Some have called Karla Matzke intimidating, which is strange when you consider her petite size and unassuming demeanor.
But take a look at her skill set.
She’s built her own combination home, studio and gallery so is handy with power tools. She can run a bulldozer and a backhoe. She can sail and has been a river rat on white-water rafting tours. Basically she’s the kind of woman who would kick butt on the reality show “Survivor.”
Oh yeah. Matzke is also an accomplished painter and sculptor, an Arts Council of Snohomish County artist of the year in 1999.
It’s this artistic skill and seeing the slice of heaven she has created with her new gallery and sculpture park that make Matzke Fine Art and Design, 2345 Blanche Way, a not-to-be-missed stop on this year’s Mother’s Day Camano Island Studio Tour.
This year’s tour features 35 studios and galleries with more than 65 artists working in many mediums and styles, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, glass, photography, jewelry and whimsical garden art.
Matzke’s gallery stunningly combines sophistication with serene seclusion. Her three-story, ultra-sleek gallery was converted from a warehouse and oozes eco-friendliness with its recycled furniture and salvaged windows.
All this is surrounded by 10 acres dotted with the work of 30 artists and landscaped with firs, cedars and hemlocks. The sculpture park was carved out by Matzke, who started clearing the area with a machete but then learned how to use heavy equipment.
Matzke’s goal was to create a magical getaway where artists and other visitors can sit among the sculptures and, someday, take workshops.
Matzke said she’d always loved the idea of having an estate with large sculptures all around. “Now I can have that,” she said.
“These are on consignment so I don’t have to pay for them, but I can look out upon the back yard and see all these artists.”
After ogling the sculpture park grounds and gallery, tour visitors shouldn’t forget to admire Matzke’s artwork as well.
Matzke, who is turning 50, made a name for herself painting barns and buildings in a hard-edged, realist style using mostly pastels and primary colors.
Matzke painted two pastels this winter that continue the building theme. One is called “First Date,” a picture of a porch that draws you in with its delicate detail.
“I tell myself not to get too intricate and I’m not sure I want to continue that way, but I sort of can’t help myself,” Matzke said. “So we’ll wait and see.”
Like many artists, Matzke said her work runs in series: there’s the barn series; the food series, which included brightly colored hot dogs and a 3-D Hostess cupcake; and the series of nudes.
And though her palette might change from bold to soft, Matzke said her style will always come through as her work gets more detailed and as she follows her desire to create more with stainless steel.
“All artists,” Matzke said, “we experiment.”
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424, goffredo@heraldnet.com.
Camano Island Studio Tour
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday. Free. To find a brochure for this self-guided tour, visit any area art-related store, shop or gallery; visit www.camanoarts.org; or go to Haggen’s, 26603 72nd Ave., NW, Stanwood.
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