thinking about trees

'Looking at Trees' 30x30" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

I lived in the Aleutians.

There is a token mini-forest that someone had planted

decades ago.

Other than that, there are no trees to speak of

because of the intense winds.

From most vantage points

one can see, on a clear day,

other islands in the chain 

and the different weather patterns.

When I returned to the Pacific Northwest,

I felt claustrophobic for a while.

I still get very uncomfortable when the wind whips the trees.

looking at clouds

'We are Here' 18x30" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner


Our small spot in the world
is full of drama.

lots of atmosphere

Any day
can change
any hour, any minute

never dull

*Sea Pie

'Poser' 12x12" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

 

That place at Washington Park...

It is a curve in the road. 

Over to the side,

the stairs head downward

rocky beach to the left

flat rocks to the right.

If you are lucky,

you may spot a few 

Oystercatchers 

hanging out on those 

flat rocks.

*Sea Pie,  shortened for Sea Magpie, is the original name of Oystercatcher. 

Changing Seasons

'Skeleton Crew' 18x18" oil pastel, Kathleen Faulkner

It is the Autumnal Equinox.

There is a chill in the air, leaves are turning color

 I notice the light has changed.

I like this season best

even though it

leads to the struggle of winter. 

Most living things get ready to sleep it away

and we are left 

with only a skeleton crew 

to take care of business.

the fix

'WildWood' 28x42" oil pastel on panel; Kathleen Faulkner

I like to walk early in the morning.

It is quiet, no people.

I enter this divergent community 

that I feel more comfortable in 

than my own.

As I walk,

I breathe in the tree medicine 

while the bird songs

permeate the air.

It makes the day so much better.

Tidelands

'This Moment Becomes a Memory'
18x18" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

 

Here comes the tide rushing in,

the second of the day.

This landscape changes 

constantly, 

clouds and water

moving.

I never tire of watching the action.

Each glimpse is

different.

Here we are

 

                        

These different worlds:

The Salish sea, the rivers

The fields

The forests

The mountains

Each live in a unique reality

Each is a world rich and bursting with life

It's all here 

in this 

Paradise.

'High Life' 18x24" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner                     

Field of Dreams

               'Floooded Field' 18x24" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

This field that grows our food

is flooded after a storm

It is an annual occurrence.

I am grateful for these fields.

They keep development away

thanks, in part, 

to 

Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland. 

something new

Claire demonstrating a general 

underpainting technique

I took an underpainting class this weekend with 

Claire Johnson 

at the 

Museum of Northwest Art. 

I am self-taught in the oil painting department 

so I was looking forward to this workshop.

I was not disappointed.

some tools of the trade

Claire demonstrated two different techniques.

This second technique is handy 

for night scenes and glazing.

My two underpainting examples 

that I will finish up at home.

Thank you, Claire Johnson. 

I learned so much! 

If you want to know more, 

consider her class next time!

Time Travels

 
'Marine, West Coast' 24x30" oil on canvas; Kathleen Faulkner

Perry and Carlson Gallery is transitioning into Artist representation.

The grand opening of this event is April 6, 2024, 2-5pm. 

There will be a group show in one gallery 

and a solo in the main. 

I am so pleased to be the solo for this opening. 

'Time Travels'

This body of work is about my life in the Skagit. 

I have lived here now for over forty years. 

All the work that I do reflects this.

How to build a Madrona Forest

I bought this roll of Strathmore paper years ago.

I decided to start a drawing and see where it would lead.

I began this in August. 

I work on it a little most days

and a lot now and then.

I'm working on a 10 yard roll, 42" tall.

This drawing is from my imagination. 

I draw as I go.

I was drawing on my bed. 

I had a piece of plywood under it. 

It was still an issue.

I mentioned this drawing to a friend who 

had a brilliant idea: work on the kitchen table 

with an oversized piece of plywood underneath.

.

I don't think of these things since I would have no way 

to get a large piece of wood home.

My friend brought one over.

It's hard to ask for help.

Friends are a godsend.

Kitchen table work space. 

A beautiful painting by Laura Hamje 

is keeping me company.

I worked on this section during the Holidays.

At some point, I will go back over 

the work done and refine it.

A new year and a new workspace.

I'm currently at around 7'

Moving along..

coming up

'Suite of Trees I-VI, 6x6" each, colored pencil on panel,

$250 ea;

Kathleen Faulkner

These small drawings will be available

along with some jewelry 

at the Museum of Northwest Art store 

through the 2023 Holiday season.

The Arts Alive opening is happening this year on 

November 10th from 1 - 8pm 

and running through November 13th

I will have this piece in the Open Show

'Low Tide, Padilla Bay' 10x10" ink and oil on panel, 

$500; Kathleen Faulkner

Also,

some jewelry will be available at

the Beautiful

Scott Milo Gallery

in my hometown of Anacortes, WA!

'Windletter' earrings 2.5" sterling silver,

$200; Kathleen Faulkner

2024 will start off well!

I am included in a group show 

during the month of January

at the 

Wonderful Perry + Carlson Gallery in 

downtown Mt Vernon, WA

'Drift', ink, oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

Last but not least:

I am so pleased to announce my inclusion in

'Silva Cascadia: Under the Spell of the Forest',

a group show at my favorite museum, 

the Museum of Northwest Art

in LaConner, WA

This exhibition will run from 

February 3 through May 12, 2023

oblique intent

 

work in progress, 3.5x4+' and going, colored pencil;

Kathleen Faulkner

Many strange things happened during the pandemic.

I kept myself busy

drawing my friends wearing masks.

Something just for me.

Flash forward to the present.

Instead of an appropriate project, 

I'm drawing this huge thing 

that I won't be able to frame 

and no one will see

except 

YOU.

Another something just for me.

On Display

I am pleaaed to announce that three of my brooches are included in the 

10th Anniversary Exhibition, BIMA Spotlight

This exhibition runs from June 30 through September 24th, 2023

'Lip Srtvice' 4x3" sterling silver, drawing, mica;

Kathleen Faulkner

'Berg' 2.25x4.75" reticulated silver, plastic shard, acrylic paint;

Kathleen Faulkner

'Good Schooling' 4x4" sterling silver, drawings, mica;

Kathleen Faulkner

I am also pleased to announce that two of my neckpieces will be on 

display at the Bellevue Art Museum Store throughout 2023 in 

collaboration with Northwest Designer Craftartists

'Wish Rocks' sterling silver, drawings, mica;

Kathleen Faulkner

'Botanical' sterling silver, drawings, mica;

Kathleen Faulkner

My work can also be found online here

and at the wonderful Museum of Northwest Art Store in LaConner, WA

I spy

'After the Bath' 2.75x4" Brooch,

sterling silver, found asphalt shard;

Kathleen Faulkner

We see things.

HAMLET

Do you see yonder cloud that is almost in the shape of a camel?

POLONIUS

By th'Mass and 'tis, like a camel indeed.

HAMLET

Methinks it is a weasel.

POLONIUS

It is backed like a weasel.

HAMLET

Or a whale.

POLONIUS

Very like a whale.

Line of sight

'Marine, West Coast' 24x30" oil on canvas;

Kathleen Faulkner

The thing about being on the water

is that one can usually see distance

probably the same idea on a mountain top

not so in fog

but most interesting in heavy weather

Life on Earth

 

'A Precarious Situation' 18x18" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner  

 It is always a challenge

living on the edge.

The good news is that 

sometimes,

when you least expect it,

wonderful things happen.

So, in the end,

this life really is a delicate balance.

significant

 'Wake-robin' 12x12" oil pastel on panel; Kathleen Faulkner

Trillium

a precise and elegant wildflower

so

fragile and shy

 

They always bring up memories

that always make me smile.

breather

'A Morning Walk' 20x30"oil pastel on panel;

Kathleen Faulkner

It's my good deed to myself..

that morning walk 

Always different, always something to see 

 never a dull moment.

I return home feeling awake and energized

ready to seize the day.

which day is it?

'Just a Thought' 12x12" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Sometimes our thoughts can flow like water

other times they just dam up the works.