"... Mother" returns next week

It’s like Homecoming Week up in here: “Like Mother” opens its doors in North Seattle next Wednesday, this time at the North Seattle College art gallery.

Notice there are two opportunities for you to see our work that day! If your schedule allows, you can join us that afternoon. If not, then join us in the early evening and wait out rush hour looking at art instead of sitting in traffic. I promise, it’s far more pleasant to breathe in the sweet smell of beeswax from Deborah Kapoor’s encaustic art installation.

Deborah Kapoor, “My Body, My Home”

Maybe you have to head home right away, though; I understand. Rest up on Friday, then join me Saturday evening in Shoreline for the opening of “Living the Dream.”

Lisa Myers Bulmash, “Relatively Progressive” (detail)

Photo of Edwin T. Pratt. Credit: Black Heritage Society of WA state

Hope to see you soon — maybe at both events!

New work: but is it "safe"?

I don't remember any water towers near the place where I grew up.

There was a river sort of nearby, but we lived in a desert. The riverbed was usually so dry it was used mostly to shoot videos and movies.

Movie still from "Grease." Credit: William Anthony/ Wikipedia

So when I finally saw a water tower in real life, it looked almost like a cinematic prop. It would make a great dramatic refuge for the hero to escape from bullies and other bad guys.

Now I live in what used to be a temperate rainforest, so I see water towers all the time.  And I realize the bad guys could climb the same ladder you used to get away from them. They could attack one of the tower legs; the reservoir (and you) could come crashing down. It looks like a safe space... but it wouldn't be for long. How defensible is any "safe" space, really?

This weekend, you can see and decide for yourself. My collage series of five water towers debuts at the Centennial Center Gallery, along with other new and existing artworks. And hey -- let me know if you stop by to visit the gallery; take a photo and tag me on Facebook or Instagram.

Gallery representation: in real life and online

I turned around this morning and found I'm now represented by three art galleries! (Yeah right. Like it was that easy.) This weekend, three of my altered books are for sale at the brand-new Gallery Onyx.

Artist Earnest Thomas with Gallery Onyx visitors. Credit: Jay Taylor Photography

You might remember I've shown my work periodically with this artist group, most recently at the Washington State Convention Center and the Northwest African American Museum. The grand opening will be June 12th, but for now, here are the gallery's hours:

Online, you can find much of my larger works at Hanson Scott Gallery. Later this year, Hanson Scott will host my solo show to debut new assemblages, altered books and collages.

And if you're in Edmonds, my quote collages are available at ARTSpot Edmonds. I'll be doing some demos there soon, so watch this space for more information about that and upcoming shows. The weather's warming up, so lots of art events are on the horizon!