Art in the Garden Bash
Featured Artists
JENNIFER BOWMAN
Artist’s Statement: “I believe everyone is an artist in some way, whether it is the presentation of a fine meal or the construction of a beautiful home, the wording of a contract or the way a mother raises a child. Each of us has the ability to make art. Mine just happens to be in paint.”
Jennifer Bowman is an award winning international artist who has been exhibiting and competing professionally for the past 25 years. She has shown throughout the Puget Sound region, Arizona, California, and Mexico. Her work can be found in both private and corporate collections locally to international collections including France and the Netherlands. Through her sales rep at Island International Artists, she has work in over 185 galleries in the United States.
Jennifer traveled from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and back again on a sailboat from 1996 to 1998. During that time, she was able to spend an intensive year mastering her techniques. Her paintings focused on colorful market scenes, images of bougainvillea-draped buildings, and realistic renditions of the cruising community’s yachts in tropical settings.
After returning to the states, she spent a year in San Diego where she was commissioned to paint over 40 boat portraits. That number has tripled since then. Her work has graced the cover of 48 Degrees North 12 times and has been the Artist for Whidbey Island Race week for two years. The varied and vivid scenic backgrounds of the many boat paintings enhanced Jennifer’s ability to portray nature’s moods. She is the winner of the coveted Skagit Valley Tulip poster contest and the creator of the Edmonds Arts Festival poster as well. In 2005, her creation was chosen for the Washington State Heirloom Birth Certificate. More of her can be found on www.jenniferbowman.com.
She teaches 6 workshops a year near her hometown of Anacortes, Washington. In the winter she teaches workshops in Mexico. She divides her time between that, kayaking and growing dahlias for sport.
MARGARET HORAK
Margaret finds inspiration daily in the natural beauty of Skagit County. She also frequently creates commissioned works basedon a client’s idea or image. She has created numerous posters and flyers for local events and has donated art works to many worthy local non-profit organizations and causes.
You can find Margaret teaching watercolor painting at Ristretto twice a month on Wednesdays. She also teaches at Mystic Art Supply in La Conner, WA. Contact her for dates and times.
Margaret also offers watercolor painting trips to Morocco (April 2024) and Santa Fe, NM (October 2024).
You’ll notice that her work is generally not under glass. She usesa cold wax technique that protects the art as well as making it easier to see without the glare. Margaret is a member of the Urban Sketchers, Anacortes Sketchers group, Skagit Artists, and The Painted Ladies (a watercolor group). She plans to continue her lifelong passion of artistic discovery through painting and music. Look for Margaret on Facebook (@marghhorak), Instagram (@marghorak) and online at www.margarethorak.com
PETRA LASC
The wild, rugged, scenic Pacific Northwest’s mountains, oceans, and wildlife are an inexhaustible source of inspiration that begs to be interpreted with canvas and paint. Born and raised in Skagit Valley, WA I learned to be still and appreciate the nature around me. After moving out of state for years and traveling to over 14 countries, it cemented how thankful I am to be back in this wonderful area.
As a stay-at-home mom, I am blessed that I get to share with my husband and daughter the joy of art in many forms, including woodworking, gardening, creating our home, and the beauty of exploring and hiking. On a larger scale, paintings allow me to share a glimpse of our wilderness and wildlife with people all over the country and beyond through commissions for business, private collectors, and juried art shows.
I started painting regularly in 2012. Over the years I have developed my own style, from self-study as well as from other artists, mentors, and classes. My primary focus is on wildlife animals, and Northwest landscapes in both oils and acrylic. All of my paints, canvas, and varnishes are archival quality, and due to my love of woodworking, my frames are handcrafted. I strive to create realistic anatomy and movement, however when it comes to color I let my eye pick out the nuances of chroma, and I let my brush bring it to life.
With my use of color I attempt to convey the vibrancy of life that flows around us. Every day is a gift. Whether it is spent rock climbing or in my cozy painting studio I am thankful. I hope my paintings spread a bit of joy and a taste of adventure to whoever views them.
To view samples of my work, visit my Facebook page: Petra Lasc Art, or my Instagram @petra_lasc_art
ROGER SMALL
I make art because I believe my work can make a difference in the lives of people, which ultimately makes the world a better place. As a young art student, my college art professor had a profound impact on my interest in art. It was in his class that I learned to use texture as a means of expression in my painting. This became my favorite tool that I use in everything I do artistically.
While raising my family of four children, I worked as a Union Ironworker. Throughout my 35 year career I worked in every facet of the trade including supervision, welding, and teaching in the apprenticeship program. After retiring in 2007, I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of working as a fulltime artist. Having the time and resources, I was then able to devote myself to painting daily. This led to the development of my signature palette knife style of painting as well as mixed media techniques.
In 2013 I began designing and building metal sculptures. This progression for me was a naturalone, having had an extensive background in welding and fabrication.
I was born and raised in Skagit Valley, and it’s diverse beauty continually serves as an inspiration for my creativity.
We will have raffle tickets available for purchase for Roger Small’s “Peace Lovers”, pictured below.
PARTNERING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
The Washington Shakespearean Festival
The Washington Shakespearean Festival (WSF) is proud to partner with Skagit Symphony for their Art in the Garden Bash, bringing our portable tiny stage (the Glob-ette) along with our interactive Shakespearean Variety Show. Featuring Soprano Eleanor Stallcop-Horrox, Multi-Instrumentalist/Renaissance Man 'Robyn Plaeyr', and Shakespearean Jay Rairigh, we shall dance, share songs, create Shakespeare On The Spot, and more with the guests of this cultural garden party. More information at www.WaShakespeare.org
MUSICIANS
The Skagit Brass Quintet
Bennie Rawson and Cindy Luna, trumpets
Amanda Smith, french horn
Vince Fejeran, trombone
Jeremy Carrillo, bass trombone
Coyne Duo
Brian and Shannon Coyne, cellos
Goldfinch Quartet
Sigrid Schumacher, violin 1
Sarah Carter, violin 2
Lauren Lamont, viola
Abby Frankenfeld, cello
Cincinnatus Duo
Michael Wheatley, violin
Barb Hunter, cello
Alhambre, flute and guitar
Stephanie Bethea, flute
Alan Smith, guitar