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Tracking Trolls in the Pacific Northwest

The Way of the Bird King

Location: Pacific Northwest

I’ve been a big fan of Thomas Dambo ever since I visited the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and was introduced to his magic there. The blog post I wrote about the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is one of the most popular I’ve ever written. Check it out here. I also visited the Atlanta Botanical Gardens while in Georgia and enjoyed more of his recycled art work there. I was really excited when five of these amazing nature themed sculptures came to the Seattle/Puget Sound region (a 6th is in Portland Oregon). So I went tracking trolls in the Pacific Northwest.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Taking a nap at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
I love this one at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Who is Thomas Dambo

I am intrigued by this man and his mission. In his own words…

I’m Thomas Dambo, Danish recycling artist. Our world is drowning in trash while we are running out of natural resources. 
In 2011 I quit my job to become an artist and follow my mission to ‘Waste no more’. 

Today, I spend my life showing the world that beautiful things can be made out of trash. I give new life to discarded materials by turning them into large-scale artworks. My journey has led me to create artworks in 20 countries across five continents, including my giant Trollsplastic worksbirdhouses, and Happy Wall exhibitions. All these projects are realized using hundreds of tons of recycled materials, working in and with local communities, who are co-creators of the art that I make because the mission I follow needs the involvement of everybody. I also host talks as a speaker, such as TEDx talk, and sometimes I host workshops to teach people how to reuse and upcycle.

If you want to join my mission, follow me on YouTube,  Instagram or Facebook.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

The Way of the Bird King – NW Trolls

Before visiting the local trolls in the Puget Sound region you really need to visit the amazing website NW Trolls. You can learn a lot of interesting information and find a map of the trolls too. I was intrigued to learn why the Scan Design Foundation chose to present this outdoor art exhibit to the region. Here is more…

Oscar the Bird King, Vashon Island

This ambitious public art project is presented by Scan Design Foundation, whose mission is to support Danish-American relations with a focus on environmental sustainability.NWTrolls: Way of the Bird King features six giant hand-built troll sculptures by Danish environmental artist, Thomas Dambo. The publicly-accessible sculptures are located around the Pacific Northwest where each whimsical troll sculpture is part of an underlying environmental story. The project celebrates the human experience of art by amplifying the connections of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Scandinavian traditions. Thanks to our funding partners and host site partners, there is no admission fee to visit any of the trolls.

Everyone loves Pea the Peacekeeper on Bainbridge Island

Tracking Trolls in the Pacific Northwest

I started my treasure hunt a year ago. The six trolls (five in the Seattle area and one in Portland) were built on each site during the spring and early summer of 2023. We visited our first troll on Bainbridge Island, which is about 40 minutes from my home where we spend our summers.

Pea the Peacekeeper

Sakai Park, Bainbridge Island

Learn more and find Pia here.

Hanging out with Pea the Peacekeeper
I loved Pea’s hair made from found sticks in the nearby forest

Last September on the day we were headed to the airport to begin 8 months of travel, we took some time in West Seattle to find our second troll. One of the smaller trolls in the collection, Bruun is hiding in plan sight near the Lincoln Park waterfront.

Bruun Idun

Lincoln Park, West Seattle

Find Bruun here

Bruun Idun
Such a little doll

Summer 2024

Back in the USA for the summer I made a commitment to find the three remaining trolls close to my home. I won’t be able to get to the Portland one this year. Since our adult sons live in the Ballard area, it was easy to find this little man, standing sentry outside the amazing Ballard Nordic Heritage Museum.

Frankie Feetsplinters

Nordic Heritage Museum, Ballard

Find Frankie here

Frankie Feetsplinters
He has such mischievous eyes!

Make day trip to Vashon Island to find the next troll, which is exactly what we did on a beautiful July day. Three ferries make their way to the close yet remote island; Fauntleroy in West Seattle, Point Defiance in Tacoma and Southworth in Port Orchard on the Kitsap Peninsula. Vashon may seem far away, but it really isn’t and meeting magnificent Oscar the Bird King is worth it. I think this one is my favorites.

Oscar the Bird King

Point Robinson Park, Vashon Island

Find Oscar here

Oscar the Bird King is my favorite
He’s watching me…

I made my way to the beautiful community of Issaquah to find my last troll of my Tracking Trolls in the Pacific Northwest Journey. I lived and worked in Issaquah 35 years ago…wow just saying that blows my mind. But still today this community and it’s people hold a special place in my heart. And now so does Jakob.

Jakob Two Trees

Rainier Trail, Issaquah Community Center, Issaquah

Find Jakob here

Jakob Two Trees, hidden but easy to get to
Nice necklace Jakob!

Troll Life

The trolls will be in their respective homes for about three years…some longer depending on if they are being cared for. Since each troll is constructed from natural and recycled material, the local weather will determine their life length. Since I didn’t get down to Portland this summer, I hope to visit that troll, Ole Bolle, next summer.

Seattle’s Original Troll

Still holding court, now for more than 30 years, is Seattle’s favorite son – the Fremont Troll. A favorite of locals and some visitors too if they know where to find him. I couldn’t write a troll post without mentioning this one-eyed monster we all know and love. Have you visited the original troll under the Fremont Bridge?

The Fremont Troll more than 30 years guarding the Fremont Bridge

The Fremont Troll

Find the Fremont Troll N. 36th Street at Troll Avenue N., under the north end of the George Washington Memorial Bridge (also known as the Aurora Bridge).

Still looking good!

What’s Next?

Dambo’s popularity continues to grow around the United States. Many communities are now home to his whimsical trolls. I’m personally hoping for more Dambo Trolls in the Pacific Northwest over the next few years. They just make me happy!

Frankie Feetsplinters
Jakob Two Trees

Thank you for reading my post Tracking Trolls in the Pacific Northwest. I hope you can find some trolls too. Be sure to come back next week for My Favorite Hike in Washington State.

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15 Comments

  • Reply Angela Lowe

    That is so neat! I was in Seattle the last time in 2022, with plans to go back. Now I know I will have to check these trolls. Thanks for this info, I had no idea about them, except for the old troll under the bridge in Seattle.

    August 2, 2024 at 7:26 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      I hope you can visit again!

      August 3, 2024 at 11:25 am
  • Reply Sonia

    I’ve seen these trolls on the east coast, but I’d love to explore the west coast trolls too!

    August 3, 2024 at 5:28 am
    • Reply Laureen

      You are always welcome in PNW!

      August 3, 2024 at 11:25 am
  • Reply Terri

    I just love public gardens with unusual sculptures, like trolls or elves. We also have a special elves exhibition each year at the Annemarie Sculpture Garden near Solomons, Maryland.

    August 3, 2024 at 8:25 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Maybe I can visit that someday!

      August 3, 2024 at 11:24 am
  • Reply Linda (LD Holland)

    This looks like such a fun adventure. The troll sculptures are so great. Great that you have seen them in different spots and found them in the Pacific Northwest region. But interesting to know they are not all in the same spot so each might be its own separate adventure.

    August 3, 2024 at 9:03 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Yes. I hope to find more!

      August 3, 2024 at 11:24 am
  • Reply Roxanne

    I initially thought this would be somewhere in Norway! Such fun, especially the little bird-house necklaces and hats. Definitely something different.

    August 3, 2024 at 10:48 am
  • Reply Alaine

    Wow – those trolls look so gigantic and big!

    August 3, 2024 at 6:50 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      Indeed! And so much fun!

      August 3, 2024 at 7:09 pm
  • Reply Lisa

    Oh I could go in search of these trolls for days! They are amazing. It would make a great trip to find them all

    August 3, 2024 at 7:33 pm
  • Reply Pam

    Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this. That’s amazing artwork. Is there like a booklet that has all of them and their locations? I would imagine it’s a cool souvenir to try to find them all.

    August 4, 2024 at 12:52 pm
  • Reply Denise

    I love the PNW! Next time I’ll have to track the trolls!

    August 5, 2024 at 10:43 am
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