Ship of Fools opens tonight!

A long-time favorite of the Bellingham art scene has returned.  The Ship of Fools show is back. Opening from 6pm to 10pm this evening and then on Friday for the Bellingham Art Walk.  I have a couple of pieces in the show.  "The Trouble with Trickle Down", pictured above, will be on display.  It is priced at only $5,000,000.


The show is at the awesome space at the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center at 1220 Bay Street.  A stone's throw up the block from the Upfront Theatre.       

Winter open studio hours!

Sunday through Wednesday.  11:30 am to I'm done.  Call ahead to be sure! 

Belated news!  The Chromatic Typewriter was awarded the runner up position in the 2012 Core77 Design Awards "Speculative" category.  You can read more-- and watch none other than William Gibson announce and talk about the work-- here.  

Next up, ArtPrize--Grand Rapids, Michigan--September 19 to October 8.  The Chromatic Typewriter will be hosted at the awesome Federal Square Building--the SPOT.

New work is in progress, still related to the Skagit series.  It's slow going.  Here's a peek: 

  

Remember to "like" and check the Facebook Page often.  I'm usually much better about posting stuff there.  Have a great summer!

I'm giving away a painting over on the Facebook page.  Because what is art, if it isn't free every now and then?  You have until July 11 to 'like' the page and then comment on the photo. 

This summer, my time is split between part-time work and the studio.  I have a whole bunch of Skagit Valley paintings in progress.  (One of which is the giveaway painting!)  I'm hoping to have most of them well along the way by the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour, happening over the first two weekends in October.  I hope to see you then. 

The Chromatic Typewriter is back from UIC's Gallery 400 exhibition, "The Spectral Landscape (with Viewing Stations)."  Next up is ArtPrize.  The typewriter will be in Grand Rapids for this amazing competition, which runs from September 19 to October 7.  I've paired up with an amazing venue for ArtPrize.  It is the Federal Square Building.     

A few of us at the Waterfront Studios are opening our doors for the First Friday Art Walk this evening.  The weather is just too nice to stay closed!  Hope to see you soon!

Museum of Northwest Art auction

Salish Sunset, 2011.  Oil on canvas.  20" x 34"

The Museum of Northwest Art's annual fundraising auction is this evening.  I submitted this painting to the cause.  Somehow it ended up in the live auction.  I'm nervous (!), but I know it will be a fun event.  In advance, many thanks to the bidders who support the arts in this region.  And thanks also to MONA for supporting regional artists and the rich legacy of Northwest Art. 

Lot's of new work in progress from the studio!  Subsequently, I've fallen behind in the blog and in updating the website.  There are small updates on the Facebook page: it is typically the easiest way for me to show everyone what's going on.  Be sure to check in there and 'like' the page for those. 

I'm gearing up this summer for the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour during the first two weekends in October.  I'll debut a bunch of new paintings at that time.

Some large work is currently up at Honeymoon in Bellingham, and at the Public Market.   

As always, you're more than welcome to drop by the studio!  Contact me for details. 

Progress

I have had a productive few days in the studio getting stretcher bars assembled and canvas stretched over them:



Here's a whole show's worth of potential. But what I really wanted the last week and a half was to paint. Alas, the will just wasn't there until today. This afternoon, I was able to experiment a little more on the more-representational work.



This is that Skagit drawing below. I'm considering this type of thing for the recently-assembled canvas above.

-TC

Skagit Valley Paintings. (All works in progress.)

The Skagit valley of Northwest Washington is a painter's paradise.  I've been spending a lot of time down there the last month with my good friend and fellow painter Todd Horton.  Horton, as I write this post, is on a flight to Turkey for a nine-week visit.  I'll be tending his beautiful studio above Smith and Vallee Woodworks in Edison, WA, during his absence.  In advance, I've been spending some time down there doing some walking around, taking notes, and sketching for an upcoming series on the Skagit Valley.   Todd and I were talking yesterday about treating the time as a sort-of Skagit residency.  It will be good to get out of Studio E for a couple of days a week and really focus on some Skagit paintings.  My plan is to keep Todd's regular open studio hours from 11am to 5 pm Saturday and Sundays throughout April and May, and to help introduce people to our work.  On your way to view the tulips, please stop by! 
          

Yesterday I walked a warm spring mile along a dike that separates Padilla Bay from acres upon acres of wetlands: on my right, the glow of late afternoon light through broken clouds cast wide over the yellow wetland grass, itself cut by a slough wending its way to the Salish Sea; to my left, the green waters of that sea and the blue San Juan Islands beyond.  Todd calls it a place between two worlds and you can't help but agree, and to recognize it's appeal to artists.  The area has attracted a number of well-known poets, writers, and painters.  The fabled The Northwest School  was centered in the Skagit area.  It does not take long to see why.

This area is geographically marvelous: the convergence of mountains, rivers and the sea are paramount throughout the Northwest, but there really is a specific quality of light in the Skagit Valley that is captivating.  The better poets will explain in words.  I only have pigments.
    

Twenty Skagit paintings in progress!  Stop by and say hello!  Sat/Sun 11am-5pm.  Directions here.