The Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission presents an exhibit featuring Art Commissioners Chair Judy Ryan, Vice Chair Marla French, Commissioners Mark Hopkins, Janice H. Patterson, and Kiah Helms for the month of September at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Avenue W.
Judy Ryan lives in Mountlake Terrace. She enjoys working in oils, acrylic, and pastels. Her work includes portraits, equine, pets, still life, and mixed media. She combines her love of history and portraiture into mixed media pieces. Her love of portraiture and ability to tell the story behind the subject intrigues her. Her favorite artists are Sergei Bongart, Nicolai Fechin, Del Gish, and Clyde Aspevig.
Judy Ryan states, “My passion for art began at a young age. My father was an accomplished artist and was eager to pass on his skills to his children. What he taught me I still practice to this day, the importance of drawing skills, strong design principles, value, and color.”
Born and raised in Seattle, Marla French has a love of the Northwest that is reflected in her landscape paintings. “Painting is a very personal journey. I love the process of painting. It is both exciting and frustrating,” French says.
French has studied with nationally known artists and attended workshops, including the Intensive Studies Seminar in Taos, New Mexico. Her work has been displayed in many juried shows. French had two one-woman shows at the Impromptu Wine and Art Bar in Seattle. She is an active member of Seattle Co-Arts and the Eastside Association of Fine Arts.
Mark is a local professional photographer who specializes is commercial photography, but loves to explore simple to complex photographic creations in digital format as well as film. He is a lifelong South Snohomish county resident, and 17 year Mountlake Terrace resident. His website is http://markhopkinsphoto.com.
Janice Patterson moved to the Seattle area in 2009 and began to study painting and drawing. She was drawn to abstract design and, initially, worked in acrylics. More recently, she discovered colored inks, sometimes pairing them with acrylics and becoming a mixed media artist. Janice is an active member of local art groups and recently served as Juried Show Chair for Seattle Co-Arts. She joined the Mountlake Terrace Arts Commission in August 2018.
Kiah Helms attended Mountlake Terrace High School and earned a general degree from Edmonds Community College. She began taking photographs when she was 5-years-old. She got her first digital camera when she was 13-years old. She realized she had a talent and eye for capturing unique images by age 14. “I am inspired by the colors that are in photographs and the contrast the colors make when they join together,” Helms said.
Helms’ hobbies include photography, horseback riding and traveling. Helms’ work has been jury accepted in the Arts of the Terrace and the Edmonds Art Festival. Helms won Honorable Mention for “Roosters in the Field” and second place for “Baboon.”
The Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission oversees the library exhibits as part of its mission to promote cultural events in the community. The show runs through September 30 at the Mountlake Terrace Library, Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
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