Sharon & Bill Grader

ARTIST STATEMENT
I am an abstract painter drawn to the fundamental aspects of creating art. No matter whether the medium is hot beeswax, ink, watercolor, oil, acrylic, combined with asemic writing or mark making, my curiosity constantly challenges me to push the boundaries of my limitations.

When I paint, every line, every color, every shape has a purpose, a meaning and a relationship to each adjacent component. My work is disciplined, yet free and unexpected, calm and thought provoking. For me, this is a journey of discovery and happy accidents.

ARTISTS BIOGRAPHY
Art and creativity have always been an important part of Sharon Grader’s life. Growing up in Eugene, Oregon with access to the University of Oregon’s museums and galleries helped establish art as a cornerstone for her creativity.

Relocating to Seattle opened a whole new world view. Art and cultural were available everywhere—leading to a career in graphic design. As a professional graphic designer for more than 30 years, she discovered the language of design and how to see as an artist. All the elements of composition such as shape, line, and color are carried forward into her art.

Since leaving the corporate world, she has unlocked the joy of creating for herself and coloring outside the lines. In 2013, she discovered encaustic painting and fell in love immediately—there was no courtship, just a primal connection to the magical ephemeral quality of molten beeswax.

Exploration and experimentation are major elements of her artistic journey of discovery. She often works with found objects, dyed silk, rusted paper, encaustic monoprinting, watercolor, oil, and pastels. She is fascinated with the creative process and the constant wonder that surprises her every day.

Collaboration…a synergy. Many of our individual works have been shown together. We soon discovered that they were complimentary. Our collaborative art is the result of creativity, similar aesthetics, and design sensibilities, as well as a philosophy of team work developed during our 31-year marriage.

ARTISTS STATEMENT
Since my first tree fort, I have loved working with wood. I am especially drawn to driftwood and enjoy touching it with its sinuous curves and implied history. Every piece is different, with its own story. How did it come to be lying on that particular stretch of beach? What was its journey, from tree to river to ocean?

I combine different types of wood with natural stones. I counter the natural elements with re-purposed rusty metal bits, which tell of human endeavor meant to conquer time and nature. Ironically the metal always returns to a natural state.

By transforming the old and discarded into something new and useful, I create an object with a new story, a new history.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Growing up in Seattle and Edmonds, Bill caught the art bug at an early age. Tutored by his maternal grandmother, who was an accomplished oil painter, he was fascinated by art. Trips with his grandmother to museums, art galleries, libraries, and junk stores furthered his interest in creating things. His grandfather then introduced him to the world of wood crafting, which lead to a long career as a carpenter, reinforcing the lesson that one must first be a craftsman before one can become an artist.

Graduating from Seattle Pacific University with a BA in Art, he spent the next couple of decades traveling extensively, holding varied jobs, everything from shipwright to airline pilot. Exposure to different places and ways of seeing the world reinforced his view of the importance of craftsmanship.

His current work reflects his love of wood. In all his art, throughout his career, the dominant element has been a focus on composition. Symmetry, balance and color are all evident in his pieces. Found objects are also prominent in his work.

Recently retired from the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation as a carpenter, he specializes in restoration projects which include arbors, fences, bridges, and gatehouses at Seattle's Japanese and Kubota Gardens.