Bailey Russel pays attention

There are many artists I admire. Most I hope to never emulate. I can appreciate masterworks born out of confusion and chaos. I enjoy art that is thought provoking, angry, disruptive, honest. But do I want live in an angry fog myself? Not particularly. And does that mood typically inspire me artistically, or nurture me to birth a creative piece? No.

Last night, imagine my “aha!” moment when I came around the angst-filled hallway corner and stepped into this small, seamless exhibit in Shift; a collaborate studio downtown on S. Washington St. & 3^rd.

Hello Bailey Russel.

With all the grace of seaweed waving effortlessly underwater, he showcases the everyday miracles falling all around us in Possession.

(I even love the simple display, paper hanging from clips on the wall)

Imagine now, these images are BIG. Each leaf is the size of a child.

Bailey says these beautiful enlargements of small and natural objects were inspired by the actions of a Judge in Cormac McCarthy's novel "Blood Meridian". I find that ironic, as supposedly the Judge was standing in for the Devil and would collect artifacts, sketch them, and destroy them. He did this to both posses them and erase their lives from the memory of mankind. Bailey seems to put them on a pedestal, drawing our attention to each microscopic detail, each hue. Instead of erasing the image, he has impressed me to the point of imprinting their delicacy in my mind.

(My sister-in-law, Alanna, at the exhibit last night before coming over for 7&7's)

Thank you, Bailey, for the reminder that it is worth paying attention. Period.

To the leaves on my windowsill:

(Seattle, 2010)

To the flaming red cab on the street last week (is that really a bullethole?)

(Georgetown, 2010)

To the most important things in life.

(A photo of a billboard The Non-Scotsman couldn't get over on our trip to New Zealand, 2008)

A Deli and A Gem

Last night some friends accompanied my husband and I to First Thursday in Pioneer Square for the monthly art walk. Pioneer Square was the first place to hold an Art Walk in the country back in 1981 (the year of Mt. St Helens eruption and the year before I was born). A group of art dealers banded together to promote their goods, passing out maps and painting footprints on the sidewalk outside their galleries to direct people.

Although I was not drawn by much of the art I saw wandering around 619 (although I would sell my favorite Match mug for one of their elevator doors)

I was captivated by two shops breaking retail rules:

1. Gems Sneakershop: Walking down Western I thought I’d stumbled upon a tiny candy shop until I saw a back wall mysteriously open and a charming and mischievous smile peek out from behind the door.

Owner John Mooney motioned us behind the wall, and we found ourselves in his uber-hip shoe shop hidden behind.

The candy is just a front, although Mooney claims he’s busy serving candy to businessmen and women all day long (there’s been a ruckus or two when he’s been out of their favorites). The back room is graphic and felt like a gallery, with shoes displayed under minimalistic uplighting like Elizabeth Taylor’s emeralds in a museum. He says a new false front will be coming soon, and I’ll definitely be back to see what he comes up with.

2. The Deli: The owner, Max Heist, had the brilliant idea of naming his shop “The Deli,” but instead of salami sandwiches sells independent contemporary fashion designs. Genius. Clothes are housed in deli cases, t-shirts displayed on racks of sheet pans. They were pouring drinks and their DJ was playing music from the 30’s. My husband and his wardrobe are going to benefit from this discovery.

(Flyer for the event last night)