'Waterlines' Exhibit Turns Sammamish City Hall Into an art Gallery

Currently on display in  are several pieces of photo encaustic imagery created by Snohomish-based artist Kathy Hastings.

Part of her “Waterlines” series, the images capture abstract patterns of rust, faded, peeling paint and watery reflections on the weathered hulls of boats.

“I’m fascinated by the abstract patterns on the hulls that have gone to sea and come back,” Hastings said. Hastings is an avid kayaker who often finds herself in the water with large commercial boats.

The photo encaustic process allows Hastings to combine two of her favorite mediums, digital photography and painting. Each of the images starts as a photograph, which Hastings then mounts on a wood tile and covers with wax. The wax can be pigmented and painted over and layered to create textures and effects. The end result is unique and striking.

Many of the pieces are comprised of a single tile of small or medium size. A few of the pieces are made up of several tiles, though, giving the appearance of a mosaic. Hastings took this approach on the larger pieces mostly out of necessity. Larger pieces are difficult to create with the encaustic process and harder to transport.

Hastings found that she liked the look of the multi-tile pieces. They give her options for displaying the piece, either as a large square or as a row of tiles, or perhaps even out of order, creating a visual puzzle.

Regardless of format, all of the pieces are a reflection of what Hastings finds interesting about those well-worn boats. The abstract patterns of the rust, the patina of the aged metal, the way light plays across the surfaces.

“I’m just captivated by them,” she said.

The pieces also captivated members of the Sammamish Arts Commission, who were eager to display the work. “It just touched us all,” said Daphne Robinson, arts commission chair.

Robinson credits Arts Commissioner Barbara Jirsa for bringing Kathy Hastings to the Commission's attention after seeing her work. “Barbara just fell in love with her work,” Robinson said.

Robinson said that the Arts Commission is making a real push to support local artists and create cultural events in the city, which she said helps build community relations.

The “Waterlines” display runs through Aug. 31 and is free to view Monday to Friday during City Hall’s business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.