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Pioneer Square Art Walk

There’s nothing better than a warm summer evening, on the first Thursday of the month, in Pioneer Square for the Art Walk. On June 4, Nick and Kirsty and I pregamed at the shop with cocktails and farmer’s market snacks, then headed down. It was a particularly beautiful day, which really helped get us in the mood to go out after work. Pro tip: Make a date with someone, so you are committed to go.

We started at RailSpur which had two floors of art this month. This space is always a surprise….you never know what to expect, but it’s so fun to see what’s happening there, inside and in the alleys. The architecture and what they have done to restore and repurpose the building, is part of what makes it so wonderful. “Named for the railways that once ran through the area, RailSpur encompasses three historic warehouse buildings in Pioneer Square. Focused on preservation, sustainability, community and innovation, this cultural hub includes office, retail, restaurant, residential, and hospitality experiences.”

On May 16 a new exhibit opened at The Museum of Pop Culture and it runs through April 2027. It features the work of Janette Beckman, covering her work from the 70’s through today. She is a British documentary photographer who has worked in London, New York and Los Angeles. Her career began after art school, as a photographer at Sounds Newspaper and The Face magazine in London.

I live on the downtown Seattle waterfront, a few blocks from the Seattle Ferry Terminal, and I love taking half hour excursions across Elliott Bay to Bainbridge Island. On the boat, I grab a coffee or a glass of wine, settle into a comfy booth, and watch the scenery go by. Once on the other side, it’s a five minute walk to the offerings of downtown Winslow. One of the first places you will come across is the art museum.

This museum has the best exhibits, it’s not too huge, and it’s free (excluding some special events). It’s open 10-5 daily. I visited with my mom last week, and they had three really great exhibits.

Museo Soumaya in Mexico City

Have you heard of this museum?  I hadn’t, but on my 9th day in Mexico City, we walked from our apartment in the Roma to the Polanco neighborhood to check it out.  My new son-in-law had it on his list because he studied the building as an architecture student.  I had no idea what I was in for. Walking up to it was so impressive!  

As most artists find out, framing can be challenging. Deciding what works best for their work and affording it can be overwhelming.

I am a cheerleader for all artists and want to help them in any way that I’m able. The main thing I can do is talk through their needs and desires, and give advice. I’ve rarely talked to an artist where cost was not an issue, because it gets tacked onto the price they charge for their art.

Artist Xavier Raymond Kelley. In 2021 a local collector started bringing us big, dynamic paintings on canvas, unlike anything we had ever seen. The closest comparison would be Basquiat, but these were unique and exciting. They also challenged our framing skills, as they were painted on canvas that was cut off the roll and painted edge to edge. This was our introduction to Xavier Kelley, who was 20 years old at the time.

Minami is a wonderful local artist we have represented for over five years and she has become our friend. She is VERY local, living on top of Queen Anne, so we frequently get to see her and her adorable dogs and her husband, Danny. I’m sure many people know and love them in our community.

I recently read this book and thought it was very enlightening. The short 1 paragraph to 3 page chapters gave his thoughts on the struggles and nature of creativity.

He starts by explaining the various resistances faced by creators, including fear of failure and fear of success. Artists need to set aside time and space, often at the detriment of relationships and other responsibilities.

Since I moved downtown two years ago my world is full of incredible murals. I live on the newly finished Seattle Waterfront where the city has made use of the expanse of building backs that are empty canvases for mural artists. I watched artists painting on tall scaffolding as I walked to work.

What Is Art?

The dictionary definition:

Art is the class of objects that meet or are subject to aesthetic criteria; objects considered beautiful, imaginative, skillful, and meaningful collectively, such as paintings, sculptures, or drawings:

My small apartment is filled with art that I have collected over the years, and each piece has a story.  Mostly they are by artist friends and colleagues, who gifted them or gave me a smoking deal.  I also like to find interesting art when I travel. In the last month I purchased (full asking price) art from a local artist, Graham Francoise.  I follow his Morning Coffee Painting series, a time lapsed video of him painting in watercolor.

Have you visited the Ai Weiwei exhibit at The Seattle Art Museum yet?  You still have time because it closes September 7. I just experienced it for the second time and I could go back for more!