From family of friends of Chandler O’Leary, through her website:
“Our dear friend Chandler passed away on April 2 from sudden and severe pneumonia. She was just 41 years old, and leaves behind an astonishing body of work as an author and artist[. . . ]
“In her short life, she filled countless sketchbooks and created public art and signage, paintings, drawings, textiles, artist books, photographs—you name it, she did it. She did it with passion, dedication, and exquisite beauty. “Artist” barely encompasses all her extraordinary talents, as she was also an engaging teacher, podcaster, blogger, historian, travel expert, story-teller, adventurer, letterer, musician, entrepreneur, feminist, and collaborator.”
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“Chandler’s love for her adopted Pacific Northwest was infectious—she helped us love this place we love even more.”
–Tom Nissley, Phinney Books
“Though she did much in her too-brief time on this earth, it felt like Chandler O’Leary was only now really getting started into the book world, with On Island Time having just released and already flown into readers’ hands. As it will, lastingly, into the future. Our condolences to those near and dear to her, family and otherwise, and our lament for the work we can imagine she would have made with more time. Gratitude, though, for the time and work she gave us.”
–Rick Simonson, Elliott Bay Book Company
Chandler O’Leary and Brad Craft at University Book Store in Seattle 2023
“I recently spent a couple of delightful hours with Chandler laughing and gossiping and having a grand time while she signed her latest beautiful book. It was our Book of the Month when it came out and we sold out twice during that time. She was sweet enough to come back and sign her way through another full cart. We talked about drawing, and husbands who cook, and her great new success. She was a joy. There is less of it in the world with her gone.”
–Bradley Craft, University Book Store
Table of Contents from “On Island Time” (Sasquatch Books)
“Chandler had an unmatchable love of the place she lived, a place I love and so many of us love—to see Chandler bring the Puget Lowland to life with accuracy and joy and attention to the minutest detail… I could not be more grateful for the work she leaves us. An artist in every sense of the word, with so many talents and interests. A bona fide naturalist with an eye for the strange, curious, beautiful things. I was just idly flipping through my copy of On Island Time and came to this portrait of Chandler looking out onto Bowman Bay.”
–Spencer Ruchti, Third Place Books
Chandler signing stock at Secret Garden Books in Seattle.
“My admiration of Chandler O’Leary’s work began with Dead Feminists, which I purchased for my teenage daughter years ago. Imagine my delight when I became the buyer for Sasquatch Books and was able to ensure Secret Garden Books always had stacks of Chandler’s beautiful The Best Coast and most recently, On Island Time. On the weekend that Chandler became ill, my daughter and I were on our way to Whidbey Island and while on the ferry crossing we read aloud from On Island Time marveling at her gorgeous art and excited at the potential of what she would do next. Chandler’s talent was matched by her enthusiasm which was on full display when she visited our shop in February, and I had such a memorable moment with her while she signed copies of her books and posed for photographs to be shared on Instagram. Her loss reverberated along our coast. It is a blessing that she lives on through the art she left us.”
–Mary Elliott, Secret Garden Books
Chandler reading at King’s Books in Tacoma March 2023
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Chandler O’Leary, a radiant artist who enchanted us with her whimsical and beautiful books and illustrations. She captured the essence of places with her vibrant illustrations and her cheerful outlook encouraged us to explore the world as she did, with wonder and delight (and lots of color!). Chandler was scheduled to share her new book, On Island Time, when she fell ill. Her unexpected death shocked and saddened both our staff and her loyal fans on Bainbridge Island. We will cherish the books and art that she gave us, yet we will always wonder what amazing creations the world has been denied by her too soon passing.”
–Jim Albert, Eagle Harbor Books
Chandler signing at Queen Anne Book Company
“Chandler O’Leary transformed the familiar into the remarkable. We are so grateful to have had the chance to share in her sense wonder and discovery. The PNW was the better for her, and she will be dearly missed.”
–Ellen McLaren, Queen Anne Book Company
To celebrate Chandler’s extraordinary life, accomplishments, and legacy, the following public events will be held in Tacoma:
May 12, 4-6pm: “Drawn to Tacoma: The illustrative art of Chandler O’Leary” exhibit opening at Collins Memorial Library
May 13, 1-3pm: A Gathering for Chandler on the Old Town Dock
The details for these events can be found in this announcement.
If you’d like to help Chandler’s family, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-in-memory-of-chandler-oleary
