Recent Updates
2011 Vashon Flag Competion
We are now soliciting entries for the second and final Vashon flag design competition, with entries due by March 15. See the Upcoming page for submission directions.
Geo sapiens II and One Volume One
Photos from the September Geo sapiens II exhibit, as well as Gary Tussey's exhibit of fixie photos (One Volume One) are now in our Archive section. Be there or be square!
Excuse My English: Layering on the Light Side
- an exhibition of paintings by Stephanie Lasalle of Nice, France
Click to see the pictures from the Excuse My English exhibit and opening
Spring came to Vashon early this year, with a collection of colorful oil paintings by artist and geologist Stephanie Lasalle entitled “Excuse My English; Layering on the Light Side.” Her paintings represent the layering in life and nature and are full of insight, inspiration, and the hope that comes with the new growth of spring.
A native of Nice, France, Stephanie is currently working on PhD in St. Johns, Newfoundland. At the age of eleven, she knew she wanted to become a geologist. Following studies in volcanology and sedimentary geology, she completed a Masters in Lille studying zircon crystals “sous toutes les coutures” in volcaniclastic sediments. Her PhD studies are in metamorphic petrology, which commonly involve examining rock textures and compositions with a microscope. It is clear that her love of geology and rock textures influences her painting.
The paintings in this collection represent the layering in life and in people. In Stephanie’s words, “It’s funny how in Art we don’t like it too much if we can actually see the canvas underneath the paint, how we might say ‘hum, that’s too bad, paint is missing here, there is a small hole’, while in life everybody is dying to know the primary essence of everything and everyone. We all love it when people open up, when they show us the real thing. Well, I think my paintings are a representation of the layering in life, and in people.”
“My paintings are intended to be about the bright side of life. I don’t paint when I am sad, worried, or because something really terrible happened to me. We all know that most of the well known painters were tortured in many ways, but I want to believe in a clear and pure inspiration. I think that’s how I would like my art to be perceived: a break from the dark side of life where you can still experience feelings, but only the bright ones.”
