Rebecca Sonniksen
Sonniksen engages students for their opinion about the placement of a color in one of his paintings.
“This may be the most students I’ve had in my studio,” commented artist Scott Sonniksen, as two groups of Centerville School students toured his Swale Creek studio May 9.
As a follow-up to an earlier classroom presentation, Jennifer Armstrong, paraeducator, had arranged for fifty-four of her 3rd to 8th grade students to see first-hand how this Northwest artist accomplishes the business and the craft of his art.
Students walked into a studio lined with large abstract paintings up to 6’ by 8’ and 16” by 20” paper pieces spanning a career of 50 years. Up close, they could examine the works and ask questions of the artist about how he created particular shapes, textures, and colors.
“I painted over that painting,” Sonniksen said, gesturing to a large painting propped against the wall. “Don’t be afraid to experiment, because sometimes the best things happen by happy accident.”
This message was reinforced when Sonniksen gave each student a special watercolor paper to create their own impression of the visit.
Sonniksen demonstrated how to build a frame and stretch canvas and what brushes and tools he uses to create certain effects. In addition to the creation of art, he talked about the business of art, using an example of an RFP (Request for Proposal) from Oregon Health Science University he received from his art representative.
Sonniksen’s paintings are included in public and private collections throughout the U.S., including the Portland Art Museum and the Seattle Art Museum. Returning from his graduate work at Yale University, Sonniksen was Chairman of the Art and Art History department at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. Principal of Radius Marketing & Design, Sonniksen consults with individuals and businesses on interior design. He and his wife, Rebecca, moved from Portland to High Prairie last year.