A new showing this month/ Vicki Hone Smith

A Northwest native, Vicki has been capturing moments and images on camera since the age of 9, when she got her first camera. "CLICK ON PHOTO'S TO SEE VICKI'S ART" After studying art in college and getting her BA in Literature, she revived her interest in photography while pursuing a career in advertising and printing.

Her travels and love for animals and nature are the main focus of her present day photography. Drawn to the simplicity of form and to light in the way it reflects images in a Venice canal, illuminates the eyes of a cat or, casts shadows across a wall, Vicki finds these images touch some cord within that inspires and moves her emotionally. Her work has been shown at various locations and can be found in private collections throughout the Northwest, California and Hawaii

Ruthy Porter - Artist, Illustrator, Designer

Joy inspires me. And what could be more joyous than glorious, unrestrained nature?
Uninfluenced by turbulent human constructs—politics, economics, personal relationships—
natural cycles are the pure embodiment of hope. Tender shoots emerge; blossoms dance in
exuberant abandon; pollen-booted bees sup nectar in the evening light; rose hips blaze against
new-fallen snow, and I am compelled to paint.
I express my joy with a designer’s eye, a painterly touch, and bold color in a variety of mediums. I
keep an illustrated field journal of small watercolor sketches, subject ideas, composition plans, and
color notes for larger works.
My acrylic paintings are the result of many layers of transparent glazes, built up slowly to achieve
depth and richness. Most begin with a simple underpainting in complementary colors that serves
as the painting’s foundation. (For example: Rose’s Hips is primarily red hips and green leaves, so
the underpainting is green hips and red leaves.)
When working in watercolors, I prefer nontraditional surfaces such as Smooth Clayboard, which
allows me to overlay a crisp, Notan-esque ink image on top of a watercolor background, then
scratch back to the white clay for accents and highlights. I use this graphic, mixed media technique
to convey messages from the confluence of nature and culture.
Art is my way of seeing, expressing and sharing the joy that I find all around me.
I hope it makes you smile.
Ruthy Porter

This weekend Sept. 19th. and 20th. 2009

http://www.edmondsartstudiotour.com/ This is the city map for your art tour

Welcome to the 4th annual tour. For 2009 we feature 44 local artists who will display their work in 20 studios in the greater Edmonds area. http://www.edmondsartstudiotour.com/ for more details. See what is on the wall across the street from Starbucks on the north side!

Nancy Reitharr at Edmonds Art Design - a gallery and frame shop

Nancy Reithaar
"Her artwork is inspired by my observations of animals and the natural world.

Artist Nancy Reithaar at Edmonds Frame Design

Nancy Reithaar's works of art can be found At the Edmonds Frame Design gallery and frame shop. Call the gallery owner "Barbara" for all your framing and art work.

My artwork is inspired by my observations of animals and the natural world. I see endless possibilities in animal forms and expressions, and textures and colors in nature, as well as in the materials I use.

The combination of mono type and collage allows me to compose and adapt in response to the unique subject. When I let go of total control of the process, it is clear which elements should be cut away and which should be enhanced with texture, color, and light. The process becomes exciting as I discover the relationships between a wolf, for instance, and the image in my mind, the paintbrushes, the press, the paper, and the combination of ink colors that faithfully express the wolf’s individual characteristics and universal beauty.



Born in Seattle, Nancy Reithaar has lived in the Pacific Northwest all her life. She earned her B.F.A. in painting at the University of Washington and creates her multi layered artwork at the Sev Shoon Art Center in Seattle. Because of her proximity to the Ballard Locks and the Woodland Park Zoo, she is never far from a variety of animal subjects to inspire her.

Framing a picture is an art

Framing a photo, or a work of art on paper is a skill. Share a few things with the picture framer. Barbara needs to find out where you will be hanging your treasured work of art. Describe the room to her. By examining your art work, one can determine the best way to mount it before framing. One of the most enjoyable aspects of framing is maybe coming up with a double mat combination that will bring out the color of the art. Mouldings are made all over the world. Picking the shape and finish of the frame is what will make the art shine like a million dollars. Any house will become a home when you decorate it with art work that you love.