It’s not every work of art that appeals to fish as well as to people.
But that’s one of the perks when you practice the art of fly-tying. When something doesn’t quite work out, you can throw it back in the tackle box.
Mark Burton has done that a time or two, but you won’t see any of his rejects in “Fly Art,” a display of expertly crafted flies on view this month in Edmonds.
The Edmonds resident, like many fly-fishing enthusiasts, has taken his love of the sport to the next level by learning the ancient and painstaking art of making handcrafted flies.
Beginning with a fishing hook, Burton laces together mostly bird feathers with a fine thread – “much smaller than dental floss.”
A single fly can take up to 25 hours and even more. The flies he makes for display are mounted in frames and a selection of them is on view at the Frances Anderson Center at 700 Main St.
It’s a popular pastime, judging by the number of publications, videos and classes devoted to the subject.
“The majority of the people who do this put them (the flies) in the water,” Burton said. “I do it as a hobby. It’s a form of relaxation.”
Burton, who has been tying flies for 15 years, took a class to learn the basics. Since then he has progressed to make increasingly complex designs, including classic salmon flies. Some are from pattern books, others are his own creations.
The biggest challenge is finding the bird feathers, which can be costly. Sources include peacock, pheasants and guinea fowl. Feathers from such birds as the bustard are rare. All the feathers come from birds that are molting.
Fly-fishing, just like tying flies, takes patience.
“I started fishing at a really young age,” Burton said. “Back then it was how many fish am I going to catch.”
Today, when he takes his son fishing, he said: “We are out here, it’s a beautiful day. If we get a fish, that’s a bonus.”
Art auction: Artist Trust, an organization that supports Washington state artists, has scheduled its annual Art Auction and Champagne Brunch for Feb. 6 in Seattle.
More than 200 contemporary artists have donated a range of art to this event, which raises money for Artist Trust programs including awarding financial grants to working artists.
The auction is from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Consolidated Works, a contemporary art center located at 500 Boren Ave. N. Tickets are $75, $100 and $125.
Among the artists contributing works to the auction are Michael Spafford, Victoria Adams, Leo Saul, Lisa Pounders and Elizabeth Jameson, among others. This year’s auction includes a section of miniature works. The bidding range is from $50 to $2,500.
Other events associated with the auction include an opening party and preview 7-10 p.m. Feb. 3 and preview talks at 4 and 5 p.m. Feb. 5.
For reservations, call 206-467-8734, www.artisttrust.org.
In the galleries: MUSEO gallery in downtown Langley has a group show of gallery artists this month focusing on paintings and art glass. All of the artists live on Whidbey Island.
Michael Hoffman’s bold and richly colored large-scale paintings are created using a mixed-media technique. He paints with acrylic on canvas or board and then applies a high-sheen finish to give the paintings a reflective look. Target motifs are used in many of his paintings.
Callahan McVay is showing work in blown glass and glass combined with forged steel.
Louise Olsson is showing her blown glass objects including plates and bowls with hand blown rims.
A retrospective show of glass art by Donald Singleton includes whimsical pieces such as a “Ray Gun” and a “Rocket Ship” along with his elegant vessels.
MUSEO is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 215 First St. Langley; 360-221-7737, www.museo.cc. The Kindred Circle Art Gallery in downtown Edmonds has an exhibit of paintings by Seattle artist JuliAdams, whose stylish paintings are done in bold colors with an influence of surrealism.
“I like to put things in the physical world where they don’t belong; they do belong in the world of symbols and ideas. Hair may not be naturally blue, but it can feel blue,” the artist said.
She will give a demonstration noon-3 p.m. Jan. 29 at the gallery, 409 Main St., Edmonds; 425-776-3778, www.kindredcircle.com.
An Atlantic salmon fly by Mark Burton
“Catalonia II” by Michael Hoffman
A steel and blown glass piece by Callahan McVay
“Green Bowl” by Louise Ohlsson
“Etruscan Vase” by Donald Singleton
“Don’t Touch My Jumprope” by Juli Adams
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