The first West Seattle Artwalk of 2011 was held under misting rain but saw undampened spirits for artists and attendees alike on Thursday Jan. 13.

As usual more than 60 businesses participated all around West Seattle and those who made the effort were rewarded by some remarkable art on display. The artists whose work was featured are too numerous and varied to describe here. You can learn more about them on the West Seattle Artwalk blog but some are worthy of mention.

At Knows Perfumelocated at 4536 California Ave. s.w. the same artist that designed the art that adorns both owner Christen Cottam's business card and wall, Kerry Smith was displaying many of his unique paintings. He calls himself The Dollipist so named for his technique of applying small dollops of paint in patterns. But the technique is secondary to the meaning behind the paintings. That packs a wallop. The primary work he was displaying was really a set of 3 foot canvases in a line. The name is "Sacrifice: Operation Iraqi Freedom" and each individual dollop of paint represents each wounded service person from that war. It's painting in chronological order, left to right with different colors representing each month in the now 9 year old war. "I'm currently at just shy of 32,000 dollops, and hopefull I'll finish soon," Smith said. Another painting represents the more than 4400 service members killed.

Coffee to a Tea with Sugar was hosting the remarkable mushroom photgraphs of local photographer Machel Spence whose work is shot largely here in West Seattle. She has produced an e-book and has over 600 followers on Flickr and is currently being considered for publication in National Geographic.

One magazine she's certain about is her cover shot of an Amanita Muscaria for Fungi Magazine. "It's one of the only magazines specifically for mushrooms in the world," Spence said.

Though not yet an official stop on the Artwalk, West Seattle's newest hot spot on 35th the recently opened Löcol at 7902 35th s.w. was jam packed well after the Artwalk but on display right now is the art work of a local artist, Grady Tyree, who has never exhibited before. His mixed media involves conventional painting techniques but also incorporates elements that are almost a commentary on the subject of the painting itself. The art will remain on display for the next month.