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Water off a goose’s back

Tacoma Wayzgoose photo by Chandler O'Leary

Don’t be distracted by Ric’s smile—see the puddles everywhere? See the winter gear people are wearing? Sunday was the craziest Wayzgoose yet, hands down. That’s because we had both the biggest crowd ever and the worst weather imaginable. So that smile is one of triumph: getting a decent steamroller print that day required beating some serious odds.

Tacoma Wayzgoose photo by Chandler O'Leary

It rained sideways while Jessica inked.

Linoleum block for "Park Place" steamroller print by Chandler O'Leary and Jessica Spring

It hailed while we lined up our block.

Tacoma Wayzgoose

Photo by Dr. Jamie Brooks

It froze while we peeled our prints up.

Detail of "Park Place" steamroller print by Chandler O'Leary and Jessica Spring

Photo by Dr. Jamie Brooks

It blew a gale while I painted.

"Park Place" steamroller print by Chandler O'Leary and Jessica Spring

Still, despite the mishaps, I think it turned out alright. Jessica and I are calling our print “Park Place”—created in gratitude over the passage of a bond that would fund our city park system. The map in the center shows most of Tacoma’s parks, with twelve of our favorites called out like properties on a Monopoly board.

Tacoma Wayzgoose photo by Chandler O'Leary

We even took a snippet of the illustration and sent it over to the talented screenprinting booth folks, who turned it into a t-shirt design during the event (you can just see a peek of it in the upper left corner).

Steamroller prints from the Tacoma Wayzgoose in the Woolworth Windows

Since the rain and wind prevented us from hanging the finished prints outside during Wayzgoose, most of the people who came that day didn’t get to see anybody’s finished print. So today Ric, Jessica and I remedied that.

Steamroller prints from the Tacoma Wayzgoose in the Woolworth Windows

Thanks to Spaceworks Tacoma, all of this year’s steamroller prints are on exhibit in the Woolworth Windows downtown…

Steamroller prints from the Tacoma Wayzgoose in the Woolworth Windows

…where you can see them—in fair weather or foul—now through August 21.

Thanks to everyone who visited or volunteered at Wayzgoose this year, and to King’s Books and the Tacoma Arts Commission for making it all happen!

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Droplets

"Droplets" illustrations (for public art piece) by Chandler O'Leary

Okay. Now that Old Town Dock is officially open, I feel like I can finally give away some juicy details. Here are all 24 medallions (portholes?) in my new public art piece, Droplets. Since not everyone reading this post is local to Tacoma, I won’t go into great detail over every image. But to give you some context, Old Town Dock boasts one of the best vantage points in the South Sound, with beautiful views of land, city and sea in every direction. That’s what first drew me to the site: I wanted the chance to encourage people to look all around them, because there was something to see everywhere you look.

But when I started researching the history of the place, I was even more struck by how much had happened in Old Town over the years—and how much was still going on, every day. Because of its prominence in so many lives and livelihoods, Old Town Dock has stood witness to a staggering number of true stories since it was built in 1873. Family histories, booming industries, important events, Native traditions, beginnings, endings, drastic changes, slow growth, celebrations, tragedies, and a thousand everyday narratives—the stories we tell are as commonplace as raindrops, yet as precious as the water that defines and sustains Tacoma as a city.

Droplets references just a handful of these stories, yet hopefully hints at the diversity and richness inherent in our public spaces.

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

Going from a painted picture to a tangible, finished object was nearly a two-year process, and I was only one small piece of the puzzle.

Concept sketch for "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

And the 24 medallions barely hint at the number of drawings I did along the way. Back when I was a finalist for the commission, I needed to demonstrate my understanding of the space, and convey how I wanted the artwork to function to the selection committee. In this area, pictures really were worth a thousand words apiece; time after time, sketching out what I meant was infinitely more effective than trying to explain it in words.

As I was working on my presentation, all this drawing and imagining every angle gave me a little epiphany. I realized that while the view from the site was spectacular, the Dock itself was part of the view, too, depending on where you stood. Since Old Town Dock is a gateway between land and sea, I wanted to engage the folks who’d be arriving from the water, as well. So I presented this drawing—and while some other things have changed along the way, the reality of this particular piece is almost exactly as it appears in this sketch.

Detail of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

Anyway, back to the nuts and bolts. As you’re well aware, I’m an illustrator—I work in paint and pixels, not industrial components. I didn’t have the skills or tools to make outdoor pieces out of durable materials (in public art, durable materials include metal, glass, tile, stone, brick, and other permanent industrial media; a mural, for instance, is not considered “durable”). So I turned my designs over to the good folks at Winsor Fireform, a fabricator just down the road in Olympia, and they reproduced each Droplet as a small porcelain enamel disc.

Porcelain enamel is the most durable sign medium available. Each piece is made by reproducing the image in pigmented powdered glass onto a steel base. Then the piece is fired at kiln temperatures to fuse the glass to the steel, creating a permanent, totally nonreactive surface.

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

Porcelain enamel won’t fade in UV light, won’t react to water or salt, and is resistant to dirt and graffiti. That makes it ideal for public art, and the perfect medium for the harsh marine conditions at Old Town Dock.

Site placement sketch for "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

Now all that was left was to install the rounds. I came armed with my scale drawing—and lots and lots of warm clothing for a long shift in the early morning rain.

Installation of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

Basically, I stood and pointed, and Pat routered out 24 perfectly positioned circles.

Installation of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

Then he inlaid each disc, affixing them to the wood with some seriously heavy-duty marine sealant, and Bob’s your uncle. Actually, it wasn’t always that easy; some of the rounds required some acrobatic feats to install. Just passing him tape measures and things gave me vertigo sometimes—but at least he didn’t have to drill while standing in a choppy rowboat (which was plan B, if hanging off the edge didn’t work).

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

Twenty-four hours later, the adhesive was fully cured, and I could call it done.

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

The day we installed, nothing on the Dock was completely finished—benches and planters were still piled up at random, and I wasn’t entirely certain that the final placement would match my scale drawing.

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

But now it sort of feels like the artwork has always been there—

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

and maybe you just never noticed it before.

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

I love being there to witness whenever a Droplet catches someone’s eye, and they stop whatever they’re doing to look more closely.

And just maybe that moment of noticing will lead to the words, “Let me tell you a story…”

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

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(New) Old Town Dock

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

It’s a little hard to believe that Old Town Dock is finally open, and up-and-running for good.

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

Photo by Naomi Strom-Avila

Technically, we had a little ribbon-cutting and “soft opening” (in which Deputy Mayor Campbell hilariously appeared to be attacking me with the giant ceremonial scissors—oh, heck yes, we used giant ceremonial scissors!)—

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

—but Sunday was the big party for everybody.

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

The Dock is still technically a work in progress, as Phase II of the project (including a restroom and permanent wayfinding signage) won’t be completed until late fall. So for the next few months we’ve got snazzy banners up instead—big thanks to the City and Metro Parks for letting me be a total control freak and design the banners and signage.

Letterpress promos for "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

And even more big thanks to Jessica, who whipped up these fabulous fluorescent letterpress coasters to give out at the event. It was fun to see a hundred people walking around carrying neon octopi with them.

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

Photos by Walter Smith

And even though I had to speak right after our lovely Mayor (left), having the audience packed with hollering friends made me forget how nervous I was. Thanks, guys.

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

The best part, though, was the people-watching. I can’t tell you how good it feels to see people responding to and interacting with your own artwork—

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

—and looking excited to do so.

Installation of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

In the two months since we installed the work, I’ve already lost count of the number of people (including the construction guys!) who have told me their own memories about Old Town Dock. Knowing that my little illustrations are triggering these stories is an incredible feeling.

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

I especially love catching folks in quiet moments, just exploring the Dock and discovering each Droplet for themselves.

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

Photo by Sheree Trefry

It’s all I can do not to run up to total strangers and say, “I made that!”

Thank you to everyone to came to the dedication on Sunday; to everyone who’s spent a lunch hour or coffee break counting medallions (Ric, I’m looking at you; a bucket of gold stars for finding all 24 first!); to everyone who’s got a story to share about Old Town Dock. I’m still listening.

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

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Look closer

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

Public art is a funny thing. If I learned anything from my last public art project, it was that time moves differently in the public art realm. It takes so long for a project to go from blueprint to grand opening that the artwork can’t be considered “done” until months or sometimes years after the artist finishes the design. In this case, I’ve been sitting on this one for quite some time—so I’m pleased as punch that I can finally reveal a glimpse or two!

This is just one part of my new piece, Droplets, which is now a permanent part of the newly-restored Old Town Dock in Tacoma. Originally built in 1873, Old Town Dock is one of the city’s oldest properties, and was an important part of Tacoma’s shipping history. It served as a public walkway until 2008, just before I moved to town, when it was closed to the public due to structural concerns.

Old Town Dock photo by Chandler O'Leary

This is how the Dock looked two years ago, when I first toured the site as a finalist for the public art commission. The place was a mess, with rotting planks, makeshift barriers and caution tape roping off unstable (or even missing!) sections of the pier, and about forty frillion dead crabs, seashell fragments, and other seafood snacks the gulls would drop on the wood. You couldn’t walk a single step without hearing/feeling a disconcerting crunch underfoot.

Dedication of "Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary at Old Town Dock, Tacoma, WA

And here she is today, all shiny and new again. The City and Metro Parks Tacoma split the job of refurbishing the pier on its original footprint, adding benches and lampposts, and turning the place into a city park. And thanks to the One Percent for Art program, the project included funds for a public art commission.

"Droplets" public artwork by Chandler O'Leary

The artwork comes with a hitch, though: you have to find it first.

I’ll be sharing more about the project in the coming days, but I want to wait until after the public unveiling to do so. In the meantime, if you’re in the area, the Dock is actually open to the public already (we had a “soft opening” and ribbon-cutting a couple of weeks ago). But I’d recommend the main event, which is a week from Sunday (bring your dad!). Here’s the skinny:

Dad’s Day at Old Town Dock
Grand Reopening & Dedication of Public Artwork
Featuring music by Pearl Django
Sunday, June 16, 2013
11 am to 1 pm, free!

Ruston Way at McCarver Street, Tacoma, WA

Be there or be … er … round?

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Kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk

Blueberries photo by Chandler O'Leary

Maybe I’m still not over the shock of moving from Zone Two to Zone Eight, but the sheer variety of fresh produce ’round these parts never ceases to amaze me. Now, if I can barely contain my excitement over what I see at the farmer’s market every week, you can imagine the heart attack I had when the Tailor and I discovered Tacoma’s very own Blueberry Park.

Blueberry Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

That’s right: a public park. Filled to the brim with blueberry bushes. Four thousand of them. Once upon a time this was a working blueberry farm—after the farm folded or moved on, the land sat vacant and overgrown for years. Eventually Metro Parks took over the land, and decided to free the sixty-year-old bushes from the bracken.

Blueberry Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

It took years of volunteer labor and many passes by a goat herd to hack back (or eat, depending on one’s preference) the scotch broom and blackberry vines. Now, though, the jungle is mostly kept at bay, and the result is an incredible bounty of pesticide-free berries. The best part? The pickin’ is free. Yes—all the fresh blueberries you, or I, or anyone and their maiden aunt can possibly pick, as many times as we like, for free. And with 4,000 bushes, there’s more than enough to go around. Talk about your tax dollars at work.

Blueberry Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

The Tailor and I woke up before the sun today for our third berry-picking session. Our two previous trips to Blueberry Park didn’t yield much, as we were a little early for blueberry season. Today, though, an impressive crop was ready to take home, so with metal pails in hand, we dove right in.

"Blueberries for Sal" by Robert McCloskey

The sound of those first berries hitting the bottom of my pail—kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk—reminded me of one of my favorite children’s books of all time.

"Blueberries for Sal" by Robert McCloskey

Since we had big plans for these berries, we made sure to arrive with a full stomach.

Blueberry Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

Well, alright, I did eat a few (even with my dirty hands).

Blueberry Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

This is the yield of three hours’ work.

Blueberry Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

That’s a two-gallon bucket, mind you. We don’t mess around!

"Blueberries for Sal" by Robert McCloskey

Our ultimate goal? The same as Sal’s mum: winter preserves. After all, if you’re a seasonal foodie, the only way to indulge a January craving for berries is to pop open one of your home-canned mason jars.

Blueberry jam photo by Chandler O'Leary

This sparkling jam, yielded by just four quarts of berries, is only the beginning.

Photo by Chandler O'Leary

Our house is filled with the scent of baking and the excitement of so many possibilities—pies, pancakes, syrup, glazes, dried berries. What would you do with all the berries you can pick?

"Blueberries for Sal" by Robert McCloskey

Grab a pail, head to south Tacoma, and find out.