Dragonfire Neighborhood Gallery
529 Dayton St.

“Go stand in the corner,” doesn’t specter a threat of punishment if you are gallery director Kurt Mattingly and new-to-the-scene artist, Michael Cadieux. And they’ve got an Art Walk Edmonds show for you to prove the joy of standing with your nose to the wall.

Dragonfire is wild with enthusiasm over their new art form – and so am I after getting an exclusive preview recently of the gallery’s featured January Art Walk artist.

I strolled into Dragonfire this past week to ask the question, “What’s up for January’s Art Walk Edmonds?” and was taken aback by Corner Art, an art form that came off the dream board of gallery director Kurt Mattingly.

Truthfully, I can’t find anyone else who is doing concave and convex corner art – not anywhere – and I’ve done my homework. I’ve found framed art that butts up against each other at the edge of a corner; but not one singular work of framed art that wraps, or tucks, the architectural corners of an environment.

It’s as hot and rare as . . . well . . . Dragonfire!

Naturally it’s the desire of Artfully Edmonds (AE) to satiate the curiosity of My Edmonds News readers who may want to know more about Corner Art, so we requested an interview with the artist who brought the gallery director’s dream board vision to life. Join me while I sit down with Michael Cadieux (MC):

AE: Michael, how did the Corner Art concept come about between you and Dragonfire? How was the collaboration driven?

MC: The Corner Art concept was born when Kurt and I were viewing a drawing on his dream board. Kurt said, “This is something I really want to create!”

I exclaimed, “I can do that!” And I did. That was followed by a high-five and the exuberant phrase, “We’re cornering the market on art!”
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AE: Congratulations! Your ability to realize Kurt’s art form speaks to your own vision and acumen. However, you are a pretty mysterious quantity to the Edmonds art world – a blank canvas so to speak. When art lovers think of Michael Cadieux what words should come to mind as your body of work gains exposure?

MC: Unexpected, Playful, Impactful, Unconventional.
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AE: Actually, I’m curious — where have you been all of our lives?

MC: Vocationally I’ve experienced a good deal. I’ve been a furniture maker, an aerospace technician in the United States Air Force, a truck driver, a shipyard welder, a telecommunications service representative, a computer salesperson, a pastor, a sports apparel salesperson, a lumber yard worker, an insurance adjuster, a body shop general manager, a painting contractor, a faux finish artist.

I’ve also worked in horticulture, cement, and general construction. I also love to work with wood, creating unique occasional tables.

Perhaps to say I started my painting business in 1998 is more to the point. In 2002 I was professionally trained as a faux artist and have had twelve years of experience using a wide variety of materials and tools to create unique finishes. Everything from simple color glazes to high-end work like a Chinese Silk finish I created and installed in a 17th century castle in France.

Although my work has been appreciated for its sophistication and esthetics, I’ve always felt like a back up singer so to speak. My clients would hang their pieces of art on top of my finishes, at times works from original masters. I made the decision to come out from behind the other artist’s work and create my own.
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AE: Where is your studio? Describe your work style and space for our readers.

MC: My studio is located in Snohomish. It’s rather small but so am I, so it works. There’s really no better place I’d rather be. It’s where magic happens.

I’m able to get what’s inside out so I can sleep at night. It’s where my hands and my heart get together to create something special. I make quite a mess along the way but most of the time it’s worthwhile.
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AE: What is it about the Edmonds art scene that you love the most?

MC: There’s so much to appreciate about the Edmonds art scene from the gorgeous backdrop of the Olympics to the genuine artists and gallery owners. I’ve felt such a warm welcome from day one.

But I guess in the end what did it for me, what caused me to want to show my work at Dragonfire Neighborhood Art Gallery was the incredible craft brewery across the street! Jeff at Salish Sea Brewing Co. is a master brewer creating some of the best beers in Washington State.

I’m particularly fond of the Big Chocolate Love, which I believe is a porter, and the Blizzak Winter Ale.
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AE: Well! You are a surprising quantity! You “believe” correctly, actually (Porter #2) or Big Chocolate Love as it is titled on the selections list of Salish Sea Brewing Co., located at 518 Dayton St., is a American Porter brewed at the popular Edmonds brewing company.

Michael, now that I have had an opportunity to take in each of the pieces that Dragonfire is showing this month for Art Walk Edmonds I see a theme of symbolism throughout your work. What part does symbolism play in your creations?

MC: Symbolism plays a big role in my work. Although some pieces I create are void of symbols, much of the work originating in my soul includes them. An example would be my piece, “Healing.” I produced this piece in what felt like an unconscious state. I mean I was there and completely engaged, but I didn’t have any idea where it was coming from, or how it would turn out.

Days before this piece showed up my mom passed away.

The square vase lying on its side represents my mother. The five smaller squares represent her five children (I’m in middle).

Emotionally I was compelled to move closer to my mom when she left, but then I had to decide what her passing would do to me. I choose to allow her life and her encouragement inspire my art; to move me from being a back up singer on the wall to creating pieces of my own that others can appreciate.
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AE: I’d like to express my condolences; obviously you are left with sweet inspirations and memories.

Michael, in what direction is your body of work going? Where are you placing your emphasis?

MC: I’m currently focusing on the materials and techniques I learned as a faux artist by incorporating a variety of textures within the composition. Much of my earlier work came from a place of mourning and sadness, now I’m creating from more of a place of wonder, magic, and beauty.

In regards to my art, but not the work itself I love to feel it, I mean really touch it. The tactile nature of what I create is important to me.

My hope is that my work touches the hearts of art lovers enough to make them want to touch it back.

AE: I understand from Kurt Mattingly that patrons are actually going to be encouraged to reach out and touch your art so that is exactly what you will fine me doing on my first stop at Art Walk Edmonds this month.

Thank you, Michael for taking the time away from hanging your art at Dragonfire (and enjoying Big Chocolate Love) to speak with us.

You can find a full map of participants of Art Walk Edmonds here.
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Additional Art Walk Edmonds exhibits for January include these exciting highlights and cozy venues with Edmonds-area leading-edge artists:

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Can you believe how much is going on at this month’s Art Walk? It’s gorgeous!

And speaking of gorgeous – introductions are in order:

Mosaic Salon Group
130 5th Ave. S.

Imagine having at your fingertips twenty-three salons specializing in style at one convenient downtown location. Throughout the Art Walk Edmonds evening Mosaic Salon Group will be raffling off fabulous hair and body care baskets. This is cause for celebration!

Live music will be provided by Isaac Castillo and Marina Christopher, a delightful Bass and Ukulele Duo.

Details of Mosaic’s opening are included in this My Edmonds News flash.
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Edmonds Conference Center (ECC)
201 4th Ave. N.
The Deep

ECC’s January showing has been curated by Mary Peterson and Nadine Smith and includes the art of Alisha Dall’osto, Cara Davis, Nadine Smith, Shannon Danks, Henri Wilson, Guy Cadwallader, Kim Brayman, Leigh Gardner, Lynn Scott, Mona Fairbanks, Kate Clark, Leia Smith, Josey Wise, Mary Peterson, and Nicole Appell.

Guy Cadwallader, spray paint mural artist is the featured guest at the ECC this month. By sharing his inspirational success story as a participant of the program “Reclaiming Furtures” https://reclaimingfutures.org/about Cadwallader has made strides in the art community and beyond.

He tells about the journey of his young life in this YouTube video.

Cadwallader will entertain, delight, and engage Art Walk participants with a live demonstration of mural art at 5:45 p.m. in the Conference Center parking lot.

If you are an enthusiast of supporting the participation of our young people in the art scene, schedule your evening walk-about to include Cadwallader’s demonstration.

And we’re reminded . . . Ponchos will be available at the ECC if there’s a light drizzle.

A lot of effort has gone into the schedule for the ECC show, which follows:

5 p.m. Doors Open: Lobby serving coffee, water, and tea plus light snacks;

5:15 p.m. Mary Peterson will conduct a guided tour of “The Deep” art exhibit;

5:45 p.m. Guy Cadwallader, will hold a graffiti demonstration in the ECC parking lot;

6:15 p.m. Buddy Todd, emcee, will lead an “on art” question and answer session with panelists Guy Cadwallader, graffiti artist; Mary Peterson, artist and curator of “The Deep” art exhibit; Henri Wilson, artist and mentor to Cadwallader; and Director of Art Walk Edmonds Elizabeth Martin-Calder. Rhododendron Room.
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Frances Anderson Center
Gallery
700 Main Street

Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation
And Edmonds Arts Commission

A selection of both two and three-dimensional work from the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation Collection is on exhibit at the EAFF Gallery through the month of January with many of the pieces featured in this Vimeo presentation.

The EAF Foundation Collection is a fine representation of Northwest artists, including watercolors by Marjorie Bruce, Crisse Bennett and Lois Silver; bronze sculpture by Robert Cooke and Edward Ballew; clay work by Mike O’Day and Gregory Fields; and 2014’s selected drawing by Anna Hoey.

These and other Edmonds Arts Festival artists help define the character of Pacific Northwest art.

Enjoy this partnership exhibit with the Edmonds Arts Commission until Jan. 28 at the Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information call 425-771-0230.

Additional pieces from the collection are currently on view in the Brackett Room of City Hall and the second floor exhibit area of the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

For more information about the programs and exhibits of the EAF Foundation, visit www.eaffoundation.org.
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Cole Gallery
107 5th Ave.

Cole Gallery is turning to warmth and wood for January’s Art Walk, featuring art forged in bronze and clay, and glass. The warmth of wood is represented by artisan Gary Leake. The majesty of the Northwest’s evergreens are depicted by Jannelle Loewen, among others.

Filling out January’s special event are the gallery’s featured artists adding to their catalog with, bronze sculptures by Giuseppe Palumbo who brings some whimsical touches to a serious art form, and David Varnau, whose elegant and graceful forms delight us with thoughtful beauty and joy.

And new this winter at Cole are the botanical sculptures in stoneware by Mary Jane Elgin, as well as the handcrafted pottery by Barbara Childs.
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Denise Cole, owner of Cole Gallery and Studio reminds us we each have “a different way to welcome the New Year” asking, “What’s yours?”

Well, some of us make resolutions and some of us just find inspiration in the idea of newness – new discoveries, passions. If this is the year you are going to invest in your artistic passions Cole Studio is eager to help you achieve your artistic goals!

Make time for an art class and leave with paint on your fingers, a sparkle in your eye, and beauty on your mind.

Denise promises, “You will love the new experience, and both you and your loved ones will enjoy the newness it brings in your heart and mind.” Link up here for more information.
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And if you need art supplies what better stop than ARTSpot just around the corner from Cole Studio at 408 Main St., where for Art Walk Edmonds they are featuring Cody French who will be demonstrating his techniques and talking to all of you and answering question, so come to ARTspot during the Edmonds Art Walk and see this magnificent artist!
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News from
Gallery North
401 Main St.

There’s a lot involved in planning and jurying an art exhibition and the artists who cooperative run Gallery North are in the throes of details, schedules, and high-energy promotion. After all, their Call for Artists for the 2015 Small Works Show has just gone out!

With an entry deadline of Feb. 10 and an exhibition calendar of March 1 – 30th the cooperative must accomplish a lot to keep the show moving forward.

The details for entries into the show can be found here.

But all the activity readying for the Small Works 2015 show doesn’t mean that Gallery North doesn’t have its eye on Art Walk Edmonds for January!

Gallery North is introducing one of their new-to-the-gallery artists, Robina Lindsay and Bob Dunn this month.

And finally, just for the sheer joy of viewing, Artfully Edmonds always wants to offer Gallery North’s video presentation for the month.

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Zinc Art + Interiors
102 3rd Ave. S.

Yes, Artfully Edmonds has it on very good authority that Zinc Art + Interior will be in party mode for January Art Walk Edmonds!

Have you ever noticed that anytime you are in the Zinc gallery looking out, all of the passing cars are . . . . orange!? It’s a true phenom!

So make your way to Zinc Art + Interiors where gallery owner Laura Zeck is proud and excited to display a selection of work by Seattle Graphic Designer and Artist Lorie Ransom.

By way of introduction Laura tells us, “Lorie is a long-time graphic designer and itinerant artist who, in 2013, committed to completing a drawing every day for one year. The product of her effort is “The Daily Drawing”, a collection of light and whimsical ink-on-paper drawings. Many of the later drawings include humorous dialog reminiscent of newspaper comics. In her art, Lorie attempts to find a bit of “ridiculous” in the mundane things in life that most everyone can relate to. Lorie has continued the project indefinitely, sharing her drawings on social networks and her personal blog, which follows:

“On Wednesday June 12, 2013, I poured myself a glass of wine (or two), sat down to draw and decided to not stop for a year.

Well, not continuously all day and night, but at least once a day for a year. I had no idea whether I could do it, but I told myself the drawings could be small, just a sketch – something I could finish in 15 minutes or less. With this caveat, I was able to keep it up for consecutive days, long enough for it to become a kind of habit. Once it became habit, the drawing sessions became longer and the sketches more detailed.

Eventually I began developing more and more humorous ideas because they were the most fun draw. About 324 days through the project I discovered I was basically drawing a daily comic. It was so much fun that I decided to keep going.

The drawings in this show are selects from the first 365 days. Since completing the project I’ve continued to draw every day (with small exceptions) and as of this opening, I am somewhere around day 430.”

Signed, Lorie Ransom

Artfully Edmonds was lucky enough to stop by Zinc Art + Interiors at just the right time to see the beginnings of the Lorie Ransom exhibition. I can only say, “Zinc! It’s essential.”
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Now with Art Walk Edmonds behind us, let’s move on to theatre news and large-stage announcements:

Edmonds Center for the Arts
410 4th Ave.

Thursday, Jan. 15
7:30 p.m.

Martha Redbone Roots Project

Readers! You are not going to miss Martha Redbone are you? Artfully Edmonds will be there, stage left – seven aisles back stomp-chanting, cheering, and applauding for the Diva – Martha Redbone! This just happens to be one of those shows you can wrap up your Art Walk stroll, grab a quick bite, and continue your way on to ECA to cap off the evening with a very exciting evening.

Tickets at the ECA box office, of course – but I’d recommend getting your tickets to the Martha Redbone show right now, why wait?
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Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.

Jan.15-18 only
Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m.
Sunday at 2 p.m.

Plus a Gift from Driftwood ~
All seats $10 for this performance
By using code “Best”

Lark Eden, a production of The Driftwood Players, is a stirring new play chronicling the friendship of three Southern women over 75 years.

Playwright Natalie Symons takes us on an epic journey of love and loss permeated by the fierce endurance of old friendship. A play told in letters, Lark Eden is at once a deeply moving and darkly comic look at the fingerprints that we unknowingly leave on the hearts of those we love.

Directed by Doug Staley and featuring the talents of Patty Bonnell, Lily Kister, and Carissa Meisner Smit, Lark Eden is a part of the Theatre of Intriguing Possibilities (TIPs) series at The Driftwood Players. TIPs offers a spotlight on local playwrights, new plays, topical subjects and edgier fare.

Playwright Natalie Symons is a 2014 recipient of the Hillsborough County Arts Council Individual Artist Grant, and was honored with the Best of the Bay Award: Critic’s Choice for “Most Promising Playwright.” in 2012.

Tickets for you and your best life-long friend are available here. For the Driftwood’s generous discounted ticket offer for this production use the code, “Best”.

See you there!
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Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N.

Quincy Jones and
Ray Charles on
Jackson Street

Friday, Jan. 23
8 p.m.

After a hit weekend of sold-out concerts last November, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) brings a reprise of its concert Quincy Jones and Ray Charles on Jackson Street to Edmonds Center for the Arts.

This concert explores the groundbreaking jazz of the 1940s on Seattle’s Jackson Street, where Ray Charles and Quincy Jones each got their start.

Vocalist Reggie Goings, along with Delvon Lamarr on his Hammond B-3, will join the orchestra. Selections will include early jazz works by Quincy for his own big band pieces from the hit (and very hip) 1961 album “Genius + Soul = Jazz”, a collaboration between Ray and Quincy for Atlantic Records; “Birth of the Blues”, “One Mint Julep”, “I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town” and more.

Tickets are available through the SRJO’s website srjo.org and through ECA’s online ticket office here. Telephone inquires may be made by dialing 206-523-6159, or by calling 425-275-9595.

See you there!
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— By Emily Hill

Emily Hill is the author of two novels and a short story collection. She also writes the “Lynnwood Lifestyle” column for Lynnwood Today. She is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com.