Artwork copyright Frank Samuelson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Frank Samuelson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Waterfall, 1999

Frank Samuelson
(American, born 1949)

Location: Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge Island

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

The idea for artist Frank Samuelson's imaginative painting Waterfall came to him while riding the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island at night. He states, "Painting rivers and waves as backgrounds in numerous previous works, I thought of these aspects as elements of the big picture. By taking one element, the Seattle skyline, and situating it behind a waterfall, I found the juxtaposition thought provoking - like Manna from Heaven, a waterfall from nowhere…"

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Port Townsend-based artist Frank Samuelson creates colorful and imaginative paintings and murals for pubilc spaces. The natural world is an important theme and inspiration for Samuelson who notes: "Moving and playing with form and color are just a thrill that I can’t deny myself. The essence of water is also an important piece of all puzzles I paint."

Samuelson received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington State University in Pullman, Eastern Washington, in 1976. He lives and works in Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula in Northwest Washington.