VAA honors Art Auction Commissioned Artists

VAA honors six exemplary Island artists for this year’s Art Auction. Each artist created a special commissioned piece in their medium to be auctioned during Art Auction weekend, Sept. 21 and 22. Join us at the Auction Preview Party and Artist Reception: Friday, August 31, 6 p.m. The Gallery will also be open First Friday, Sept. 7, 6 pm.

Commissioned artists for Friday night Auction are: Jayne Quig, Larry Muir and Brad Davis. Their pieces will be auctioned on Friday, Sept. 21.

Painter Jayne Quig considers her work representational, although her pieces also have an abstract quality, with bold strokes of vivid color, synonymous

with her work. "Pastels are so forgiving and I love all the textures; it’s fun."

Her piece, "December Afterglow," shares her love of water lapping Island shores below sentient clouds and sunset skies. Quig explains her process, "I always paint on colored (either burnt sienna or purple) paper or board. I create the background with acrylic matte medium, add marble dust for grit and then begin applying pastels."

In 1972, Larry Muir switched from his career as a biochemical researcher to making jewelry, in large part due to his wife Penny Grist’s influence. He likes working in silver and semi-precious stones. His commissioned set, "Blue Mountain," includes a necklace and wristlet, each made of silver chain highlighted with blue lace agate, one of his favorite stones. He attributes his surroundings and the communal atmosphere created by an artistic place.

Long-time Islander, Brad Davis grew up in Sharon, Connecticut. He moved to the West Coast to study woodworking at Seattle’s Gompers School. For more than 30 years he’s created art from wood and functional wood pieces such as tables, cabinets and homes. Davis also restores wood elements on vintage automobiles.

His commissioned piece, "Round Peg in a Square Hole," is an elegant small-scale table that features a rainforest green marble circular center on a polished black walnut surface.

Davis says, "I do what the medium wants; I get my ego out of the picture." He’s committed to functional art that pleases the eye in daily life.

Read more about commissioned artists and the VAA Art Auction in upcoming issues, Island Arts and at VashonAlliedArts.org. Tickets for Art Auction are available now; $45 Friday general/$25 for contributing artists and Saturday night guests, $120. Reserve your table now! Tickets may be purchased at VAA, or call 206.463.5131.