Ron Glowen is a well-recognized art critic across the United States, but he moves in the shadow of his wife around Arlington. Kathryn Glowen was named Artist of the Year by the Arts Council of Snohomish County in 2002, and has shown bodies of work in several museums in the state in recent years. She has two new works in the Museum of Northwest Art currently and the city of Arlington owns five pieces from her “Overhead Underfoot” collection, which are displayed in the City Council Chambers. In that body of work, she magnified Northwest native plants onto natural wood surfaces. The city’s collection includes a salmon berry leaf, a huge sumac branch, and a bleeding heart, among others. Kathryn may be best known in eastern Washington for a series of work called Petland, inspired by a woman who lived in one house near Spokane for her entire life.
She is inspired by the natural world around her and often uses found objects in assemblages and collages. Currently she is doing what she calls “silk paintings,” creating flat wall pieces from fabric yoyos that she sews from old silk ties.
“Ron is quite a talented artist himself,” said Kathryn, who has collaborated with her husband on several projects through the years. She believes the value of art is to inspire people.
“ I really feel that the mark of good art, is that it drives curiosity,” Kathryn Glowen said.
Ron Glowen has written about art for numerous publications and currently freelances periodically while holding down a day job at Boeing.
The two will take the stage together Saturday, March 28, when they will be talking about the concept of developing a body of work as well as offering critiques to artists who bring a sample of their work to the fifth annual Artist Workshop at the Boys & Girls Club this Saturday.
“The Artist Workshop is our service to our artist members and friends who provide their service to the Arlington community through the year,” said Virginia Hatch, a founding member of the arts council.
“Our member artists share their talent with the community in various exhibits through the year, and this is our effort to help them grow and develop their skills.”
“We are very excited to be able to contribute to our fellow artists in Arlington,” said Kathryn Glowen.
She and Ron have lived on a small farm a few miles out of town on Burn Road for more than 20 years.
The Artist Workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday March 28 at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, 18513 59th Ave. NE in Arlington . The event is open to the public for a nominal fee of $10 or by donation for members. Members to the AAC is $15. For information call 360-631-9242.
On critiquing
your own work
Teleia Geddes will speak on “How to Critique Your Art Work” at the next Greater Marysville Artists’ Guild meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 1, in the Red Barn at Jennings Park, 6915 Armar Rd., Marysville. Everyone is requested to bring one finished or unfinished painting to be critiqued. Admission is free and all are welcome. For information call Shirley Fulfs at 360-435-3887.
