We are thrilled to present a new show, "Joyful Souls," featuring Jenna von Benedikt's whimsical depictions of nature's delightful essence.  Jenna's quicksilver hummingbirds and intriguing animals of the wild juxtapose abstraction and realism. Her unique creations blend skillful traditional representation with abstract layers of pattern, texture, and color. Through this show, Jenna hopes to help people see and therefore "find the connection back to nature,"  her everpresent inspiration.

A year ago we introduced Bronwyn Groman's luscious still life paintings into the gallery, and she quickly became one of our top selling artists, sought after for her delightful artistic gems. In her first feature show,  Bronwyn’s not-so-still paintings scatter light and capture life, transforming simple objects into radiant representations of the marvelous. Her peonies gently lift their petals to the breeze, and her bowls, fruits, and vegetables open the viewer’s eye to the hidden beauty of ordinary things.

A celebrated author and internationally esteemed watercolorist, Ron Stocke paints and teaches throughout North America and Europe. One of the country's most acclaimed watercolorists, Ron holds coveted signature memberships in the Northwest, the American, and the National Watercolor Societies. He contributes regularly to Watercolor Artist Magazine and has served as an international Art Ambassador for the M. Graham Paint Company for over two decades.

In this series,  Ron showcases some of his favorite plein air locations, holiday memories, and preferred subjects. He recreates the strong warm light of the Cinque Terra to the graphic designs of the king tide we experience here in Edmonds, he captures these beautiful locations in his unique, fresh painterly style. "Watercolor has been the longest pursuit of my life. It has been both challenging and rewarding but always new".

Brooke Wetzel resides in Montana, enjoying the wilderness which surrounds her. Her paintings depict nature's beauty, capturing the mood and splendor of the landscape. In her show "Nature's Promise," her paintings sparkle with dancing light and glow with the colors of the sun. Brooke brings the viewer into the forests, lakes and mountain rivers of her life.

Master of contemporary expressionist art, William Liao brings a diverse collection of paintings with subjects ranging from his iconic abstracted mountains to figuratives and cityscapes. With fresh unfettered brushstrokes, William creates mood and mystery in light and shadow, expressing a range of emotions in each piece.

Over a year ago, Scott Jones, a treasured staff member at Cole Gallery who formerly served on the faculty for the Portrait Society of America, started talking about the possibility of holding a figurative show.  His rich experience has connected Scott with some of America’s greatest portrait artists. He often talks about how portrait artists enjoy figurative work that tells a story, a narrative in art terms. We agreed that presenting such visual stories would be a wonderful opportunity for our community, both for local residents and for the broader circle of art aficionados who follow us from around the country.  Scott writes:

A plea from my granddaughter that I've heard over and over-- "One Story's Not Enough!" Many viewers of art that leaves them intrigued and wanting to know more would agree. This exhibition exploring stories or emotions through figurative works of art is curated with them in mind.  A glimpse of something they have seen?  Somewhere they have been? Something they want to do?  Somewhere they want to go?  The wonder of what they are thinking or dreaming of? What is that person's story?

The show comprises works by eleven highly accomplished artists with a variety of art experiences who  have accepted the invitation to paint, draw, or sculpt a story.  We hope you will enjoy the artwork.  Visit or contact the gallery, and we will enjoy spinning our own interpretations of the stories.   

Terry Rafferty, newly and proudly introduced to Cole Gallery, brings nature to a human level, but illuminated with Edenic purity.  In this show, she leads us into a peaceable kingdom where people and animals dwell happily together in communion with the ideal beauty of uncorrupted paradise.  Her gift is to share respect for the immortal soul of Nature.   

Kathleen Hudson applies an inspired visual intelligence to landscapes, seascapes, and waterfalls, almost mystically capturing their centuries-old history and beaming it into our present moment.  Newly welcomed to Cole Gallery from her seat in Colorado Springs, Kathleen gathers the majestic natural forces around her and scatters them over and through her paintings.

In “Moments of Rare Beauty,” an article recently featured in Southwest Art, Hudson explains that she “treads a fine line between the real and the otherworldly.”  Using techniques perhaps developed in her much-admired plein air works, she frees herself from overly tight detail.  She tells reporter Bonnie Gangelhoff that she uses “looser brushwork to capture the natural chaos and movement in the wild.”

Come see for yourself.  Stand in the presence of one of Kathleen Hudson’s creations and feel yourself first humbled and very small before time’s arc, until a ray of Kathleen’s painterly light lifts you into connection with the grand spirit of nature’s mystery.

Kathy Gale captures the tulip harvest of the Skagit Valley and rural landscapes beyond with colorful contemporary Impressionist style. Painting the beauty of flowers and fields and the hardworking hands that bring in the bounty, her art is a tribute to farm workers everywhere.

Ready to make you smile, Michelle Waldele’s new show “Whimsical Tresures” is a charming collection of vintage themed still life paintings.  With her subjects ranging from beloved memories from the kitchen to toys, birds, books and more her lively paintings are simply enchanting.  Brighten your day and take in the vibrant beauty that this artist has created for you.

Known for his sweeping vistas, stunning skies and seascapes, Andy Eccleshall brings us a new collection of paintings of the Northwest. With breathtaking precision and his unique perspective, he portrays the beauty of the water, land, and sky that surrounds us.

Andy describes the inspiration for his new show stating: "The paintings investigate various meanings of this title, from the obvious reflection and translucency of water to the more obscure reflection on time and how one comprehends it to compositional reflection of shapes and forms."