series in here came about just through play. No plan, no idea, no research necessarily.”

Contrarily, Bracy has researched and planned out many of the other works.

“I really enjoy the research part of things, like learning more about what those patterns reveal, what nature can do, how efficient it is or how strong it is, or how good it is at adapting … these are all things that kind of show up when you start looking at those patterns,” Bracy said.

One pattern that Bracy researched was the connection of opposites, such as the pattern of DNA.

“The DNA helix is actually a pairing of opposites. This idea of nature putting things — opposites — together and it forming something incredibly meaningful or useful, it’s just one of thousands of ways we as humans can learn,” Bracy said. “We are more divided than ever right now. There’s so much we can learn in that lesson of acknowledging that we are connected and working through those differences and figuring out how to go forward anyway.”

At the heart of the exhibition is the series that inspired the name “Patterns in Nature.” It includes six works of art with different patterns, each accompanied by a homophone pair — two words with the same pronunciation but with different spellings and meanings.

One piece in the series showcases the words “hours” and “ours,” with concentric circles to represent the rings of a tree. “They represent time passing and growth. ‘Ours’ speaks to the arrogance of humanity and thinking nature is our domain, we own it, we can do what we want with it.”

Bracy’s favorite homophone pair in the series is “vein” and “vain,” which is shown with branching patterns similar to the veins in leaves or the veins in humans. “Vain” refers again to humanity’s hubris and arrogance.

Another series surrounding words and typography, titled “Wordcraft,” is viewer interactive. It was Bracy’s way of letting the viewer experiment and play, just as she did while creating the series. Each work in the series is color coded to distinguish prefixes, base words and suffixes. Viewers can create new words by making different combinations of the fragments of words.

Words are an area of interest that Bracy finds fascinating, often incorporating them into her works, just as she incorporates her other passions into her art.

“The subjects that creep back in recurrently are nature, especially from an environmental standpoint, how humans mess it up and other things related to social justice. So I do look at art and design as a way to talk about important things,” Bracy said.

The technical aspect of the exhibition that Bracy is most proud of is the incorporation of thread and cross stitch. She loves “the symbolism of something being stitched, the idea of a thread in the work as a theme, the idea of interconnectedness.” The thread in “Patterns in Nature” shows how humans and nature are intertwined.

Bracy used thread to create topographic maps in a series about climate change. The six small pieces of art that make up the series distinctively stand out in “Patterns in Nature.” According to Bracy, “it’s a more overt statement about our interfering and messing up with nature, whereas the other ones may be a little more nuanced and a little more subtle or open to different interpretations.”

Bracy wants viewers to tap into their curiosity and dig deep to see these patterns in a new light. She wants people to realize how extensive the patterns are, how much depth they really have and how many different settings they occur in.

After people see “Patterns in Nature,” Bracy hopes that “maybe next time they’re in nature, they’ll see the fallen tree and the pond ripple and (see that) those are related and they share some kind of common DNA.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Easy crafts to fight boredom

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

These simple crafts are fun for anyone of any skill level:

Altoids tin wallet

Required materials: an empty Altoids tin or similar container, tape and/or glue.

Optional materials: stickers, colorful paper, acrylic paint, beads, buttons, charms and other small decorations.

Have an empty mint tin lying around? Decorate it and turn it into a fun wallet. The outside of the tin can be left untouched and be disguised as a regular Altoids tin, or it can be decorated however one’s heart desires.

Paper garlands

Required materials: yarn, scissors, liquid glue and any kind of paper.

Cut the paper into any shape. If the paper is thin enough, cut a small stack at one time. To really get creative, mix and match the shapes and sizes of the paper. Next, glue the paper shapes horizontally onto the yarn. If the garland is going to be hanging straight down, then glue the shapes vertically onto the yarn. Finally, hang the garland wherever it looks the best.

Start a junk journal

Required materials: an unused journal or notebook, any junk collected, e.g. receipts, postage stamps and ticket stubs, tape and/or a glue stick.

Make each page a collage of daily life. Take things that would normally be thrown away or left lying around, and instead, glue or tape them into a page of a journal. Once the journal is filled, one can keep it as a memento for their future self.

Bead curtains

Required materials: Many assorted beads, string, scissors and a curtain rod.

First, decide what length the curtains should be, then cut that amount — plus a few extra inches — of string. Start with a larger bead and tie it to the bottom of the string so that it doesn’t move. Then, just thread the string through the beads until there’s a few inches of string left. Tie a knot around the last bead to secure it, then tie the remaining string to a curtain rod. Repeat this process until the amount of strings desired is met.

Paper bookmarks

Required materials: scissors, a ruler and sturdy paper, such as cardstock or construction paper.

Optional materials: acrylic or tempera paint, colored pencils, markers and/or colored pens.

Cut the paper into a rectangle about two inches by seven inches. Next, let creativity take the wheel and draw or paint anything that can be imagined. For thicker paper like cardstock, acrylic will work the best, but for construction paper, tempera paint is recommended.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Maui Melts student mural

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

When the Alley Activation Project for the alleyway between the updated City Hall and the new Maui Melts location wrapped up, Western student McKenna Brinkman was tasked with painting a mural on the bare wall that hadn’t been touched by the project.

The project, funded by a grant from the AARP, aims to understand how the pedestrian alleyway can best serve the community. In two phases, the project seeks to incorporate peaceful, calming elements, while also providing an inclusive space and is part of the larger 2042 Downtown Improvement Plan. The 2042 Downtown Improvement Plan is what will guide city policy and planning over the next 20 years.

Brinkman, who goes by “Mick,” started the mural in October, after Maui Melts owners Graham and Ruthie had seen her chalk art in The Sippery, where she has worked since the spring of this year.

“One thing I’ve enjoyed about the job is getting to do all the art for the chalkboards,” Brinkman said. “A couple of my regulars (have) been coming in every day since they own and have been working on the new Maui Melts next door. We’ve gotten to know each other through conversations while I make their soy lattes.”

The mural — a painting of an enlarged longhorn beetle, which is native to Oregon — sits on a grey background on the east exterior wall of Maui Melts, facing Monmouth City Hall.

“Graham and Ruthie were extremely encouraging the whole way through the month-long process,” she said. “I think (a) cool experience I had while doing this mural was talking (with) locals who would ask about it.”

Brinkman has always enjoyed art, something she says was natural to her as a child. When she came to Western as a first-year, she started as a biology major, but after taking a drawing class, she switched her major to art and never looked back. “I’ve enjoyed every single art class I have taken in my time here,” she said. “There has yet to be a moment where I have felt burnt out with art.

“I love how this has further bonded me with the Monmouth community. I am happy to leave my mark, literally, on Motown.”

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Connections

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

From Oct. 14 to Oct. 25 the Werner University Center — WUC — hosted a student art gallery by Alex Hitchens named “Connections.” The gallery, which featured a combination of acrylic paintings and photography, offered an insightful look into the changes in connection between people, nature and technology.

“The evolution of the internet is like that of a Pandora’s box, which then itself contains other little boxes of even smaller boxes,” Hitchens said. “Each box opened (social media, security challenges, AI) connects us all more greatly but then disconnects us greatly at the same time.”

Paintings of pill bugs in various stages of being rolled up, a mixtape unraveling with butterflies emerging from behind and a girl staring, almost longingly, at her computer screen conveyed Hitchens’ theme by remembering and seeking a balance between her three main focuses.

“My painting called ‘Yin-Yang’ is my favorite because it’s the newest in the set but also because its intended meaning is seeking balance in the digital age.”

The piece featured two robotic dogs facing each other, one black and one white, on a background of binary code. The dogs are positioned in a shape similar to the well-known Chinese philosophy symbol.

On the other side of the gallery, photos taken between 2020 and 2024 were arranged into a collage, featuring a diverse range of women and showcasing Hitchens’ photography skills.

The photo set, entitled “Feminine Powers,” shared the diversity of what it means to feel feminine and act as a reminder that femininity and womanhood are always evolving

“I made one wall my photography (and) the other wall my paintings. Both are about connection but through two different scopes. I knew my theme way beforehand because I had been painting these pieces that spoke on the connection between humans, nature and technology. Narrowing down which images was more difficult for me though, as there were way too many favorite portraits to pick from,” Hitchens said.

Hitchens is currently a senior in the Art Education program at Western and hopes to either work at a Title I middle school or to continue their education and pursue art therapy.

“I picked Western for several reasons, but the most prominent is because I know so many people who went to this school and had nothing but positive feedback on their time here. I think I made a really excellent choice,” she said. “I’ve always been artistic but never had any discipline. (At Western) I’ve been able to grow (and) develop immensely. In part because of the diligence (and) expertise of my teachers but also in the authenticity (and) bravery of my classmates as well.”

Hitchens talked about the importance of displaying art in areas like the WUC, pointing out that it offers a low-pressure way to engage with art, for artists, gallery workers and students. They spoke of possibly inspiring other students by seeing her art displayed.

“I learned so much about how I want my art displayed, what to have prepared beforehand, how to communicate with the gallery team. This experience feels paramount to me (for) ‘working out the kinks’ in a safe space before you’re ready to start showing in other professional galleries,” they said.

Hitchens also uses her artwork and photography as a further means of awareness and social activism. In a post on their Instagram, @artbyalexzandria, Hitchens shared photos they took at a pro-Palestine march in Portland. Captioned “ceasefire now!” the images highlight protestors and their signs, as well as a graffitied watermelon — a symbol now synonymous with a call for justice for Palestine.

Other political artwork on her page includes a satirical cartoon showing Elon Musk on the moon with the Earth on fire in the background, with Musk saying, “It’s a good thing I invested when I did.”

Hitchens continues to share her artwork and photography on her Tumblr blogs “Art by Alexzandria” and “Alex’s Photographs,” as well as selling vintage items in her Etsy store.

“By example, I can show other students that these goals are accomplishable, so they can believe in their own work enough to hang in public, too.”

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Harold Mason: A retrospective

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

“Harold Mason: A Retrospective,” available for viewing at the Hamersly Library, opened June 8, 2024, to honor artist Harold Mason after his passing in August of 2022.

The exhibition showcases some of Harold Mason’s paintings and artworks, but is not able to encapsulate all of Mason’s lifetime spent creating masterpieces. Throughout his life, he mainly pursued watercolor painting, etching, lithographs, collages and pencil drawings. “Harold Mason: A Retrospective” includes a variety of his different mediums, including pencil sketches of instruments, watercolor seascapes and painted traditional Native vases. Both Harold Mason and his wife, Sue Mason, a fellow artist and potter, drew a lot of inspiration from historic pottery and sought them out in their life together.

Sue described her husband as having a “cute sense of humor” and being a lovely man. “Like so many artists, he was very sure of himself and yet completely unsure all at the same time — but he had a good career.”

“One interesting thing is the seascapes,” said Sue Mason. “He never did seascapes because he had a good friend who went out on his own at about the same time Harold did, and he did nothing but seascapes. He lived in Mendocino, California, right on the coast, and we were friends with him and his wife, our kids and their kids grew up together. Well, (one day), Harold decided he wanted to get a hold of John, and he found out that he had passed away, so out of consideration for their friendship, he did a seascape… and he enjoyed it so much that he did a number of them.”

For a decent amount of time, Harold and Sue lived in Carmel, California, which sits right on the coast. Sue described the ocean as very dear to their hearts.

Having married in Switzerland in 1961 due to Harold being drafted into the army and consequently moved to Germany, the two of them spent 61 years living as artists and moving from place to place. They previously lived in California, Maine and New Mexico before settling in Monmouth, Oregon, in a quaint mid-century modern house with a spiral staircase and personal artwork on every wall, almost all handmade by either Harold or Sue.

“And then when we came home (from Germany and Switzerland), we started a family, and when our children, our son was about four and our daughter was about two, we decided it was time for (Harold) to go out on his own and he never looked back,” said Sue regarding his career. “He made his living from his art. We’re not wealthy, but we had a wealthy life. The arts have been our life.”

Harold Mason started exhibiting his art in 1968 and stopped around 2008 from galleries, but did not quit painting or art. “He painted up almost until he died,” said Sue. “That August, the gallery in Independence had asked us to do a show together — I’m a potter — and he was too ill to even hang the show, but they hung it for him. So, really, he exhibited forever.”

In four decades of exhibiting, Harold became a nationally recognized watercolor artist with a talent for landscape and wildlife, and had his art featured in various shows and museums. He held fourteen one-man shows in Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ; San Francisco, Oakland and Carmel, CA; and Seattle, WA. The Carnegie Museum of Art in Chicago continues to keep one of Mason’s watercolors in their permanent collection, with the Albuquerque Museum of Art and the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco having featured his work previously.

This exhibition is expected to be the last of Harold Mason’s work — with half of all sales from the artwork on display going to produce art scholarships for Western students looking to further their craft by entering higher education, which Sue Mason highly encourages.

“I loved my husband’s art just about as much as I loved him,” said Sue Mason, always advertising not only Harold Mason’s work but fellow local artists and their galleries. Sue, still in the art scene and involved with Western, stays on top of who will be exhibiting with the college at Cannon Gallery and with the city of Monmouth.

Western has printed multiple copies of an illustrated poetry book, art done by Harold Mason and poems by a family friend, Grant Hoyt, for Sue Mason, with the goal being to eventually publish “Circus Circus.” The book, in loving memory of Harold Mason, showcases various colored and black and white illustrations of hopping dinosaurs — the final passage being Sue Mason’s favorite and the last lines stating, “Celebrate our circus, share your memories with a friend / May the fantasy and wonder live on and never end.”

It remains to be seen when “Circus Circus” will be available for purchase. Until then, Harold’s artwork may be viewed on the second floor of the Hamersly Library until the end of October.

“Harold — he never had to do anything other than his drawings and paintings, and I think that’s worth celebrating. So I wanted to show students that if their art is their thing, to believe in themselves,” said Sue Mason.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu.

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Can’t help fall-ing in love

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Scary Movie Marathon — A scary movie night is an excellent and cost-effective date idea, perfect for snuggling up together while celebrating the spooky season. Setting the perfect environment is essential — dim the lights, make some popcorn and curl up beneath a blanket to establish the tone. Netflix and other streaming services offer a wide range of options, as do free movies on YouTube.

Make Fall Treats — A terrific bonding activity and something that gets the laughter and conversation going is to try making an online recipe for apple pie, cookies, muffins or hot chocolate to enjoy together while listening to soft music in the background or reminiscing. Date night just got sweeter with some delicious treats and a cozy atmosphere that would make anyone fall in love.

Farmers Market — A farmers market is a pleasant and relaxed fall date idea that is perfect for casual chat. Fall farmers markets are filled with fresh produce such as pumpkins, apples, squash and other seasonal items, making it an ideal time to go exploring together. While walking around the market, one may taste handcrafted items and select fresh ingredients for that evening’s dinner date.. Most also include live music, flower booths or warm beverages like cider, coffee or hot chocolate.

Pumpkin Patch — Visiting a pumpkin patch is a classic fall date idea that mixes enjoyment, nostalgia and a little adventure. It creates a great setting for enjoying the crisp autumn air while wandering through rows of pumpkins, seeking the perfect one to take home. Pumpkin patches sometimes provide other activities like hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos and marketplaces, making it feel like an outing to the farmers market.

Haunted House — To truly judge a relationship by its compatibility, a haunted house is an exciting fall date idea that is ideal for getting into the creepy mood of the season. It adds fun and anticipation to any October night, resulting in moments of shared adrenaline and possibly fearful embraces. Whether couples are navigating creepy passages, evading jump scares or laughing off the stress together, the experience triggers a wide range of emotions that can draw two people closer. It may also reveal who is the bravest.

Fall Hikes — Fall is one of the nicest times of year for hiking if one is seeking a date that combines the season’s natural beauty with quality time spent outside. As the weather cools and the leaves turn vivid colors of red, orange and yellow, nature transforms into a beautiful background for a hike. Walking along forest paths or up gorgeous mountains provide opportunities to take in spectacular scenery, allowing people to linger and enjoy the moment together.

Horseback Riding — Riding through stunning trails adorned with colorful foliage provides a calm getaway from the chaos and rush of daily life, allowing potential couples to connect with nature and each another. It’s an experience that differs from normal date activities by providing a feeling of adventure and originality.

Paint and Sip — Paint and Sip is a fun, relaxing fall date idea that combines art, drinks and a comfortable setting. Usually, seasonal or autumn-themed paintings can include subjects such as pumpkins, fall foliage or rustic landscapes. While painting, the couple can talk, laugh at one another’s progress or give advice or criticism, making the hobby more enjoyable and participatory.

Fall Photos — Taking seasonal photos in the park is a romantic and captivating date idea that captures the warmth and beauty of the season, while also generating lasting memories to frame. The internet is a great place to check for inspiration, like creating a ghost photoshoot: grab a sheet, accessories and various props and dress as ghosts for pictures. It’s also an excellent chance to take a relaxing walk, engage in conversation and absorb the natural beauty surrounding you.

Costume Party — A costume party is a fun and creative fall date idea that encapsulates the whimsical and festive spirit of the spooky season. At the party, enjoy the social side of interacting with others, appreciate their attire and partake in themed activities and music, allowing for the perfect activity to unwind and have fun while completely immersed in the event.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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Surefire Design

Easy crafts to fight boredom

Maui Melts student mural

Connections

Harold Mason: A retrospective

Can’t help fall-ing in love

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