Spokane in Bloom

Spokane in Bloom 2023 is this Saturday from 10am-5pm. This year’s theme is, “Journey Through the Senses“. Come and experience 6 truly beautiful gardens on the south side of Spokane. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online (PayPal) and at multiple locations listed on the flyer. A map is available on the Inland Empire Gardeners’ website.

The last time we did this invitational art show was in 2019 (before COVID). We are looking forward to seeing the art, food, and gorgeous gardens full of wonderful like-minded “garden lovers” to enjoy the day with. It is so much fun to talk with people who love to garden just like you do.

The Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour is an annual event along with the Garden Expo presented by the local garden club, “The Inland Empire Gardeners“. We want you to have a good time as you get to visit with other gardeners, artists, and craft vendors. Between 600-800 are anticipated to attend the garden tour throughout Saturday.

Come see us at the “Hear the Wind Garden” which is the creation of Jody & Todd Hechtman at 2020 E 23rd Ave, Spokane, WA 99203. Directions to the “Hear the Wind Garden“, starting at 29th & Regal, right on E 29th Ave. Right on S Southeast Blvd. Left on E Rockwood Blvd. Left on S Crestline St. Right on E 23rd Ave.

Our booth will be exhibiting art originals and prints for sale by myself, Valerie Woelk. There are colorful watercolors, oil paintings, and drawings of a wide range of subjects. There are a lot of unframed originals, that are economical since we didn’t frame them. The last time we did the show in 2019, every bagged watercolor original sold.

Actually, the very best part of our day then was the conversations we had with others who love to garden just as much as we do. Hummingbirds were a frequent subject, and every kind of flower was fully described and discussed.

Homeless Solutions

Homeless Solutions Durrett Chas 007 Homeless Solutions were the topic. Thursday night was chilly at Whitworth college but the lecture hall was warm and full of concerned local residents. There weren’t many seats left open. New Hope Resource Center in Colbert WA invited renowned architect/author, Charles Durrett to speak. He began by pointing out that 206 homeless people died last year in Spokane. The deaths aren’t the only problem, there are significant additional costs to our community each year because of homelessness. Costs of $30-60k per homeless person are incurred for increased emergency medical services, law enforcement, and incarceration events. Solving the homeless problem may not be free of charge, but, doing something about it now makes a lot of sense.

Durrett Chas 001

Durrett shared about many of the successful “village” projects he has designed around the world. These communities have produced so many positive outcomes. He shared the grassroots strategies used to enable “doing something now” about homelessness, instead of waiting for a bureaucracy to move on to finding a solution.

Durrett Chas 003 Communities voluntarily have worked together to handle finances, planning, and permits, along with materials and labor costs. Working together they have successfully built communities where homeless people have a roof over their heads with a locking door. By providing a safe place to live we allow a person to connect with neighbors and build a community. “Villages” become a place of transition where disconnected homeless people can manage themselves, and then become part of society again.

Durrett Chas 006 Charles Durrett revealed methods to solve homelessness now. He talked with many people afterward. We left with a mood full of hope and the motivation to step out and make a difference. Become a part of Homeless Solutions in Spokane WA, and attend a public meeting tomorrow at the North Spokane County Library starting at 9:30 am.

Homeless Solutions
9:30 Saturday
November 5^th, 2022
at the
North Spokane County Library
44 E Hawthorne Rd

north spokane library

Art Show Invitation

I received an art show invitation to The Inland Empire Gardeners,

Spokane in Bloom 2019

SPOKANE IN BLOOM
GARDEN TOUR

June 18, 2022 – 10am-5pm

“Homeward Bound!”

There are Six Southside Gardens on the tour.

– 1122 E 20th Ave – Home is Where Our Story Begins

– 1720 S Rockwood Blvd – Home is Where Your Heart is

– 1724 S Rockwood Blvd – Home Sweet Home

– 5815 E 25th Ave – *Love Begins at Home

– 4521 E 56th Ave – There’s No Place Like Home

– 7525 S Regal Rd – The Best Journey Takes You Home

Along with the amazing gardens, there will be garden-related Vendors, Artists, and Music. Our booth will be part of that art this year at, The Best Journey Takes You Home” garden which is a French Country style located at 7525 S Regal Rd. Please come enjoy this day of exquisite gardens and come see the art at our booth.

*Lunch is not included in the ticket price, but, is available at one of the gardens. Tickets are available online through the sponsors, the Inland Empire Gardeners. ” Tickets – $15 available the day of the tour at the starred gardens or may be purchased ahead of time at Barn & Blossom, Blue Moon Garden, Gibson’s, Judy’s Enchanted Garden, and NW Seeds

Art is Gone

Art Gone

This art is gone. Here are the paintings and drawings that were sold at two recent community craft shows. These art pieces are newly adopted due to the Herculean efforts, of my dear friends who help me. I love it when art pieces find new homes! Not only does it help the pocketbook, but it also spreads love as it gives credibility to the endless hours spent throughout my artist life perfecting skills. Many, many, many hours.

Pen & Ink with Watercolor

Hummingbird Heaven J3019

Hummingbird Hovers Over A Sunflower J4019 — 9″h x 12″w watercolor on 80lb drawing paper.

Watercolors

Birch Autumn Passion J4119 watercolor

Huckleberry Five Study I2619 watercolor

Riverfront Park Clock Tower From Above D2219 — 9″w x 12″h watercolor on 140lb wc paper.

Riverfront Park Clock Tower D2219 watercolor

Yellow & Brown Sunflowers J3719 — 10″w x 14″h watercolor, on 140lb Fabriano paper.

Sunflowers Yellow & Brown J3719 watercolor

Pen & Ink

Hummingbird Heaven J3019 — 10″w x 14″h pen & ink on 300lb Arches wc paper.

Linx B0613 pen & ink

I remember seeing how a persons face transforms as they pick up a piece of my art, with their expression suddenly becoming full of awe and love.

Never doubt, how important art really is.

To me, witnessing this beautiful event is almost a magical experience. It makes the trials and tribulations with learning, practicing, and perfecting skills all throughout my life as an artist, seem totally worthwhile after all.

Larry and Linda Pointer are such wonderful blessings to me and many others. They included my art along with their own crafts, being sold to raise funds for their favorite tax deductible charity at these shows. People enjoyed the art and made comments along with their purchases. Linda saw the pleasure on the faces of the people, as they shopped at their table. Take a look at the charity they are supporting.

“HRC Ministries.”

Please feel free to donate, if you feel drawn to. Slavery – HRC Ministries is set up to assist with the escape and rehabilitation of people trapped in Human Trafficking (Sex Slavery).

These pieces of art have been discovered, chosen, and adopted into new homes. I am feeling quite positive about having more space in the studio, which I will just keep filling back up with art.

If you’d like something similar to any of these let me know, I’d be glad to make one for you on commission.

Clock Tower from Above

Plein Air Landscape

This is a view of the Riverfront Clock Tower from above at a bridge railing. Looking from above the Washington Street viaduct with a constant flow of cars entering downtown underneath seemed almost surreal. This specific view is a cozy little oasis (off-the-beaten-path) with its own cool bench. Virtually, a perfect place to set up water, brushes, and paint to your heart’s content with minimal interference from foot traffic. Initially, I was worried there would be no interesting views to paint at Riverfront park but I was proven so very wrong. I only had to open my eyes, to see great nature views, or people enjoying the nature views.

clock tower reference photo — above the clock tower

I am a member of the Spokane Watercolor Society, and we have a group of Plein air painters meeting once a month on the last Friday of the month at high noon to paint together. If you’d like to join us feel free to contact us and let us know at our Facebook page Plein Air and Urban Sketching – Members of SWS. It is a monthly art event that I look forward to every month. Fellow artists share ideas and methods and challenge each other to continue to improve.

It is simply a lot of fun!

I took some time to sketch the clock tower carefully before heading down to the riverside level. Subsequently, trying another view, nearer where the rest of the group was painting next.

clock tower above sketch — clock tower sketch

Working from memories and pictures taken at the scene, I finished this painting back at the studio on 4/5/2019.

Riverfront Clock Tower from Above — 9″w x 12″h watercolor. Riverfront Park’s Clock Tower from Above D2219

Plein Air River

Outdoor Painting, Indoors

We are painting Plein Air river views today. I went to a Spokane Watercolor Society, Plein Air Group at the Spokane Main Library downtown this weekend. The view from the Library windows is looking north overlooking the river.

SpokaneLibraryPleinAirView

Certainly, Plein air painting the outdoor beauty of the Inland Northwest in the warm comfort of the main library downtown is heavenly.

Plien Air Post St Bridge Spokane Library

Post Street Bridge Crossing

Today, I finished up one of the pieces started at the Spokane Library this weekend, of the Post Street Bridge crossing. The place that the Bloomsday Race used to end, with metal figures running on the sidewalk by City Hall.

What a great view the third floor library windows have!

This cityscape is chock full of many interesting images. Unfortunately, this large variety makes it is hard to select a specific view. Probably made more intense when you are also looking at gorgeous river and waterfall views at the same time. Decisions, decisions.

Finally, significant fun was had while getting to know my plein air brush from the Derwent kit I just got. I has it’s own tank of water in the pen which is really convenient. There are reasonable (under $20) kits available on DickBlick.com.

plein air paint kit Derwent plain air paint kit

Seems, like happiness is getting the water to look like it is really falling. Hence, a waterfall. Yahoo! While learning to use the Plein air paint kit well enough to try it “on location”, without taking my other brushes.

Even more Plein air painting events, along the river, are scheduled for January at the Inlander offices and February at Anthony’s Restaurant in 2019. Please feel free to contact any one of us to attend a Spokane Watercolor Society monthly meeting and/or come have fun painting with other artists at the next Plein air event.

Homeless Solutions 9:30 Saturday November 5th, 2022 at the North Spokane County Library 44 E Hawthorne Rd

SPOKANE IN BLOOM GARDEN TOUR