Fireflies, rubber ducks and other creatures take over Tacoma Art Museum in “The Art of Eric Carle,” an exhibition featuring the work of the famous children’s picture-book artist.
More than 50 original works on paper by Carle, who is most well-known for the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” are on view from Saturday through Jan. 21.
“Eric Carle has captivated readers with picture books filled with vibrantly colored collage illustrations and innovative designs for almost four decades,” said Paula McArdle, curator of education for Tacoma Art Museum.
Carle first illustrated “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?” for author Bill Martin Jr. in 1967. Since then, he has created more than 70 children’s picture books of his own that have been translated into more than 30 languages.
This exhibition features the original works on paper from such loved classic picture books as “The Very Quiet Cricket”; “Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?”; “A House for Hermit Crab” and “10 Little Rubber Ducks.”
Trained as a graphic artist, Carle originally used commercially available tissue papers in his collage illustrations, but he soon felt the colors were limited and the textures flat. He began painting his own tissue papers with acrylic paints and texturing them with sponges, his fingers, and the handle end of the paint brush. He cuts the shapes from the tissue and assembles them to create the forms and characters of his collages.
The installation offers visitors the opportunity to see original illustrations; enjoy a reading area with custom-made, child-sized furniture; and view a video presentation that details the artist’s creative process.
Carle will speak about his art, ideas and favorite stories at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma at 2 p.m. Oct. 22. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended; call 253-2727-4258, ext. 3030.
After the talk, Carle will sign books at Tacoma Art Museum as part of the exhibition’s Member’s Opening, which is open to the public and free to those who present their ticket stub from the Rialto.
“Purple Passion”: Violet, lavender, amethyst and plum. What do they all have in common? They will all be on display as part of the Lynnwood Arts Commission’s annual juried art exhibit, “Purple Passion.”
The public is invited to an artists reception at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lynnwood Library Gallery, 19200 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Refreshments will be served.
The exhibit runs through Nov. 16. It includes artwork from 36 local artists featuring the majestic color purple. For more information, call the Lynnwood Arts Office at 425-744-6459.
“The Rosary of the Philosophers Restored and Revisioned: Alchemical Emblems for a New Era in an Old Key”: Paintings by Kurt J. Vance are featured in an exhibit opening Saturday at the Art/Not Terminal Gallery, 2045 Westlake Ave., Seattle.
An opening reception is from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday; 206-233-0680, www.antgallery.org. The shows runs through Nov. 2.
In the Subterranean Room, “A Second Showing” by D.ita and Bradley Reed will be on display. D.ita explores cultural themes through color, texture and emotion, using oils and acrylics. Reed’s work explores movement, the figure, color and texture using acrylics. He also explores sculptural assemblage using woods and metals. Their collaborative session works are under the pseudonym of “Venus” and will also be on display and for sale.
Art Banner auction: The second annual Camano Island auction might be the result of the largest original art banner project in the nation.
The auction will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Four Springs Preserve, 585 Lewis Lane, on Camano Island; 360-629-6878, www.s-caf.org.
The banners are double-sided works of art painted with outdoor latex paint on Sunbrella material – the same material used to make boat canopie. They are colorful, durable and can be used to brighten a home or yard. Each banner measures 60 inches high by 24 inches wide.
There were 75 banners made, perhaps one of the largest original art banner programs in the nation. The banners were hung throughout Stanwood and Camano Island for the summer. More than 60 artists in the community participated, including professional and nonprofessional artists and students from Stanwood High School.
The goal of the auction, a volunteer community enterprise, is to raise money to start a fund for placing permanent public art in the community.
“Made in Clay”: This is a show and sale of ceramic art featuring work from members of the Cascade Clay Artists.
The show and sale will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at The Camano Country Club, 1243 S. Beach Drive, Camano Island; 360-387-1655.
At Sisters: Steve Mlodinow has a passion for digital nature photography and will be showing others the result of that passion in his first art show.
His digital photography will be shown at Sisters Restaurant, 2804 Grand Ave. The show runs through Nov. 7.
Mlodinow is a Chicago native who landed in Washington in 1992. He became interested in birds at the age of 2. His nature photographs have been published in “Birding,” “Birding World,” “North American Birds,” “America’s 100 Most Wanted Birds” and “Birds of Barbados.”
There are more than 30 photo prints in the show.
Everything Old is New Again: The Art of Encaustic Painting: Gallery in the Loft continues its lecture series with painter Jeannie Burham, who will deliver a talk entitled “Everything Old is New Again: The Art of Encaustic Painting.”
Contemporary encaustic painting is the application of melted, pigmented wax to a prepared surface. More than 2,000 years ago in Greece and Egypt, art masterpieces were created by working over open fires with handmade tools. In the 1960s, Jasper Johns’ images of the American flag were painted in encaustic and collage. Encaustic paint can be applied in thick or thin layers and can be sculpted, carved or engraved.
The lecture begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brindles Marketplace, 848 N. Sunrise Blvd. (Terry’s Corner), Camano Island. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Call 360-631-0688 or e-mail doris@galleryintheloft.com. For more information go to www.galleryintheloft.com.
Pilchuck on Display: An Exhibition of International Glass: Pilchuck Glass School will hold a one-night juried exhibition featuring more than 250 original artworks in glass.
The exhibit will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Grand Ballroom of The Westin Seattle, 1900 Fifth Ave.
This is part of the school’s annual auction celebration. It’s free and open to the public and offers visitors an opportunity to view an array of art created in glass while enjoying music and projected videos and pictures of Pilchuck’s educational programs.
All these artworks, along with 100 glass centerpieces designed by Seattle artist Chuck Lopez, will be auctioned off during the school’s 28th annual benefit auction the following night, Oct. 13. For more information, call the school at 206-621-8422, ext. 0, or go to www.pilchuck.com.
“Purple Passion” at Lynnwood Library celebrates purple artwork.
“Crow &Shells,” Jeannie Burham.
Pitfired jar, Rose Moore; “Seeds Becoming Tile,” Susan Cohen Thompson; and Red Flower Vase, Roger Cocke, all at “Made in Clay.”
Photos by Steve Mlodinow are at Sisters Restaurant.
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