In addition to its fine American cuisine and drinks menu, 5 Corner Market is now serving a side of art. The gastropub that replaced Lombardi’s on 22nd and Market St is now exhibiting art by Ballard artist Lina Raymond.

The series titled “2011 Studio Raid” include no less than 26 of Raymond’s paintings.
Steve Hayter, owner the restaurant, came down to Raymond’s studio on a whim to see what she had in store.

“When I asked what he’d like he said, ‘We want all of it’,” Raymond said.

Raymond said her small studio is now empty and feels like it has been raided.

“They cleaned me out,” she said.

Cheryl Hayter, owner of the restaurant, is happy with Raymond’s art.

“Her art is awesome,” she said. “It’s very creative and it fits us. The color is a great addition.”

Raymond is known for her 2010 series “Bearing Witness/Adaptations” in which she painted the changing Ballard scenery as condos went up and historic buildings came down.

“I painted all the places we’ve been losing. I was compelled to paint it,” Raymond said speaking like a long-time local even though she has only been in Ballard for three years.

“I live and work in a 100-year-old Ballard building and walk everywhere. Seeing emptied storefronts and ruins of beloved places torn down, it was starting to feel personal,” Raymond explained.

Raymond once lost a business in which she had invested her heart and soul and said losing it was a devastating experience.

Three pieces from the Bearing Witness/Adaptations show are part of the 26-piece display including the well-publicized paintings of the construction of the Swedish building and the Bardahl sign. Bot pieces are on loan from a collector but the other 24 pieces are what Raymond calls “studio finds” and are for sale.

“It’s a new Ballard bar so I wanted to show a few Ballard-specific pieces,” Raymond said.

Many of the displayed pieces are colorful abstracts, two of which she has worked on for over a decade.

“When I’m in between series, I play and just do whatever. I work on a piece until I like it enough,” Raymond said.
The two big pieces titled "The Construct" located in the hallway to the bathrooms in 5 Corner Market have been played with for over ten years.

“Steve was one of the first in the world to see it,” Raymond said.

The heavy wood canvases can be seen from the side windows along 22nd Avenue. They’re topped with layers of old posters which Raymond calls “urban bark” and was peeled off a poster wall in Southern California. Other materials include old roofing material, an old Paramount Studios towel, and paint rags.

“I still don’t know if it’s finished,” Raymond said while observing the paintings.

When asked if she ever has a hard time parting with pieces Raymond said, “sometimes but I know they’re going to a good home. They will be so loved by someone that it’s kind of joyous.”

The exhibition also contains many paintings which over time morphed from one painting into another. A painting called “Owl” is now a beautifully colorful abstract bearing now resemblance to an owl whatsoever. Another abstract titled “Cartography” in grey tones with colorful specks has been painted over a canvas which originally contained self portraits.

“I’m too insecure to make me the subject,” Raymond said, despite having a 12-year stint of being a model and actress on prime-time television in her past.

Starting out as a promising teenage artist in Southern California, Raymond detoured on a long winding and bumpy road before returning to painting. She got married young and did a number of varying jobs to make a living and support her son. She’s been a window display artist, floral designer, wig stylist, and actress. She also remodeled houses for a while and later became an inventor and founder of a non-dairy ice cream product line.

From her Santa Monica and Venice days, Raymond features paintings of front porches and seascapes.

“Those were my bread and butter back then,” Raymond said, explaining she used to sell seascapes on the Venice Boardwalk in L.A.

Raymond came to Seattle to be closer to her son and his family and debuted her work at Senor Moose two years ago. She has since shown her work at various places around town including Cupcake Royale and Portalis.

“Ballard is very art friendly. The people in the town touch me and seem to be receptive of my artistic expressions,” Raymond said.

“I love my building and I love my little village. I feel like I’m home.”

In her now empty studio, Raymond is preparing for a show coming up in April at Portalis on Ballard Ave. Titled “Sugar on a Burn”, the show will feature all new paintings.
For more information, visit Lina Raymond’s website at I see, I paint, We are.