Sequim Gazette staff
This year’s official artwork for the 2012 Sequim Lavender Farm Faire celebrates the local family owned farms that have made Sequim famous over the past 16 years.
Jim Lyman’s “Sequim Lavender Legacy” painting depicts lavender farms in the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association.
“I’m honored to be a part of the fair,” Lyman said. “We go there every year and wander around on the farms. It’s one of those times when even the people of Sequim should go. It’s a great time for community.”
At the suggestion of his wife, Terree, Lyman incorporated icons in the painting from each of the farms — Angel Farm, Cedarbrook Lavender and Herb Farm, Jardin du Soleil, Lost Mountain Lavender Farm, Moosedreams Lavender, Olympic Lavender, Port Williams Lavender, Purple Haze Lavender, Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm, Victor’s Lavender, and Washington Lavender.
He included the New Dungeness Lighthouse because his artwork focuses on lighthouses. Lyman has been commissioned to paint churches, barns, Victorian homes and lighthouses across the western United States.
Previously, he served 24 years in the U.S. Army and 20 years as chef and owner/manager of a restaurant. Lyman decided to finish school to become an ordained pastor. He leads services for the Evangelical Methodist Church in Port Townsend. He also owns a gallery and sells lighthouse paintings along the Pacific Coast through a representative.
“I am now enjoying the best of two worlds, serving my Lord and painting for him,” Lyman said.
Scott Nagel, executive director of the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association, said the painting is special to the farms represented.
“People are going to have great fun with this painting as they visit our farms and Lavender in the Park to identify the images that represent the farms and their legacy,” Nagel said. “We are working on interactive and family contests and events to go along with the poster. Details will be announced in April when the poster goes on sale.”
During the fair, Lyman will sign posters and sell limited-edition prints and possibly some lighthouse paintings at Lavender in the Park at the Sequim Water Reuse Site.
He said it’s exciting that he’s in the same company as the fair’s artist last year, Pat Taynton.
“She is a super person and to be put in that category is cool,” Lyman said.
The Sequim Lavender Farm Faire, part of the new Sequim Lavender Weekend celebration, runs July 20-22.
Farms with the association are local, family owned and operated, ranging in size from 2.7 to 12 acres with more than 100 years of collective lavender-growing experience.
Farmers, including three of the founders of the lavender movement in the Sequim Valley, live on the land and are full-time farmers, committed to the highest quality lavender, lavender products and events, Nagel said.
For more information, contact the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire at www.sequimlavenderfarms.org, info@sequimlavenderfarms.org or call 452-6300.
Lyman’s work is available at www.lymanslytes.com or www.fineartamerica.com.
