For full artist roster and more information visit http://www.valaeastside.org/venues/redmond-town-center-arts-festival

Becky Jeanes

Cotton Candy Pink Spoon

Ink/Acrylic Collage on Canvas

12″ x 36″ x 0″

Becky Jeanes

Feeling Blue

Ink on Rice Paper, Acrylic on Canvas

5″ x 5″ x 0″

“I make Gyotaku style fish rubbings of local wild caught salmon. The salmon rubbings are presented in a mixed media collage with a Pacific Northwest flare. I finally found an upside to my husband’s sport-fishing hobby! He brings home fish and I transform them into art.

I utilize the printmaking techniques of Gyotaku; applying ink directly on the fish, making a rubbing on rice paper, then embellishing the impression. The fish rubbing becomes part of a collage with beach inspired backgrounds such as acrylic painted scenes, photographs, nautical maps, or distressed painted boards. Often sand from local beaches makes an appearance in the collage.

All artwork includes a background story detailing where and how the fish was caught. The titles are named after the lucky lure used to catch the fish.”

- Becky Jeanes – facebook.com/beckyjeanes.arts

Beth Hackett

Imagined

Mixed Media

9″ x 12″ x 0″

Beth Hackett

Fierce

Mixed Media

11″ x 14″ x 0″

“My art expresses my life philosophies and life lessons. It shows truths that are at the core of who I am. The quotes and sayings have inspired and motivated me. They’ve left me with a peace, a contentment, and a resonating energy that inspires my confidence and being.

The girls I draw give me a chance to explore personalties, hair styles, and/or attitudes that I might not always be brave enough to manifest in real life,but I always find that they were already a part of me.

I am a self-taught mixed media artist. In 2011, I began Art Journaling and as I became comfortable with the process of mixed media I transitioned to working on canvas and other substrates.

My process is to create layers using tissue paper, molding paste, collage, acrylic paint, inks, stamps, stencils, tapes, book pages, Pitt Pens, and water-soluble wax crayons and gel sticks. I love how process-oriented this art is and how each layer leads to the next.”

- Beth Hackett - facebook.com/bethhackettstudios           

Nancy Cubbage

China Tile Mirror Frame

Mosaic

17″ x 17″ x 1″

Nancy Cubbage

Arched Photo Frame

Mosaic

6″ x 4″ x .75″

“I am a mosaic and mixed media artist whose small works with recycled items. I produce decorative and utilitarian items as well as artworks in an assemblage format.”

 - Nancy Cubbage - nancycubbage.com

Angie Yusuf

Handmade Journal

book/Journal

6″ x 4″ x 1″

 Angie Yusuf

Handmade Journal

Book/Journal

6″ x 4″ x 2″

“I am a local artist interested in the intersection of art and memory-keeping. My handmade journals are meant to inspire personal expression, and to spark creativity in the people who use them.”

- Angie Yusuf

The post Arts Festival Artist Feature – Mixed Media appeared first on Vala Eastside.

For full artist roster and more information visit http://www.valaeastside.org/venues/redmond-town-center-arts-festival

Sarah Bolerjack

Star Climber

Intaglio Printmaking

8″ x 10″ x 0″

Sarah Bolerjack

Time to Plant a Garden

Intaglio Printmaking

22″ x 17″ x 0″

“My etchings are created using a variety of Intaglio processes such as etching, engraving, aqua tint, etc. All work is hand inked and pulled in small, numbered editions using archival paper and permanent pigment inks.These materials ensure that each unique image will survive for generations to come. My subjects are primarily working-class women and children.”

- Sarah Bolerjack – bolerjackworks.com

Daniel Cautrell

Disaster Series, Locusts

Linoleum Print

12″ x 10″ x 0″

Daniel Cautrell

Strange Scenes Series, Chilled

Linoleum Print

11″ x 15″ x 0″

“My mission as an artist is to create work that is relevant and approachable to a diverse viewing public while maintaining a deep personal relevance and creative ideal. I would also expect that my exploration of ideas and issues is no different than anyone’s search for clarity and it is this connection that I hope to cultivate. As an artist I consider myself a cultural representative and believe that I have a responsibility to create work that transcends the strictly personal aspect of my expression and the work for public consumption ethic. With the responsible and intelligent use of word and image I choose to be an active participant in a culture of communication and interaction. Furthermore, I hope that my work will at most influence public conscience or at least encourage literacy. Beyond the sense of purpose and satisfaction that I receive I believe that the work becomes more than I who created it.”

- Daniel Cautrell – dancautrell.com

Vern Tator

Peppermills

Wood

10″ x 3″ x 3″

Vern Tator

Pair of Salad Bowls

Quilted Maple

5″ x 17″ x 17″

“My work is functional art. It is meant to be handled and used. When I create I am looking to make a form that is comfortable to hold and serves a purpose. I look to plain woods like Holly to practice form. Form is more visual than tactile, and is easiest to see in plain woods. Grain, figure and color cannot overcome a poor form, but can augment a good one.

On my more organic shapes, I do all of the turning while the wood is green. I only get to suggest the final shape. When the green pieces dry, the cells collapse creating texture on the surface. At the same time, the bowl’s form shrinks and warps. The wood has the final say in its form.

Today most of the wood I turn comes from urban forests. A couple of tree removal companies supply me with trees removed because of construction. I see this as a way of repurposing wood that would normally become firewood or chips for someone’s garden. My scrap becomes mulch for an urban chicken farmer and fuel for another person’s wood stove.”

- Vern Tator – verntatorwoodturner.com

Alexandru Pricob

wood caved frog

wood carving

30″ x 38″ x 0″

Alexandru Pricob

wood carved hedge hog

wood carvings

4″ x 7″ x 0″

“Detailed wood carving made from red cedar, coated with clear varnish that adds durability and protects against weather damage. The statue is a great decor for home or garden, great gift for art lovers and is always ready to welcome your guests to home or garden with a smile on face.”

 - Alexandru Pricob

The post Arts Festival Artist Feature – Printmaking & Woodworking appeared first on Vala Eastside.

Also honored at the artist reception is Arts Festival Featured Artist Jacqui Calladine.  Jacqui will be working with artists, volunteers and the public during the festival on a  community public art project titled “Mapping Redmond”.  Be sure to visit Jacqui at the festival and help her create a fiber map of Redmond and learn more about the project at the artist reception on July 11th.

VALA would like to extend a special thanks to this year’s awards guest juror Marge Levy.  Marge has been working in clay since childhood and has played a role in educational, curatorial, and development projects throughout her career from being a professor at Purdue University to developing education programs at major museums across the country.  Along with her artistic practice, she currently is on the Education Advisory Council for Bellevue Arts Museum and is a docent at the Seattle Art Museum.  We are honored to have her as our guest juror.

The post Artist Reception for Arts Festival Juried Artist Installation appeared first on Vala Eastside.

For full artist roster and more information visit http://www.valaeastside.org/venues/redmond-town-center-arts-festival

Kat Miller

Showing Off

Digital Photography

8″ x 10″ x 0″

Kat Miller

The Beginning

Digital Photography

10″ x 8″ x 0″

“I am a self taught digital photographer and have been taking photos for over 30 years. My work varies from catching the rays as sunlight seeps through the trees on a foggy morning, to the metallic done through a software filter much in the same way as photos are converted to black and white. I have a tendency to be drawn towards “light”. I will on occasion use an art filter to “tweak” a photograph and then print it on watercolor paper, or canvas for a more “artsy” look.

I also print images on metal and silk.

My work has been on displayed throughout the Everett, Lynnwood and Seattle area.”

Kat Miller – katmillerphotos.com

Debbie Donaway

Water Lilly

Framed metallic Archival Silver Halide Giclee print

24″ x 30″ x 0″

Debbie Donaway

Autumn Flight

Framed metallic Archival Silver Halide Giclee print

30″ x 24″ x 0″

“The focus for my creative outlet evolved into seeing the world through extensive travel, in such places as Europe, Canada, Asia, and the U.S., with an emphasis on Washington State and the Hawaiian Islands. I continually look forward to finding new and varied photographic opportunities.

My photographic efforts have expanded through the years to its current form of landscapes, travel/lifestyle, nature/wildlife, botanicals, and digital art. Through my digital art I am combining my love of travel, wildlife, botanicals, and the macro view of everyday subjects into creating new and unique pieces of photographic art. Through my digital art I am opening up new avenues of creativity and personal vision.”

Debbie Donaway – ddonaway.com

Lee Hendrickson

Reflection

Photography

29″ x 24″ x 0″

Lee Hendrickson

Dove Tales

Photography

24″ x 18″ x 0″

“Drawing on my thirty-five years of experience as a research scientist and a formal training in photography, my photomicrographs of crystals weave together the fields of art and science: revealing an intimate view of nature from a unique perspective. After growing the crystals on a microscope slide, the striking and intricate beauty of these “molecular landscapes” is magnified thousands of times and captured using a high-resolution digital imaging microscope. The colors are the natural process of light refracting through the crystals, often producing a rainbow of colors. Though highly representational, the image’s aesthetic feels both contemporary and abstract, and the story behind my artwork fascinates the viewer as much as the natural elegance of the subject.”

Lee Hendrickson – sidestreetphoto.com

Denise Shaffer

“Ethereal Light”

Digital photography

8″ x 12″ x 0″

Denise Shaffer

Seattle Public Library Series

Digital Photography

12″ x 10″ x 1.5″

“My name is Denise Shaffer. I am currently a resident of Redmond originally from Seattle.

I am a fine art photographer specializing architectural elements. I see beauty everywhere but I am particularly drawn to the artistic side of architecture and building construction.

At the beginning of this year I became a founding member of an eight-member co-op called Studio F. We have a gallery in the Tashiro-Kaplan building in Pioneer Square which is on the historic Pioneer Square 1st Thursday Art Walk circuit. I have been showing my work at this location since January, 2013.

In the Summer of 2012 I participated in VALA’s Redmond Arts Festival. It was my first experience as a vendor at an event of that size and I learned a lot! The good people at VALA took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. I had the best time!”

Denise Shaffer – deniseshaffer.com

The post Arts Festival Artist Feature – The Photography appeared first on Vala Eastside.

For full artist roster and more information visit http://www.valaeastside.org/venues/redmond-town-center-arts-festival

Carolyn Sproul

Tree of Life

Etched Copper

4 cm x 16.5 cm x 1.5″

Carolyn Sproul

Dragon Eye Time

Mixed found objects and copper

17″ x 7″ x 0.5″

“In entering the realm of metalsmithing, I have found my Bliss. I am creating as the very first jewelry designers did with just raw product and imagination. My work is based on copper and silver in concert with objects from the four elements of nature such as sea glass, wood, feathers and fire painting. Playful found objects are incorporated as the Muse leads me. My creations are all unique. Nothing is as gratifying as seeing light in a woman’s eyes as she views herself in one of my creations.”

- Carolyn Sproul

Dedrea Danilov

Sterling Silver and Tourmaline hoops

Wire

Dedrea Danilov

Opal and copper cuff

metalwork

“My name is Dedrea Danilov, and I am the owner and creator of Dedreajewels. In 2010, I traveled overseas, spending time in the museums of Turkey, Greece, and Egypt. I was deeply inspired by the jewelry and the techniques used to create them. Dedreajewels was born!

My pieces are elegant and organic, using only the finest materials. I work with sterling silver, fine silver, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, genuine gemstone beads, faceted stones and freshwater pearls. All of my metal components are hand formed, fused or wire wrapped.

I have been using a technique called” Viking Knit” to create most of the chain in my bracelets and necklaces. Viking Knit is created by weaving wire in a series of loops around a dowel and then drawing it through a draw plate to get the diameter and length. Also, this year I will be offering more metalwork pieces.”

- Dedrea Danilov

Erika Simon

Heart Talisman

sterling silver, copper

1.5″ x 1.5″ x .3″

Erika Simon

Victorian Dreams

Silicon bronze, black onyx, tuille

17.5″ x 3.5″ x .25″

“Body adornment is one of the most time enduring and artful forms of self-expression. Choosing a piece of jewelry is a very personal experience, the chosen piece must nearly speak to the wearer. My intention when designing a piece is directly connected to my aesthetic, taste & style. During my design process and metal working there is a similar intimate exchange between the piece and myself as the designer.

Inspiration for my jewelry comes from both organic and architectural forms. My background in architecture influences the idea of cleanliness of a line in streamlined architectural forms. Organic and floral motifs are inspired by the Hungarian embroidery of my childhood. I strive for what is in-between the two positions; contrasting use of architectural elements with floral and organic patterns.”

- Erika Simon – mistymetal.com

Mary Freiburger

Coral and Chyrsoprase Necklace with Chalcedony Earrings

Coral, chrysoprase, chalcedony, gold vermeil

24″ x 1″ x 1″

Mary Freiburger

Blue Skies

Aquamarine and chalcedony

18″ x 1″ x 2″

“Jem’s Jewelry offers classically styled necklaces and earrings for women who love jewelry. Mary Freiburger designs unique, affordable pieces made of sterling silver and gold fill embellished with sparkling semi-precious stones and European glass.

Mary finds inspiration for her colorful pieces from a walk in the arboretum or a visit to the local aquarium. The vibrant colors of autumn leaves or tropical fish are visible in her brightly colored creations.

Jem’s Jewelry can be found at museum gift shops and art galleries through out the Pacific Northwest. Jem’s also partners with non-profits by donating a portion of sales at charity events.

A large percentage of findings and supplies are sourced locally. Jem’s utilizes green business practices whenever possible including packaging and waste disposal.”

- Mary Freiburger – jemsjewelry.net

The post Arts Festival Artist Features – The Jewelry appeared first on Vala Eastside.

For full artist roster and more information visit http://www.valaeastside.org/venues/redmond-town-center-arts-festival

Satya Kommini

It’s a perfect day – Totes and Bags

Screen Printed Canvas Bags

15.75″ x 13.25″ x 3.5″

Satya Kommini

It’s a perfect day – Greeting Cards

Printed Greeting Cards

7″ x 5″ x 0″

“The roots of “it’s a perfect day” took shape in a profoundly unexpected way. The loss of my father in 2006, led me down the spiritual path through which I learnt to appreciate things already in my life, to be in the moment, and to find happiness within.

I wanted to express this new found feeling through an artistic medium and settled on the idea of printed media such as t-shirts. One August Seattle morning in 2009, I woke up to a beautiful sunny day. My first thought upon waking up was “It’s a perfect day!” And at that very moment, I knew that this was the message that I was going to convey through my new business.

In 2010, I started designing, screen printing and selling apparel with the “it’s a perfect day” motif. Since then I have expanded my offerings by adding caps, bags, greeting cards, mugs and jewelry. The core essence of the brand is simple – every day is perfect for something. And I hope to spread this message through my brand.”

- Satya Kommini - itsaperfectday.com

Heather Daveno

Spiderweb Cap

textile

5″ x 8″ x 8″

Heather Daveno

Suleyman’s Garden

textile

6″ x 8″ x 8″

“I have a penchant for making new things out of old things. I’m also fascinated by pre-17th century art, history and textile techniques from Asia and Europe. These two passions merge in my work.

I craft my hats from reclaimed textiles and found objects. Many of my patterns and techniques date back several centuries. Working with “old timey” tools, techniques and textiles gives me a sense of reclaiming history, while giving a contemporary use to previously discarded objects.

One of my patrons and avid collectors once said: “One cannot own too many of these hats.” There is no higher compliment than that…

August Phoenix is a woman-owned business and a registered trademark in the State of Washington. I am a a member of the Northwest Art Alliance, the Brookfield Craft Center, and the Textile and Fiber Arts List (TAFA).”

- Heather Daveno - augustphoenix.com

Julie Lyderson-Jackson

Linen block-printed tea towel

Linen & ink

26″ x 18″ x 0″

Julie Lyderson-Jackson

Pinch-pleated linen & leather bag

linen, canvas & leather

18″ x 16″ x 3.5″

“Spool + Sparrow is a one-woman textile design and small-batch production studio in Seattle, WA. In my home-based workshop, I create textile goods for body & home using materials derived from natural, sustainable crop fibers. Many of my creations are printed with my hand-carved designs using non-toxic, water-based ink.

I find inspiration in functional design, the natural world, and the longevity of handcrafting traditions from around the globe. My designs are further influenced by a rustic, somewhat utilitarian aesthetic and a belief that less is often more.

As all of my products are handmade, one-at-a-time, no two items are exactly alike. I take great care to offer only well-made & enduring designs that blend beauty and comfort with environmental sensitivity.”

- Julie Lyderson-Jackson - spoolandsparrow.com

Vanessa Michelangeli

Retro Collection

USA Designer Fabric

7″ x 12″ x 1″

Vanessa Michelangeli

Retro Collection

USA Designer Fabric

7″ x 12″ x 1″

“At a young age my sister and I loved it when my mother would carefully dress us alike to go out, helping us to make a connection with our own fashion sense. As I grew, I always envisioned going through the same process with my own kids. Now we are blessed with a beautiful son and daughter, and I started searching for a way to combine my passions for composition, photography and cultural fusion into the design of individual boy and girl pieces. Through that process, I began looking at different resources for inspiration, which led to my own form of tailored expression handcrafting hair bows out of designer fabrics.

Accessories are my passion and the idea of designing hair bows and hair clips was born the day I dressed my daughter Alessia with a hair bow that coordinated perfectly with my own head band. All day long, people commented on how cute we looked. From that day forward, I’ve made it my mission to bring trendy, high-quality products to the world of casual family style.”

- Vanessa Michelangeli 

The post Arts Festival Artist Features – The Textiles appeared first on Vala Eastside.

For full artist roster and more information visit http://www.valaeastside.org/venues/redmond-town-center-arts-festival

Mallory Milke

Self Portrait 2013

Acrylic on Canvas

20″ x 24″ x 2″

Mallory Milke

Wildflower

Watercolor & Ink on Paper

14″ x 11″ x 0″

“I’ve been painting ever since I was a kid, but never really thought of doing it as anything more than a hobby. As I filled up the walls of my home with my own art, I had so many of my friends and family asking for their own that I decided I might as well go for it and see where it takes me. Three years later, tons of empty paint tubes and I’m here, working for myself and loving every minute of it. I get to stay home with my son and create fun, colorful paintings that I love.”

-  Mallory Milke - mayhemhere.etsy.com

Cheryl Bowman

Soulful Glance

Oil Painting

24″ x 20″ x 1″

Cheryl Bowman

You Are Being Watched Left

Oil Painting

24″ x 30″ x 1″

“I paint because I am continually challenged by the fact that there is no beginning to painting and no end. Success and failure become subjective to those who choose to judge it. The endless freedom to express myself in subjects, patterns, colors, shapes, and styles never leads to a predetermined degree of accomplishment. One of the few things in my life that has never bored me and constantly challenged me has been painting. My goal is to ultimately render how I see and hope that others investigate the joyful visions of my mind.”

- Cheryl Bowman - cherylbowman.com

Kristin Johnson

Summer Peace – detail

Acrylic / Molding Paste on panel

49″ x 49″ x 0″

Kristin Johnson

Beach Walk

Acrylic / Molding Paste on panel

24″ x 24″ x 0″

“So perfectly placed is the word “art” in the center of the word “earth”…one being a part of the other. Circles surround us in nature. On a beach walk or a trail hike, my eyes are attracted to the circular gifts of nature: stones, shells, bark, pods…When I observe circles in nature, I experience a sense of peace. One symbolic message of circles is wholeness. Whether created with a single line or an elaborate mathematical design, they are whole, complete, and beautifully simple. I have incorporated circles into my art because of their simplicity. That said, I also believe circles represent the process of change. So even though something is whole or complete, it doesn’t mean they are finished. Their circular motion shows the objects of nature, including humans, are always changing. So as we strive for a peaceful existence in our life, we also must accept the inevitable changes that come with it. I hope my art carries you to a sense of peace.”

- Kristin Johnson - kristinjohnson.webstarts.com

PC Revius

Boy in Kayak

Oil on Canvas

48″ x 24″ x 0.75″

PC Revius

Jazz Drums

Oil on Canvas

15″ x 30″ x .75″

“I paint my dreams…Painting pulls something out from inside of me that I cannot describe any other way except through my art. Art isn’t merely an expression through a medium, it’s an extension of myself. My paintings, primarily oil-based, often speak for themselves. Within them are unique images and messages, hidden within the paint, that speak differently to each and every person. I want people to see the beauty, the pain, and the “strange” in my art. So take a look for yourself…What do you see?”

- PC Revius

The post Arts Festival Artist Features – The Painters appeared first on Vala Eastside.

“Eva Moon gives a stunning performance in her one-woman musical theater show Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes about her shocking encounter with cancer. Her story is bravely told by confronting the real, and often taboo issues of body image, sex, and shame that make us cry and laugh at the same time. Eva relates to us, the audience, on an intimate level by taking us to a universal reality even if we have no relationship to cancer ourselves.  Her seamless transitions between down-to-earth storytelling and light-hearted musical relief create a world of both truth and escape from it. Ultimately, her story brings awareness about the BRCA gene to a community of women and strength to a broader community about overcoming improbable odds.”

Brett Mathewson

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Smith College

The post A “stunning performance” at VALA Art Center appeared first on Vala Eastside.

The post 2013 Redmond Town Center Arts Festival appeared first on Vala Eastside.

The world was stunned this week to learn that Actress/Director Angelina Jolie had a preventive mastectomy to avoid 87% odds of breast cancer due to the BRCA1 genetic mutation.
Local performer/composer Eva Moon, who also carries the gene, faced the same impossible choice.

Now she has written a solo musical about her experience and will performing the show at various local venues as well as touring to London in June.

“The Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes” is a feisty, frank and fearless original musical comedy about turning a devastating prognosis into a new lease on life. Moon shares the humor as well as the struggle of dealing with a life-changing personal challenge. “Angelina Jolie’s bravery and openness about her experience will save lives,” said Moon. “It’s exactly what I hope for with my show, as well. I bet my breasts and ovaries to save my life – and lived to talk – and sing – about it.”

After learning she had the BRCA genetic mutation, which raises the risk of breast cancer to 87% and ovarian cancer to 55%, Moon made the difficult choice to undergo multiple prophylactic surgeries instead. “In the process, I discovered my mutant superpower,” Moon said. “I got to change the future.”

Learn more about the show at http://MutantDiaries.com

The Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes – local shows

Friday, May 17, 6 pm
VALA Arts Center, Redmond Town Center - http://valaeastside.org
Suggested donation: $10

Thursday, May 23, 7:30 pm, $10
Fall City Bistro - http://fallcitybistro.com

Friday, May 30, 7:30 pm
Sunnyside Up Cafe – sunnyside-up-cafe.com
Corvallis, Oregon
Suggested donation: $10

Thursday, June 13
Benefit performance for Macmillan Cancer Support
Imperial College, London UK

Media inquiries: Eva Moon – eva@evamoon.net
Hi res photos: http://mutantdiaries.com/news.html#media

The post Angelina Jolie announcement sparks interest in musical show appeared first on Vala Eastside.