October’s West Seattle Art Walk: Driftwood, zombies, candy …

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(First 6 photos in this story are by Ellen Cedergreen [Alki, ArtsWest, The Kenney])
Steps from the beach, Alki Bathhouse celebrated the exhibit “Beach Structures” last night during the October edition of the West Seattle Art Walk, 41 venues this time around, and we made it to eight of them last night. At the Bathhouse, David W. Simpson is the artist:

He’s also known for cyanotype prints (the image behind him is a print of the same structure), and he’s teaching a class in that medium at the Bathhouse Studio on October 30th, 10:30 am, call 206-684-7430 to register. Another of last night’s most unusual shows, WTF?! Guys and Dolls and Zombies at ArtsWest – here’s artist Kate Vrijmoet attacked by her zombie children tonight in front of her giant zombie paintings:

Click ahead for another unusual sight at ArtsWest – plus more stops around the Art Walk map:

Also from the ArtsWest show, that’s sculptural artist Paul D. McKee next to his “trophy wife” in the center of his new installation, meant to call into question the idea of the American Dream through the examination of “traditional masculine symbols within hetero-normative roles.” On next to one of the southernmost stops on the WSAW map:

On the south end of the West Seattle Art Walk, there’s The Kenney, where acrylic artist and Kenney resident Gladys Herreid posed in front of some of her work. She told WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen that she began painting in high school and has never looked back. The Kenney also held a bazaar during Art Walk to raise money for its Life Care Fund:

That’s Barbara Green, Kenney resident, at the table. The fund covers the costs of residents who no longer can pay – about $400,000 a year – and it’s replenished by various fundraisers throughout the year. Now back to The Junction, and Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor):

(Remaining photos in this story are all by Patrick Sand)
That’s Andrea Yajko with one of her creations at Hotwire, where visitors also got a taste of some of the wine to be offered at the upcoming Furry Faces Foundation fundraiser (here are preview details in the WSB Forums). Further south on California SW, Billy King‘s work is on display at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor):

Also in The Junction, Twilight Artist Collective opened a truly sweet show – with candy-inspired art – like the creations by Kelly Lyles:

(Kelly is also renowned for her art car, as you’ll see if you check out her website at kellyspot.com.) On south now to the new location of M3 Bodyworks (WSB sponsor), 5236 California SW, where you can now see Nadja Haldiman‘s work:

And nearby at C & P Coffee – it was a night for wine, music and art like this creation by Elizabeth Bachmann:

C & P is our newest WSB sponsor and has all sorts of events throughout the month – their frequently updated events calendar is online here. Meantime, the next West Seattle Art Walk is coming up November 11th, and you can watch for updates at the official Art Walk site, wsartwalk.com – remember that many of the exhibits are up throughout the month following Art Walk, so you can use the “walking map” as a guide to enjoying art (and local West Seattle businesses!) just about any time.

Miles October 15, 2010 (9:49 am)

David Simpson’s work is powerful, playful, elegant.

Impressive stuff.

ray October 15, 2010 (10:48 am)

Hey Kate,
Why does WTF have to be in the title? Great example for your kids!

WSB October 15, 2010 (10:56 am)

Ray, I don’t know that the artists chose the exhibit title. Four artists are participating and it’s presented by the ArtsWest Gallery, so if you choose to express concerns directly, you could contact AW. Here’s the full page about the exhibit, which I meant to add to the story and will do so now:
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http://www.artswest.org/?q=node/201

ellenater October 15, 2010 (11:14 am)

ray, that is Art’s West’s title for the group show, NOT Kate’s!!! There are four artists, all under that moniker.

I was very impressed last night by the level and diversity of work we have in West Seattle. The presence and maturity of the work I saw was astounding. David’s sculptures (which were unfortunately only up for one night) were magnificent, quiet, and edgy–all at the same time. The Art’s West show was packed with talent, personality, and humor. It was fantastically curated. (Paul McGee’s deer-heads chandelier is a must see item!) And the watercolors and acrylics at The Kenney were lovely and reflective and full of quiet repose. We are lucky to have this EVERY month!

ray October 15, 2010 (11:26 am)

If I didn’t see the kids in the picture, I wouldn’t have a problem with the title. It’s not a family-friendly title so the kids should stay home! So what’s your Mom up to? “She’s doing an art exhibit called What the F—… Probably a great show- for grown-ups. My beef’s with the picture.

ellenater October 15, 2010 (11:50 am)

Ohhhhh, I see. Well, I disagree–but am not going to try to change your mind.

ray October 15, 2010 (12:42 pm)

How can you disagree? The woman decided to include her children in an adult-themed event (by at least the picture).

Miles October 15, 2010 (1:46 pm)

So I guess we also shouldn’t let our kids go to art museums, just in case there is something you think is “adult themed.” If you want to see stuff you should be more worried about your kids seeing, turn on your tv.

ray October 15, 2010 (2:15 pm)

My beef is with the picture only! It makes it look as though it is kid-friendly. I thought I smelled crazy in the air this morning. My point was not even to have the photo removed. It was just an error in judgement that should be pointed out. That is the joy of the blog! To error-human; to defend (or go on a censorship tangent)- WTF?

Elizagrace October 15, 2010 (4:14 pm)

In ‘Modern Family’ WTF mean “why the face?”

Get with the times. Get some ‘Modern Family’ man. Everyone could use some Phil.

ellenater October 15, 2010 (4:54 pm)

Actually, many years ago, “WTF” was translated from the ancient cave paintings in Lascoux. It was thought to mean: “When Thoracotomy Fails”–meaning the patient didn’t make it and had subsequently become a zombie. I truly believe, but am not entirely sure, that Arts West was utilizing this ‘old world’ definition in their title last night.

Miles October 15, 2010 (6:21 pm)

The point is…….the arts at this time in strained times needs to be supported and not nit picked. The arts are our life blood. Art is the most honest reflection of our time regardless of acceptance. It is our hope for sanity and reality. Deal with it.

Kate October 16, 2010 (9:06 am)

Hey Ray. OMFG. But did you see the black eyes I gave them before the show? Good art provokes and tells us something about the world we live in. If it can’t do that, there’s no point. I’m glad the photo of my kids can add to this discussion. The title of the show is a commentary on our culture today. Although my kids don’t yet know what WTF means, they will in a year or two and they do know that the F word is not something for them to use. We can’t walk down the street without hearing it on a daily basis, even as we walk to school. It’s interesting to me that the symbol for the word, the initial, with a photo of children, is enough to be provocative. I think you’re saying that you find the initial may as well be the word. I’m curious if there’s a divide on this along age lines. Would you be averse to revealing your age? I understand if you’re not comfortable with that. Thank you so much for sparking this great discussion! Kind Regards,
Kate Vrijmoet

Elatia Harris October 16, 2010 (11:24 am)

Kate and Ray and others, thanks for a good discussion. Kate, I happen to know you are a wonderful painter, and a vigilant and loving mom of daughters who are that great combination of curious, well-protected and well-behaved. (Plus, the girls clean up nicely.) And, it’s Halloween season, when the barrier between worlds is especially thin, according to the Druids. This is a very interesting show (and arts org and blog), for many reasons. Miles, elizagrace and ellenator, good on you.

wesley wozniak October 16, 2010 (11:51 am)

remember the Simpsons episode when “the david” was being shown at the local museum. Get the fig leaf. Ok,ok. How about the olive branch……. You folks are too cool to let a little alphabet soup incident go so far. Maybe we should take the Fs out of the soup? We will have to use a Ouija board and consult with Andy Warhol.

EyeLiveInWestSeattle October 16, 2010 (12:09 pm)

Oh Ray… It’s people like you that really don’t get it. YOU decided it was ‘adult-themed.’ YOU are the one that has the problem with the photo. YOU do not decide for ME or anyone else, k? It’s ok to say your opinion, but DO NOT start telling us that there is an “error in judgement” and that the pics should be pulled down. That sort of thing gets people like ME a little crusty. I happen to have decided it is very cool that these parents and artists have found a way to introduce zombie stuff to the kids in a light-hearted way. I applaud the picture. I want it on the blog. Heck, I liked walking by ArtWest and seeing this happen. It’s great for all of us (except you and your kids).
.
Now, do you get it?

Christopher October 16, 2010 (2:49 pm)

I think this is an amazing example of the diversity among humans and how we all find means of trying to tear each other down in one way or another.

Here is Ray, an anonymous poster, who has attempted to belittle the happiness of a mother sharing the work of which she is proud with her beautiful young daughters. He has gone so far as to insult the artist herself based on a picture taken of her and her smiling children because the gallery used an acronym that he found particularly offensive. He showed his utmost contempt for such a decision and blamed the artist for exposing her children to an art show that brought humor to zombies because of a single consonant.

Likewise he was met with equal condescension from those who were upset by his opinion and the way he expressed it. Opposition was quick to jump to the defense and simultaneously move to the offense. His response was met with sarcasm and an equal attempt to bring him down from the pedestal on which it seemed he was placing himself.

This is not meant to be a means of expression some self-righteous sense of enlightenment on my part as it is something we struggle with as humans. We all have a unique way of thought that when under attack we somehow still act on our basic survival instinct of fight or (although rarely) flight. It’s just an observation of two opposing sides being equally critical of each other thinking that someone who thinks differently than them is wrong.

That being said the work is great, the children look happy, the picture is humorous, and I think that the other artists deserve some recognition too as there is a great deal of creativity on display in this blog post. I have a personal affinity towards the zombie exhibit as I am a fan of non-traditional depiction of creatures of horror in humorous roles such as the zombie surfer.

Paul D. McKee October 16, 2010 (2:57 pm)

Ray-

Did you even attend the exhibition??? Or are you just surfing the “West Seattle Web” for discrepancies in the social structure of America? (My work, is specifically about you, maybe you should see it). Your comments towards Kate are clearly uncalled for, especially for calling her a bad parent even though you don’t know a thing about her or her parenting style. That type of thought just promotes hate and intolerance.

The title of the show is there because of a song in “Evil Dead: The Musical” which is running at Arts West this month. The song is called “What the F–k Was That?” And yes, the word f–k is used several times in the show. It is NOT listed as a family show. And the only place the WTF acronym is used with the art work is in the title of the gallery exhibition. Which I should point out, none of us had any control over.

So if you have issues with this, contact Arts West and complain, but leave your personal jabs about the artists out of your commentary posted here. It’s hard enough to get exhibitions, media coverage and EVERYONE to like you work, so give us a break and complain through the proper channels.

Your assumptions about the artists and the exhibition title have negatively added a different perspective on an otherwise positive article about the arts in West Seattle. If I were to only make assumptions on here, then in my mind you would be a shallow ass of a person. But I didn’t stoop that low. Fair enough?

-Paul D. McKee

Sumi H. October 16, 2010 (3:47 pm)

I was at the show! Loved the sly wit of the installation, the mordant humor of the zombie paintings, and the eerie works that included the weird ballerina and pirate boy.

Aside from the art, another highlight of the experience was seeing the children there, from the babies in slings to the little toddler named Henry who guided everyone who walked in, to Kate’s beautifully gruesome daughters.

Bravo to everyone. Next time I will bring my children as well.

Valerie Collymore October 16, 2010 (9:23 pm)

You go Paul! Defend our buddy Kate!

It seems to me that R’s negative comment backfired and provided free publicity for the very event it sought to limit.

shelly p from ict October 16, 2010 (11:00 pm)

Ya know, wtf could mean ‘what the fudge’ or
‘why tell fred’
i think it was a good that there were kids there, it helps to take away from the myths that artists are single, tormented loaners with out kids.

Christopher October 18, 2010 (8:16 am)

That was brilliant, Shelly. The only problem with that is that an anomaly within the artist community does not reflect on the community itself. Artists are still single, tormented loners without kids.

Paul D. McKee October 19, 2010 (11:47 am)

Christopher… I would say that over half of the artists I know are either in long term relationships or happily married with children; not single, loners. And I have been in the arts for 20+ years. It isn’t an anomaly. BUT… We very well all might be tormented though, HA!

Sorry, comment time is over.