Rebecca Wachtman

Are you like me and have felt that the last year has been filled with incredibly negative and divisive talk around the country?  I have been hearing more and more people talking about feeling alienated, ostracized, or marginalized.    To me, it is heartbreaking to hear that many smaller community groups (such as Elderly, Muslims, LGBTQ, Veterans, Disabled, Mexicans, Youth, etc), all have community members who feel unloved, unwelcome, unwanted, and un-needed!   In response to this rising wave of alienation, I've started the Our Place In This World community art project.  Our Place In This World  seeks to demonstrate the importance, beauty, and impact of each individual (especially those from marginalized or fringe communities), within the overall/larger community.  Everyone should know that they are beautiful, important, and hold a valued place within the larger community.  I've started a separate blog:   https://ourplaceinthisworldcommunity.blogspot.com/   to provide

I'm thrilled to be a part of the Please Touch show which opened October 13, 2017 at the Mount Baker Neighborhood Center for the Arts (see MBNCA's Facebook page for more information ) !    The show is moving to the A/NT Gallery 's Center Gallery and will open this coming Saturday, November 4th.  The reception will be from 6-9pm.   This show is special because all of the pieces were submitted with the specific purpose of being able to touch them (hence the name).  It is a rare opportunity to be invited to feel (and even hold some) gallery artwork! Welcome being passed around at the MBNCA opening reception. I have two Re-FEM (Resinous Fibers Emergent Method©™) Sculptures which were juried in.  Both pieces of artwork are created from reclaimed silk.    The first sculpture is Welcome.  Welcome  is a 3-dimensional floral piece created from reclaimed silk, silk dyes, and resin with touches of gold leafing applied to the edges.   A picture of artist Rebecca Wac

A neighborhood park (love the rainbow in the background!) I know I've already talked about this in the previous post, but I really do find the fall to be an inspirational time for me.  Many artists I know, tend to be most creative in the springtime - and I too, find the spring exhilarating!  But, I also find fall to be incredibly inspiring and energizing.  Part of the reason I love the season is the marvelous color changes that occur.  I live in the PNW and while it's not the fall of the east coast, it's still pretty darned spectacular (and I can't stop taking pictures!!)!   I also love the fact that fall is the harbinger of the holiday seasons (which is pretty much my favorite time of year because I love decorating for Thanksgiving and then again for Christmas.  Plus I love all the traditions that the holiday seasons bring!).  Perhaps it's a combination of those things that motivates me to look around at the unfinished art projects and want-to-do lists.  Or

I don't know about any of you, but I absolutely love fall (except the "go back to school" stuff)!  The colors are so gorgeous and ever-changing.  The weather (in the PNW) is usually warm during the day but crisp & cool at night, with occasional rain and often there is lovely fog in the mornings.  Best of all... it means we are zipping on to my favorite marathon of decorating!!  First Halloween, followed closely by fall/Thanksgiving decor, then BOOM... on to Christmas and the winter holidays.  Time flies so fast and if you have to work at a muggle job (like I do), it seems to fly even faster!  But some of my absolute favorite family traditions and memories happen every year during this time.   During Autumn, I also seem to find myself motivated to try new techniques, to experiment, to start thinking about next steps.  I know many do this in the spring-time, and I do too... but for me Fall is a renewing of energies (I think it's because I find summer too hot and

Those of us participating in the Sammamish Arts Fair 2017 (held on September 23rd and 24th from 10am-5pm in the Sammamish City Hall), were asked to create a short video about ourselves. I did make a video - but I did it without help and on my cellphone (so let's just say the quality could be better! lol!!).  I've added the video via my Youtube channel where I've posted it (as it is apparently too big to post directly to Blogger). Enjoy! Rebecca

Hello!  I'm guessing that I've been so busy that I've forgotten to announce that I am going to be a part of the 2017 Sammamish Arts Fair which is being held on September 23rd & 24th 2017 (and yes, looking back through my posts, I see that I did indeed overlook posting about this).  A few pieces of fabric/fibers destined to become Re-FEM sculptures As you can imagine, I am busy creating art to show and sell, plus I'm trying to figure out how I want to display my art in the space I'll have.   The Sammamish Arts Fair will be open on both days from 10am to 5pm.  It is being held in the lovely space that is the Sammamish City Hall (801 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish, WA 98075).   Sammamish Arts Fair Promotional Card (That's my piece on the bottom-right) As in the past years, there will be a variety of fine artworks including sculpture, wall art, jewelry, and even some wearable art pieces.   It is an honor to be selected to participate

Have you thought about learning Shibori/Tie-dye techniques but haven't wanted to invest in the supplies?  I am offering a Resisting Your Dyes workshop at the Schack Art Center in Everett on Saturday, August 12th from 11am-3pm. It's a great opportunity to play with the techniques and dyes!   Attendees will learn: A variety of Shibori/Tye-dying techniques. A few of the techniques include: twisting and tying up fabric using string resists, use various clamps as resists, placing beans/marbles/rocks or other materials into fabric and tying fabric around them to create resists. If time, they can practice sewn-in resists using needles and thread. Attendees will be making Shibori and Tye-dye samples to take home.   If they wish, they can bring a shirt or two to dye as well!  Students will need to bring: At least 4 (no more than 8) pieces of natural-fiber fabric (100% natural fibers are best!). Any natural fiber fabric will do. For example: buy a co

I had an interesting experience with my Resinable Trio - which was part of the Fiber Fusion travelling exhibition.   I sold it, not just once - but twice!!  Now that's mighty impressive at first glance, but then you think about it and wonder "how could you sell it twice??". Well it turns out that one venue sold it and then there was a mix-up at another venue and somehow we forgot to put a "sold" sign on it and it sold again. What do you do in this situation?  Both customers had paid for the artwork. SO my solution was to offer the 2nd customer a new set similar of sculptures for the same price.  Thankfully my customer was not only willing to accept that offer, but she is a fabulous silk painter herself and asked if I would use her artwork in my sculptures - which I happily agreed to! Here is a sample of the fabric she sent: Gorgeous, and it made some fabulous sculptures! Lyon's Pieces 2017 And then as a thank-you for her flexib

I am so pleased, but more than a little sad, that my first solo show Flowers, Fungus, and Flight has ended.    Tomorrow I head to the Pacific Rim Galleria at Bellewood to take the show down.   I had a wonderful time at the receptions and met a bunch of incredibly-lovely people!   Now that this show has finished, I'm off to the next group of adventures which include:  packaging-up and mailing the items that sold at the show Finishing the commissioned scarf I received from the show Finishing the commissioned sculpture I received from the Fiber Fusion show while it was at the Schack in Everett, WA Heading out to a retreat with the fabulous Schnitzel Group Taking the family to the Wearable Art Show in Port Townsend (May 13th, 2017) and doing a Silk Painting Demonstration at the 46th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival over Memorial Day Weekend I haven't had time to look at June yet, but I'm guessing it will be just

A new silk & resin floral sculpture "Inspired By Roses" I am having so much fun getting ready for the opening of my exhibit "Flowers, Fungi, & Flight" on April 8th! The Pacific Rim Galleria will be providing wine and hors d'oeurvres - plus they have free valet parking (with no tipping allowed!). I will have a fun variety of paintings as well as an assortment of new Silk & Resin sculptures to view! I will be demonstrating Silk Painting in the Galleria from 1-2pm and then the official exhibit opening is from 2pm-4pm. The Pacific Rim Galleria (Bellewood) is located at: 3710 Providence Point Drive SE, Issaquah, WA 98029 Their number phone number is 425-391-2880. If you can't make the exhibit opening, you're welcome to call them to arrange a private tour of the Galleria - or of Bellewood itself (which is pretty amazing place!). My exhibit will be available for viewing from April 8th through April 28th, 2017. Hope to see yo

I'm certainly staying busy this month (and next month)!   Silk painting in progress (Serti Method) 1) This weekend I will be teaching a workshop on Silk Painting for Beginners at The Schack Art Center in Everett .  The class is being held on April 2nd from 12:30-4:30pm in classroom 2.  There's still room if you want to join in!  We'll be painting handkerchiefs and discussing usability and mounting options (stretched, mounted with acrylic, glass-mounting, or leaving it as a usable handkerchief). Needless to say, I'm busy gathering all my supplies and getting ready for the workshop.     2) I'm getting ready for my first solo show.  It is the following Saturday (April 8th) and the opening reception is from 2:00-4:00pm.  The show is taking place at the Pacific Rim Galleria - Bellewood.  I'll have quite a few new Resin & Silk sculptures, plus a great selection of silk paintings to view.  Additionally, I'll have a hand-dyed shibori-style silk sc

I am excited to announce that I am having my first solo art show!   My exhibition has been titled " Flowers, Fungi, & Flight " and will include a variety of silk paintings as well as a great selection of  silk & resin sculptures.   The exhibition is being held at the Pacific Rim Galleria at Bellewood.  I will be demonstrating silk painting on April 8th, 2017 from 1pm-2pm and then the opening reception for the show follows immediately after the demonstration.  The opening reception will be from 2pm-4pm.    The Pacific Rim Galleria is open to the public for the opening reception.  If you can't make the opening reception and want to see the exhibit - Bellewood welcomes visitors and asks that you call to schedule a viewing.  Flowers, Fungi, and Flight  Pacific Rim Galleria Bellewood 3710 Providence Point Drive SE Issaquah, WA 98029 (Bellewood's phone number: 425-391-2880) Please contact me if you have any questions - and I hope to see you ther

My apologies to you all - I am going to be upgrading/remodeling my site.  Things will probably look a bit weird for the next few weeks as I play around with adding shopping carts etc.  Once I'm done, I'll share what's next on the horizon. Thanks for your patience and see you in a few weeks (or sooner)! Rebecca

I am thrilled to announce that my award-winning, sculptural bowls  A Resinable Trio were sold while on display with the travelling Fiber Fusion show!  They are currently in Port Townsend at the Northwinds Arts Center (which is where they were sold!). They will continue travelling with the show to the Schack Art Center in Everett and then will head to their new home.   Congratulations to the new owner - I'm thrilled you have once of my sculptures created using my Resined Fiber (E)Mergent Method ™ ! I will soon be announcing some more exciting art news - AND I am working diligently on updating my website (and will be adding a storefront, which I am VERY excited about!).  Just a reminder that the Fiber Fusion show closes at Northwinds on the 26th of February, 2017.  It then moves to it's final location - the Schack Art Center.  It will be at the Schack from March 9th through April 15th, 2017.  This will be your last chance to see the super-fabulous Fiber Fusion show!!

Can you guess who's artwork Is On Northwind Arts Center's main webpage? Yup it's mine! (Okay, I kind of gave the surprise away).  It's a big honor to have my artwork displayed along with  Nancy Loorem Adams artwork to advertise the opening of the Fiber Fusion show at Northwinds!  Thank you Northwind Arts Center for selecting an image of my artwork to use on your webpage! The opening reception is on Saturday the 4th, 2017 from 5:30-8:00 pm and coincides with the Port Townsend Art Walk.   Fiber Fusion is the title of the Washington State Surface Design Association Travelling Exhibit and it's really an amazing display of fiber art.  Plus Northwinds has a wonderful facility with lots of other interesting art to see as well.   I'll be attending and hope to see all of you there!!  

I am thrilled to announce that in conjunction with the Fiber Fusion show, I will be teaching a  Silk Painting Workshop for Beginners at the Schack Art Center in Everett, Washington.  It is a 4 hour workshop on Sunday, April 2nd, 2017 from 12:30-4:30pm.  The cost is $55 for members or $60 for non-members.   Each student will come away from this workshop with the experience of having made their own, hand-painted, 12" square piece of silk art which can be used as a handkerchief or mounted as wall art.  It's a lot of fun and a great opportunity to try something new! Hibiscus In Serti Artist:Rebecca Wachtman <--- This is one of flowers you could pick to paint! For more information about my workshop or other workshops and classes related to the Fiber Fusion show while it is at The Schack, please go to   www.schack.org/announcements/new-fiber-basketry-workshops/ A Resinable Trio, Artist: Rebecca Wachtman Fiber Fusion is the travelling Washington Surface

Frost on Thistles (Rebecca Wachtman Artist) I don't know about you, but sometimes I get a bit depressed after the holidays.  I tend to go all-out for the holidays and decorate my house and yard as much as I can.  To me, the absolute, most-depressing day of the year (baring someone dying or major illnesses etc), is the day I take down all the holiday decorations! This year to help redirect my attention to more positive thoughts, I've been making a strong effort to see the beauty of the winter surroundings.   This winter has been a chilly one with lots of ice but not much snow (which is a shame because snow is a lot more fun - and usually cancels school! lol). Frost on Pine (Rebecca Wachtman Artist)     I've been taking some early morning walks before work and found that a new park along a river has some gorgeous examples of frosty/frozen nature at it's finest.  The frost has not only decorated all the plants, but it's highlighted the beautiful pa

Sophie & Kingston Ready For Xmas I've taken a month off from posting to my blog and spent a good deal of time during the last month, enjoying time with my family and friends during the winter holidays.  Now that the holidays are over (boohoo), it's time to get back to the business of making art.  I don't know about you, but it seems like I am always game to review the business-side of my art!  (probably because it allows me to procrastinate instead of actually making art!).  But I do honestly think that reviewing your business once or twice a year is very good idea!  While I am not one for making New Year's Resolutions, I think it's the perfect time to review and making small (or even large) changes.  What do I mean? Well, I been taking a class from a website called  www.ArtistsU.org  which has offered some great insight and new ways of looking at myself and my art business.  My little group meets once a month and so far, I've found it incredibly hel