By Steve Shay and Patrick Robinson

The well known local artist Emily Jean Williamson of Many Moons Trading passed away Feb. 13, asleep, peacefully in her bed, at home surrounded by the people dearest to her heart.

All arrangements will be handled by her family on Bainbridge Island.

Sue Scharff, of Moving Massage at Photosynthesis and a friend of Emily's shared her thoughts.

"I knew Emily as many did – because she was a local Junctioneer. I would see her when I shopped at Many Moons, and just around the neighborhood. When I started cancer treatment in 2011, I learned that she had been fighting the disease for a few years already. I ran into her at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance once, and sat with her during chemo. Her struggle was really tough. I want people to realize how hard it is to fight cancer. We hear it all the time, but please realize: Emily suffered. Yet, she continued to make her beautiful, vibrant, cheerful art; she continued to be her true self; she continued to honor where she was and what was happening for her. I wish I had been able to spend more time with her, because I know I would have learned a lot about how to travel my own cancer path. I hope many of her friends will be able to participate in the art retrospective Krystal is planning at Mind Unwind. I am looking forward to being in a room surrounded by her spirit, as it lives on paper. RIP beautiful Emily; your memory will be for a blessing."

Other tributes have filled her Facebook page.

Becky Williams wrote, "Emily...meeting you cheered me at a time in my life when I felt very alone in a new place...you brought joy and comfort with your beautiful presence. love and peace to you and your loved ones."

Elise Tissot wrote, "Oh Emily...Now you may fly and soar free, dancing joyfully in the shimmering rainbows we all walk through but cannot always see. Knowing you are there is a solace. My deepest condolences to your family. So much love to you."

Hilda Reyes wrote: "Your spirit is now truly free to join the millions of other loving spirits who watch over us mortal beings here on earth Emily...we give thanks to your dearest and most caring family here in West Seattle especially to dear Mary of Many Moons..Blessings of light, surrender and love...."

Cari Jones wrote, "Emily was one of the best people I have ever known. She was so sweet and an inspiration to me with her whimsical art and kind spirit. I am deeply saddened by this loss, but am glad that she will no longer be in pain. I will miss her very much. Rest in peace my dear."

Grant Eoff wrote, "Emily changed me and my world forever. It will be impossible to forget her free spirit, her laugh, her voice, her creative drive, her vision, her brand of candor... far too many UNIQUE traits and characteristics to recite. It is an Honor to have known her and I will always cherish our special escapades. On to the next great adventure, Em. I'll be seeing you~"

An exhibit will feature Williamson's art

Krystal Kelley, is an artist and author who owns Mind Unwind, a two-story art gallery at 2206A California Ave. SW, just north of the Admiral Theater and across the street. A fan and collector of Williamson's work, Kelley will host an exhibit throughout March, with a reception honoring Williamson during ArtWalk, March 14.

She invites anyone with a piece of Williamson's work to drop it off by the end of February for the show. The work will then be returned the beginning of April.

"It makes me happy that we can show her things at Mind Unwind and have people come in who maybe knew her but didn't see her art and get that happy feeling she had in her whimsical pieces," Kelley told the West Seattle Herald.

"I used to work in the Junction and she'd show a lot there," she said. "I would always buy something of hers, and would often gift the pieces. One Christmas I gave all my friends pieces of Emily's art. Each piece had a different personality that reminded me of each friend. One was called 'Wandering Eye' and it was a person looking straight ahead but one of his eyes was looking sideways.

"Her work is fun and happy," she said. "And I think every time I had a conversation with her she was the same way. She had a really wonderful vibe about her."

You can pair your art piece you choose to bring in with a story about Emily Williamson. Drop art between 5pm-midnight Tuesdays-Sundays in the Treehouse Lounge at Mind Unwind. For more details about the exhibit visit: www.mindunwind.org.

Mind Unwind
(206) 849-7222
create@mindunwind.org