Salmon Creek Café Features September Artists Peter Fecteau and Laurel Mercury

by Ruth Storkel

Salmon Creek Café, a beloved family-owned restaurant on the north end of Burien, is a favorite gathering spot for “Burienites” and people from surrounding areas. There’s a feast for your taste buds at Salmon Creek, with a wide and delicious variety of foods offered on their menu. (My favorite is the Reuben Sandwich accompanied by a large green salad; it’s the best Reuben in King County!)

There is also a feast for your eyes at Salmon Creek; marvelous artwork by local artists is displayed on their walls, and the artists change each month.

Artists of the Month for September are expert photographers Peter Fecteau and Laurel Mercury. Both are talented individuals who are now displaying a variety of framed photos they have taken. They both have an eye for the unique and beautiful, whether it be in architecture, nature, or scenery.

Peter Fecteau

Peter Fecteau, describing himself as a “photo-journalist,” is now showcasing many local “urban pictures,” such as the Ferris wheel at the pier in Seattle, skyscrapers, Mt. Rainier, and the Space Needle in downtown Seattle.

Peter majored in landscape design and art in college, and worked in design offices for 6 years in the ‘80s. He had lived in Italy for 3 years during his childhood, and his love for that country grew. His interest in photography began in high school when his girlfriend bought him a Kodak Pocket Instamatic. “I took pictures of Lake Ontario sunsets with it,” he recalled. In his 4th year of college, on his semester abroad, his dad let him take his Yashica SLR Camera to Greece; where he found many marvelous things to take pictures of.

He has had several careers in various fields, but he came to realize that photography was what he loved and where his real talent lay. “I have been a visual artist my whole life; I really love art and beauty! I love the visual arts!” “Beauty gives us joy in an otherwise commonplace existence. Beauty is food for our souls!” declares Peter.

In 2013, through the Catholic Church, he got a job covering the Bishop Michael Sheridan Pilgrimage to Rome, working as a photo-journalist; this opened the way to taking his 3rd trip to Italy, spending 10 days in Rome, shooting over 3,000 images, walking 6-7 miles each day.

“I’ve learned a lot over time,” says Peter. “Some of my pictures have been absolute miracles!” (He told about a time in Rome where he waited for birds to collect, move into the right position at the St. Francis statue, praying as he waited, and having the picture turn out so amazingly perfect.) He is now looking forward to taking autumn pictures around Seattle in the next few weeks, especially of landscapes and unique architecture that his keen artist’s eyes observe.

Peter sells his artwork online Peterfecteau.artstorefronts.com. His business is named Via Miracolo. Postcards featuring his photographs are also locally available at Highline Heritage Museum in Burien and Liberty Café in Renton. His primary subjects are modern architecture, Catholic cathedral architecture, and landscapes of the American West.

Laurel Mercury

Artist of the Month Laurel Mercury grew up in Spokane, Washington, but has lived in Seattle since God called her here in 1975. As a child, she loved art, and eventually this blossomed into a passion for photography in her late teens. As Beatles Fan Club president in Spokane, she started photographing Seattle rock concerts in the early ‘70s. (She was influenced by Linda Eastman, wife of Beatle Paul McCartney, in this area.)

Laurel took her first photography class at Spokane Falls Community College; her first camera was a Yashica Mat 124-D, which she bought from her brother’s professional photographer friend. Over the years, Laurel has had 11 cameras, but has downsized and is now back to using her first camera (the Yashica) and her phone camera.

Viewing Laurel’s pictures at Salmon Creek Café, one can see she has a wonderful eye for beauty. “My current work reflects my appreciation for God’s awesome creation,” says Laurel. Her favorite photos were taken in Venice and Florence, Italy. She hopes to add more to her collection as she goes on a Mediterranean cruise soon.

During her career as a photographer, she has taken pictures for many weddings. In 1975, as she heard God’s call to live in Seattle, she attended a Bible college, and became in demand as a photographer for her many friends from church and the college, as many of them were having weddings at that time.

One of the very memorable, fun highlights of her career was the trip she took to New York City in 2003, staying in Times Square, to attend the National Stationery Show. Artists from 144 countries showcased their creations (cards, stationery, gift wrap, etc.). Laurel was one of the top finalists in the photo greeting card contest. Since then, she has gone on to sell many beautiful photo-cards using her pictures.

As a photographer, Ms. Mercury worked for the Seattle Convention and Visitor Center Tourist Magazine and also Where Magazine. She was employed by Seattle Parks and Recreation for 25 years. Some of her photos of Seattle’s 485 parks can be seen on their website, plus her photos have appeared in numerous Seattle Parks publications over the years.  Highline Heritage Museum and Casa Italiana have showcased her photos. 

Laurel loves photographing flowers, classic cars, and architecture for greeting cards, and these cards are sold in 7 countries as well as in shops in our South Seattle area.  She currently has photos on display at the Lawrence Khan Law Group in Tukwila and at Casa Italiana in Burien. 

If you need a photographer for a special event, Laurel enjoys photographing small weddings, special occasions, family celebrations, and portraits for friends; she can be reached at earth2mercury@yahoo.com. 

Meet more local artists at Artists United

Peter and Laurel both enjoy being members of the local Artists United Art Club, which meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Normandy Park Cove, 11:30 a.m. This club welcomes new artists to join them.