Artist of the Month

Whatcom Art Guild now has a 4th donated venue space for Artist of the Month. First Fed Bank in Fairhaven has invited WAG to place rotating art in their lobby as part of the Artist of the Month program. The new bank manager likes the display at Colophon Cafe and its concept of the Artist of the Month rotation,

Address: First Fed Bank – Fairhaven, 105 12th St, Bellingham, WA 98226

Please stop by to admire the art and thank Zoe and Jessica for giving local artists the opportunity to publicly display their art.

Aug 2026

Artist of the Month: Arlene Mortimer

Title: Purple Storm

Medium: Pastel

Venue: First Fed Bank, Fairhaven

Description: Purple Storm, was inspired by a trip to Montana to visit the homestead area of my husband’s family. We found someone who knew
where the site was located and offered to take us there. It was up a steep road high in the mountains. I took some photos then we saw a bank of purple storm clouds coming in. As we wound our way down, we were caught in the ice and snow storm. I was glad we had a good driver!

Artist of the Month: Dana Reynolds

Title: Wildflower Mountain

Medium: Acrylic, Modeling clay, UV Acrylic varnish on Canvas

Venue: Whatcom Art Market

Description: WildFlower Mountain Views. 10″x20″ Original mixed media of Acrylic and Modeling Paste, UV Archival Satin Varnish sealed

Artist of the Month: Liz Cunningham

Title: Magenta Bloom

Medium: Beaded Shadow Box

Venue: Colophon Cafe

Description: This whimsical flower and vase represent an exploration into the world of “bead embroidery”. It is meant to bring a smile to those who view it.

Artist of the Month: Matthew Crane

Title: Ascension

Medium: Acrylic and oil

Venue: Banner Bank, Bellingham

Description: The whale rising from the shadowy depths represents a spiritual ascension, surfacing from a place of hardship or emotional
depths/turmoil – coming into the light. The Crane – feeling carefree, expressively dancing on the delicate water represents a
release of anxiety and stress – enjoying the present moment and the beautiful sunset. In my paintings – Iris flowers almost always
represent a protective loving maternal spirit, watching over the scene – blooming with love.

July 2026

Artist of the Month: Julie Mortimer

Title: Do You See What I See

Medium: Waxed watercolor painting

Venue: First Fed Bank, Fairhaven

Description: This 11×16 watercolor on cotton is one of my favorite abstract landscapes. See how the wet on wet technique gives you free landscape elements? See what you want to see in this one..

Artist of the Month: Connie Webster

Title: Feeding Frenzy

Medium: Acrylic

Venue: Colophon cafe, Fairhaven

Description: I love birds, color and movement. I wanted to capture birds of many types and colors swooping in to feast on a batch of berries.

Artist of the Month: Matt Vann

Title: Barn Owl

Medium: Photograph

Venue: Banner Bank

Description: My photo is a Barn Owl after being released from the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation. This owl was one of 2 related that day. The photo is sublimated onto aluminium.

Artist of the Month: Robert Dodd

Title: City Sailing

Medium: Waxed watercolor

Venue: Whatcom Art Market

Description: A painting of Bellingham Yacht Club youth sailboats in Squalicum harbor, heading out to Bellingham Bay for a regatta.

June 2026

Artist of the Month: Julie Mortimer

Title: The Miracle of Morning

Medium: Watercolor

Venue: First Fed Bank, Fairhaven

Description: “The Miracle of Morning” is a landscape from my imagination. I like to start with a spray bottle for wet on wet, then a plastic card to do some wild rocks.

Artist of the Month: Caroline Schauer

Title: Somewhere Out There

Medium: Oil

Venue: Banner Bank, Cornwall

Description: I was sitting at an airport waiting for my flight, pulled out my sketchbook and pen, and started doodling. This, as a sketch, was the result and I thought it would be fun to make it into a painting. It was fun!

Artist of the Month: Theresa Waters

Title: Serenity on the Oregon Coast

Medium: Acrylic Texture

Venue: Colophon Cafe

Description: “Serenity” is an acrylic painting that utilizes significant texture to capture the beauty of the Oregon Sea Stacks. I particularly enjoy having a representation of a special memory, and this painting is no exception. It was inspired by my recent retreat to Cannon Beach that brought me a great deal of peace.