Dujardin dives into abstract watercolors

Inspired by views of unending sunsets over Marysville from his picturesque location on the western slope of Getchell Hill, Art Dujardin is pleased to announce he is having a solo show at Solovei Art Gallery in Everett.

Inspired by views of unending sunsets over Marysville from his picturesque location on the western slope of Getchell Hill, Art Dujardin is pleased to announce he is having a solo show at Solovei Art Gallery in Everett.

“I get inspired by little things along the way,” said Dujardin, who has painted many familiar scenes around Marysville and the Pacific Northwest, as well as people he sees along his way.

Using watercolors, he paints bouquets and still-lifes, seascapes, landscapes and mountainscapes. He did a portrait of a lady in hat that he saw in a clinic, and a bearded homeless man he saw on the street. Now he is intrigued with a new body of work, abstracts.

A member of the Round Robin rotating art exhibit which features Marysville artists showing their works at different locations around north Snohomish County on a two month rotation, his paintings are now on display at the Wells Fargo Bank on 100th Street. He sometimes shows paintings at BookWorks bookstore in downtown Marysville.

Dujardin is busy framing some large 24-by-36-inch landscapes for his solo show.

“The cost of frames will kill me,” he groaned.

Retired from his day job as a developer since 1993, Dujardin paints in a downstairs studio in the house he had built along with several others on the hillside.

“I kept the house with the best view,” he said.

He studied commercial art at LA Trade Tech and at Edison Tech in Seattle (now Central Community College) and he worked for five years at Sears before joining his brother Dave’s housing development company as a technical artist.

He is currently teaching a composition and design class at Everett Art Supply from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Tuesdays.

“I will be teaching until ski season starts,” he said.

In the past, Dujardin has taught at Brushstrokes art supply store in Smokey Point and at the Ken Baxter Senior Community Center.

Along with painting and skiing, Dujardin also enjoys gardening and writing. He composes jokes, and has collaborated with his son on short stories.

Here’s a sample of his jokes:

“Bought a new Sunsetter awning for the deck. Works really good. The sun set and never came up again.”

“I saw my first yellow jacket today after the long and cold spring. I almost missed him, he was wearing a hat and an overcoat.”

An artist reception is set for Saturday, Oct. 4, from 2 – 6 p.m. at Solovei Art Gallery, 2804 Grand Ave. in Everett. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For information see the Web site at www.SoloveiArtGallery.com or call 425-258-8100.

More art shows

n Another Marysville artist, Glen Oberg is showing with a former Marysville resident who now lives on Camano Island, Dotti Burton, and 20 other artists at the River Gallery near LaConner through Nov. 9. The show includes paintings, jewelry and sculpture. The River Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday every week. To find the gallery from I-5 take exit no. 221 and drive west towards LaConner. Follow the bright green “art show” signs on Best Road, turn off at Dodge Valley Road and continue to 19313 Landing Road.

n A retired special education teacher from Arlington School District, Jacqueline DeGavia is partnering with her photographer grandson, Christopher Neibauer, in a show at the DeGavia Gallery and Studio in Anacortes. The show is open 1 – 5 p.m., Oct. 4 and 5, at 4594 Ginnett Rd. There will be refreshments by Chef Roland and music by Amy Hindman.