Downtown Bellingham is becoming somewhat of an art exhibit, featuring works sanctioned and unsanctioned from many local artists and muralists. One artist making his mark on the scene is Ivan Colin, an abstract artist and muralist who first moved to Bellingham in 2017.
Originally from Napa Valley, California, Colin was drawn to art during high school, when he saw it as a skill to grow during class outside of the required material.
“Do you get bored in school, or you’re just not paying attention? I wanted something to do that wasn’t interrupting class and being a clown,” says Colin. “By doodling and drawing, you actually might be able to retain the information better, since it’s a different way of engaging with the lecture or with what the teacher’s saying.”
Photograph by Ben Stainbrook
Colin wasn’t sure he could make a living from art, so he started at Linfield University in Oregon as an accounting major, and to play soccer. However, the accounting classes didn’t last long, and with the guidance of professors and advisors, Colin took some art classes and realized that life as an artist was very possible. But it was soccer that would lead Colin to Bellingham!
“My Dad loves the game, and that’s something he was able to teach all of my brothers, because that’s his expertise,” says Colin. “I finished school, and I still wanted to continue playing at a higher level. I just haven’t satiated my ambition for the game.”
He joined Bellingham United, a semi-pro team that plays in the Evergreen Premier League of Washington. Colin was treated like a brother by his teammates, given a place to stay, and soon after, met his now-wife. After a brief stint playing soccer in California, Colin returned to Bellingham in 2021. Now he’s making an impact on the city with his art.
Photograph by Ben Stainbrook
Early on, Colin was inspired by graffiti art and its abstract patterns. Nowadays, nature is his biggest inspiration, and not necessarily plants, animals, or nature scenes, but things that happen naturally. Visual candy, such as a pattern on a concrete wall not formed intentionally, or an oil spill on the street, showing off some rainbow colors.
“Nature…was what I was consuming around me,” says Colin. “And that happened to be Oregon’s beautiful environment, and Washington just gets greener the further north you go.”
Photograph by Ben Stainbrook
You can find Colin’s art on the outside of Cheba Hut, the interior of Beach Cat Brewing South Paw, and most recently (at the time of writing), in mural form inside Armory Pickleball. And that’s only a few of his projects.
“I hardly like what I make until I’m removed from it emotionally,” says Colin. “Paintings are never finished, they’re only abandoned, and that’s how I feel a lot of times. I just got to walk away. Drop the mic and walk away, you know; just gotta cut yourself off somehow.”
Check out Colin’s website for more photos of his work or to reach out for commissions to spruce up the vibe of your home or business with some genius visuals! Bellingham, 707.501.8485, ivancolin.com
