Nature lover, outdoor sports enthusiast, and multimedia artist, Gretchen Leggit, explains her inspiration in the creation of the 2019 commemorative poster for the Bellingham Bay Marathon.
The poster plays with dimensions and topography using elements from Gretchen’s unique pyrographic techniques. In the image, runners pass along the jagged edge of Bellingham Bay, approaching the city of Bellingham with Mount Baker reaching into the sky beyond.
In her work, Gretchen prominently features the breadth and radiance of mountain landscapes. She explains her passion for topography in the third episode of The Drive by Nook Collective: “I’m really intrigued with this idea of covering terrain with my feet, with my snowboard, with my bicycle, and just feeling the curvature of the Earth.” This passion for mountain landscapes is captured again and again in her work. When she’s not making art or spending time with family, Gretchen can most often be found on the mountain slopes, running, skiing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Gretchen’s art can be found all over Bellingham, from Gallery Pegasus to Boundary Bay Brewery. Perhaps her most famous piece is a 22,000 square foot mural at 917 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham. Gretchen strapped on her safety helmet and stepped onto a cherry picker to make it happen. You can view Gretchen’s mural while running along the track during the Bellingham Bay Marathon this September.
One of Gretchen’s greatest drives is to preserve nature through art, giving people something to cling to. As Gretchen explains to Nook Collective, “People right now, in this busy world…we’re so tied to this hustle that we’re in just trying to make money to stay afloat, I think that people dream of being outside.” The next time you leave work on a sunny summer evening, consider Gretchen’s invitation and go for a run.