July 06 2011

Our festival has a cycle, much like the tulips we celebrate. As the festival ends, we begin working on the next. The start for us is always our poster artist. The 2012 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Poster Artist is Kate Larsson who works from her studio in Gig Harbor, WA.
 
Kate was chosen by a committee of community members who looked at submissions from over 30 artists and interviewed five finalists before deciding on her.
 
Tulip Festival street fair fans may recognize her as she is a regular at the fair, selling beautiful images on tiles, coasters, mouse pads and cutting boards. Fans can also enjoy her art on select prints and notecards.

When Kate heard she was chosen, she commented, “I was thrilled to be chosen as the 2012 Skagit Valley Poster Artist. It was one of the goals I set for myself as an artist. I have always felt it would be a terrific honor and great recognition. Everyone knows the Tulip Festival Poster.”

When designing a piece of art, Kate focuses on color, pattern and movement. She works on the entire piece, one section at a time. When she is finished, 5 to 8 applications of transparent watercolors create a vibrant, intense coloration for the finished composition.

“If my art touches someone, makes them happier or more in touch with nature, then I am pleased,” noted Kate.

Kate took her first watercolor class in 1996 and soon moved on from part-time artist (she worked as a Marketing Executive for 28 years at Xerox Corporation) to full-time professional. She participates in over 20 fine art shows annually, ranging from Corvallis to Mount Vernon. You can see more of her work at www.KateLarssonStudio.com.