Gallery 2011 February Artist Relishes Detail, Emotion

Art is a full time job for Seattle artist Jean Bradbury, who is exhibiting her work this month at as Gallery 2011's February artist.

Though she was trained in abstract art, Bradbury's current work reflects a much different style: it's gentle, highly detailed and conveys a comtemplative thoughfulness.

Abstract art is messy and spontaneous, she said. "It took me a long time to give myself permission to paint in a more gentle and thoughful way -- to take care with what I'm doing."

Some of that mellowing out is helped by the fact that Bradbury's two children, ages 17 and 14 are older now, affording her more time to work in a peaceful setting and she can focus on fine details.

Largely, however, abstract art just never felt true. "I was pretending to be an abstract painter," she said. "But as we get older, we're truer to ourselves."

The transition took time. Speaking of the small and fine brushes she now uses, she said of her style switch, "At first it felt naughty and subversive, but it felt right. I'm not a bold person."

Bradbury cites among her inspirations: Mark Ryden as well as the pop surrealism art that can be found at Seattle's Roq La Rue Gallery. 

"I like the craftsmanship."

These days, Bradbury's medium of choice is oil paints. "It just feels alive to me and it's easy to work with," she said. "Oil doesn't dry as quickly and stays responsive."

The responsiveness is important. Bradbury said she typically has an idea or feeling to begin a painting but much of the composition, including subjects and color are guided by her emotions. So being able to edit while painting is important.

Bradbury tries to convey a multitude of feelings and impressions through her paintings including those of nostalgia and reflection as well as ambition and looking forward.

"I hope it [my art] communicates to people a connection -- an intimate connection that tells a story, and that my work speaks to their emotional life."

City Hall Entryway Display Case

Beginning February 2, Brenda Treibel’s soft sculptures, aka; dry felt or needle felt sculptures, will be presented at Enumclaw City Hall. Brenda’s sculptures are made from all natural wool, fiber, and dyed fibers. She reports, “There is no wire, premade forms, or fillers used. I use felting needles in this media. These needles are sharp and barbed. To achieve this form, you must repeatedly poke the fiber to shape.”

Brenda’s tableau-style sculptures are friendly concoctions of flora and fauna. .

Gallery 2011 is located in the council chambers at Enumclaw city hall. Hours for the exhibition space are 8 a. m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. City hall is closed on national holidays. The gallery is closed to the public on Tuesday of each week for municipal court proceedings.