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Seattle Animator Drew Christie Opens Studio and Shop on Whidbey Island

Lucky Langley gets a DIY animation mercantile

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This article originally appeared in the March 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.

!–paging_filter–pGiven Seattle’s current love affair with all things artisanal and old-fashioned, the arrival of the Kalakala Co. Animation and Mercantile should perhaps come as no surprise—but it’s a nice one. The brainchild of local animator Drew Christie (best known for his painstakingly drawn old-timey cartoons, featured regularly on a href=”http://www.nytimes.com” target=”_blank”NYTimes.com/a) and his longtime romantic and creative partner Amanda Moore, the shop/animation studio serves as a fount of inspiration for wannabe animators and fans of all things drawn by hand. Located in quaint Langley on Whidbey Island and named after the iconic ferry, Kalakala Co. offers animation workshops ($300; scholarships available) and endearing animation kits, crafted by Christie and Moore, which include a story sketchbook, a cutout puppet and a pen (BYO camera; $35)./p
piframe src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qdcf-pE2-SY?rel=1autoplay=0wmode=opaque” width=”400″ height=”250″ class=”video-filter video-youtube vf-qdcfpe2sy” frameborder=”0″/iframe/p
p“We want to show people that animation is an amazing way to express yourself and your ideas through moving artwork,” Christie says. Or as Moore puts it, “We want Kalakala Co. to be the Johnny Appleseed of animation.” The shop also sells the couple’s colorful, limited-edition, screen-printed tea towels, totes and baby onesies. Catch free in-store screenings of Christie’s films during Langley’s first-Saturday art walks, and mark your calendar for April 13, when a compilation of his work will be screened ($5 to $7) at neighboring Clyde Theatre. Then set pen to paper and bring your own stories to life. Open daily 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 221 Second St., No. 8; 360.221.0161; Facebook, “a href=”https://www.facebook.com/KalakalaCOShop” target=”_blank”Kalakala Co Mercantile/a”nbsp;/p

 

Rearview Mirror: Wedding Bells, A Furniture Launch, and the Symphony’s New Look 

Rearview Mirror: Wedding Bells, A Furniture Launch, and the Symphony’s New Look 

Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).

WEDDING BELLS I’ve been a bit absent from this column lately, but I think I have a pretty good excuse: I got married! It’s already been three weeks since my September 19 wedding, but I’m still reflecting on the magic of the day. My fiancé, well husband now (I can’t get used to saying it!),…

Get Blown Away: Seattle’s Glass Art Scene Takes Center Stage

Get Blown Away: Seattle’s Glass Art Scene Takes Center Stage

Now in its 8th year, Refract Seattle is the region’s premier celebration of glassblowing—arguably the most famous visual art genre in the Pacific Northwest. Pioneered by names like Dale Chihuly, Ginny Ruffner, Lino Tagliapietra, and Preston Singletary, glassblowing has remained among the area’s most prolific creative outputs, with contemporary talents such as John Hogan, Julie…

Kishi Bashi Is Ready to Feel Everything

Kishi Bashi Is Ready to Feel Everything

Ten years after Sonderlust pushed his music in a new direction, he’s bringing the pivotal album to The Crocodile—and playing it in full for the first time.

Back in March of 2012, I snagged a last-minute ticket to see Of Montreal at the Showbox. As amazing as Kevin Barnes and company were, along with tourmates Deerhoof, the biggest impression made on me was the opener, Kishi Bashi. Armed with little more than a violin, a loop pedal, and a pristine voice, Kishi…

Seattle’s Artists of Color Expo Offers an Inside Look at the Creative Life

Seattle’s Artists of Color Expo Offers an Inside Look at the Creative Life

The October 9-11 gathering features live art-making and hands-on workshops, with Seattle artist Damon Brown delivering the keynote.

More than 100 artists participate each year in Seattle’s Artists of Color Expo & Symposium (ACES), which brings exhibitions, artist talks, live art-making, and workshops under one roof. Visitors can learn a technique from an artist or hear how a childhood memory became the starting point for a piece. This year’s event takes place October…