Katrina Hude

Katrina began working with glass as an undergrad at California College of Arts & Crafts. Subsequently she received an MFA in sculpture from San Jose State University. 

Her journey in glass has seen her through a Fellowship at the Creative Glass Center of America, being an Emerging Artist in Residence at the Pilchuck Glass School, & teaching/demonstration engagements in Japan, Australia & around the US. 

Denis Hill

Although Denis has called Central Whidbey 'home' since the late '90's, he is a global citizen in many ways. Self-described as an 'army brat', Denis lived in a variety of international locations growing up. 

With decades of experience as a working photographer, Denis has provided a wide variety of magazine illustration & event coverage over the years--including coverage for NASCAR & drag racing magazines and various tourism campaigns.  He shares his wealth of experience when he teaches at professional conferences & workshops throughout Puget Sound & beyond.

Denis has an obvious love & fascination for the natural beauty he finds nearly anywhere he travels.

Besides many iconic locations around Central Whidbey, Denis is known to frequent many of the National Parks around the county. He takes annual photographic trips to locations such as Bulgaria, Jackson, Moab, & Moscow. He continues to 'push the envelope' of creativity in the variety of techniques & mediums he uses. We all get to share his adventures when he returns with his latest works!

Jim Short

Jim tells us "turning wood on a lathe features the combination of exacting precision and wildly random freedom. The form of each piece develops as the wood is exposed on the lathe."
 Most of Jim's pieces are turned from green wood, then allowed to dry, shrink & crack. The pieces are then turned again.
He has a particular liking for Monkey Puzzle & Yew but enjoys other 'Whidbey finds' such as various fruit woods, oak & maple.

 Finishes vary but most commonly are safe for food use; they may be a combination of shellac, pure tung oil & beeswax. Occasionally stains or dyes might be used, but the natural colors & contrasts of the wood normally provide remarkable color options on their own.




"I'm attracted to the endless variations of knots, stains, & bark inclusions."

The Countdown Begins...

30 days to go! One month away! 

Start making your shopping list!

(...and don't forget to treat yourself!)

Linnane Armstrong

Linnane graduated from Coupeville High School in 2000 & went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Reed College in Portland.  While at Reed, she majored in studio art with focuses in book-binding & printmaking.
She returned to the island, & for the last three years has been the manager of a local art store.

In early 2010, she immersed herself in the relief print medium & by the end of 2010 joined the Penn Cove Gallery in Coupeville. Linnane &  husband, Jeff live in Oak Harbor.

"In my more recent landscapes, my compositions are mostly based on the golden ratio--the mathematical formula found in many natural objects as well...as numerous artistic traditions.  

These include medieval illuminated manuscripts & Japanese woodblock prints--both of which have influenced my artistic direction."

Mary Ellen O'Connor

Mary Ellen earned her Bachelors in Fine Arts in Metalsmithing at the School for American Crafts in Rochester, New York. 

"I spent a few years as a metalsmith & jeweler. I worked as an Artist in Residence at Hartwick College for a few years, where I expanded my work into printmaking & hand made paper." 

Mary Ellen moved to Whidbey Island 25 years ago with her young daughter--now an artist in her own right--and has continued to work both as an artist & teacher. Her class topics include drawing, painting & crafts to both children & adults.

Bev McQuary

Originally a California girl, Bev can recount some amazing life-experiences taking her to a variety of homes across the county. Having her recount the journey is one of life's special treats!--but suffice it to say: art has been part of the journey many times.

She's been creating lampwork beads for over 20 years--beginning when she worked at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, learning from some amazing teachers. Realizing that she now had the "bucket o'beads" she focused on learning wire-working techniques--again from some of the best instructors.

She became intrigued with Precious Metal Clay, a by-product of Mitsubishi. Precious metals such as silver, gold or palladium are mixed with an organic binder--allowing the medium to be worked like a fine porcelain clay with many texture possibilities. When fired, the binder is removed, leaving a fine silver or gold that can be soldered & finished.
Bev's connection with Whidbey developed through her work with the (then) Coupeville Art Center & the Best of the Northwest shows. Nearly 10 years ago she finally settled full-time on the island & hopefully won't have to move her studio again! She's a member of the Penn Cove Gallery & participates in local studio tours & events like this one.

Get Ready!

Don't forget: 

the second day of our event--Sunday, December 18th--is the Red Ticket Drawing.  

'Some lucky dog' is gonna win $1000! 

Start hedging your bets right now: for every $20 you spend at one of the businesses listed below, you'll get a Red Ticket.
That equals one more chance to be a big, big winner--& you'll have fun shopping & buying locally!

Come see us on Sunday--and run over to the Island County Historical Museum at 1:00 pm for the drawing. (you have to be present to win...)
There will be four winners--and YOU just might be one of them!

Kay Parsons

 

"Painting is my ongoing conversation with the world: listening, seeing, interpreting, translating" Kay tells us.


In recent years, the focus has been in the garden--one that she designed & tends with devotion. Her current pieces are very much about her interest in light & color--the changes in color facilitated by each movement of light.

Kay's passion for gardening was a gift from her grandmother--a farmer in rural Alabama & Georgia. In addition to providing food for the table, her grandmother nurtured a flower garden. "The wonder I felt as a child for flowers & creatures of her garden is still a central element in my life & the touchstone of my artistic pursuits."

Dave Breining

Dave is a man of few words when describing his work:
"Whimsical,
intriguing,
useful
metal art."









After a life-long metal working career, Dave made his first piece "on a whim." Each unique piece reflects two fundamental desires: solving the question of how to make things work & making people smile.
Mission accomplished!

Katrina Hude: Glass in Amazing Form

Katrina tells us--"process & technique are fine & well but the most important act for me is to have a vision & bring it into being."

"I enjoy the learning that comes with object making & most importantly I love to bring objects together so they can develop into a series. It seems to me very similar to having a thought & sharing with others that it might become a worthwhile conversation."

Jandellyn & Johnathan Ward

  Jan & John design & create functional art pieces for the home & garden. Each piece is created from new & recycled steel--which is cut, ground & formed into components that are welded. Although steel is the primary medium, works also include aluminum, copper, stainless, brass, fused glass & cast cement components of their own design.

The couple participate in about 25 art festivals annually and both feel right at home on the art 'circuit'. John "grew up in a family of artists" & accompanied his dad to festivals when he sold wooden toys.
Jan also went to art festivals with her mom until she graduated from high school. "I grew up with a family of seamstresses. My mother taught me a lot about designing & building works of art from fabrics." It would seem art has become a family tradition, as Jan & John's two young children now accompany them throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Mariana Shawver

Mariana describes herself as a 'product' of a very artistic family: "art is in my genes."
She explored a variety of artistic mediums until the 1990's, when she discovered that colorful abstract & collage were her forte--&, as they say, 'the rest was history.'  "The vibrant colors of acrylic paint & a wide variety of textures excite me."

She's successfully experimented with materials ranging from PVC to fabric interfacing.
Mariana's current medium is reverse painting & collage on glass--with some stunning results.