oh boy, it’s a s a l e !

I am thrilled to participate in a studio sale this weekend with three other amazing Seattle artists, Mandy Greer, Kate Ryan and Vanessa DeWolf.  All four of us are multi-media artists and are offering a deliciously diverse selection of work including photography, fine art jewelry, hand-crafted practical items and ephemeral experiences.  Additionally, Mandy is opening her stash of vintage fabrics and findings for your perusal….

it’s all about light

I am pleased to be included in a group show this month at the Corridor Gallery in the Tashiro Kaplan building. The theme of this show is “It’s All About Light.”   For this work I used humble, natural materials and processes – nothing precious. Except time. What does the world care about a single bee, a broken man, one beetle or a family of poor…

c h a n g e s

I am very excited to say that I am shifting my blog into a website and it will be launched any day now.  I’d love it if you came to visit me at wylyastley.com. Thank you! -Wyly

b e a u t i f u l g i r l s

While I work this morning I am listening to the new album by Mali artist Rokia Traore, Beautiful Africa.  It is gorgeous and good company as I mix and card wools alone in my studio.  The dark color and texture of these wools + the African music led me to think about dreadlocks and a new cousin that was born to our family two weeks ago….

birthday note to A

My dearest A – Most lovely A, You are eleven today. E L E V E N 11  You know that eleven is my favorite number.  And Daddy’s.  Why?  For my part I can’t say.  I honestly have no idea.  Maybe it’s the look of it – the symmetry.  The ones stand so straight and tall.  Neither one is ever alone.  The ones echo…

h e l s i n k i

Here I am in this lovely city – Day 6.  I have found Helsinki enchanting and Finns very helpful, quiet and beautiful. I understand that I have enjoyed fluke weather as it was clear, sunny and quite warm for several days.  I expected chilly and wet – the same weather I left in Seattle.  It’s been cold and cloudy both yesterday and today, however.  I…

f i n l a n d

Yesterday I boxed up and shipped out 5 pieces to Finland.  I sent them off with hopes of landing an invitation to take the Admissions Course at the University of the Arts Helsinki this May.  Ultimately, of course, I hope to receive a fat letter from them that begins, “Congratulations.”  Living abroad and going to art/graduate school are two lifelong dreams.  To do it…

g r r r r r r

I read in the news this morning about 16-year-old Taylor Townsend.  Townsend is a rising tennis star who is being compared to Serena Williams, not because of her talent, perseverance, courage and devotion to her sport, but because of her color,  stature and “baby fat.”  I am not surprised that her age is news (wow!), but why is the color and shape of her…

d r a w

So, I decided to take part in the Art House Coop’s Sketchbook Project 2013.  I have been following the project for years now but have never participated.  If you don’t already know about the Sketchbook Project, co-founder Steven Peterman describes it like this:  “[The Sketchbook Project is] an interactive, world-wide traveling exhibition with artists’ sketchbooks.”  To participate, you simply register on their website then…

w a x i n g

I first experienced encaustic up close several years ago at a Bell Town gallery called i Capolovori.  I was magnetically drawn to an 8′ tall black and white photo covered in milky wax.  The impulse to feel the surface was nearly impossible to contain.   I wanted to lick it. I am sad that I cannot remember the artist’s name and i Capolovori is…