2006 Poster Artist Beki Killorin from her Mount Vernon studio.

Beki has created an image that captures the essence of Skagit Valley for the 2006 poster, which will be unveiled in November at Skagit Valley Gardens in Mount Vernon. “I have been a fan of tulips and the Tulip Festival since we moved here in 1987,” Beki commented, “After being selected the poster artist, I have spent a lot of time studying various tulip varieties – I think tulip fans will like the image and color palette I have put together for the 2006 Festival Poster.”

Ginny Bode of Bode Design in Mount Vernon will transform Killorin’s artwork into the Tulip Festival poster. Bode will also design the Tulip Festival Official Apparel (to be unveiled in November as well) using a theme relating to the poster art.

It is my hope that people will be excited to see the contemporary look and feel of this poster. I like to bring a unique life and spirit to my creations. I think tulip fans will enjoy bringing the 2006 poster into their homes,” Beki noted. Beki received most of her art training while living in her native state of Oklahoma. She has been painting throughout her life, using oil, ink, acrylics, collage and watercolor to interpret her imagery. Beki moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1987, first living on Guemes Island. Fans can find both her originals and prints in galleries throughout the United States, the Pacific Northwest and in many galleries in the Washington State area. She has been represented nationally since 1982 by Island International Artists.

Beki explains that she likes to create images that allow the viewer to experience the emotion and essence of the subjects she paints – that way, she notes, the viewer can complete the story the painting has to tell. She paints from her home/studio in Mount Vernon. A selection of her work can be viewed at her web site www.bekikillorin.com.