perks

'Little Indian Slough' 10x10" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

One of the ways to get to Edison

is the Bayview road.  

Two sloughs along the way: 

Indian and Little Indian

I see them as I come and go. 

The tide dictates the scene and

it is always dramatic. 

It is usually a high tide when I head north

a low tide when I'm heading home.

There's a whole lot going on along that road

the sloughs are one

an added bonus to my day

A Love Story

'Edison Slough' (The Grass is Greener) 32x32" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

I spend a lot of time in and around Edison. 

In a couple blocks one can find three art galleries, a wood shop, a printmaking studio, a bakery, deli, two taverns, two eateries and four gift shops (all completely different). 

Soon there will also be a distillery.

On any given day one will run into at least a couple of artists and any number of eagles, hawks, geese, herons and ducks.  

I don't know why it works but it does.

 I'm grateful that this little town of Edison

has enhanced my life.

wild animals don't really like humans

'Ready'  16x16" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

 I see him on my walk.   

Sometimes I watch him from a distance

doing his work

Mostly though,

 he sees me and readies for flight

thinking about safety.

I come too close 

Then he's gone. 

 

Life in Edison

gouache drawings on wood, approx 6x4";  Kathleen Faulkner 

One can always find something good in the free wood bin at Smith Vallee Woodworks.  I check often.

  These small gouache drawings are done on some of that free wood.  They are part of the Objectification 8 show at Smith Vallee Gallery in Edison through December.  

'On Any Given Day, 22x32" oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

Down the street, i.e. Gallery hosts the LUMMI Show. It's a Beauty that includes 13 artists' works on view through December 27th.

'Afterlife'  16x20" oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

Across the street, Shop Curator is currently showing a few of my oil pastels.  

Edison is only a couple blocks long but it's packed with art, food and fun.  

Please support your local artists, galleries and small businesses.  

Happy Holidays!

fields of dreams

'Along the Dike' 16x20" oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

My time in Edison is giving me a new perspective.  

I'll never see fields the same again. 

'Flooded Field' 16x20"  oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

bonding

in progress 16x20" each, oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

I've been spending a lot of time around Edison lately.

  

Those fields have their own special magic  

the colors, the birds

There is something to be said for being able to see 

far off into the distance.

luck be a lady

'Another View'  24x36" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner 

One day, while driving near Edison, I noticed the fishermen.  Their trucks parked along the road and, there they were, all lined up along the river bank sporting hip boots, camo, fishing poles.  I watched a couple walking back to their trucks carrying their catch of large, beautiful salmon.

Later I stopped at that spot to look over on the north side which is hard to see from the road.  The fishermen had gone.  It was quiet and beautiful and, as I looked, I saw two very large salmon jumping and waving their tails at me.

I love a happy ending.


May your new year be full of happy endings.




Beethoven's "Ode to Joy"

Dance

'drift, flit, quiver, shiver'  9x9" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

The Edison Eye proudly presents

'DANCE'

July 19 - August 3, 2014

Opening Reception July 19, 5pm - 8pm

Gallery hours:  friday through sunday

noon - 5pm  

or by appointment:  360-766-6276

edisoneye@wavecable.com

100 works of art by 100 artists

Come share with us the exhilaration and joy of dance.

it's the little things

'Edison Field' 36x24" oil pastel on board;
Kathleen Faulkner

I overcommitted this year.  How does one say no to such wonderful opportunities? 

Walking around the valley clears my head.  Those little breaks..   help me when I return home to work.  

There is a lot to do but I will keep at it.  I always feel good when I've completed work that has been a challenge.  I'm already feeling good about it all.

The first project is done.  I find myself walking around in circles with a smile on my face.

one view

'View to the East'  oil pastel  24x24";  Kathleen Faulkner 

The first time I saw the sign it was Christmas and it was lit up,  shining brightly in the window.  I saw it again recently, during the day, not turned on but still shining brightly.

Sign in the window at the Lucky Dumpster
in Edison, WA

What IS on top?

'Memory'  oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

This is the piece I started as a demonstration during the MoNA Auction Preview Party.  I didn't get very far with it that night so finished it at home.  From this,  two others were later done as part of the series, 'Seasonal Pattern'.  

Below are the three together.  I'm putting one of them in the Edison Eye Show coming up  in July: 

'The Permanence of Pattern: What is on Top?'

July 21st through August 5th, 2012

Opening July 21st, 5-10pm

Edison Eye Gallery

Edison, WA

'Heading West' oil pastel;
Kathleen Faulkner

'Looking East' oil pastel;
Kathleen Faulkner

'Memory' oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Gallery Row

looking west toward the islands;
Kathleen Faulkner

While traveling to Edison I took note of the flooded fields.  It had been raining heavily for days.
Other places might envy us for being blessed with an abundance of water, a resource that is becoming like gold, but we were sick of it.

Abundance is usually a good thing.  When it has been raining so much, it's hard to see it that way.

Shortly then,  I arrived in Edison and started thinking about the abundance this town has:  five venues for art in this block long town.. and an artist behind just about every tree, rock, building.

Edison Eye Gallery

The Edison Eye Gallery is the Grampa of them all, the Elder, the Big kid.  Dana has been running this gallery for many years.. lots of history.. many stories.. absolute magic and, speaking of:

The first show of the year, 'Friends of the Fish' will open April 16th with over 60 artists participating.  This is in conjunction with the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is going to be Special.. 

Brick Gallery

The Brick Gallery, a new addition to Edison, is located across the street from the Eye.  Small yet satisfying, this month's show consists of Photographs by John Sedgwick and Jason Wardenburg; Multi media collages by Elise Lazzari; Felt hats and scarves by July Andre; Jewelry, pottery and dolls by Sue Andre; Pottery by Chris Wardenburg-Skinner. Hours: 12:00-5:00, Saturdays and Sundays.

Shop Curator

Next stop is Shop Curator, a real treat for those looking for something 'different'.  David has a knack for finding rare NW art and curiosities.  He also shows his own inspired work.  Although finding him open can sometimes be a challenge, it is worth the effort. 

Smith & Vallee Gallery

Across the street is Smith & Vallee.  This month's show is 'Re-Art'.  There are over 20 artists participating with art made from salvage.  This show is in conjunction with Re-Store . It's a fun show that's worth a visit. The gallery (and what a beautiful gallery) is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00-5:00.  

The last stop is the newest: Three Ravens , located two doors down from Smith & Valley and showing a selection of international artists.  We welcome this new addition and look forward to many more openings in the future.. 

Some might say that poor little Edison is getting too much attention and it's worrisome.  I say, the more the merrier.  We artists need all the help we can get and more galleries help that happen.   Fortunately for Edison, there is no room for new housing growth.. that should ease some angst.

Slough looking west from behind the Edison Eye;
Kathleen Faulkner

Here's wishing All the artists and All the galleries much success.
Cheers!

Something's fishy

"Smelt" oil pastel, ink; 17x17" Kathleen Faulkner

The Edison Eye Gallery, in conjunction with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, presents 

'Friends of the Fish'.  

The show runs from April 16th through May 1st with the usual 

wonderful opening on April 16th, 6 till 10pm.  

I heard from a very reliable source that this show is going to be Good!  60 artists are participating and Dana is in a very good mood.  

'Edison Eye' photo; Kathleen Faulkner

'Life is short, the Art long'

Somewhere between LaConner and Stanwood; Kathleen Faulkner

I started with a plan.  I would visit LaConner first, head over to Camano Island and then, finish the day in Edison.  An afternoon and evening of adventure and visual enjoyment.

As I walked toward the gallery I knew this show would be good.  Looking around at all the images I was reminded of the recipe for a good exhibit:  that the whole equals more than the sum of it's parts.  This small gallery filled with black and white photographs of the art history of the Magic Skagit: very Large and very Powerful.. 

Truly a sight to behold.

As I left I knew I would be back to look again.

Camano Island is long and narrow.  The next gallery I was headed to is at the south end of that island.  I had never been before.  It was a beautiful drive, a Beautiful gallery and a beautiful show.  I felt honored to be a part of this group, showing in this fabulous gallery. 

Wondering around in the sculpture garden, impressed to death, I decided to name the place, "Artland in the Woods". 

It is good to find some magic.

The last call was in Edison.  I love that town.  I always look forward to spending time there.  

The opening was packed, the artwork stunning, the conversation stimulating.   

An unknown,  a 'phantom' as Dana calls him..  a one man show of outrageously good work.  I imagine he won't be unknown for long.. 

It was a good plan.  It worked quite well.  It was one of the best 'art for your soul' days I've had for a long, long time.

Somewhere near Edison; Kathleen Faulkner

Every action has a reaction

'On the Way to Edison' photo; Kathleen Faulkner

I stand in the middle of my studio and hear the world outside.  I am surrounded by manmade objects and materials that, once living, are now dead.

I stand in the middle of a forest and become part of an interaction with an energy that isn't in any house, studio, building except for maybe a barn.  

I stand in the middle of a field and feel that I am a part of it all.  

Observation can be a participatory sport

How I spent the last day of 2010

'Frozen Slough' digital photo; Kathleen Faulkner

We took our time and drove the Bayview road.  

The sun was shining and the air was cold.  We spent too much time in Edison.  It always happens.  There are people to see and time to spend. 

It was late when we left.  The cold winter sun was going down fast.  As we headed home we noticed the slough, frozen top layer left high and dry when the tide receded. I stood there listening to the groaning and cracking sounds of the ice giving it up to gravity.

Later, good food, good friends, hopeful toasts.

We can make this new year anything we want.   

The morning after

digital photo; Kathleen Faulkner

I wake to winter sunshine.  The frost lingers.  I've been working for months, intensely,  but today I can breathe.  I am free, I can do anything.   

Should I clean my house, workshop, yard?  Should I go for a long walk and take photos?  Should I visit friends that I've neglected all this time?  For an instant, I feel at a loss for what to do: my focus is confused.  I could keep doing what I've been doing:  I have three panels ready to paint,  a couple commissions, some jewelry I could finish but it seems a waste to let a beautiful day slip by while I'm indoors.  I have time on my side for once.

I guess I'll go with the flow and see where it takes me.

'Near Edison'  digital photo;  Kathleen Faulkner