The genesis of ‘Through This Valley’

“Through This Valley:” Clayton James, Ed Kamuda, Ruth Pumphrey and Christine Wardenburg Skinner. i.e.gallery, Fri-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment: 360-488-3458.

This exhibit focuses on four artists of the Skagit Valley, Christine Wardenburg-Skinner, Ruth Pumphrey, Clayton James and Ed Kamuda.

Most exhibits at i.e.

are conceived of and scheduled six months to a year ahead of time.

We had been planning a showing of some of Ed’s plein air paintings for about nine months.

Kamuda looked to Soutine and Arp for influence of these particular paintings.

During the winter I was contacted by two anonymous collectors who were interested in selling some of Clayton’s work, both sculptural and plein air.

Of course, that came to mind as a lovely pairing of two artists who enjoyed painting outside together for many years.

I also was excited to see in person the Untitled sculpture of Clayton’s that is wood and concrete and stands 72 inches high.

He made this piece after working under the master furniture maker George Nakashima in Pennsylvania for two years.

It was completed in 1966 and shows Clayton’s appreciation of Isamu Noguchi, Henry Moore and others.

It is the only one he completed of this kind.

Late winter I went to visit Christine’s studio and was entranced by her pen and ink plein air drawings. Christine walks this land every day and for over a year after her studio was burned down she took to the fields, streams and bay with her handmade paper, ink and water colors. As I told her at the time “this land is in your bones. You could do this blindfolded.” Christine is a vital part of the Valley art community. She is a talented painter, ceramicist and teacher.

At the same time Christine wanted me to see Ruth Pumphrey’s sculpture. I had no acquaintance with Ruth, as her 40 years’ worth of work was rarely exhibited. A dear friend and protege of Clayton James, she also was influenced by the work of Barbara Hepworth, Jean Arp, ancient Aztecan sculpture and Inuit design. Ruth lived in the La Conner area during the 1970s and returned to her journalism career in Seattle but always kept her sculpture studio active.

I was stunned by the beauty and simple forms of Ruth’s work, and thought Christine and Ruth together would make a wonderful pairing. As COVID-19 began to meddle with my scheduling I began to see the four artists as a strong grouping under the title “Through This Valley.” Orbs are significant in this show, as are the influences of the land, natural forms and materials. The references to Noguchi, Moore, Hepworth and Arp flows throughout. I was particularly pleased to bring in the two women where there has been often been oversight in the past.

A meet-and-greet under the canopy outside will be from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 26. Chris and Tom Skinner, her husband, will be available to talk about life and art in the Valley

Artist Margy Lavelle owns the i.e. gallery in Edison and curated this exhibit.