The town in a broader perspective

Most people see La Conner’s channel-side businesses as they boat past or stroll along the boardwalk. But now with artist Bob Patterson’s rendition, the town’s entire waterfront can be viewed at once.

Patterson recently completed an 18-inch by 20-foot painting of the town depicting everything from Rainbow Bridge on the south, to La Conner Marina at the north end of town. It is on display upstairs at the Museum of Northwest Art.

“It took around 700 hours,” the artist said. “Mayor Ramon Hayes and I had been talking for about three years about a mural of the town. Something to show how it was now and that would last for a long time.”

With the recent expansions of the town’s boardwalk, Mayor Hayes nudged Patterson a little more.

“I have never seen the town depicted at that level, the whole town from bridge to port, in one piece,” said Hayes. “It’s a real snapshot of the town as it is, during this change.”

Patterson said he’s been creating art for most of his life.

“It all started with my grandmother,” he said. “I was two years old in church with her, and she gave me a pencil and paper to keep me busy.”

Read more in the Aug. 6 issue