Seattleartwalks's Blog
A blog about the community art walks in Seattle and surrounding area.Changing Blog Providers
I understand where WordPress is making their decisions, but in order to add more content, such as a calendar, I need to change providers. My new blog will be found at the link below. Thank you to everyone who has followed my blog here, and you will find even more information at my new site:
Posts on new blog:
Seafair Weekend
It’s Seafair weekend. I admit to being out of the loop because of some photo shows I have had to work on recently. But here are two suggestions for art related activities.
The other day, I was in Fremont, meeting with a friend for coffee on some business related issues. When I left our meeting I walked back to my car, and being a beautiful day, grabbed my camera. I was just going to do a quick stroll and take some photos. There was a guy stooped in a doorway and as I passed we said a few words about the weather. I decided to stop and talk to him. His name is Fawzi Benhartz and he is really a fascinating guy. I posted a couple of his photos here.
Turns out Fawzi (aka Benny) is well known in this neighborhood. One of his claims to fame is his ability to balance stones in ways that seem impossible. He will be showing these talents in rock balancing in Fremont this weekend. Look for him on the 400 block of 36th Ave W. in Fremont on the south side of the street. Check out his website here: http://www.rocksandsoul.com.
The other Seafair item that I am aware of is the Magnolia Art Show. Located on 36th Ave, near the community pool, the show consists of a juried art contest and a covered area with prints for sale. Kazumi, who I posted on a couple weeks ago, has her work for sale at this show. Judging by the website, there is some interesting work being shown here. More on their website: http://www.magnoliaartshow.org.
Artist Kazumi
I received a request from artist Kazumi, that I mention her show. I have attached a photo and one of her paintings on my Flickr account. Kazumi is showing as part of a Pleine Air Meetup Group Show at Blue Star Cafe in Wallingford.
Kazumi says this about her and her work: “I was born and raised in Japan. I don’t know if it’s clear but I hope the unique sensibility that was nurtured there shows in my creations. My favorite medium is acrylic on canvas, and my subjects come from my surrounding, including still lifes, landscapes, and cats. I have sold almost 200 paintings on eBay, but lately I show my works on Etsy. I live with my husband and daughter in suburban Seattle.”
I think the Japanese (japonais) influence is very evident in the soft color and texture of her paintings. I would say they have a restful energy. Thanks, Kazumi for your additions.
Spokane Art Walk
Not exactly a Seattle art walk, but my niece in Spokane, a WSU graduate with photography and teaching degrees, emailed me about the new Art Walk over there. I’m a Spokane native myself. The area of the art walk is a bit spread out- not as condensed as say Wallingford. But it is great to see the art scene growing over there. Anyone in Spokane like to post?
I added a new page listing the venues. Good job, Spokane.
Three art walks this week.
Three art walks are held the third week of the month: Tacoma (Thursday), Edmonds (Thursday), and University District (Friday). Just added the venues for Edmonds and Tacoma to their pages.
Greenwood Art Walk tonight.
Art-Up Art Walk. List of locations and artists for tonight’s art walk in Greenwood.
Update: My Photos
Vino Bello is preparing for their third anniversary party this Saturday. My reception was kind of lost in the shuffle, and email did not get sent out to their customer base. So, I will be there two nights: tonight (July 9), and next Thursday (July 16). They are at 626 SW 152nd St in Burien.
Five art walks this week.
Five art walks this week: Capitol Hill (Thursday); West Seattle (Thursday); Greenwood (Friday); Ballard (Saturday), and Georgetown (Saturday).
My Photos
I have a photo show opening this week myself. I will have 22 Nature themed photos at Vino Bello wine bar in Burien. I am proud to be the first new artist they have shown there in quite some time and part of their third anniversary celebration. I will be there this Thursday, July 9, from 6 – 9 pm. There will be happy hour specials all night during the show. The address is 636 SW 152nd St, Burien.
Wallingford Art Walk, Wednesday, July 1
It was a beautiful evening in Seattle for an art walk last Wednesday, and it seemed to draw people from their homes. It seemed to me that the traffic was good at the venues I went in to. To which I would add – don’t be shy about which venues you go to. If the business says art walk, it is a welcome sign.
Not that all businesses will treat you the same. I have felt comfortable to enter to just view the art at some places, and felt like there was an icy glare from employees at others. The type of business (venue) does not seem to matter. I have felt welcome at a barbershop, and out of place at a clothing store.
http://tinurly. com/kjdrdj My first stop was at Re-Leaf Massage, where I met artist Letha Colleen. Letha takes paper, and found objects, and creates layered collages on cradled wood boxes. The paper is applied so seemlessly that I thought for sure that there was at least some painting involved. The papers were interesting and her color choices are relaxing to the eye. A favorite of Letha is to use pieces of old maps. Rusted gears and hardware are applied to add another dimension to the work. It is interesting work and has an effect of being modern and old world at the same time. She is also using her collage technique to make jewely pieces. The link above is to her Etsy website store. She also has an interesting blog, which you can catch here.
At Cutz, Wallingford, I met artist Jenny Gini. Jenny was showing portraits she had painted. I thought she did a very nice job with capturing the most important and difficult part of the face – the eyes. Jenny takes her art seriously and it shows in her canvases.
Just down from Cutz, Mirage Comfort Shoes hosted artist Mary Anne Reynolds. Mary Anne paints scenes of birch trees on glass. She uses mostly recycled materials – glass, framed windows, even the paint. The paints are added in layers in an additive and subtractive processes so that when held up to light, such as in a widow, parts of the scene will appear illuminated and glow. Her work combines a raw feel with an attention to detail which I enjoyed very much.
