Bellingham watercolor artist Candace Buethorn, 60, celebrates the one-year anniversary of opening her gallery in Fairhaven with an open house from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at 960 Harris Ave., Suite 104-B.
Buethorn plans to move her gallery to downtown Bellingham at the end of November. For more on her art, go to cnbuethorn.com.
Q: Who encouraged you to pursue art as a career?
A: I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, in a big family that was active in theater, music and the arts. My dad was a gifted musician who had trained at Julliard, and my mother was a talented artist who painted in oils and was known for her fabulous block or screen-printed Christmas cards.
Both my parents worked full-time to support us, paying for music or dancing lessons. Our weekends were full of cultural events, and we were encouraged to pursue our passions, as long as we kept our day jobs. My parents were my biggest inspirations, as well as mentors.
However, my biggest mentor has always been my husband, Don. He "got" me right away and understood the joy I experience during the process of producing a painting. He recognized my gifts even before my drawing skills developed. He never pointed out my wacky perspective, but recognized my ability to catch a moment; find the blessing in the mundane.
Q: What brought you to Whatcom County?
A: In 1980 my husband brought me to Whatcom County and my day job became helping him establish Cascade Prosthetics and Orthotics and Cascade DAFO in Ferndale. About 15 years later, it seemed better for the family that I stay home, so, even with three kids, I started to make art my day job. Now I work three or four days a week on studio projects. I try to sketch daily. I teach basic watercolor classes at my gallery.
Q: Where have you traveled and lived, and how have those places influenced your art?
A: I am first and primarily a plein-air (painting outdoors) artist, so many of my subjects are landscapes, seascapes and city views of where I live (Bellingham) and travel. I've painted in Portugal, Scotland, France and Hawaii, but I always love returning home to the soft greens and blues of the Pacific Northwest. When our heavy mist turns into rain, I practice watercolor techniques in the studio. I also play with cut-paper assemblage, a mixed-media approach that is perfectly suited for studio time during the rainy season.
Q: Where can people see and purchase your art, in addition to your studio?
A: My original artwork and other products are available at my gallery and on my website. I've loved the location, but it's been hard for people to find - down the stairs behind 4 Starrs Boutique. And, unfortunately, the rent went up, so we are thrilled to announce our future move to the Bay Street Village building on Holly and Bay after the open house.
Throughout the transition, my gift items like cards, journals and throws continue to be available at Custom RX in Bellingham, and the Glass Slipper Gift Shop in Ferndale. Northwest Sleep Solutions in Fairhaven also carries my tapestry throws.
Q: What's fun for you besides your art?
A: I love to workout. I do strength training and cardio three times a week at A Personal View with Patti Guarino, and I also go to Red Mountain Wellness Center twice a week for Pilates with Patrick Redmond. It's taken me a couple of years to lose the extra weight, but I've learned to love exercise. I look forward to my workouts and I believe it gives me the energy I need to keep up with my family and work.
