by ASHLEY MILLER
for the Sequim Gazette
Artwork by Sequim’s Randy and Sallie Radock hangs on display all over the Olympic Peninsula.
The Radocks’ most recent artistic adventure took them to Olympia, where they hung 14 pieces on the walls of the state Lieutenant Governor’s office, a room that hosts a wide variety of visitors from all over the world, including dignitaries, elected officials and other guests. People who come to the Capitol campus often stop by to see the office for its historical furnishings and impressive art on display.
The exhibit was hung Jan. 3 and will remain on display through March 29.
An exciting opportunity
The Radocks first learned about the possibility of hanging artwork in the Lieutenant Governor’s office after reading in the Peninsula Daily News about another local artist who did it. Randy Radock immediately contacted the office administration assistant and gave him their names and website address. The assistant passed along the information to the council and responded by saying its members would be delighted to host the Radocks for three months.
“We were welcomed and the staff was quite interested in the art we brought to hang and the block printing process,” Randy Radock said. “It is hung in a bright, open office in a historical building and the office of the lieutenant governor has visitors from all over the world that will be viewing the art.”
The Lieutenant Governor’s Art Council
The lieutenant governor of Washington is the president of the Senate and serves the state as acting governor in the absence of the governor. The lieutenant governor, first in line of ascension, is elected to a four-year term, which coincides with the terms of the President of the United States.
Since the beginning of statehood, 15 officials have served in this important state office. Three have ascended upon the death of the elected governor.
Before Washington became a state on Nov. 11, 1889, 10 men served as territorial secretary of state and held the responsibility to act in the absence of the elected governor, but did not have right of ascension.
The current lieutenant governor of Washington is Brad Owen. He was elected in 1997.
Founded in 1997, the Lieutenant Governor’s Art Council encourages the promotion and advancement of Washington state artists. The council is chaired by the lieutenant governor’s wife, Linda Owen. Quarterly exhibits are based on subject themes and often incorporate a variety of art mediums.
Previously on display was a collection of images taken by Sequim photographer Linda Barnfather. The photos were captured from locations around Washington and from around the world.
Meet the Radocks
The Radocks moved to Washington from Illinois via Wisconsin in the mid-1960s. After raising their children and retiring from careers in engineering and nursing, they moved from Woodinville to the Olympic Peninsula. In 1999, they enrolled in art classes and tried several media before finding “relief printing,” which appealed to their creative natures because of its versatility. Before they knew it, their hobby flourished into a new career.
Individually, Randy and Sallie Radock have received awards in juried and open art shows and have work exhibited in galleries, art centers, restaurants, boutiques, bookstores, hotels and lodges throughout the U.S. and Canada, Crete, Croatia, England, Kenya, Chile, New Zealand, the Philippines and the South Pacific.
Relief printing, Radock explained, encompasses creating — then while thinking of the results in reverse — carving a design into a block and inking the block with a variety of tools. Blocks can be made from wood, linoleum or clay-based material. Handmade paper, papyrus or tapa cloth is placed on the inked block and hand-pressed to transfer the image to the chosen material. Because the carved areas are lower than the surface of the block, they remain ink-free and allow the color and texture of the paper to become an element of the image.
With so many variables, each print is a unique piece of art.
Here and now
Lately, Randy Radock has been experimenting with printing on slate.
“The slate pieces have been popular as they are really different and the stands for the larger pieces are custom-made for that particular piece of slate,” he explained.
Randy and Sallie Radock take turns working in their home studio.
“We both create our own designs, carving of the blocks, ink and hand press to create our art,” Randy Radock said. “We work together in all aspects of our art world such as the framing of the art, exhibit hanging, gallery exhibits and publicity, but we do prefer to create our art individually in our home studio.”
As artists, their prints are inspired by their world travels and daily surroundings.
“We believe that what influences us most is the excitement of creating an art print on different materials from memories and photographs of our exploring the world and the Northwest,” Randy Radock said.
Fighting for his life
In 2010, Randy Radock battled cancer when a tumor was discovered during a routine colonoscopy. He underwent surgery to remove all of the cancerous tumor and lymph nodes then chose to have oral chemotherapy treatments. Through it all, art remained an important aspect in his life, both professionally and therapeutically.
After finishing chemotherapy in August 2010, he met with the oncologist in mid-2011 and received a clean bill of health. His two-year check-up is at the end of January and will determine if any cancer cells linger in his body.
The Radocks’ art can be seen at their Sequim studio by appointment or by going online to www.randstar
images.com.
