Carl Smool
“As the manager for the Artists on Board project I was deeply immersed in mural artwork. As the project drew to a close, it was suggested that I paint a mural. After considerable thought, I came up with an idea based upon a mosaic that I had made in 2014 at Seattle Mosaic Arts. The mosaic was inspired by a textile motif that I had included in a public art project for Sound Transit at the Beacon Hill Light Rail Station in Seattle titled “Common Threads ~ Community Patterns,” representing the diverse community in South East Seattle.
I represented 55 cultures from around the world by using traditional textile motifs that would be sand blasted into 2’x2’ granite paving stones. For the mosaic I selected an embroidery motif from Ethiopia. I modified the mosaic to fit the boarded storefront at Sorry Mom Ink on 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia. Painting on OSB boards took a little over a week.
Now I am working on the original project that I was hired for, the Coordinator for Art in Olympia Storefronts that includes four installations at the old Olympia Fed building at 4th and Capitol; the installations should be completed by the 1st week of July. Over the course of a lengthy career I have worked on numerous similar projects.” For more information visit: http://carlsmool.blogspot.com/