Artwork copyright Mel McCuddin. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Shaman, 1993

Mel McCuddin
(American, born 1933, died 2022)

Location: Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Shaman is a painting by artist Mel McCuddin. It depicts the figure of a bird, created through a process of layering and wiping away paint. The artist notes that this piece “is about age, wisdom, and mystery. In doing this painting, I thought a lot about the fact that all life is inter-related. I put a human-like eye on the bird for that reason and also to create a feeling of mystery and that maybe this bird has knowledge and ideas beyond mere bird intelligence.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Bellingham School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Spokane, Eastern Washington-based artist Mel McCuddin (1933-2022) created expressive, figurative paintings. In his own words: “I begin a painting with no idea in mind, and at a certain point in the process of putting paint on the canvas, an idea will suggest itself. Many of these ideas change and many are rejected until one seems strong enough to accept. My paintings are essentially a record of the evolution of an idea... What I’ve been after for a long time is something that you feel more than see, paintings with a strong presence.”

McCuddin was born and raised on a dairy farm on Spokane’s North Side. He loved art as a child and made art all through high school. He worked as a truck driver for dairies, took art classes when he could, and painted at night until retirement allowed him to create art full time.