Meet Our
Artists

Art Starts Here

We are proud to support the thriving arts community.

We are home to 10 full-time studio artists and 15 part-time locker artists who work in a wide variety of media. We offer low-cost workspace for artists giving them a chance to collaborate and grow in their creative journey. Creating community is what we do at Art Start NW. One of the many ways art starts here.

Our studio and locker spaces remain full but occasionally we have openings. If you are interested in learning more go here for studio info and here for locker info.

Jane Behrens

She/Her

Jane Behrens

She/Her

Jane Behrens is an oil and acrilycs abstract artist residing in Edmonds, WA. This is a test.

Jane Behrens is an oil and acrilycs abstract artist residing in Edmonds, WA. This is a test.

Jane Behrens is an oil and acrilycs abstract artist residing in Edmonds, WA. This is a test.

Ruth Blaikie

She/Her

Ruth Blaikie

She/Her

Ruth has a joy of learning and exploring a variety of art forms. For many years she enjoyed making mosaics and teaching classes to students of all generations, including working with Seniors Making Art, a Dale Chihuly community arts program. Recently, she has been fascinated with fiber arts. The Japanese history and style of Sashiko stitching intrigued her, so for the past 3 years she's been learning the formal technique. Now, she is pulling the Sashiko stitching into contemporary designs, and really enjoying bringing different fiber elements and slow stitching techniques into the designs. Ruth is also an art therapist and licensed marriage & family therapist. She has been serving the local community for over three decades through her private practice, Art as Therapy.
Ruth has a joy of learning and exploring a variety of art forms. For many years she enjoyed making mosaics and teaching classes to students of all generations, including working with Seniors Making Art, a Dale Chihuly community arts program. Recently, she has been fascinated with fiber arts. The Japanese history and style of Sashiko stitching intrigued her, so for the past 3 years she's been learning the formal technique. Now, she is pulling the Sashiko stitching into contemporary designs, and really enjoying bringing different fiber elements and slow stitching techniques into the designs. Ruth is also an art therapist and licensed marriage & family therapist. She has been serving the local community for over three decades through her private practice, Art as Therapy.
Ruth has a joy of learning and exploring a variety of art forms. For many years she enjoyed making mosaics and teaching classes to students of all generations, including working with Seniors Making Art, a Dale Chihuly community arts program. Recently, she has been fascinated with fiber arts. The Japanese history and style of Sashiko stitching intrigued her, so for the past 3 years she's been learning the formal technique. Now, she is pulling the Sashiko stitching into contemporary designs, and really enjoying bringing different fiber elements and slow stitching techniques into the designs. Ruth is also an art therapist and licensed marriage & family therapist. She has been serving the local community for over three decades through her private practice, Art as Therapy.

Mike O'Day

He/Him

Mike O’Day, a humorous illustrator, stumbled upon a clay studio in 2004 and immediately decided to transform his 2D sketches into 3D sculptures. After gradually discovering how to prevent his sculptures from cracking or exploding in the kiln, his career as a sculptor began. Presently, his garden art, murals and assorted quirky creatures are seen throughout the Seattle area and in galleries from Edmonds to Seattle. He occasionally teaches classes and workshops, and is currently a board member of the Edmonds Art Studio Tour. He and his creatures reside in Grit & Grog Clay Studio #9 at Graphite Arts Center, which he shares with ceramic artist Julie Perrine.
Mike O’Day, a humorous illustrator, stumbled upon a clay studio in 2004 and immediately decided to transform his 2D sketches into 3D sculptures. After gradually discovering how to prevent his sculptures from cracking or exploding in the kiln, his career as a sculptor began. Presently, his garden art, murals and assorted quirky creatures are seen throughout the Seattle area and in galleries from Edmonds to Seattle. He occasionally teaches classes and workshops, and is currently a board member of the Edmonds Art Studio Tour. He and his creatures reside in Grit & Grog Clay Studio #9 at Graphite Arts Center, which he shares with ceramic artist Julie Perrine.
Mike O’Day, a humorous illustrator, stumbled upon a clay studio in 2004 and immediately decided to transform his 2D sketches into 3D sculptures. After gradually discovering how to prevent his sculptures from cracking or exploding in the kiln, his career as a sculptor began. Presently, his garden art, murals and assorted quirky creatures are seen throughout the Seattle area and in galleries from Edmonds to Seattle. He occasionally teaches classes and workshops, and is currently a board member of the Edmonds Art Studio Tour. He and his creatures reside in Grit & Grog Clay Studio #9 at Graphite Arts Center, which he shares with ceramic artist Julie Perrine.

Andy Eccleshall

He/Him

Born in the UK I have a fascination with atmosphere (weather) and light. I like to work large in oil on canvas, often using plein air sketches for color reference. I am a full time artist and have been engaged in art almost my whole life. I am represented by Cole Gallery here in Edmonds, Smith and Vallee in Edison WA, SAM Gallery in Seattle, Kostuik Gallery in Vancouver BC, Centerpiece in Raleigh NC, Mary Williams Fine Arts in Boulder CO and Higher Art Gallery in Traverse City MI. I am proud and grateful to be one of the Graphite family of artists.
Born in the UK I have a fascination with atmosphere (weather) and light. I like to work large in oil on canvas, often using plein air sketches for color reference. I am a full time artist and have been engaged in art almost my whole life. I am represented by Cole Gallery here in Edmonds, Smith and Vallee in Edison WA, SAM Gallery in Seattle, Kostuik Gallery in Vancouver BC, Centerpiece in Raleigh NC, Mary Williams Fine Arts in Boulder CO and Higher Art Gallery in Traverse City MI. I am proud and grateful to be one of the Graphite family of artists.
Born in the UK I have a fascination with atmosphere (weather) and light. I like to work large in oil on canvas, often using plein air sketches for color reference. I am a full time artist and have been engaged in art almost my whole life. I am represented by Cole Gallery here in Edmonds, Smith and Vallee in Edison WA, SAM Gallery in Seattle, Kostuik Gallery in Vancouver BC, Centerpiece in Raleigh NC, Mary Williams Fine Arts in Boulder CO and Higher Art Gallery in Traverse City MI. I am proud and grateful to be one of the Graphite family of artists.

Sarah Crumb

She/Her

Sarah Crumb is a lifelong Seattle area resident who loves to combine her interests of wildlife and fantasy to create intricate drawings and colorful paintings. Her favorite natural subjects are birds, which she spends time delicately representing in ink and watercolors. Inspiration sparks her with frequent trips to low tide on Edmonds beach, to local zoos, aquariums, art, and natural history museums, dressing up in closet cosplay to attend as many comic cons as possible, and listening to very loud music on her headphones while working on art.

Sarah’s background reflects these particular interests: An undergraduate degree in Art History has helped cement a lifelong love of close inspection of art of all kinds. A Masters in Zoology where she honed skills in utilizing scientific inquiry to question and closely observe the natural world. Volunteering at Woodland Park Zoo in the waterfowl department brought her up close and personal with a wide variety of birds (and red pandas!) And finally a lifetime of devouring fantasy media from Tolkien books to Marvel movies has provided an extensive library of popular culture to draw from.

She currently lives with her family and pets in Bothell, WA.

Sarah Crumb is a lifelong Seattle area resident who loves to combine her interests of wildlife and fantasy to create intricate drawings and colorful paintings. Her favorite natural subjects are birds, which she spends time delicately representing in ink and watercolors. Inspiration sparks her with frequent trips to low tide on Edmonds beach, to local zoos, aquariums, art, and natural history museums, dressing up in closet cosplay to attend as many comic cons as possible, and listening to very loud music on her headphones while working on art.

Sarah’s background reflects these particular interests: An undergraduate degree in Art History has helped cement a lifelong love of close inspection of art of all kinds. A Masters in Zoology where she honed skills in utilizing scientific inquiry to question and closely observe the natural world. Volunteering at Woodland Park Zoo in the waterfowl department brought her up close and personal with a wide variety of birds (and red pandas!) And finally a lifetime of devouring fantasy media from Tolkien books to Marvel movies has provided an extensive library of popular culture to draw from.

She currently lives with her family and pets in Bothell, WA.

Sarah Crumb is a lifelong Seattle area resident who loves to combine her interests of wildlife and fantasy to create intricate drawings and colorful paintings. Her favorite natural subjects are birds, which she spends time delicately representing in ink and watercolors. Inspiration sparks her with frequent trips to low tide on Edmonds beach, to local zoos, aquariums, art, and natural history museums, dressing up in closet cosplay to attend as many comic cons as possible, and listening to very loud music on her headphones while working on art.

Sarah’s background reflects these particular interests: An undergraduate degree in Art History has helped cement a lifelong love of close inspection of art of all kinds. A Masters in Zoology where she honed skills in utilizing scientific inquiry to question and closely observe the natural world. Volunteering at Woodland Park Zoo in the waterfowl department brought her up close and personal with a wide variety of birds (and red pandas!) And finally a lifetime of devouring fantasy media from Tolkien books to Marvel movies has provided an extensive library of popular culture to draw from.

She currently lives with her family and pets in Bothell, WA.

Tamara Lee

She/Her

Tamara Lee

She/Her

For the past 35 years I have merged my Degree in Horticulture from WSU with my passion for art. As a freelance artist I worked for clients such as: World Wildlife Fund Zurich, Woodland Park Zoo, Sasquatch Press and Northwest Flower and Garden Show, among others. In a perfect match, I was able to combine both of my passions of plants and art as the Marketing Director for Swansons Nursery for 15 years.
For the past 35 years I have merged my Degree in Horticulture from WSU with my passion for art. As a freelance artist I worked for clients such as: World Wildlife Fund Zurich, Woodland Park Zoo, Sasquatch Press and Northwest Flower and Garden Show, among others. In a perfect match, I was able to combine both of my passions of plants and art as the Marketing Director for Swansons Nursery for 15 years.
For the past 35 years I have merged my Degree in Horticulture from WSU with my passion for art. As a freelance artist I worked for clients such as: World Wildlife Fund Zurich, Woodland Park Zoo, Sasquatch Press and Northwest Flower and Garden Show, among others. In a perfect match, I was able to combine both of my passions of plants and art as the Marketing Director for Swansons Nursery for 15 years.
Originally from Hawaii, I’ve spent the last decade in Washington. My life has centered around my passion for art and art education. I divide my time between working as a professional artist and teaching art. My artistic practice blends painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and digital techniques, driven by a fascination with materials and composition. My current body of multi-media paintings combines bold and flowing linework with delicate florals to create dynamic compositions full of energy and grace.
Originally from Hawaii, I’ve spent the last decade in Washington. My life has centered around my passion for art and art education. I divide my time between working as a professional artist and teaching art. My artistic practice blends painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and digital techniques, driven by a fascination with materials and composition. My current body of multi-media paintings combines bold and flowing linework with delicate florals to create dynamic compositions full of energy and grace.
Originally from Hawaii, I’ve spent the last decade in Washington. My life has centered around my passion for art and art education. I divide my time between working as a professional artist and teaching art. My artistic practice blends painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and digital techniques, driven by a fascination with materials and composition. My current body of multi-media paintings combines bold and flowing linework with delicate florals to create dynamic compositions full of energy and grace.

Rainny Zhao

She/Her

With each stroke of the brush and every note of melody, Rainny is an artist whose soul is stirred by the mysteries of philosophy and the ethereal harmonies of classical music. From a tender age, the strings of the violin and the ivory keys of the piano whispered to her in a language of beauty, emotion, and the boundless power of art. As she journeyed deeper into the complexities of philosophy, she yearned to unravel the profound ideas that spoke to the very essence of her being. And within the realm of painting, she discovered her voice, allowing her to breathe life into these concepts through a kaleidoscope of color, depth, and spirit.
With each stroke of the brush and every note of melody, Rainny is an artist whose soul is stirred by the mysteries of philosophy and the ethereal harmonies of classical music. From a tender age, the strings of the violin and the ivory keys of the piano whispered to her in a language of beauty, emotion, and the boundless power of art. As she journeyed deeper into the complexities of philosophy, she yearned to unravel the profound ideas that spoke to the very essence of her being. And within the realm of painting, she discovered her voice, allowing her to breathe life into these concepts through a kaleidoscope of color, depth, and spirit.
With each stroke of the brush and every note of melody, Rainny is an artist whose soul is stirred by the mysteries of philosophy and the ethereal harmonies of classical music. From a tender age, the strings of the violin and the ivory keys of the piano whispered to her in a language of beauty, emotion, and the boundless power of art. As she journeyed deeper into the complexities of philosophy, she yearned to unravel the profound ideas that spoke to the very essence of her being. And within the realm of painting, she discovered her voice, allowing her to breathe life into these concepts through a kaleidoscope of color, depth, and spirit.

Julie Perrine

She/Her

After taking my first pottery class in the early '80s I never looked back. As a full time studio artist, I spend my time making functional and sculptural work that I sell out of my studio at Graphite. I have been a guest artist in the Edmonds and Shoreline Schools districts over the past 20 plus years and enjoy mentoring young artists. My love of sharing my medium has led me to teaching in many situations, come visit and I will tell you about them. I am also available to teach private classes on the weekends. You can find me in Grit & Grog Clay Studio which I share with sculptor Mike O'Day.
After taking my first pottery class in the early '80s I never looked back. As a full time studio artist, I spend my time making functional and sculptural work that I sell out of my studio at Graphite. I have been a guest artist in the Edmonds and Shoreline Schools districts over the past 20 plus years and enjoy mentoring young artists. My love of sharing my medium has led me to teaching in many situations, come visit and I will tell you about them. I am also available to teach private classes on the weekends. You can find me in Grit & Grog Clay Studio which I share with sculptor Mike O'Day.
After taking my first pottery class in the early '80s I never looked back. As a full time studio artist, I spend my time making functional and sculptural work that I sell out of my studio at Graphite. I have been a guest artist in the Edmonds and Shoreline Schools districts over the past 20 plus years and enjoy mentoring young artists. My love of sharing my medium has led me to teaching in many situations, come visit and I will tell you about them. I am also available to teach private classes on the weekends. You can find me in Grit & Grog Clay Studio which I share with sculptor Mike O'Day.

Bill Whitbeck

He/Him

Dawn Chesbro

She/Her

Scott Anstett

He/Him

Carol Bolt

She/Her

Mark Boyle

He/Him

Lisa Castillano Szilassy

She/Her

Lisa Castillano Szilassy

She/Her

Jenny Danger

She/Her

Krister Eide

He/Him

Rebecca Hartsook

She/Her

Rebecca Hartsook

She/Her

Vicki Hone Smith

She/Her

Ken Ketchum

He/Him

Dave Lane

He/Him

Dave Lane

He/Him

Judith Larsen

She/Her

Judith Larsen

She/Her

Jill Owen

She/Her

Sue Robertson

She/Her

Richard Zhang

He/Him

Cheri Obrien

She/Her

Cheri Obrien

She/Her

Nikki Starwalker

She/Her

Nikki Starwalker

She/Her

Janis Graves

She/Her

Keep the arts alive in our community.

Your support empowers the next generation of creators and fosters a vibrant local arts community. Here’s how you can help: