Oktoberfest with Solace

Boundary Bay Oktoberfest poster by Solace Wonder

Join us next Thursday, September 30th, in our Beer Garden for the Boundary Bay Brewery Oktoberfest Celebration!  The party will get started around 4pm and the event is free and family friendly! We’ll have live music, beer trivia, hand made Bavarian pretzels by Ralf’s Pretzels and a special German menu.  Not to mention, an art show by Seattle guest artist Solace Wonder and a Firkin Keg (or 2!) of fresh-hopped Harvest Ale!  Our Harvest Ale is akin to an “Oktoberfest” style.  Our popular fall seasonal features Dark Crystal, Carastan and Munich malts giving this ale a rich malt character and a beatuiful red-orange hue.

Here’s what Solace Wonder has to say about himself and Oktoberfest, in general:

“As long as I can remember, Oktoberfest posters have always caught my eye.  True, there are usually pretty girls and big beer steins on them-which may play a big part, but it’s more than that.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s because of the fall season, it’s colors, and what it brings that has connected me to these posters for so many years.  Being that I’m a beer-loving German fella, I figured it only appropriate to have an art show based on the Oktoberfest season.  Boundary Bay Brewery was kind enough to play along with my vision and host the show as part of their celebration.  I tapped into my roots, (as well as many beers,) for inspiration for this collection.  It is playful, colorful, and at times a humorous way of seeing a season that is well known for its traditions.  I’ve captured everything from lederhosen wearing lads to pretzel wielding ladies and much more!  Bring the family down to enjoy the festivities and the art!”

Solace – Urban Artiste at Large and for Hire!

sol·ace [ sólləss ]

1. relief from emotional distress: comfort at a time of sadness, grief or disappointment
2. source of comfort: somebody or something that provides comfort at a time of sadness, grief or disappointment

I call myself an urban artist or street artist because my work is influenced by street culture and highly inspired by graffiti. While graffiti is normally rooted in letterforms, I lean towards the character design element.  My pacific-northwest surroundings instill a respect for nature that is personified in my work.  Via organic textures, vibrant colors, and a graphic painterly approach, I attempt to meld city life with the tranquility of uninhabited lands.  Through a blend of mediums, aerosol propelled and acrylic, I concoct my background landscapes and finish them with the character design. I call my characters “wanders.”  The wanders are unique in perspective and rely on body language over facial expression to tell their story.  I am always looking to progress my style and increase my stable of characters while challenging conventional mediums.  The mediums most utilized at this time are canvas, large-scale mural production, custom vinyl toys, original plush toys, live painting, graphic design, and t-shirt design.

Some of the venues that have been most gracious in showing my work include:

In Seattle– 35^th North Skateshop, 619 Western, Artifakt, Artoleptic Urban Arts Festival, Bauhaus Coffee and Books, Bherd Studio, Brand Vibes Studio, Café Flora, Capitol Hill Block Party, DB Clay, Deli, Evo, Flatcolor Gallery, Form Space Altier, Fremont Solstice Parade, Goods, Graphic Display Sign and Awning, Greenwood Collective, Halogen Gallery, the Henry Art Gallery, Jones Soda Co., King Cobra, Kristo’s, Laced Up, the Little Red Studio, LoFi, Mackie, Mad Pizza, Market Street Shoes, Mercury Cloud, Moksha, Nectar Lounge, NW Throwbacks, Olivo Doce, the Pioneer Square Saloon, the Purple Razors Studio, Rio Pacific Gallery, the Robert Daniel Gallery (Tacoma), the Satellite Lounge, the Seattle Center, Showbox, Skatebarn West, Sneaker Pimps, Snowboard Connection, Sonny’s, Thread, Trickwood Skateshop, Twilite Collective, Upper Playground/24sea, Urban Light Studio, Vera Project, and the Zebra Club.

In Bellingham (Wa)- Boundary Bay Brewery.

In Oregon: Brian Marki Gallery (Portland)

In Massachusetts– Now Here Fast (Boston)

In California– Alpha Cult (Long Beach), Lost Souls Café (Los Angeles), Da Festicon (San Diego), Munkey King (Los Angeles), Ronin Gallery (Los Angeles), UnitedState (Sacramento), and Sk8ology (Long Beach).

In Florida– Sk8ology (Miami)

Questions, comments, and inquiries are always welcome- feel free to contact me via Email: solacewonder@gmail.com or facebook.com/solacewonder