Two Coats of Paint Blog

Artist, Sharon L. Butler, has been blogging about the art world from New York since 2007 under the banner, twocoatsofpaint.com, and has won awards for her intelligent, straight forward writing and keen eye. She recently visited Seattle for the opening of her show, Squeeze Hard (Hold That Thought) with Allison Manch at Season. Don't miss it.

While in town, Sharon stopped by Building C Studios at the invitation of Robert Hardgrave and blogged about her visit. Although I wasn't able to be present, Sharon included my work in the blog, which features Robert Hardgrave along with fellow building artists Gillian Theobald, C.L. Utley and Andree B. Carter. Here is a link to her post.

High Ho, High Ho

It's back to school I go. Three weeks ago I became a student again after more years that I care to share, purely out of my own need to deny my age while also loving life from the perch were I now reside. To lay out all the reasons for the delay would probably result in your not getting past this sentence. The reasons for going back in part include the desire to finish something I started long ago. The biggest surprise of this experience thus far happened while going through college orientation, which bounced me right back to being 18-20 years old. I found myself like a deer in the headlights staring at the pile of registration papers. Fortunately that mental state only lasted minutes because I was able convince myself that I am not 18 after all (a definition of maturity?) but the experience was revelatory all the same. I'll write more about my back to school experience as time allows. In the meantime, there won't be as much time for the blog but I will continue to post as I can.

Photography as Printmaking: Interview with Tod Gangler of Art & Soul Photography

Marble Torso of a Boy, Tod Gangler (used with permission of the artist)

Current exhibition:

Art & Soul Photography Gallery through April

2860 Market Street, Seattle

9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday

About five years ago a friend said to me, “Art & Soul Photography is the best place in Seattle to have your work photographed.”  “Okay”, I said, “I’ll check it out.” The problem was I couldn’t find it the first time I went looking. There is no sign outside the modest, white building located just north of Taco Time near the Ballard locks.  The sign is there but it’s located in the window below eye level.  I persisted and was hugely rewarded for my efforts. That’s because the real story here is about a very talented photographer named Tod Gangler and a rare process called carbon color printing.

How Could I Forget . . . Red Current at Roq La Rue!

Mea culpa! I'll admit right up front that I've been a bit distracted lately. Act fast! There are only three more days to see Red Current (sweet fruit) at Roq La Rue. Curated by Sharon Arnold, this exhibition features the work of 37 contemporary women artists. Run don't walk!

First Thursday: Two Shows I Won't Miss

Here are two exhibits, in no particular order, that I'm excited to see tomorrow night during First Thursday. Each show has a unique vision that is worth checking out.

In 1970 a book of prints by Jacob Lawrence depicting Aesop's Fable's was published by University Press. Seattle visual artist, Robert Hardgrave, has used this book as a departure point in curating Refable, an exhibition opening April 5 at Collom Gallery in Seattle. He invited a dozen contemporary artists to choose one print from Lawrence's Aesop's Fable and graphically reinterpret it for the exhibition. The opening reception will be Thursday, April 5th from 6-8 pm.

Says Hardgrave, "Jacob Lawrence has been an important resource to many artists for his simple yet dynamic compositions. As a lifelong teacher his lessons continue to ring even after his passing in 2000. This exhibit features several notable northwest artists as they take on making work based on Lawrence’s classic renditions of Aesop’s Fables. I hope to engage the public in the power of Lawrence’s graphic work by presenting it through a few contemporary artists, while enjoying the rich bounty of talent that exists here in the northwest today."

Where: Cullom Gallery, 603 S Main Street, Seattle, WA 98104
When: April 5th-28th;  
Opening reception Thursday, April 5, 6-9 pm
Who: Matthew Dennison, Warren Dykeman, Hibiki Miyazaki, Amy Huddleston, Sean Michael Hurley, Darin Shuler, Peter Taylor,  Joe Park, Gene Gentry McMahon, Stacey Rozich, Claude L. Utley, Kimberly Trowbridge and Robert Hardgrave

Pramaste, Anna-Mária Vág (used with permission)

Next up is Mossitative, a visually stunning series of luminous images by Seattle photographer Anna-Mária Vág. By playing with focal length and cropping of her chosen subject, Vag has created painterly images that push into abstraction. A distinctive process of dye-infused aluminum creates a holographic-like quality, the effects of which can only be experienced in person.

Where: Mithun Threshold Gallery on Pier 56 at 1201 Alaskan Way # 200 Seattle, WA 98101
When: April 3 - May 8,
Opening reception Thursday, April 5, 5-7 pm