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Mylen is inspired by color, texture, depth, and random or natural compositions.  The layered textures, space and color variations in the landscape reveal a story and represent metaphors that translates into a painting.  She works in different mediums and uses different techniques – encaustic, printmaking, oil, cold wax, acrylic, ink, oil pastels – but the common denominator is nature.     

 

The creative process is a relationship between herself and her painting, a constant give and take. Mylen begins by building layers and creating depth as she paints. It usually starts with an image that resonated with her during one of her daily walks.  In addition to a blow torch, she also uses razor blades, carving tools, bristle brushes, oil sticks,  palette knives, adding and subtracting shapes, textures, and colors, to the layer beneath until a whole, unified picture emerges.  

 

Painting in encaustic provides a strong connection to her mother and late mother-in-law. Both were artists that worked with heat and pigmented wax. Her mother, a retired teacher and ikebana artist, called her technique“melted crayons.” Her late mother-in-law was a graphic designer, painter, and encaustic artist.  Although their styles are different, strong use of color and botanical themes is the common thread that binds them together. The tools they use to fuse the wax are also different, Mylen uses a blow torch, her mother a lit candle and metal flashing while her mother-in-law used a heat gun. 

Holy Glake.jpeg

BIO

Mylen immigrated from the Philippines to the US with her family when she was 14 and later studied visual art at the College for Creative Studies - Center for Art and Design in Detroit and at Columbia College in Chicago.  Her engagement in arts education began with the Seattle Children's Museum nearly twenty-five years ago.  

She continues to advocate for youth arts education as a former board member for Arts Corps, a former teaching artist at Seattle Art Museum and artist mentor for Arts Impact.  She lives full-time in Seattle and part-time in the Methow Valley with her husband, has two young adult sons and a very, very sweet dog.

Upcoming Exhibition

The Confluence Gallery - Art in Twisp

Perspectives: A Holiday Show

November 19, 2022- January 7, 2023

Gallery Representation 

CORE Gallery 117 Prefontaine Place South Seattle WA 98104

SOLO SHOW August 31- September 24, 2022

Artwork and Reception on Thursday, September 1

Past Exhibitions:

Gage Academy of Art; Journal of Reflections: Views from the Pacific Northwest Exhibition October 1-21, 2022

March 31- April 24, 2021(solo)

​October 2021 (group show)

July 1- 25, 2020 (solo)

January 2020 (group show)

 

Glass and Home Decor Art Walk - October 18 & 19, 2020 

Phinney Neighborhood Art Stroll- August 30, 2020

Phinney Neighborhood Association - Northwest Fine Arts show June 10-July10, 2019   

©Copyright Mylen Tumaliuan-Huggins 2021

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