Visual Arts briefly

Photopaintings in library exhibit

The Edmonds Arts Commission presents “Interactions of Color,” an exhibit of abstract photopaintings by Juan Ulloa, through July 30 in the Edmonds Public Library, 650 Main Street.

Abstract Photopainting is a style that allows the use of light, any light, as a color palette to paint works of art. Colors and shapes are taken from high-resolution digital photographs and are manipulated digitally into abstract images with figurative qualities that highlight the flavor of life. Later, limited editions of these images are enlarged using a chemical photographic color process (Type C). The photograph, as we see it, is the finished painting. This process allows Ulloa to expand the medium of photography to an abstract painterly form.

Born in Bogotá, Colómbia, Ulloa holds dual citizenship from the United States and Colómbia. He lived most of his early childhood in Panama and currently lives in the Seattle area. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree where he focused on photography and computer augmented art. His work has been exhibited in New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

Ulloa’s work is influenced by “everything from walking with my wife on a warm summers day to a relationship to a song I hear on the radio. I enjoy the creative process and discovery that happens when I create these works. If I were asked to use one word to describe my work, I would say “life” with a smile.”

Ulloa’s work may be viewed during library hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Grout miniatures now in Edmonds

The Edmonds Arts Commission presents an exhibit featuring miniature paintings and collages by Joan Grout in its Display Case at the Frances Anderson Center through Aug. 26.

Joan Grout, a native of Washington, has been an active painter since the 1960’s, creating traditional transparent watercolors inspired by Northwest landscapes. Over the years she has tried to communicate the beauty around her — even in ordinary things. Mixing new colors and finding new techniques has kept painting exciting for her. Technical rendition is still important, but she tries now, for more creative painting, to capture the feeling of the scene and hopes to stir up feelings and memories in the viewer. Grout’s landscape painting has been greatly influenced by the late Wes Broten. She sees painting as a great adventure.

A signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society, she continues to study through workshops offered in the area by nationally recognized artists and shares her love of the medium in workshops she holds in her studio in Marysville.

The City of Edmonds Arts Commission Display Case is located near the main entrance of the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St. in Edmonds. The Center is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For further information, call 425-771-0228.