OLD Whidbey Life Magazine

Author: Natalie Olsen

How Do You Inspire an Artist? || Landscapes by Sketchers—They’re Worth a View

BY NATALIE OLSEN
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
August 10, 2016

This article was originally printed in Whidbey Life Magazine’s Spring/Summer 2015 print issue. As our actual summer appears to have taken a short hiatus this week, we thought we’d share some sketches from summer on Whidbey.

“Sketching here on Whidbey is awesome,” artist Faye Castle said. “Where is there more inspiration?” The piles of sketchbooks in her studio record her play with color and line and create wonderful records of memories. Check out her book, “Sketching Whidbey,” which includes work inspired from Deception Pass to the bottom of the island.

Hiking Trail at Fort Ebey (sketch by Faye Castle)

Like most sketchers, Castle generally finishes each sketch on site, but the Deception Pass Bridge one is an exception. She said, “I wanted this Whidbey icon more complete, so I surrendered to the wind and passing cars and finished it at home.”

Deception Pass Bridge (sketch by Faye Castle)

Mary Lawson captured the scene below while sitting on a bench in front of the Inn at Langley with friends on a warm day.

Saratoga Passage (sketch by Mary Lawson)

When she sketched Possession Point, Sherryl Goldfinger said it started out warm, but—as the sun went down—she was freezing, sitting up on the point.

Possession Point (sketch by Sherryl Goldfinger)

Jean Mason enjoyed sketching at the kite festival at Fort Casey last fall. “Exploring on a sunny afternoon, we came upon all this color in the sky. There was a perfect breeze to whip up the kites and show off their long bright tails. Vast open space, fresh air and an amazing view. All this room to run and fly made me feel like a child.”

Kite festival at Fort Casey last fall (sketch by Jean Mason)

Flowering Cherry Trees (sketch by Sue Van Etten)

Double Bluff Beach (sketch by Jean Mason)

“On one of the longest days of winter,” Jean Mason said, “we went to the dog beach while a sliver of sun was left. As if peeking under the covers, the golden sun reflected off the water giving the light a double dose of brightness.”

Kris Wiltse sketched the scene below while on Rosario Beach on a warm, early summer day. “There were some marine clouds and a little atmosphere, but it was generally clear and sunny. The sand felt warm and cozy. It was one of those ‘I hear the sand calling to nap in the sun’ kind of days. So I was feeling hazy and lazy, just putting the paint down to mingle on the paper rather than labor over it. I find the Deception Pass area riveting with all its exposed granite and gnarly trees, and the occasional otter running by. Lots of wildlife activity. A few people, too.”

Rosario Beach (sketch by Kris Wiltse)

Sunlight Beach (sketch by Kris Wiltse)

Wiltse says it’s a good idea to carry her supplies with her at all times. “You just never know when a scene will appear. I just happened to be in Bayview and, on my way home, saw an incredible view at Sunlight Beach as I passed. Had to try to capture it so I painted this in the car parked on the side of the road.” Sunlight Shores is what it purports to be, she said—sun-filled. “I tried to capture the incredible light at low tide on this day. It was spectacular!”

To see more Whidbey Island Sketchers’ images from the island, check out their blog at whidbeyislandsketchers.blogspot.com.

Natalie Olsen is a fiber artist and writer who loves being part of the Whidbey Sketchers, especially at Happy Hour.

Editors Note: To order current or past issues of the print magazine click HERE.

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CLICK HERE to read more WLM stories and blogs. Have a great story idea? Let us know at info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

August 10, 2016
Janet Steadman: A Well-Pieced Life

BY NATALIE OLSEN
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
May 18, 2016

“Quilting,” Janet Steadman says, “is like eating potato chips. You can’t stop at just one.” Her career began in 1983 because of a new round bed that needed a cover. She loved fabric and sewing, so decided to learn to quilt a cover. After a few classes, she designed and made “Spiral Progression” for that bed in Texas.

“Spiral Progression,” 120 inches in diameter. (Photo by Jim Lincoln)

“Sold Out,” permanent collection of U.S. Embassy for the Ivory Coast. (Photo by Roger Schreiber)

She definitely didn’t stop at making just one. Her quilts have won awards internationally and are part of collections throughout the U.S., Canada, Africa and Antarctica. A few months ago, that one delivered to the Palmer Station in Antarctica marked a giant milestone. Her quilts have now been shown on every continent on Earth.

While Steadman’s quilts make their homes in places around the world, she and her husband moved from Texas to settle on Whidbey in 1991. It was like returning to the island for her, as she had taught at Langley High School right after graduating from the University of Puget Sound. Over the years, her quilting community on Whidbey has developed significantly.

Part of that community includes Clinton quilter and dyer Liz Axford, who met Steadman in Houston, TX in l986 and later moved to Whidbey in 2008. Axford describes her friend as “a great teacher and a great student. She is always anxious to try something new, and easily laughs off any obstacles in her path as she perfects new ideas and techniques. I think she’s making the best work of her life right now.”

“Bare Branch” 2014, from newest series “Fine Lines” (Photos by Roger Schreiber)

“Bare Branch” detail, 2014, from newest series “Fine Lines” (Photos by Roger Schreiber)

Axford, Steadman and 10 others who met through classes over the years, mostly with renowned quilter Nancy Crow, formed the group Fiber Optix, which still meets once a month.

Crow (www.nancycrow.com) describes Steadman as “a terrific example of an artist who has stayed focused these past 40 years, producing excellent work year after year well into her 80s. Her machine-pieced quilts have gotten better and better, changing, always staying interesting. She is a first rate colorist and a first rate craftsman, meticulous in all aspects of creating her very individual quilts. She has a distinctive and strong voice that is all her own.”

To one of the newer Fiber Optix members, Marcia Derse, a Freeland fabric designer, Steadman is an inspiration. Derse (www.marciaderse.com) pictures “Janet waking every day to work effortlessly in her studio, delighting in discoveries and bringing her careful eye and experience to her richly layered work.”

The public supports the praise for Steadman’s work. Her quilts have sold well online through Artful Home. Her work has also sold in several galleries, including Penn Cove Pottery Gallery here on Whidbey. Samples of her work can be seen at Janet Steadman.

David Walker, known internationally for his art quilts and photography, sums up the thoughts of many who have worked with Steadman: “For nearly 40 years, Janet has honed her career as a quilt artist and has produced a body of work that would appear daunting for the most of us yet causes us to ask the question, ‘Where does she find the time and energy to create so much quality art?’ Janet is passionate about everything in her life; she remains passionate about her art as well as all the other necessities of a good life lived. She knows much about balancing both time and energy. Janet’s color palette tells us much about her popularity; it is about warmth, the colors of the seasons and friendship. Janet inspires all of us to follow in her footsteps as an example of hard work, dedication and passion.”

One of Steadman’s favorite quilts, “I Love a Mystery,” graced the cover of the book “Art Quilts: A Celebration: 400 Stunning Contemporary Designs.” (Photo by Roger Schreiber)

Natalie Olsen, a weaver & writer, is also inspired by Janet, both as a friend and an artist.

Photo at the top: head shot of Janet Steadman (Photo by Michael Stadler)

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CLICK HERE to read more WLM stories and blogs. Have a great story idea? Let us know at info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

May 18, 2016
Whidbey Astronaut About to Land

BY NATALIE OLSEN
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
September 16, 2015

Janet Pfeifer is one of 25 artists selected to participate in the Museum of Flight’s “Astronauts on the Town” program. Each was given a life-size fiberglass model of the museum’s astronaut character to decorate; the finished pieces were displayed at businesses and public locations throughout the Puget Sound area. Pfeifer’s “Kit the Caboodlenaut” spent the summer at Seattle’s Hard Rock Café and will “land” at Seattle’s Museum of Flight this weekend for the museum’s 50^th birthday celebration.

Pfeifer, a carpenter for 32 years, included a variety of materials in her creation. “I’ve dressed the astronaut in different colored crushed wine foils along with added found objects,” she explains. Bicycle chains outline the thick soles on “Kit’s” boots, elevator springs and small tools painted gold decorate the helmet and many other finds are tucked onto the suit.

“The stuff is cool. By itself, just junk; but in collage it’s texture, context, shape and color. I have entirely too much and not enough. Certainly not enough life left to use it all.”

Pfeifer working on “Kit” behind some of the objects she included (photo by Marsha Morgan)

The first questions most people ask are, “How many foils did you use?” and “Did you and your husband Robert DRINK all that wine?”

In each 6-inch square, there are about 25 wine foils. Pfeifer admits she lost count of the number of foils she used. “I know there’s 400 plus from Frei Brother’s Winery included in the pants, because I ran out. A friend who drinks that kind of wine bought four more cases to enable me to finish.” Pfeifer prefers foils with creative designs on top like the ones produced by Backhouse Winery. Bloom’s Semillon is one of her favorites—both the wine and the foils.

The astronaut’s helmet includes more than 300 photos of people who have influenced Pfeifer’s life. Eleanor Roosevelt, Janis Joplin and Walter Cronkite are pictured along with several Whidbey faces. “Kit is largely due to the people, past and present, in my life.”

“Kit The Caboodlenaut’s” helmet (photo by Marsha Morgan)

Guitar and cello strings, low-voltage wire and other thin metal strands form “Kit’s” hair, which falls in long braids from the helmet.

A Freeland carpenter, Pfeifer works part time for Richard Epstein Construction and also does finish work in her own company, “Homework Arts.” She manages to fit in art projects when she can find the time.

A few years ago Pfeifer was commissioned to create an art piece for the Inn at Langley’s Spa Essencia waiting room, and she will have five pieces on exhibit in Bloom’s annual $100 show this November and December.

Pfeifer plans to attend Saturday’s 50^th anniversary celebration at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, where “Kit the Caboodlenaut” will be on display with 24 other astronauts. Entrance fee for the entire day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) will be only 50 cents, just as it was 50 years ago. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the 1960s theme. Anniversary festivities begin at 12:30 p.m.

The two months Pfeifer spent working on the astronaut piece meant a lot to her. “Boeing has always been a part of my life, and my mother and I loved watching each spaceship blast off! This is a great homage to her love of the space program.”

Pfeifer will have a hard time saying goodbye to “Kit.”

Pfeifer, a glass of wine and “Kit” (photo by Marsha Morgan)

(Featured photo by Marsha Morgan: Janet Pfeifer and her creation, “Kit The Caboodlenaut.”)

Natalie Olsen, a fiber artist and writer, also has a collection of wine foils and corks. She says, “It’s always 5:00 somewhere. Here’s to Kit!”

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CLICK HERE to read more WLM stories and blogs. Have a great story idea? Let us know at info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

September 16, 2015
Cam Castle Says his Mother’s Crazier than Yours

BY NATALIE OLSEN
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
May 27, 2015

In junior high school, Cameron Castle wrote a play about his mother. More than forty years later, he’s still describing her antics in his recently published “My Mother is Crazier than Your Mother.” His agent kept asking when the book would be ready. Castle replied, “How could it be finished? She’s still alive.”

Dorothy Castle (also known as Dorothy Dodo Dawn Judith Taylor Rose Castle Udovic) is 95 and definitely alive and well, living in a Redmond retirement community. She got to see the manuscript before it was printed and was pleased with most of it. As soon as she read the chapter about contributing to the untimely deaths of the kids’ pets, though, she called her son. “Trash! Pure fiction! What’s wrong with you? If you want to tell that story, I’ll write it.”

Cameron Castle’s mom. Dorothy, holding a copy of his book (photo by Cam Castle)

When Castle asked why she was upset, she huffed, “Taffeta bedspreads in the boy’s bedroom? No mother in their right mind would have taffeta bedspreads in a boy’s bedroom. I’ll be a laughing stock. They were chenille!”

He explained he had no idea what taffeta was—or chenille—and added, “It’s fixed. I’ll change it. But what about the rest? You know, about our pets?”

“Oh, that. That was spot on. But, taffeta! You can’t print that.” He changed it.

The book describes his mother’s quirky behavior. One time he came home with a detention slip, but when she heard it was for laughing, she was relieved. “Oh, I thought you had done something terrible. No big deal.”

The next morning she gave him a note for his teacher taped to a full grocery bag. “I respect and support your decision,” she wrote, but it meant that he’d miss the bus and she wouldn’t be able to pick him up. “So I’ve sent with him his pajamas and toothbrush, because, if you keep him for detention, he will have to spend the night. Thank you. Dorothy Castle.”

He gave it to his teacher, who read the note and soon handed back the bag. “I guess you don’t need to serve your detention today. But I expect much better behavior from you going forward.” He promised.

How many mothers build an addition to their house (by themselves), deliver the babies from a dead guppy (by Cesarean section), move three times (without telling a son until the moving trucks arrive), dive into a condo pool fully dressed in front of a strict condo association board (then climb out, shake off some water and ask, “Is that against the rules?”) or return a used couch and get a refund (three years after buying it)?

Castle also paints the picture of a mother who looked for joy and happiness in every instance. Humor got her through many tough times. At 93, asked by a doctor, “To what do you attribute your great health?” she replied, “That’s easy. I am always happy.”

Her son Truman is 13 years older than his brother Cam, so he wasn’t home during much of the time covered by these tales. “I laughed out loud over some stories I hadn’t known before,” he said. “The stories that we remember, retell and live by really do define who we choose to be, and our view of life and the world. This book, in addition to being a hoot, says a lot about the power of stories.”

After reading Cam’s short stories and articles, his wife Laura encouraged him to leave his job as a restaurant supply rep and get serious about writing. It didn’t take him long to agree. He quickly quit the job and started working on material for this book. His sons Carter and Wilson were born soon after, providing humorous material about stay-at-home dads and Little Leaguers.

Cam Castle at Moonraker’s Books in Langley. You can find his book at bookstores across the island, Lind’s, Sno-Isle libraries and on Amazon Kindle. (photo by David Welton)

Members of his Freeland writing group have listened to many tales about his mother. As Susan Jensen puts it, “Cam doesn’t just read his writing, he performs it. As he developed ‘My Mother is Crazier than Your Mother’ in our writing group, we came to know his mother intimately, not only through Cam’s words, but as he performed his relationship with her. We howled at her antics and cried at the pathos. I’ve never met her, but I know her oh, so well. The book is a delight, and, of course, Cam always is.”

Another Whidbey author, Tom Trimbath, talks about “secret guilty pleasures and ulterior motives: showing up to the writer’s group just to hear a story about Cam’s mother, listen to his hilarious delivery, and watch him field questions because so many people are convinced he made it all up—unless they’ve met him and her. I do miss that dose of healthy humor. When’s the one-man show going to hit the road?”

Laura Castle describes her mother-in-law as “zany as the book describes, a real-life combination of Lucille Ball and Amelia Earhart. A pioneer of her time—a woman we can all look up to who lives each day to the fullest, could care less what others think about her, and is unapologetically 100% herself.” She describes her husband as, “the reason I constantly have a giggle bubbling in my throat, and why my boys dance in our kitchen. Thank you, Dorothy Castle.”

Keep your eyes out in the future for a book about Castle by one of his kids (Krissy, Mason, Max, Carter or Wilson). Title? “My Dad’s Crazier than Your Dad.”

Natalie Olsen is a fiber artist and writer who loves to laugh with (and at) her friend Cam. She met his mom at a party a couple years ago and still laughs about the conversation they had. About male horses…

Image at top: Cameron Castle, Freeland author (photo by David Welton)

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CLICK HERE to read more WLM stories and blogs. Have a great story idea? Let us know at info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

May 27, 2015
Whidbey’s Lovie Couture Appears on Stage with the Seattle Symphony

BY NATALIE OLSEN
Whidbey Life Magazine contributor
February 11, 2015

Gloria Ferry-Brennan wearing gown by Brenda Lovie at “Gloria!” concert Feb. 6, 2015 (sketch by Sue Van Etten)

Whidbey Island residents have seen Brenda Lovie’s creations worn by violinist Gloria Ferry-Brennan, both at last year’s launch party for the first print edition of “Whidbey Life Magazine” and last weekend’s sold-out “Gloria!” concerts. On Saturday morning, Feb. 14, Lovie will see her latest custom gown make an appearance on Seattle’s Benaroya stage when Ferry-Brennan performs with the Seattle Symphony.

Lovie began sewing at the age of four and iceskating at nine. She moved to Colorado at 16 to train as a skater, competing in national skating competitions before an injury ended her Olympic dreams. However, she stayed involved with the sport as a costume designer and coach. After studying at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Lovie took over her mother’s iceskating apparel business.

After starting her first company, Lovie worked with the non-profit group “Figure Skating in Harlem”, outfitting the 75-member team. Since then she has designed and sewn several thousand custom costumes for synchronized iceskating teams and competitive dance and figure skaters.

Brenda working on dress for Seattle Symphony concert (photo by David Welton)

At one time, Lovie Couture was outfitting some 50 teams per season. Now that Lovie is making costumes on her own, she figures she’ll do ‘only’ five teams per year. (Each team has 15-20 members.) To assist her, her husband John—the other half of Lovie Couture—put into place a software program capable of pattern design, grading and marking. After taking 15 or so measurements from each team member, Brenda Lovie can print out perfect custom-fitted patterns.

Brenda with posters of Lovie Couture costumes created for “Precisely Right,” a New Jersey synchronized ice skating team (photo by David Welton)

“I love the process of working with my customers to design the best custom costumes for them,” Lovie said. Her own performing experience combined with her designing/sewing skills allows her to achieve maximum comfort and perfect fit. In each costume she makes, she aims for a combination of softness against the skin and freedom of movement.

Violinist Gloria Ferry-Brennan described Lovie as, “incredible to make designs so flattering, and I feel good in them. I don’t have to worry while I’m playing.”

Lovie’s next projects include designing for ballroom dancers and high-end custom couture, sewing a bridal gown designed by her newly engaged daughter, Isabelle, and traveling to Dover, England to study Tambour embroidery, a complicated beading technique originating in Luneville, France during the 19^th century.

Beading the top of the dress for this weekend’s Seattle Symphony performance (photo by David Welton)

In addition to a packed schedule, Lovie manages to find time to mentor a South Whidbey High School student in fashion design three days a week. She’s also beginning a two-year term as co-chair of the Whidbey Island Surface Design Group and continues serving as a board member of the Washington Clay Association. She has been working with clay for ten years and has studied with Whidbey’s Robbie Lobell of Cook on Clay.

Where would she like to see her designs make an appearance in the future?

“Carnegie Hall,” she said with a smile.

Brenda Lovie can be reached at brenda.lovie@loviecouture.com while her website is under construction. Check out Lovie Couture on Facebook.

Brenda at one of the nine machines in her atelier (photo by David Welton)

Photo at the top: Brenda Lovie in her Clinton atelier (photo by David Welton)

Natalie Olsen, a fiber artist and writer, performed with her college choir in Carnegie Hall. She wore a loose, black choir robe.

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WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

February 11, 2015