Dahl-Isacson, Laurie

Laurie considers this period of her life, “retirement” as the third phase of learning, making and doing.

The first 20 years were involved with higher education and commercial fishing. In the second 20+ years she aspired to instill an appreciation and personal awareness of one’s creative potential to teenagers as a high school art teacher at Bellarmine Prep.  And this phase is a melding of all those previous experiences and more.

Creativity has always been front and center.  The role of nature, the sea, the environment, plant forms and garden inspirations and gardening have found their way into her art making processes: whether it is weaving, fiber art or a variety of craft forms. And of course the garden is a work of art in constant transformation

 Art is not a thing, but a way of connecting to interpreting our world. 

Chairs Artists Live Auction Silent Auction Sponsors

Chair Affair Artist

Laurie considers this period of her life, “retirement” as the third phase of learning, making and doing.

The first 20 years were involved with higher education and commercial fishing. In the second 20+ years she aspired to instill an appreciation and personal awareness of one’s creative potential to teenagers as a high school art teacher at Bellarmine Prep.  And this phase is a melding of all those previous experiences and more.

Creativity has always been front and center.  The role of nature, the sea, the environment, plant forms and garden inspirations and gardening have found their way into her art making processes: whether it is weaving, fiber art or a variety of craft forms. And of course the garden is a work of art in constant transformation

 Art is not a thing, but a way of connecting to interpreting our world. 

Autumn Study

Click on an image to enlarge.

Fall is a time of change. The weather turns cool as summer gives way to the crisp days of Fall. Bright blooms are transforming to warm tones of the changing leaves. Fall is also a time when students and teachers return to the classroom for another year of study, reuniting with friends and classmates.

I was attracted to the sturdy forthright nature of an old oak school desk, the likes of which I used during my high school days.  I vividly remember sitting by the window in Mrs. Crooks English class, wishing I could be out side. I loved school, but there was something magic and transformational about the warm hues of autumn in the northwest.

I wanted to create a chair that celebrated memory of school days and the changing seasons; those both personal and academic. The block print leaves were inspired by many found in my yard.

Sunset Garden

Click on an image to enlarge.

I saw this little chair stuck in a corner of an “antique” shop in Port Orchard. It beckoned to have a new life as it was pretty sad looking. I had to think a while as to how I would transform it. In my Craft class that I taught at Bellarmine Prep I included a lesson in copper foil tooling. I thought that was the perfect material – metal with metal. The seat was tooled with a plant motif.  The patina is made using a mixture of liver of sulfate & water (stinky stuff) and finally coated with several applications of polyurethane as a protectant. 

This little piece could certainly be used by a child, but it may be a delightful addition to your garden or patio. 

Spring Awakening

Click on an image to enlarge.

 I found this little chair while “chair scouting” in antique/thrift stores in Port Orchard. I loved the simple clean lines and rather traditional look. I sought to incorporate a design that did not take away from this…something simple and natural so to speak. I re-stained the chair a dark warm brown. 

This time of year the garden is bursting with new growth and I wanted to incorporate that idea by using some of my favorite plants: hosta, iris, Japanese maple and viburnum as a design element. Each leaf is an individual block print using acrylic paint. I then applied 2 coats of marine spar varnish for a nice gloss and weatherproofing so that it may safely be used outside if desired.

This little piece could certainly be used by a child, but it may be a delightful addition to your garden or patio

Game Time at the Beach

 Game Time at the Beach

Click on an image to enlarge.

In this world with a flood of technology gadgets I wanted to make something personal and interactive, to a time when life was simple. And what could be more simple and entertaining as a game of checkers? 

The table and chairs are painted and stamped with chalk paint. The abundant sea life of the Salish Sea is my inspiration. Several layers of a protective wax have been applied for protection.