Mother-daughter art show at FAC

The Edmonds Arts Commission and Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation present a joint exhibit of paintings by Susan Lytle in the EAFF Gallery and fabric art by Lesley Rialto in the EAC Display Case. This mother/daughter exhibit, entitled “Nature Worship,” runs through the end of March.

Susan Lytle’s lush paintings of oil on canvas, express her appreciation of nature — from the vast changing skies above, to a tiny bug on a leaf — and celebrate its magic. Every morning nature paints a new picture and she is in awe of it — the winter sky of orange and gold, a new bud on a tree, an orchid flower with a monkey face staring back at her. Lytle’s paintings are full of detail, emotion and symbolism. She creates a mood through contrasts of light and dark, the use of reflections, and nostalgic images. She and her husband, Alfredo Arreguin, each have studios in their home near Seattle’s Green Lake where they enjoy early morning walks.

Lesley Rialto is a fabric artist whose artistic talents and individuality emerged at an early age. “I have wanted to be a fashion designer since I was six,” Rialto said. “My father and mother (Alfredo Arreguin and Susan Lytle) are painters. I needed to find my own place.”

During her teen years, she designed and created costumes for Mid-Eastern dancing. Over the years her skill and interest in textile decoration has deepened and matured. Through experimentation and adaptation of linoleum block printmaking techniques, Rialto learned she could impress her carved images on velvet and other fabrics. The stylized animals and ethnic designs are embossed to add subtle color and texture. Pieces are also embellished with beading and embroidery. This visual feast includes a variety of items from quilts and pillows to elaborate dance costumes. Her work is currently available at The Wishing Stone at 317 Main Street in Edmonds.

This dual show may be viewed in the EAC Display Case and the EAFF Gallery, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, at Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main Street in Edmonds. For more information call 425-771-0228.