Susan Roller Mustard, Orcas resident since 2005, has made quite a name for herself since her arrival on Orcas.

“Her art is captivating, appealing and most difficult of all … original,” said Crow Valley Pottery owners Jeffri Coleman and Michael Rivkin. “When Susan walked into Crow Valley Pottery’s Eastsound Gallery a few years back, introduced herself, and brashly offered that she had ‘a completely different form of art to show y’all,’ we were naturally a bit hesitant. You see, artists often approach the gallery making such claims. But it is infrequent that the boasts are accurate.”

In this case, however, the pair stood in silence as Mustard offered peeks at her collages created from vintage book covers of all manner of materials and colors.

“It was truly wonderful,” said Rivkin.  “she also showed her works in oil – with great color and a special talent for capturing movement.”

Mustard is not just a “regular” on the gallery’s roster of artists, but is now featured in her first solo-exhibition at the Eastsound venue. “Landmarks” celebrates her favorite and most-loved haunts of Orcas and honors her personal life transitions.

An opening reception will be held at the Main Street shop in Eastsound, next to Darvill’s Bookstore, on Friday, July 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be offered.

“My work is about embracing my Texas-sized past  and melding it with my current life on beautiful Orcas Island,” Mustard said. “As a child, I stuttered until my father told me to stop. It wasn’t easy going. Words were difficult. I yearned for security and a place of sanctuary for nearly 60 years. I stumbled upon Orcas Island in 2005. The first thing I noticed was the gentle light and  soft climate. Now, in my island sanctuary, my collection of old book covers – originally doomed to a land fill – become new collages of cherished landmarks and the people of Orcas.”