Timing right for Art with Heart showcase

Three months ago, if somebody told Sultan resident Christina Sivewright she'd be the featured artist at a well-attended art show before the end of June, she probably would have laughed.

After all, her first artistic endeavor at a local Paint and Sip event in early April was not what she would have called a raging success.

"It was a disaster,GÇ¥ she said. "The painting's hammered to my fence in the back yard. I kept it, but it was a disaster.GÇ¥

But something in her heart told her to give it another try. Her husband, Dave, well-known as the Highway 2 Freedom Runner due to his penchant for running with an American flag, had gone back to college, and was frequently busy studying, doing homework and conducting research. She needed a hobby, so Sivewright rummaged around and retrieved an old collection of acrylic paints she had at her house.

"He and I do everything together, and all of a sudden he's got hours of homework and essays, and I thought, "I've got to find something to do,' GÇ¥ Sivewright said. "So I pulled out my paints and thought, "I'm just going to paint from my heart.' GÇ¥

She discovered that once she discarded all the rules, her creativity flourished. She named her creative efforts Art with a Heart, and has been painting ever since. Her first official Art with a Heart art show on Friday, June 17, at GroWashington Sultan, drew in numerous residents from Sultan and surrounding areas, including Startup and Index. Mayor Carolyn Eslick, the director of GroWashington, offered to host the event at her store, enjoying the scene as guests filled the room.

Attendees included Sultan City Councilmember Russell Wiita, GroWashington manager and jewelry artist Kathy Cotterill and Marlene and Ole Carlson. Local youth Tyler Aamold volunteered during the event, helping conduct sales, greet guests and promote Sivewright's raffle.

Raffle tickets, which are still available, sold for $2 each or three for $5. The drawing will take place on July 10, and the winner will be awarded an original painting featuring a colorful and visually dynamic rendition of the American flag. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Sultan Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary (VFW), which will select a local cause or organization to support.-á

Sivewright's art is whimsical, vivid and often features a patriotic flare. She uses bright colors, interpretive designs and flowing lines that embody romance, hope, love and freedom. She incorporates a heart into every painting, some of which are easy to find while others are more discreet.

"Every piece of art has a heart,GÇ¥ Sivewright said. "Some are obvious, some are very subtle.GÇ¥

Her original paintings sold during the art show from $80-$90, while prints were available for $15 each, two for $25 or three or more for $10 each.

Her husband said he is beyond proud of his wife's efforts, which have helped inspire him to become reacquainted with his own inner artist. Once he completed his coursework, he found that the situation that had spurred his wife's painting was reversed; she was busy painting, and he needed something to do. He rekindled his passion for photography, something that he's enjoyed since 1978. Now that Art with a Heart has proven to be a success, the two are planning on teaming up to form one artistic enterprise that combines Dave's photography with Christina's skill as a painter.

Sales were brisk during last week's art show, including several commissioned sales by which Sivewright will create an original one-of-a-kind work for her client.-á -á

Dave owns several Art from the Heart originals, including a piece called Temporary Duty Assignment, which his wife painted in late April while he was briefly stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. A Sergeant First Class at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Marysville, Dave occasionally has to travel for his job.

Art with a Heart is not the first time Christina Sivewright has made a splash in the Sultan community. In August 2014, she spearheaded Sultan's American Flag project, singlehandedly working to line Sultan's Main Street with American flags in time for Veterans Day. Her efforts were enthusiastically supported by Dave and the VFW, but Christina took the lead on everything from fundraising to coordinating project logistics.

The flags are placed along Main Street during holidays and other special occasions by a core group of volunteers from the VFW and the community at large.

The VFW earned a national award for the project, and Christina recently learned her efforts have reached far beyond Sultan and inspired a similar American flag project in Fortuna, California. Completed this year, the project was a collaboration between the Fortuna Sunrise Rotary Club, the Fortuna Kiwanis, the city of Fortuna and other service organizations; all inspired by Sivewright, who helped guide their efforts along the way, answering questions and offering advice. She said she is excited her idea managed to cross state lines and inspire people living more than 600 miles away.

Sivewright made her debut at the Gold Bar Farmers Market on Sunday, June 19, where she'll be peddling her Art with a Heart pieces for another three weeks. The Gold Bar Farmers Market takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday next to U.S. 2 in Gold Bar.

For more information about Sivewright's paintings, visit www.facebook.com/ArtwithaHeartbyChristina.