Childhood interest leads to mural art

If you've seen the mural on the brewery at the marina, then you are familiar with artist Jade Lewis' work. Lewis, along with his wife Donna, who opened the music studio, are newcomers to Cathlamet and have quickly settled in, making friends and sharing their gifts.

"We just fell in love with this place," Lewis said. "It's a sacrifice because I still have to drive back and forth to Portland each day. I think in three years when I retire, it will be well worth it."

In the meantime they are making the most of it. Donna has the music studio and Lewis is excited about having the marina nearby and an art gallery in town.

"My favorite thing is to go out on location and paint," Lewis said. "Watercolors are my favorite. They are spontaneous but that's only good for certain applications. Acrylics are great for painting outside and I use them for my work."

Lewis first remembers taking an interest in art when he was five or six years old. A little Romeo, he would draw dragons and give them to the girls next door. One day in third grade school he noticed a classmate spent a lot of time drawing.

"Even as a third grader he was good at art and had a good understanding of art," Lewis said. "I still think about the time I spent with him and all I learned from him."

The two became fast friends, spending many hours together, challenging each other and enjoying each others company. These days his friend spends more time writing and performing music.

Much of Lewis' work is self taught but he also attended the Northwest Pacific School of Art in Portland for two years.

"I had some really good teachers," Lewis said.

The first mural he ever completed is at Boeing, where he worked in assembly at the time. Many years ago, he created a watercolor collage of Boeing airplanes and presented it to the CEO, who gave his approval for the mural project.

"It was a big learning curve for me," Lewis said. "I had never painted in acrylics before. You can see how I improved by looking at where I started and comparing it to how it looked at the other end."

After tearing a bicep tendon, he was moved from assembly to the Creation Shop, where he could still work, despite the injury. Ten years later, he is still there because his employers realized it was a better fit for the artist.

And just recently, Boeing has asked him to do six more murals. He is currently working on the concept and designs for that project right now.

"I'm feeling the pressure to make these paintings the best that I can make them," Lewis said, "because I'm hoping other people will take an interest and want something similar done in their areas."

Boeing isn't the only one commissioning murals from Lewis. He has one in the Broadway District in Portland. He's done murals in homes, restaurants, a church nursery, a gym and more.

One day he took his portfolio to the brewery and offered to do a mural for them. The owners decided to take advantage of his skills just in time for their name change. The mermaid on the side of the building is his.

Art isn't his only love. Lewis has steps away from it from time to time, but he always comes back. Right now some of his focus has shifted to music. He plays the drums in several variations of a band with his wife and some other musicians. They will be playing at different events locally this summer.

Some of his artwork is on display and for sale at Tsuga Gallery.