Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Updated Calendar | New Show

Updated calendar for month of September. This week: Wallingoford (Wednesday); Pioneer Square First Thursday; Fremont First Friday; Issaquah (Friday); Spokane (Friday).

My own show opens Thursday of next week at Art On The Ridge in Greenwood. The show is currently hanging.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Art Up (Greenwood-Phinney) Friday, Aug. 14

Friday, I headed up to the Greenwood-Phinney neighborhood to catch their art walk - ArtUp.

My first stop was at Strut, the shoe store, where I met photographer David Quigg. David had previously worked as the Seattle staff reporter for the Tacoma News Tribune. He grew to appreciate photography from his work, and now has picked up the camera and is using it to produce art photography. His subjects are varied, and as fine art photography tends to be, difficult to explain. It is as much about color, shape, and noticing small things and their relation to the world, as about a particular subject matter. He uses color, light, and perspective to give us interesting views of his subjects. Some nice work. Keep shooting, David.

Next I went to Art On The Ridge. I had just missed the visit by Mayor Nickels, who was touring the neighborhood for Art Up himself. Art On The Ridge hosts several artists each month. In addition, live music is provided. This month the featured band was The B-3tles. The name is of course a play on words - the Beatles, and the B-3 Hammond Organ which they incorporate. It all makes for a great venue for art.(artontheridge.com)

Owner Nicole Stremlow-Monahan was showing some of her own work. Nicole creates large paintings of Koi, and combines them with Roman numerals, in a blending of East-West philosophies. In Japanese tradition, Koi represent perseverence and setting goals. The Roman numerals represent the passage of time. She uses bright, pure colors which gives a feeling of purity and ability to move with full view. The paint is put on the canvas in such a way that they are thick with color, but thin enough to drip, and in long flows. One can almost feel the fish effortlessly glide through the waters. In Teamwork, the fish move in paths that make way for the other while continuing on their path. The paintings give hope that we can also move effortlessly through our lives, while helping others also on their path, with perseverence and purpose.(Nicole bio)

Also, at Art On The Ridge, was artist Julie Costanzo. Julie was showing some of her beautiful Landscapes and Impastos. Origininally from New Jersey, Julie has lived here since 2006. Her landscapes largely reflect open spaces, blue skies, and deciduous trees, so may come from her life on the East Coast, or perhaps Eastern Washington. While the scenery in many of her paintings, such as Glass Pond seemingly go on forever, indicating a love of nature, they never leave you totally stranded or feeling isolated. There is always the heartening path, road, or fence nearby, telling you that the comfort of home is still within reach. The trees are often bare, forboding a coming winter, but the sun now is golden and warm, again adding to the sense that all is well.

Impasto, is a style of painting by adding the paint in thick amounts to the canvas. The term comes from the the same root in Italian as pasta, and in fact means, like dough. We are probably most familiar with the technique, or look, used by the Impressionists. However, it started much earlier with artists such as Titian (1488(?) - 1576). Julie paints Impasto's that look very much like an Impressionist, and is now also creating some abstracts. Her painting Montmarte reflects the French village of that name, which is famous for the paintings done there by Vincent Van Gogh, and others. The village looks warm and inviting, with but a few vague people outside on the streets. The street level lights are on in the buildings, while most of the upper level windows are dark, suggesting that people are gathered in the restaurants and bars below, sharing food and conversation.

Over The Big Top, reflects a circus tent that is shredding and being torn apart. There is drama and motion in the tent and in the clouds above, that perhaps a sudden storm is tearing apart the tent. The effect is convincing and well done. (juliecostanzoart.com)

Sunday, August 16, 2009

West Seattle Art Walk, Thurs. , August 13

It was 5:00, and I was just thinking of making my way to West Seattle for the art walk. I looked off my patio at Puget Sound and the large number of boaters on the water for what must be a good fishing season. Suddenly, the wind kicked up, and I could see, looking across at Maury Island, that a squall was starting. The sky turned dark - kind of blue-black. The water turned a deep steely gray. But what was most strange, was the wakes from the boats were very white, and stayed like that for a long enough period of time, that they could be seen for a long ways off the back of the boats. Some photos of this can be seen here. To see all the photos, click on any photo in my slideshow.

Then, all hell broke loose. One of the strongest showers I have witnessed brought buckets of rain and hail. It looked like an art walk was out of the question. But within a half hour, it calmed down, and then disappeared, so I was off to West Seattle. It was a very pleasant evening, and things appeared lively in West Seattle.

My first stop was at Capers, a home decor store on California Avenue. There I met photographer and writer, Judy Lane. Judy specializes in taking photos of birds. But that does not adequately describe her photos, for they have a strong painterly quality to them. I had to look close to see whether they were not in fact paintings. She captures a crow perched on a limb, while the background is shrouded in a deep fog with other items in the image soft. Or a Great Blue Heron, standing in a shallow marsh in a driving rain, giving a softness to the image and the colors, reminiscent of a fine watercolor. Her portfolio, at least here, was not large, but her work is beautiful.

Judy had the opportunity to show her work to Art Wolfe. Art suggested she take her images, and write a book. So that is what Judy has done. It is a self-published children's picture book titled "Keiko & The Crow". Written in collaboration with Robert Maughan, it is a story of her dog Keiko, and his interaction with a community of crows. The book is available at Capers, online through authorhouse.com publishing, and others. (crookedfeathergirlstudio.com)

My next stop was at Coffee To A Tea With Sugar (aka Sugary Rush Baking Company, where I met artist Kerry Smith. Kerry had emailed me to let me know he would be here for this opening, and had told me he was a dolloptist. I had no idea what that term meant, so of course I had to find out.

Kerry takes what I would call big globs (or dollops) of oil paint, and applies them with a metal tool to a canvas so they form a base coming to a small tip out from the canvas - think Hershey's Kisses only much, much smaller. The paintings are made by taking colors and applying them in a regimented manner to form a pattern, or in a totally random manner for a more abstract presentation. It is painstaking, meticulous work which requires a steady hand and loads of patience. In fact, the quote on Kerry's business card, and website is "Painting is Patience". Well put. A photo of Kerry applying the paint to a canvas is on the slideshow. When dry the paintings are firm, but soft. I have never seen this done before but the paintings are totally distinctive in look. They could almost be woven, but the colors are brilliant, and the patterns intense and tactile. A highly unique style and end result. (peakedpaint.com)

Next, I went to Brunette Mix. I just missed meeting the featured photographer, Tim McGuire, but the owner of Brunette gave her permission to shoot the work, so I have included it in my slideshow. Tim took photos of bicycles in Italy. Just the bicycles - leaning against old walls. They are printed on canvas, and put in a windowless frame. Very cool photos. Tim takes photos for his day job, too. His company takes stock images used in communications, publishing, and advertising. (timmcguireimages.com).

Then, walking down the street, to Arts West Gallery, I came to a group show of work by the faculty of Photographic Center Northwest called "Inspired By The Light". It is worth a trip up here just to see the variety of work of what are true fine art photographers.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

West Seattle Art Walk Venues

Held the 2nd Thursday of each month.

Participating businesses (from website):

  1. The Body Bar
  2. Hotwire Online Coffeehouse
  3. Ginomai Artists Studio
  4. Shoofly Pie Company
  5. Clementine Shoes
  6. Red Cup Espresso
  7. Keller Williams Realty
  8. Shadowland
  9. Craze Boutique
  10. Brunette Mix
  11. Sweetie
  12. Capers
  13. Windermere Realty
  14. Wild Roses
  15. Carmilias
  16. Coffee to a Tea With Sugar
  17. Senior Center Stop and Shop
  18. Edie Shoes
  19. Twilight Artist Collective
  20. Verite Coffee & Cupcake Royale
  21. 8 Limbs Yoga Center & Boutique
  22. Dream Dinners
  23. Arts West
  24. Talaricos
  25. Elliot Bay Brewery & Pub
  26. Bakery Nouveau
  27. Alki Bathhouse Art Studio
  28. Admiral Tattoo
  29. Click Design That Fits
  30. Alki Mail & Dispatch
  31. Circa Bar & Grill
  32. Styling Studio
  33. The Bohemian
  34. M3 Bodyworks
  35. Seattle Wellness Program
  36. C&P Coffee Company
  37. The Kenney
  38. The Building
  39. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
  40. ArtCorp
  41. Skylark Cafe

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Fremont Art Walk.

I made it to four of the venues at the Fremont First Friday art walk last night. If I can find a venue with an artist, then I will spend extra time talking to them, if they are available, and hopefully getting a picture or two to put on my Flickr account, which shows up here.

Such was the case last night. I got an early start - before the art walk officially began, and was notified of such by one shop owner. In the reporting business, it's called "getting the scoop" isn't it? Okay, so I'm not a real reporter. And I don't have my I-phone (yet!), so it would not have made it up here anyway. I really was just hoping to make it through the whole walk in one night.

Anyway, I went to Fremont Coffee Company before the 6:00 start. I liked what I saw. A lot. I asked if the artist was going to be there, and was told she was. I took my daughter, Natalie, to dinner across the street at Norm's Eatery & Ale House. There I had a Mushroom & Gorgonzola Burger, that was fabulous, and a tasty ale. Nice atmosphere too. It is also a dog-friendly place, so be prepared to share your space with a few canines.

After dinner, we headed back across the street where I met up with artist Christen Shaw (ChristenShaw.com).

Do you remember horror movies before the in-your-face death and destruction and bloodletting that began with Alien, perhaps, or maybe Halloween? The horror then was psychological, and always perceived, than shoved in your face.

That is the type of art Christen brings us. There is no way to label her work other than dark. Dark, is a given. But the questions that her work poses - what is going on here? - are much more potent and thought provoking than what lies on the surface. Not that a clown, standing a good foot taller than a grown man(?), and painted in black (with perhaps dark red tones) and white, won't be enough to give you bad dreams. Or perhaps it is the little girl with an enormously over sized head cocked to one side with a large pistol at her side, that will give you the deepest chill.

The characters in the paintings hearken back to the old-time horror flicks, I mentioned before. Was it House On The Haunted Hill?, or Hound of the Baskervilles?, or maybe Abbot & Costello Meet the Werewolf?, but in one of those, or maybe all of them, a sinister portrait hung on a wall. Did the eyes move as someone walked by? If you can dream of such things as being scary, then this work is for you. Perhaps the Abbot & Costello movie analogy is the more accurate, for there is also a touch of humor in these pieces. They are not seriously scary, but scary nonetheless. I also liked that each one is different. Christen is able to think of unique ways to scare you in each painting, ie she has a vivid imagination.

Her paintings are reasonably priced, too. If you want a conversation starter, but one which is also very well done, you will want to consider purchasing her work. At the least, drop by Fremont Coffee for a look at this refreshing body of work.

My next stop, was at Fremont Jewelry Design, where I met artist Nick Orban. Nick is new to Seattle, having been here less than a year. But he has picked up the Northwest scenery and made the adjustment of colors here that our clouds and weather cast, and given us some beautiful oil paintings. The paintings in Fremont all included water in them. I am not sure how a painter can include the grays and blues influenced by the weather here, and yet make a painting that springs to life on a wall, but Nick finds a way with an effect that is at once relaxing and yet vibrant. These paintings would look good in almost any Northwest home.(NickOrban.com)

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Catching Up with Artists

Last month I posted about the portrait work of Jenny Gini, who was showing at Cutz Salon in Wallingford. Jenny is back at Cutz this month with some beautiful landscapes. I particularly like the Orchid painting: very whimsical.

Artist Letha Colleen, who I wrote about last month in Wallingford, also, will be showing new work in Ballard. Letha creates beautiful collages on panels with paper and found objects. Her opening will be this Saturday at Dolce Vita, 5323 Ballard Ave NW, from 6 to 9 pm. The name of her new show is "Depth Conversion."

Monday, August 3, 2009

Non-affiliated venues.

This blog is about venues for showing artwork. The art walks are a convenient way for businesses to allow artists to show their work, and for the public to view it. I hope this blog increases awareness and will contribute to their success. However, I am going to start a separate listing of businesses that show work outside of the art walk realm. I will be building this database and posting what I have soon. But please feel free to send me any businesses that you know where work can be shown.

Bainbridge Island Studio Tour

This coming weekend, Bainbridge Island hosts its' twice yearly Studio Tour. The tour features seven locations and 52 artists. Hours are 10am to 6pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 7-9. The tour is self-guided and admission is free. A preview of the art, and a map are available on their website: http://bistudiotour.com

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Georgetown Art Attack

Held the second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm.

Fremont First Friday

List of participating businesses:

  • Artfx Gallery
  • Eurostyle Your Life
  • Evo Timesinfinity Gallery
  • Frame Up Studios
  • Fremont Coffee Company
  • Fremont Jewelry Design
  • Fremont Place Book Company
  • Frank and Dunya
  • Lifework Images
  • Orange Splot Gallery
  • Pots, A Ceramic Gallery
  • Studio-R
  • Far East Handicrafts
  • Community Healing Fremont



View Fremont Art Walk in a larger map

Tacoma Art Walk

Consisting mostly of the museums and galleries, with a handful of non-galleries showing work. Held the third Thursday of each month until 8 pm.

  • Museum of Glass
  • Tacoma Art Museum
  • Washington State History Museum
  • American Art Company
  • Art*o*Mat
  • The Art Shop
  • BKB & Company
  • Grand Impromptu Gallery
  • Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
  • Two Vaults Studio/Gallery
  • William Traver Gallery
  • Dragonfly
  • Hotel Murano
  • Twokoi
  • Tacoma Art Supply & Gallery Wall

Spokane First Friday

Maybe not exactly close to Seattle, but worth noting: Spokane has added its own Art Walk on the First Friday of the month. So far, they are scheduled for August and September at the following locations:

  • Barrister Winery
  • Finders Keepers Jewelry Galore
  • French Quarter
  • Whitestone Winery
  • Gallery of Thum
  • Grande Ronde Cellars
  • Katze Boutique
  • Missing Piece Tattoo Lounge
  • Mootsy’s
  • Steam Plant Grill
  • Arbor Crest Tasting Room
  • Brick Wall Gallery
  • Global Credit Union
  • Madeleine’s Cafe & Pattisserie
  • River Park Square Atrium
  • Salon de la Vigne
  • Spokane Transit Authority
  • Express Employment Professionals
  • Finders Keepers II Dress Boutique
  • Gina’s Design Corner
  • Luigi’s Italian Restaurant
  • Pottery Place Plus Gallery
  • Sante Restaurant & Charcuterie
  • Lone Canary Winery
  • Avenue West Gallery
  • Far West Billiards
  • The MAC – Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

Issaquah Art Walk

Held the first Friday of each month, May through September, 5 pm to 9 pm. A walking map follows the list of participating businesses and venues:

  • Essential Details
  • Village Theatre
  • Fins Bistro
  • Museo Art Academy
  • Art By Fire Gallery & Glass Studio
  • Troy Salon
  • New Era Photo
  • Vino Bella
  • Fischer Meats
  • Eastside Audiology
  • Issaquah Library
  • Ankhashas Consignment
  • Flying Pie Pizza
  • Up Front Art
  • Train Depot
  • Salon Jade
  • Sound Ballet
  • Hailstone Feed Store
  • Centennial Park
  • University House
  • Front Street Cafe
  • Spirit Journey
  • Painted Ladies Art Studio
  • Gilman Village at these locations:
  1. Anglomania
  2. Buddha Belly Imports
  3. Creighton Edward
  4. Daisy
  5. Escapade
  6. Fles Wine
  7. Grimaldi’s
  8. Kitchen Cupboard
  9. Lizzy Parker Atelier
  10. Revolution Gallery
  11. X Marks The Tot



View Issaquah Art Walk in a larger map

Edmonds Art Walk

Held the third Thursday of each month. Now in it’s eighth year. Thirty eight locations (July ‘09). Live music at some locations.

Venues:

  • Edmonds United Methodist Church
  • Festivities Fine Gifts
  • HouseWares
  • Interiors of Edmonds
  • ArtsNow Gallery – Edmonds Conference Center
  • Rick Steves’ Europe
  • Salon Pena
  • Semantics Gallery
  • Running In Motion
  • Resident Cheesemonger
  • Bellissimo Salon
  • Manya Vee Selects
  • Kinder Britches
  • Coldwell Banker Bain
  • Horizon Bank
  • Arista Wine Cellars
  • C’est la Vie
  • Bluefish Designs
  • Edmonds Frame Design and Atelier
  • Dolce La Belle
  • J Rankin Jewelers
  • ACE Hardware
  • Edmonds Bookshop
  • Cole Gallery & Artists Supplies
  • Gallery North
  • Glazed and Amazed
  • Reliable Floor Coverings
  • Ombu Salon & Spa
  • Edmonds Library
  • Frances Anderson Center
  • The Rose House
  • Autumn’s Framing and Gallery
  • Aria Studio Gallery
  • Fabric of Life
  • The Loft
  • Garden Gear
  • Edward Jones
  • Olives Cafe & Wine Bar

Wallingford Art Walk

First Wednesday of each month May – September. Hours are 6pm to 9pm.

Participating businesses (from May Art Walk flier):

  1. Fuerte Fitness
  2. Windows Art Gallery
  3. Cornerstone Collective
  4. Blue Star Cafe & Pub
  5. University House
  6. Re-Leaf Massage
  7. Great Northern Land Company
  8. Fuel Coffee
  9. Bella Cosa Foods
  10. Lucky – 7 Barber/Salon
  11. Selena’s Guadalajara
  12. Kids on 45th
  13. Babalu
  14. Cutz/Wallingford
  15. Terra Hemp
  16. Mirage Comfort Shoes
  17. Julia’s of Wallingford
  18. Oasis Art Gallery
  19. Wallingford Center
  20. Kerf International Exhibits (at Wallingford Center)
  21. Crackerjack Contemporary Crafts (at Wallingford Center)
  22. Trophy Cupcakes & Party (at Wallingford Center)
  23. Harold’s Lighting
  24. Not A Number Cards & Gifts
  25. Teahouse Kuan Yin
  26. Wikstrom Brothers Gallery
  27. Changes Bar & Grill
  28. Starbucks Coffee
  29. Rain Modern Japanese Cuisine
  30. Alliance Chiropractic
  31. Seattle Stained Glass



View Wallingford Art Walk in a larger map

Greenwood-Phinney Art Walk

Held 2nd Friday of each month, except May when the larger two day art walk takes place. The art walk was started in December 2008.

Participating businesses (from website):

  1. Art On The Ridge
  2. Balderdash Books & Art
  3. Bambu Organic Salon
  4. Bherd Studios
  5. Brand Vibes
  6. Currents
  7. Gary Evans Art Studio
  8. Gaspare Ristorante & Bar
  9. Greenwood Sip & Ship
  10. Greenworks Realty
  11. Metropolis
  12. Naked City Taphouse
  13. Neptune Coffee
  14. Olive You
  15. Oliver’s Twist
  16. PAWS Cat City
  17. Pig n’Whistle Bar & Grill
  18. Rockwell Realty/ Seattle Mgmt Group
  19. Santoro’s Books
  20. Terra Bella Flowers
  21. Urban Light Studios
  22. Vitality Pilates
  23. Wayward Coffeehouse
  24. Zak and Zoe

Capitol Hill (Blitz!)

Held 2nd Thursday of each month. Capitol Hill is refocusing and putting fresh energy into their artwalk. The list below is expected to grow.

Grow it did! Went from 12 in May to 43 in June. Impressive. This is the revised list:

Participating businesses (from website:

    1. Coastal Kitchen
    2. North Hill Bakery
    3. Red Chair Salon
    4. Cafe Ladro
    5. Healeo
    6. Electric Tea Garden
    7. Wimsey Home Decor
    8. Bootyland
    9. The Copper Vine
    10. Aria Salon and Spa
    11. Retrofit Home
    12. Throwbacks NW
    13. The Wildrose Bar
    14. Atlas Clothing
    15. The Sew People Experiment
    16. Vermillion
    17. Grey Gallery & Lounge
    18. Hugo House
    19. B-BAM
    20. Retail Therapy
    21. Ballard Fetherston Gallery
    22. B&O Espresso
    23. Cafe Metropolitain
    24. Shinka Tea
    25. Vino Verite
    26. The Birdhouse
    27. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
    28. ArtHaus Boutique Condominiums and Gallery
    29. KOBO
    30. Harem
    31. The Bottleneck Lounge
    32. ROSEBUD
    33. Babeland
    34. City Home Store
    35. Kaladi Brothers Coffee
    36. The Feed Bag
    37. Uncle Elizabeth’s
    38. Warren Knapp Gallery
    39. Zero Zero
    40. Bluebottle Art Gallery
    41. Bus Stop
    42. Starbucks
    43. Thomas Street Bistro

West Seattle Art Walk

Held the 2nd Thursday of each month.

Participating businesses (from website):

  1. The Body Bar
  2. Hotwire Online Coffeehouse
  3. Ginomai Artists Studio
  4. Shoofly Pie Company
  5. Clementine Shoes
  6. Red Cup Espresso
  7. Keller Williams Realty
  8. Shadowland
  9. Craze Boutique
  10. Brunette Mix
  11. Sweetie
  12. Capers
  13. Windermere Realty
  14. Wild Roses
  15. Carmilias
  16. Coffee to a Tea With Sugar
  17. Senior Center Stop and Shop
  18. Edie Shoes
  19. Twilight Artist Collective
  20. Verite Coffee & Cupcake Royale
  21. 8 Limbs Yoga Center & Boutique
  22. Dream Dinners
  23. Arts West
  24. Talaricos
  25. Elliot Bay Brewery & Pub
  26. Bakery Nouveau
  27. Alki Bathhouse Art Studio
  28. Admiral Tattoo
  29. Click Design That Fits
  30. Alki Mail & Dispatch
  31. Circa Bar & Grill
  32. Styling Studio
  33. The Bohemian
  34. M3 Bodyworks
  35. Seattle Wellness Program
  36. C&P Coffee Company
  37. The Kenney
  38. The Building
  39. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
  40. ArtCorp
  41. Skylark Cafe

University Art Walk

Held 3rd Friday of each month.

Participating businesses (from April flier):

  1. Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe
  2. Starbucks on the Ave.
  3. Lounjin
  4. Sureshot Espresso
  5. Twice Sold Tales
  6. Laughing Buddha
  7. Artist & Craftsman Supply
  8. University Business Center
  9. University Inn
  10. Valley of Roses
  11. Cafe Allegro
  12. Sunney’s Cafe
  13. Upper Playground
  14. Citra Frozen Yogurt
  15. Tully’s
  16. Gargoyles Statuary
  17. Moksha
  18. Powder Room
  19. The Word

Queen Anne Art Walk

According to local business owner, the monthly art walk is discontinued. A longer event is scheduled for August. More to come as information becomes available.