epic

'Riparian Rhapsody'  12x12" oil pastel,  charcoal;
Kathleen Faulkner

Low tide

The ducks move about on the mud so effortlessly 

but they leave their mark. 

It's a long poem.

here's mud in your eye

'An Early Summer' 12x12" oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

About Mud:

mud / med
*n. soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixing of earth and water.

Other words for mud include slobber, mire, ooze, muck, silt, slabber, slutch, lutulence, sloshiness and slushiness.

Mycobacterium vaccae, found in mud, is thought to be an anti-depressant.

Mice fed with mycobacterium vaccae from mud can navigate mazes twice as fast as usual.

and, never forget:

"He who slings mud generally loses ground."  Adlai E Stevenson

history

'Edison Slough'  36x24" oil pastel, charcoal;
Kathleen Faulkner

early morning  earlier than usual

 The fog hangs low but the temperature is warm.

This used to be the Samish River.

black is the new green

'Fertile Field' 14x18" oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

One can always tell the roundup fields from the others.  Everything is orange.  

This one is deep and dark ready to feed us and no harm done.

I've been thinking a lot about this field, so black and fertile.  

After awhile, one's environment starts having an impact.  

a dirty story

'Mudflats II'' 16x20" oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

We don't really talk about it but it's always there.

a refuge

it has magic

There are bones, shells and feathers, 

reeds mixing with the mud 

and long views.

the day, the time, the season 

this all keeps it interesting

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.

traveling

It is an inspired journey from the west side heading east.  

We are blessed.

We have it all.

'On the West Side'  16x18" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

'Tree' 10x8" oil pastel, medium;
Kathleen Faulkner

'Tree, Too' 10x8" oil pastel, medium;
Kathleen Faulkner

'Palouse Lake' 18x16" oil pastel;
Kathleen Faulkner

Ode to the Fish

'Good Schooling' 17x17" oil pastel, charcoal;  Kathleen Faulkner

The Edison Eye Presents

FRIENDS OF FISH II

75 artists capture the spirit of fish,

it's relationship to humanity 

and the environment

April 18 - May 3

Opening reception:  April 18th 5 - 9 p.m.

The Eye is located at 5800 Cains Court, Edison, WA

A benefit show for the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group

http://www.skagitfisheries.org

health factors

in progress: 36x24" each, oil pastel 

A walk in the woods 

cedar/fir smells   bird/wind sounds

green/brown everywhere 

I hug some trees. 

Someone said that it's a health benefit.  

I always feel better afterwards.

respite

'Respite' 30x40" oil on canvas;  Kathleen Faulkner

This is where the Samish river heads out to the sea.

 As I stand on the bank watching the fog begin to roll in,  I hear the eagles, I see the hawks.
A large flock of geese fly by and I hear their magic.
If I stay long enough, I'll hear the frogs.

weather or not

'Heavy Weather' 8x8" oil and soft pastel, graphite;
Kathleen Faulkner

The storm approaches. 

Weather here is changing.  Lately it's downpour or sunshine,  not much in between.  

The days of cold, damp and drizzle are fading and it's feeling a lot like northern California.

At least we still have water.

ode to the wood

my stumps on the left

'The Meaning of Wood'
January 15 - March 29, 2015
Washington State Convention Center
Seattle, WA
Open daily 5:30 am - 10 pm


Artists included in this show:

Jane Alynn, Anacortes, WA
Susan Aurand, Olympia WA
Howard Barlo, Ellensburg, WA
Patti Bowman, Bellevue, WA
Larry Bullis, Anacortes, WA
MalPina Chan, Olympia, WA
Sue Cotter, Parowan, UT
Monika Danos, Seattle, WA
Barbara De Pirro, Shelton, WA
Kathleen Faulkner, Anacortes, WA
Cathy Fields, Seattle, WA
Kelly Fleek, Bow, WA
Becky Fletcher, Sedro Woolley, WA
David Francis, Seattle, WA
Annerose Georgeson, Vanderhoof, BC
Kathy Gore Fuss, Olympia, WA
Julia Haack, Seattle, WA
Karen Hackenberg, Port Townsend, WA
Julia Harrison, Seattle, WA
Cheri Kopp, Seattle/Port Townsend, WA
Anne Lancaster, Seattle, WA
Carolyn Lavender, Phoenix, AZ
Fred Lisaius, Newcastle, WA
Ed McCarthy, Issaquah, WA
Ellen Jane Michael, Edison, WA
Nia Michaels, Seattle, WA
Lynne Oulman, Bellingham, WA
Joseph Pentheroudakis, Seattle, WA
Peppe, Seattle, WA
Polly Purvis, Seattle, WA
Christina Carlyle Reed, Seattle, WA
Karen Rudd, Port Townsend, WA
Mark Scherer, Stehekin, WA
Scott Schuldt, Milford CT
Tamara Stephas, Seattle, WA
Jeffree Stewart, Olympia, WA
Sara Tabbert, Fairbanks, AK
John Tylczak, Puyallup, WA

  

past venue and curator's statement

'Stickpin, Again' courtesy of Facere Jewelry Art Gallery,
Seattle, WA; sterling silver, wood; Kathleen Faulkner

happy new year

'Real Life'  24x36" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

last day of 2014

tomorrow can be the start of a new beginning.  

life is what you make it.

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"

invitation

Various necklaces, sterling silver;
Kathleen Faulkner

You are cordially invited to the Annual Holiday Party and Ornament Giveaway at Facere Jewelry Art Gallery in Seattle,  December 3rd, 2014, from 5 to 8pm.

Come and share a glass of cheer, celebrate the season and view amazing jewelry. 

The gallery artists have made handmade ornaments that will be given away that evening with the winning names drawn out of a hat.  

It is always great fun.

Please RSVP to be included in the Ornament Giveaway.

Cheers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain

a helping hand

'Safety First' 20" milagro necklace, sterling silver,
paper, gouache, ink, graphite, mica; Kathleen Faulkner

We never know what lies ahead.

Some say that we create our own reality.

Whatever is true, it can't hurt to have a helping hand.

Ex-Votos from Mexico, Girard Collection, Museum of International
Folk Art (DCA) Santa Fe, NM A.1981.42.694V.1 Photo by Paul Smutko.

Next

'Into the Woods II'  24x18" oil pastel;
Kathleen Faulkner

I'm headed into the western woods.  My next show is at Simon Mace Gallery in Port Townsend, WA, entry to the largest temperate rainforest in the Continental US, home to good friends and a generally great place to have a good time. 

It has been a fortunate year for me.  I've discovered that saying yes has many benefits. 

'Into the Woods'  54.5x37.5" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

running on empty

'On the Way to Discovery Bay'  54.5x37.5" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Back to back shows..  

I'm tired but it's worth every minute. 

If one must have an addictive personality, it's good to be addicted

 to something worthwhile.

Journey

'Journey' 18x24" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Friends Make Us Fuller

Friends make us fuller. When friends leave, their light stays behind. It is like the blue sea that supports the white breakers that come and go. No matter how far I go I long to return and be with friends. It is never the same fire I left, but beneath it are the ashes of all our meetings that have gone before.

~Robert Sund

mud pies

'Indian Slough' 16x20" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Slough

noun

1.

an area of soft, muddy ground; swamp or 

swamp like region.

2.

a hole full of mire, as in a road.

3.

Also, slew, slue. Northern U.S. and Canadian. a marshy or reedy pool, pond, inlet, backwater, 

or the like.

4.

a condition of degradation, despair, 

or helplessness.*

*Webster:  number 4 doesn't work for me.  I'll change that to 'a condition of glorious mud teeming with life; the thought of which can give one comfort and hope.'

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.

short story

'Glimpse''  33x28"  oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

You never know what you'll find down by the water. 

One day I decided to walk down along the channel past the old rotted dock.  I had so much on my mind.   

When I finally stopped and raised my head I caught a glimpse of a moment.. 

and then it was gone.

the whole equals more

'Birds of a Feather'  11x15" linocut;  Kathleen Faulkner

Skagit Women Print
"The purpose of this project is to generate a suite of prints created by these women responding to the experience of living and creating here. In Skagit Valley, it is easy to be seduced by the incredible beauty, and overlook the intrusions of how human habitation has manipulated that beauty to suit our needs. In a part wild, part artificial landscape, the temptation is to put blinders on and only see the blue heron in flight, while ignoring the diked and dammed river. We love Skagit Valley, both the wild and the man made. This suite of prints will explore those contradictions and complex pressures through the eyes of women who live here."   Natalie Niblack

August of last year found Natalie Niblack conspiring with Jules Faye to produce a collaborative suite of prints by women artists living in Skagit Valley.  At that time,  the artists were invited to participate in this project.
Meetings were held at the beautiful Harmony Fields in the midst of the Magic Skagit.  Such a beautiful destination added to the enjoyment and inspiration of it all.
We were instructed to create an edition of 25 prints.  18 of these to be distributed among the participants so, in the end, we'd each head home with our own suite of prints.  Number one of the edition would be framed for shows.  The remaining 6 suites would be for sale.  Since we all worked independently we didn't see the other work until the last meeting.

They say that the whole equals more than the sum of it's parts. This is especially true in that each and every print is strong and can hold it's own.  We worked well as a group and the artwork created shows that.  It's going to be a great show!

The work will be on view at Anchor Art Space in Anacortes, Washington from July 11th through August 10th, 2014 and Shoreline Community College Art Gallery in Shoreline, Washington from January 5th through January 30th, 2015.  

The participants include:  Natalie Niblack, Jules Faye, Kris Molesworth, Heidi Epstein, Kathryn Glowen, Jean Behnke, Twila Tate, Theo Jonnson, Ann Reid,  Eve Deisher,  Jane Alynn, Jessica Gigot, Ellen Michael, Nicolette Harrington, Sue Roberts, Kristin Theiss, Stella Spring and myself. 

Natalie Nyblack and Ann Reid laying their editions;
photo: Kathleen Faulkner

Nicolette Harrington and Kristen Theis
laying their prints.  Natalie, Theo Jonnson
and Eve Deisher observing;
photo: Kathleen Faulkner

from left to right:  Theo, Kristen, Natalie, Nicolette, Eve and Jean
Behnke;   photo: Kathleen Faulkner

Skagit Women Artists
left to right:  Kathryn Glowen, Jane Alynn, Stella Spring, Sue Roberts,
Heidi Epstein, Kris Molesworth, Theo Jonnson, Nicolette Harrington,
Jules Faye, Jean Behnke, Natalie Niblack, Eve Deisher, Anne Reid,
Kristen Theiss, Jessica Gigot,  Ellen Michael and Twila Tate;
photo:  Kathleen Faulkner

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.

land of wild

'Fallow Field' 18x24" oil pastel on board;   Kathleen Faulkner

The field is at the end of the road;  beyond that, the Skagit river.
I've only been to this field a few times.
Once it was covered in river water.   Another time the water between the rows had frozen.
This last time it was a soft, slight green.
The field has a wildness about it despite having been altered by man.   It is something hard to explain.
Once I smelled the Salish sea there.

Some places have that wild energy yet live so close to home: all along the edges of Fir Island, the slough through Edison, the rotten dock at the north end of town.

Later I'll walk up to Cranberry Lake nestled in the midst of the Anacortes Forest Lands nestled in the midst of town.

half light

'The Gloaming'  18x24" oil pastel on board;  Kathleen Faulkner

The Plowboy

After the last red sunset glimmer,

Black on the line of a low hill rise,

Formed into moving shadows, I saw

A plowboy and two horses lined against the gray,

Plowing in the dusk the last furrow.

The turf had a gleam of brown,

And a smell of soil was in the air,

And, cool and moist, a haze of April.

I shall remember you long,

Plowboy and horses against the sky in shadow.

I shall remember you and the picture

You made for me,

Turning the turf in the dusk

And haze of an April gloaming.

Carl Sandburg

down in the valley

'Along Best Road' 24x36" oil pastel on panel;  Kathleen Faulkner

It is tulip season in the valley.  

Flocks of humans in cars come from everywhere to see the brilliant colors. 

This is when the locals stay home.  

The last time I saw these poplars was in March.  It was a cold northwest day;  the daffodils were just coming on.  

This is the image I'll probably have in my mind until May.

reflection

'Pathway'  29x32"  oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Robert passed in September, 2001.  It was a sad winter that year.  

I've always missed him most though, in April.   

April Has Turned Cold

April has turned cold.

The evening light fades through the clouds.

A string of geese calls me out

to sing a farewell, and

I wish them luck as they go from Ish River,

away out over the ocean,

long, long sweeps of rippling wings

bound for Siberia.

Their wild song they take with them, 

and leave some behind.

They leave enough so

I don't have to leave home any more.

Robert Sund

poem from SHACK MEDICINE

the hopeful season

'Another Marsh Picture'  16x34" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Spring has arrived

and with it the sounds of love

All hail the spring!

http://www.californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/p.regilla.sounds.html