name: timothy karpinski

age: 28

interests: cats, kites, flowers, sailboats, the moon, love, learning to play the piano

“From a young age I’ve always been making things. Building forts turned into building skate ramps, which lead to building art installations. I love the art making process from the initial spark of the "idea" to the creation to the finished product. Art for me is very personal. Everything I make is a direct reflection on my feelings about this world and my struggle and fascination with trying to understand it, and find my purpose within it. I currently live, love and work in Portland, Oregon where I run Together Gallery and work in my studio till very late at night making art about love. I am also figuring things out.” –Timothy Karpinski

The Red Hand house is a place where creative energy is manifested as a way of life, and Timothy Karpinski is the king of the castle. He is the go-to guy and one of the most motivated people I’ve ever met. I wouldn’t call The Red Hand a compound or hippie haven, but more of an oasis where art, music, gardens, tree houses, Teepees and skateboarding ramps all come together in perfect union.

In 2007 Timothy bought an abandoned building from an old man and Together Gallery began. “I might have been on Valium when I signed the lease” but everyone was super excited to see where it would go. Today it is one of the most popular galleries in Portland. Collectively Timothy Karpinsky, Mark Warren Jacques, Seth Neefus and David Wien bring artists from around the country to a place that’s truly an outlet for free thought.  Together Gallery’s new location on NE Alberta St is super fresh, with a gallery in the front and workshop in the back.

Timothy Karpinski’s art portrays charming childhood experiences and playful moments. He creates delicate, vintage looking pieces with pleasant pastel color palates that effectively whisk the viewer to a place where the heart is full of joy and imagination. His work incorporates painting, drawing, hand-sewn detailing, layering of materials, and even wood works.

The coming months you’ll surely see more of Karpinski’s works in galleries such as Thinkspace in LA, White Walls and Gallery Three in San Francisco, and even in Miami for the Aqua Wyndwood Art Fair. Check out some sneak peak images from Karpinski's next show at Thinkspace Gallery in LA on view 11-06-09 through 11-27-09.

I love it when artists incorporate a piece of themselves into an installation. Mr. Karpinski is planning to build a mini version of his home in the gallery with pieces of art, a little bed, type writer, sewing machine and collectables. Here are some prep pictures.