Category: Art

Sculptors at work

Sand sculptors are interesting to watch since they work fairly quickly in a medium that works fast and shows fine detail. Sue McGraw, shown here at the Windermere Sand Sculpture Classic contest last Friday, sculpted a piece she entitled “Momma’s Baby.” She placed second with this entry in the “Going to the Zoo” theme. Adding texture to the giraffe necks, her tool of choice here was a table fork.

Third place winner Brent Terry is working here on his entry, “Have an Ice Stay,” complete with a hollowed out igloo that wowed everyone. Cleaning up his work here he used a tool that was slightly more robust than a drinking straw.

I’d only seen sand sculptures on the Internet before I moved to the Olympic Peninsula. The Windermere Sand Sculpture Classic each year allows a real time, closer look at this amazing art form.

Today is Theme Day with City Daily Photo. If you’d like to see what participating photographers have made of today’s theme, street lamps, click here.

It’s all happening at the zoo

Last weekend was the annual Arts in Action Festival which showcases sand sculptors in the Windermere Sand Sculpture Classic contest. “Do Not Feed the Bears,” above, by Damon Farmer was the contest winner. It’s amazing what warmth and detail he coaxes out of sand.

This year’s theme was “Going to the Zoo.” Friday evening, at the beginning of the festival, is interesting because the sculptors are often still at work on their creations. Check in tomorrow to see more “artist at work” shots.

A new castle in town

It started out as 12 yards of glacier sand trucked in from Silverdale on June 7th, poured into an empty lot next to Adagio Bean and Leaf Coffeehouse. This is what it looked like as of July 4th, after about 100 person hours of work. The artist is Kali Bradford of Sequim, who has been constructing it in anticipation of the Lavender Faire and Festival. As you can see, it’s quite detailed.

Bradford has sculpted in sand competitions around the world and intends to finish on July 17th, by which time another estimated 100 person hours will have gone into in the work. To prevent erosion, the piece is sprayed with nine parts of water to one part of white glue. Though one would think rain would melt it, water runs through, packing more tightly the flat surfaces of the sand granules. Bradford suggests that the piece could last until the weather freezes.

The Bombardiers strike again

The local Fiber Arts Bombardiers have done again what they do best: yarn bombs on the streets of Sequim. In an attack of whimsy and patriotism, the group, described as a “loose-knit cell of knitters” staged a red, white, and blue guerrilla craft attack on West Cedar Street near the Sequim City Hall.

One member of the Bombardiers said, “Our goal is to inflict as much laughter, joy and good chuckles into town as we can.” Works for me.

I’ll be posting pictures of another yarn bombing, spied recently in Oregon, next week.

Colors of Sequim


Colors of Sequim is an art materials store that opened on Washington Street several months ago. They provide quality art supplies for serious artists and “starter” supplies for dabblers and young artists. Paint – acrylic, oils, water colors – clay, origami kits, handmade paper, calligraphy, you name it. There’s something for every budding or accomplished artist, and enough fun stuff to inspire any wanna be.

Bridget, one of the co-owners, gave me a tour of the store. In addition to supplies, they offer short classes, which will include childrens’ summer art classes in July and August. There is a small classroom at the back of the store. A schedule is on their website.

This is my favorite spot, a corner set aside for the youngest budding artists. The work of future Rembrandts or Picassos is posted on the wall.