Jessamyn Tuttle

winter walks

The last couple of weeks have gone through quite a range of weather. One morning the dog and I climbed up Little Mountain, hearing wild geese call through the dense mist, emerging at the very top into blue sky with snowy mountains poking up out of the fog. Another day we left the gray river valley to hike in to Whistle Lake, only to find the winter sun crashing through the trees in bright rays. The lake was completely iced over at one end, giving it a strange pearly quality. A walk at Padilla Bay was cold, but the water was perfectly still with views out to the snow-covered islands, shining in the sun. And some days we just walked in the fog or rain.

solo show at The Table

Next week I hang another solo show, this time at The Table in Bellingham. It’s the restaurant run by the Bellingham Pasta Company, and they have kindly offered me their wall for the month of February. There’s no official reception, but you can stop by any time during regular restaurant hours, including the first Friday Artwalk on February 1st. All work will be for sale.

For this show, I’m featuring some of my abstract work. Some of it is light painting, some macro, some playing around with focus. One of my ongoing projects has been to make abstract photographs of musical instruments, and I’m particularly happy with my latest attempt involving my husband’s bouzouki. Come by and check it out!

cold and clear

We’ve had some cold, bright days here over the last couple of weeks. The dog and I drove out towards the foothills one morning and found a pretty side road with views of Mount Baker, farms and frosty fields. I don’t feel like I quite got the shot I was hoping for but it was a beautiful walk.

snow

We were over in the Wenatchee Valley a couple of weeks ago, just in time to enjoy a two foot snowpack of fresh powder. The dog adored it, and we had just enough good weather in between snowfalls for me to get outside with the camera.

winter slough

I don’t always remember to take one of my DSLRs with me on walks, so I’m particularly grateful for the camera in my cell phone. I might have missed getting this image of Big Indian Slough where it runs into Padilla Bay, with winter sunlight glowing on the water.

December show

My show of fruit and vegetable photography is up at the Skagit Co-op! Their mezzanine is a great place to hang art, and I love how my pieces look on the colored walls. The show is up until Friday, December 28, and everything there is for sale (don’t forget I can do any photo in other sizes, too – just ask).

Skagit Valley Food Co-op show coming soon

This Friday I’m putting up a show right here in Mount Vernon, at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op. For the month of December my photographs will be on the walls all along the mezzanine above the deli, and given the setting I’ve decided on food as the subject – mostly abstract and/or macro shots of fruits and vegetables, and there will be some new work. Stop by and check it out! And remember if you like something but would prefer a different size, just let me know and I can make you a print, framed or unframed.

red vines

The fence that separates our garden from the neighbors’ is well festooned with vines. Climbing hydrangea is planted on my side but tendrils crawl through holes and over the top onto their yard, while gorgeous Boston ivy weaves its way through the fence cracks from their garden into mine. It’s pretty and not invasive like the horrible English ivy that runs amok through Western Washington, and it’s absolutely glorious in the fall.

Producer’s Night at the Lincoln

From the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon:

“Friday, November 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m. is Producer’s Night – Blues Brothers style! Producer’s Night is our most popular event of the year, and will include a live and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a chance to win a cash door prize – all to benefit the Lincoln. Live music from the Chris Eger Band. Buy your tickets online today, or call the box office at 360-336-8955. Tickets are $25 per person, $35 at the door. 21 and over!”

I won’t be there, but I’ve donated a small photograph for the auction. It’s an 8×10″ framed image of Padilla Bay, perfect to fit in anywhere on your wall or to give as a gift. Please help support our historic theater!

equestrian adventures

This was a different sort of project for me – I had the opportunity to write a piece for the Cascadia Weekly on a local, mobile horseback riding instruction business called Rolling Stone Equestrian. I observed one lesson, then took one myself – the first time I’d been on a horse in approximately one million years. It was scary but fun, and I love taking pictures of horses (although it’s dark in those arenas, and the horses keep moving). My husband used my camera to take some shots at my lesson, too.