2008 Limited Edition Print - Issaquah Salmon Days 2010

“Leap of Faith” by Melissa S. Cole

The Spirit of Issaquah: A Celebration of Northwest Treasures

Melissa S. Cole, a Northwest resident, has been chosen for the second time as artist for the fourth limited edition print in the series entitled, “Spirit of Issaquah: A Celebration of Northwest Treasures” for the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival. This colorful piece highlights the beauty and diverse nature discovered in Issaquah and the surrounding valley. Each print in the series will have a printed Mt. Rainier in the title.

Cole’s original piece of acrylic art entitled, “Leap of Faith” was chosen from 18 submissions during the Chamber Luncheon on June 17. The vibrant acrylic print showcases all that is Issaquah; featuring our beloved salmon who return year after year to the lakes, streams and downtown hatchery.

Cole was born in Oregon and raised in London, Hong Kong and Bombay. She graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Zoology and spent time as a naturalist guide in Mexico. She’s written over 30 children’s natural history books and travels with her husband, who is a wildlife photographer. They have visited the Bahamas where they spent three weeks photographing tiger sharks and Atlantic spotted dolphins. The summer of 2008 will find them exploring in Uganda/Rwanda. Cole has always dabbled in art, but has spent the last seven years fully devoting her time to it.

“I almost always paint nature, especially marine creatures,” said Cole. “I am more drawn to fish than anything else and the movement of the salmon is something that I love to capture in my paintings. I also like to use a mixture of different ethnic patterns that I’ve seen during my travels abroad. You’ll see lots of dots and distinct border pattern in my piece.”

This 2008 Limited Edition Print is produced by the Festival; each print is signed and numbered by the artist. The previous Salmon Days series became extremely popular with both long-time Salmon Days’ supporters as well as with fine art collectors. Proceeds from the print sales assist in producing the Festival, which is the major fundraiser for the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce.