Nurturing a Creative Life
Blogging Challenge Day 3
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| Sasquatch with a pallet and a lady Gnome. She knows what to do with a fresh rockfish! |
How can I share the joys of getting to know Christy Olsen in the past couple of years? Before we met, her art was already making an impression on me. A commonly known West Coast icon, Sasquatch, (from Salish se'sxac, meaning "wild men") was featured in several painted cutout murals around downtown Anacortes, Washington. First noticed was, Bookworm Sasquatch. Holding a book, outside Watermark Books. Sadly she was recently vandalized and is in studio for rehabilitation. More currently Hobo Sasquatch now hangs on the front of Vagabond Station, A pallet holding Sasquatch and Gnome Lady have long graced the side of the Red Snapper, Dad's Diner has a fatherly fellow with pipe between teeth inside the restaurant. Throughout town and in other neighborhoods you may encounter other Sasquatch. Occasional run ins with these creatures helps nurture the wild, mysterious and whimsical in each of us. Themes of nature creatures, fanatical and exciting ran throughout my childhood. They speak to the core of a life exploring wild mountain streams, forests, and valleys. Days of looking for rocks of color, luminance which tell of days before we came here. Whether we find meaning in nature revealed in a beach eroding or the cast off remains of human existence, we can all find art and meaning in our daily lives.
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| Bookworm Sasquatch! At home near a bookstore. |
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| "Father" Sasquatch, at Dad's Diner in Anacortes. |
The breadth of Christy's talents were revealed in time. Part of the joy was discovering the world through a broader lens. Seeing the simple beauty of life, mixed in with the darker underbelly of life. Artists are successful in expanding the way one interacts with the world by sharing their unique vision. In observing her work you see themes that seem to expand and grow. We see things nautical, pirate, rusty, worn with the patina of time and use, the mythical and magical, the things we hold from youth that retain value into adult life, all through the lens of a collector. At Emerald Marine we are grateful to have her as an employee where she takes things that have acquired imperfection and patina and makes them like new and shiny using her varnishing and finish skills! All sides of creative living.
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| This Sasquatch has found something of value among second-hand treasures at 'Expect Miracles' |
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| A sampling of the many comics Christy has created. A favorite chronicles a family vacation to Hawaii! |
Christy's favorite medium is the pencil. It is an elemental tool. "Where everything begins, " she said. Often, when I think of Christy, I see her sitting with a pencil working on an in-the-moment comic, describing a scene or a person that gets her attention. The result can be hilarious or thought provoking, yet always, observant. The pencil may be favored by Christy but if you look further, don't even ask what other mediums she explores, ask what mediums hasn't she explored. Linoleum block cut, needle felting, crochet, acrylics, pastels, pen and ink, water colors, electronic tablet art, and plein air painting are all in her toolkit.
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Based on pictures of a family vacation to Hawaii, Christy explores a teenage perspective of Hawaii in Comic form.
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Spending time with Christy has allowed my attention to gravitate toward the hidden richness of everyday observances. Odd occurrences that might be passed by or ignored if you don't pay attention, offer new ways of seeing. It's a gift of looking beyond the surface. Before I was not familiar with #saucewatch (a hashtag that exists in Instagram.) Imagine a view from which you become aware of the odd and little noticed frequency that unexpected objects, like an onion, washed up on the beach, a packet of ketchup discarded half opened, or spilled blueberries on the ground, all potentially, future or enhanced sauce. Surprising little things in life become inspiring in the present. Christy lets herself be guided by daily life. Not unlike this unique approach to seeing and experiencing, her favorite way of sharing her art is to leave it in random places for someone to discover!
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| A furtive hobo looks for a safe place to find lodging and hopefully delicious food. Vagabond Station in Anacortes? |
Christy values the comforts of home which include her amazing pizza, which has become a form of art. Through amazing crust, select ingredients, carefully selected but not heavy toppings the fine results are always accompanied with some wine. Another essential element to home is cats. They are creatures of comfort, entertainment, and inspiration. She has three, Pigeon, Ole Svensen and Magnus. The brothers, Ole and Magnus ares two of the largest cats I've ever seen that are not Maine Coons, they are panthers! She carries treats for dog friends and the dogs at Emerald Marine are especially fond of her!
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| "Big Red" graces the entrance of a favorite local wine bar, Salt and Vine. |
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| Who knows what "Killer Kitty" is after? |
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| A favorite cephalopod of mine! It is flanked by a few sugar skull candle holders. |
Artists come to their own terms on why they make art, whether or not to sell, or make art for the sake of art. Like many of us Christy has found solace and healing in art and creativity. She came to the realization at a couple of key life moments, that she wasn't going to make a living with art but rather a career by which I believe she means 'calling' or 'sphere of being' and' path.' As with other creatives who I respect say, "Done is Beautiful," Christy feels satisfaction with every project, comic book or art show deadline she achieves. "Each of those are a dream project."
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| Sea lore, mythology and Mermaids |
In the bigger picture there are relevant social and political commentary in her comics, which include not putting up with typical B.S. She is not afraid of poking fun at some who might take themselves too seriously to the detriment of others. Her watercolors on black paper are voluptuous and luminous, and powerful. Her block prints are detailed and expressive. As with some of her influences, the pre-Rafaelites and Frida Kahlo, common themes include women's empowerment and strength which is often born of pain and struggle. I personally appreciate looking at the world of art and women's empowerment through her eyes.
Christine's work can be found at the Red Snapper Gift Store in Anacortes, WA and she participates in other local sales events including the festive family fun of Anacortes Open Street events, Shipwreck Day, and Oyster Run.
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