Lake Forest Park Artist Selected as Featured Artist for 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

MOUNT VERNON – Kerry Clavadetscher, a Seattle area artist specializing in photorealistic painting, is the featured artist for the 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Her artwork will grace the Tulip Festival’s 2023 poster, merchandise and official products. Clavadetscher’s original watercolor captures one of the many sights and scenes visitors to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival experience each April. 

The fresh and vibrant piece invites people to experience the beauty of nature. “It’s a big deal to me as a realist – depicting a true scene or experience someone can have – it’s not a symbol, it’s a real thing,” Clavadetscher noted when asked about her creation. She specializes in highly detailed paintings showcasing wildlife, botanicals and landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Some depict small flower petals while others take fans to iconic vistas, all in a realistic style. “I was visiting the Anacortes Arts and Crafts Festival a few years ago and saw this beautiful print of a bearded iris petal. I was intrigued and invited Kerry to apply to become one of our featured artists,” noted festival Executive Director Cindy Verge. “I think people will love the image she has painted.” 

Clavadetcher holds a natural science illustration certificate from the University of Washington and a B.S. in physics from Yale. Before she became a painter she worked as a software developer for Microsoft, as an intern for NASA, and as a setter for one of the nation’s top youth volleyball teams. She creates from her studio in Lake Forest Park and in her free time you can often find her enjoying the outdoors. 

More of Clavadetcher’s work can be found at www.kerryclav.com. Kevin Hartman of Westar Solutions will work to transform the featured artwork into the Tulip Festival poster. Hartman will also design other Tulip Festival Official Merchandise, including mugs, magnets, and coasters. The 2023 poster, merchandise and official products (wine, beer, cider, jewelry, coffee, cannabis, soap, chocolate bars, and candles) will be unveiled on Nov. 9 during the Unveiling Ceremony, sponsored by Heritage Bank. The event is scheduled to be in-person at Skagit Acres from 5:30 to 7 pm.