This is the first of SPArts new monthly artist-to-artist series, where South Park artists reveal a little about themselves and their work in this little corner of Seattle. Colleen Lindsey, “the chick who sews on Sullivan”, a fabric artist, and a long time South Park Arts member, met recently with new South Parker, artist and activist Jeanette Wallis.

Jeanette Wallis and her black lab, Sherpa, courtesy of WalkForDemocracy.org

I sat down with a new neighbor, Jeanette Wallis, not knowing what to expect. She came bearing freshly made tea made from nettles, dandelion flowers and mint, which was exceedingly delicious. She has a sense of whimsy about her and her smile is infectious. I discovered that she is also a sewer so, naturally, I liked her immediately. She was in awe over my fabric stash and told me she wants to be a creator of beautiful things. She also has a talent for telling stories of some of the incredible moments of her life, spinning the tales as effortlessly as the tea spills into my mug. Here is some of what I learned about her in that evening meeting, the first of the many to come, I am sure.

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