Select an artist
Carol Paschal – Sean Griffin – Esther Stark – Belen Schneider – Lynne Jacobsen – Cheryl Steffen – Gayle McDaniel – Linda Higginbotham – Cindy Mazzeo – James Cook – Penne Wilson – Nori Hashibe
Carol Paschal
Media: Oil Painting
Contact: islandflowers@att.net
As a child I drew horses constantly in class, when I should have been paying attention to the teacher. When I hit the self-conscious teens, I didn’t try again for about 40 years. When I started thinking about retiring, I started to spend time with some other Anderson Islanders drawing, and then I tried oil-painting. I was so excited that I could make a painting that actually looked like a pepper, even an artichoke! At that point, I thought I knew a lot. Now, after painting for about eight years, I realize I know very little. I’m still trying, though, and having more fun as I’m able to apply things I’ve been taught by some very generous teachers.
Still life in oil
One of my first paintings
Sean Griffin
Media: Photography
Contact: www.andersonislandphotography.com
Sean Griffin is a writer, photographer and amateur scientist who made Anderson Island his home beginning in 2013.
As a journalist, he was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. His photography has been recognized by The Smithsonian. He is listed as co-author of 14 astronomical research papers in leading scientific journals – including one documenting the detection of the first particles from outside our solar system. On Jan. 15, 2003, while working for The Boeing Company, he became the first person in history to publish an article and photograph to a website from an airplane in flight.
He is the owner of Anderson Island Photography, and publishes an Anderson Island Calendar, as well as a large assortment of greeting cards, which are available at the Anderson Island General Store and the Johnson Farm Gift Shop. He is an acclaimed portrait and fashion photographer. His complete portfolio can be found on his pixels.com website, where photographs can be printed conventionally or on a variety of media, ranging from cell phone cases to shower curtains.
He offers free portrait sessions for anyone beginning a cancer or other mortality-related journey, and remembrance photographs for families whose newborns won’t be coming home from the hospital.
In 2015, Sean married Esther Stark, a gifted artist in her own right.
Studio: 10316 107th Ave Ct, Anderson Island, WA 98303 253-820-4846
Portfolio: http://sean-griffin.pixels.com
Esther Stark
Media: Acrylics
Contact: esther.e.stark@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/esther.e.stark/
It was not until adulthood that I realized life is best lived outside my comfort zone. My past four decades have consisted of raising four sons (now grown with children of their own), owning two restaurants, working as an executive secretary, and 26 years as a legal assistant. I’ve always held a passion for learning. After my sons were grown, I took classes in web design and established an online business. I became a Black Belt in Taekwondo martial arts. In 2015, I retired from my legal career when I married Sean Griffin and moved to Anderson Island. Retirement afforded me the opportunity to pursue additional desires: learning to play guitar and ukulele, and discovering the passion of my life, acrylic painting. “Moon over Mount Rainier” placed Third of People’s Choice at the 2017 Art in the Park, my collection of paintings placed First at both the 2017 and 2018 November Art Challenges, my “Blues Singer” graces the cover of the June 2019 Islander, the new arts journal for Anderson Island, and I hold a monthly “Paint with Esther” class.
Belen Schneider
Media: Photography
Contact:me@belen.net
I’m a designer by trade, and wildlife photographer by passion. A twelve-year resident of Anderson Island, I treasure this tiny oasis of towering trees and serene views that offers me a window into the secrets of nature – from majestic raptors on the hunt to baby birds exploring their new world, breaching orcas to curious raccoons. You’ll find my work at island art shows, for sale at the General Store, online, and I welcome custom orders by request. Come explore the magic of Puget Sound with me!
Email: me@belen.net
Photography Website: http://photos.belen.net
Flickr Feed: https://www.flickr.com/photos/szazszorszapathy/
Lynne Jacobsen
Media: Oil Painting
Contact: ljac33@hotmail.com
I studied art during high school and college, graduating from Eastern Washington University with a degree in art, and art education. Eventually I returned to school earning a degree in nursing. Since retirement, I have focused on my art, teaching art classes on Anderson Island, and studying and taking classes to improve my skills. I work mainly in oils but also love pastels and watercolor. Currently I am exploring the composition and color with an emphasis on movement, energy and light. I am excited to share my vision with the artistic community on Anderson Island.
Address: 12728 Drayton Road, Anderson Island WA 98303
Tel: 253-320-5571
Website: www.lajacobsen.com
Email: ljac33@hotmail.com
Cheryl Steffen
Media: Photography
Contact: cheryl@cherylsteffen.com
Cheryl Steffen – In 1999 I found Anderson Island while riding my bicycle in Steilacoom, hopped on the ferry and rode around and fell in love. The following year I purchased my home and have enjoyed the beauty and peace of this island ever since. My interest in photography was inspired because of my limited eyesight, macro photography expanded my world. I am drawn to intense colors, reflections and high contrast landscapes that highlight the beauty of nature. My goal is to retire from real estate in 2019 and dive into photography full-time and develop my passion.
Gayle McDaniel
Media: Watercolor
Contact: gaylemcdwatercolor@prodigy.net
A native of SoCal, I am now fortunate to spend much of my time on Anderson Island. I’m a graduate of Woodbury University. My background is in design. I was a decorative artist for interior designers, and a graphic designer and illustrator for the giftware and party goods industry. I have studied ceramics, printmaking, graphic design and animation but watercolor painting has long been my favorite medium for creating art. I enjoy painting the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the weather changes quickly, skies become dramatic, sunsets explode with color, reflections in water quickly move from still to fluid abstract puddles of beauty. I am also attracted to still life images of fruits, vegetables and flowers, harvested from my garden, and drawn to objects in a natural setting that catch sunlight and cast deep shadows. I love incorporating people in my landscapes interacting with nature, often using my grandchildren as subjects.I am a member of the Northwest Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor West.I have exhibited paintings in the Peninsula Art League’s annual Juried Open Art Exhibition since 2012, now held at the beautiful Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor.
Recent Awards: Best of Show 2019 Winter at the Farm Anderson Island
3rd Place 2018 Peninsula Art League Gig Harbor
1st Place 2018 Winter at the Farm Anderson Island
Linda Higginbotham
Media: Wood, Painting
Contact: gmlkh2008@yahoo.com
What can I say, I love wood. I love the feel of it. It is definitely alive and I love seeing what it wants to be. Painting is in my blood too. My biggest problem is there’s so many art forms I enjoy that I can’t spend enough time in each. Lately I’ve been enthralled with Folk Art and Poured Painting.
Cindy Mazzeo
Media: Acrylic, Oil, Sumi Ink
Contact: cmazzeo@hotmail.com
I come from a family of artists but have no real training. I have taken a few Sumi classes and a couple of one day classes. When we purchased our home on the island I found myself inspired to paint. I have been painting for about 10 years. Mostly acrylic but I have done some oils and Sumi. I had to stop painting when I was having vision problems but now have had surgery and eyes are good so I am back at what I love. I love that there are so many artists here on the Island. It is a perfect place to create and share what I love doing.
James Cook
Media: Photography
Contact: http://www.cre8zen.com
After thirty four years of service to our country, and working with humanity, I adopted the lens as an extension of the spirit of mindfulness. Respecting nature and humanity allows me to communicate images that can express a feeling of calm and peacefulness.I have selected some of my work from my website, cre8zen.com, and continue to serve through helping those who need to discover their coping capabilities. Thank you for your interest.
Penne Wilson
Media: Poetry, painting
Contact: pennelynn48@gmail.com
I moved to Washington, in 2016 from Albuquerque, NM, landing first in Puyallup and then fulfilling a life-long fantasy to live on an island, I purchased a home and moved to Anderson Island in 2018. I was born in California but spent most of my first 34 years in Pueblo, Colorado, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in English, married. and had my children. In my 34 years in Albuquerque, I raised my children, got a divorce, and I earned a Ph.D. in distance education and multi-media and a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of New Mexico.
I have two wonderful daughters: My older daughter, Karie, is an attorney in Las Vegas, NV, and the younger one, Jaime, is a counselor at Puyallup High School, in Puyallup, WA. My amazing granddaughter, McKenna, will testify to the wonders of Anderson Island. I also have two adopted sons: Jeff who lives in Baton Rouge, LA, and Keonte, who lives in Albuquerque, NM and four grandsons: Parrish, Ashton, Jackson, and Amir’e. I live with my menagerie, Mack the cat, Layla a senior citizen cocker spaniel, and Riley, a miniature poodle.
I have a total of 50 years of experience in education and I am currently teaching high school English at Great Lakes Learning Academy, a totally online school located in Lansing, MI. In addition to teaching, I am a published poet and I paint, take photographs, read, sew, garden, and live every day to the fullest, enjoying the many blessings of my life.
Poetry
My life has been the poem I would have writ
But I could not both live and utter it. Henry David Thoreau
The Cleansing
Woodland pond
Silent reflective waters
Made passive by a fog of fear
Protected from storms
By a deep forest of spent emotions
Sheltered by doubts
Undisturbed
Into the mist
A gentle breeze
Lifts the edges of fog
Softly stirs the pond’s stagnant surface
Underneath, currents long dormant
Awake, uncomfortable slowly intensifying
The unrelenting breeze
Pulses, pushes against the fog
Raises white caps in the water
Eddies once locked in fear
Clamber to be free
The Summons
Alone on the worn wooden swing,
I drag my bare toes
Trace enchanted patterns
Through powdery soft earth
Cool restless breezes arise
Tempt my hair – tease it from its tangled braids;
Lift my spring green skirt
Caress me with a sigh.
Summoned by my desires
A nut brown pony appears
Drawn by my dreams
Born of the naked dirt.
I lift my face to the breezes
Mount my untamed friend
Twin manes flowing behind,
We glide across dream splattered meadows
Together
soft brown, pale green
freedom.
Wanting
Having a love I do not want…
Wanting a love I do not have…
If, suddenly, this love for which
I have so long desired were mine,
Would I want it anymore?
Wanting a love I do not have…
Having I love I do not want…
If this love I have possessed for so long
Were suddenly stripped away,
Would I want it back?
Wanting a love which eludes me…
Having a love which ensnares me…
Or is it simply that…
I am wanting?
Painting
Nori Hashibe
Media: Multi-media
Contact: norihashibe@icloud.com
BFA and MFA from Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, California.
Laguna Art Festival -Mayor’s Purchase Award
Gallery director – Mount San Antonio College. Los Angeles,
Consultant -Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Ca.
Consultant -Moa Foundation, Moa Art Museum, Japan
Consultant -Kunstmuseum, Wofsburg, Germany
A Contributing writer, “Machiaruki Journal”, Tokyo, Japan.
