Su Job, much-loved Seattle fiber artist, teacher, and art activist, gave me my first solo show in her loft space at 619 Western in 1995. I was hiding out from my show on the 6th floor when an earthquake hit. Everyone ran down the stairs and out of the swaying building, and I was able to make good my escape.

My studio was in the adjoining Polson Building. The following year, a fire forced the artists out of that building. I got married, built a new studio at home, and lost touch with most of the artists of 619 Western.

In 2011, the World’s Largest Boring Machine dug the World’s Largest Tunnel under 619. The ground below the building was soft, unstable mud, and engineers feared the 1910 building might collapse into the tunnel. All the artists were evicted, but in the end the building was saved and became offices for tech companies.

My show was called Nourishment From Below. It featured paintings of horses, mostly eating from the ground, as horses do. At the time I had no idea that in a few years the earth below 619 would no longer be able to nourish Pioneer Square's art community. But the earth will carry us, and 619 Western would go on to support Seattle’s young and tender tech industry.

Su Job died of cancer in 2008. I don't know if I ever really thanked her for all her kindness and support. Su, if you can see this website- thank you.