The preacher of the lilac-colored church caught me taking pictures. He walked up to me with a perplexed but genuinely curious expression and held his hand out to introduce himself. I liked him immediately. A Bluetooth in one ear and a black wool OBAMA hat settled snugly over his forehead, he stood tall and strong in a long black wool overcoat. In a city known for its reticence, it was a pleasure to meet someone on the street and laugh together right away.
The last picture was inspired by the style of Susan Bennerstrom, a fellow WWU grad and one of my absolute favorite contemporary painters. Thanks to a heads-up from local artist Ariana Page Russell, I was able to see Elements, Bennerstrom’s show at Davidson Galleries in Pioneer Square, just before it closed. I have a stunning print from her Existing Light collection that I keep in my psychotherapy office where I meet with my clients. “Expect to Wait” is Hopperesque (surprise!), with a chair in half light, half shadow, facing a window that looks out to sea. Quiet, contemplative, but not exactly peaceful. Things get stirred up when we have space to just feel and breathe. I’m grateful for her adept illustration of this experience.
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nice post. just an fyi- Davidson Galleries still lives! there were two galleries before, one devoted to contemporary painting and sculpture. that space, Davidson Contemporary, merged back into the old space in the fall of 2008.
Shaun, thanks so much for the update. I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t been back since Susan’s show, so now I really do need to check it out again.