A Retrospective & Contemporary Exhibit

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

Artists 
Shirley Foss and Margo Hankel

    Starting on October 4, the 1st Friday of the month, the Blue Whole Gallery will showcase a retrospective exhibit of the art work of past founding member Shirley Foss along with the art work of contemporary member of the Gallery, Margo Hankel.  Both artists have a heartfelt love for the wild beauty of Nature, its animal life and landscapes and everyday events that reflect what people may take for granted as being always around us.  These views maybe fleeting but the art work of Shirley and Margo captures these moments on paper & canvas for everyone to enjoy and ponder.

Shirley Foss

     Shirley Foss (Dec. 25, 1928 - Sept. 28, 2012) past founding member who helped get the Blue Whole Gallery started in 1997, is featured with a retrospective exhibit of her art work.  Shirley's interest centered on wild places, wildlife and the Northwest.  Such a focus took hold in Alaska where she ventured early in life by taking the ALCAN Highway in 1952 along with friends.  The Alaskan Wilderness and Nature captured her heart and she alone decided to stay for 30 years.  


   

     Working in oils, pastels and graphite, Shirley rendered views that reflect the images of Alaskan landscapes as can be seen by the vivid work to the right.  A rushing river with rapids taking the viewer into the mountain ranges ahead and a stunning sunset lighting the way.  This scenery would capture any one's heart and encourage them to visit and see those places that today are hard to find near cities that dominate our lives.

     Besides natural views, Shirley was captivated by wildlife in the Northwest that she encountered.  One such view is the striking pose that an American kestrel makes on a tree limb high above a river in a forested canyon.  Or, the face of a "Grizzly Midnight Raider" looking at you as he takes apart a trash can hoping for some left over food. Shirley's ability to share her passion for the wildlife & landscape of the Alaskan wilderness will be featured on October 4th at the Blue Whole Gallery.  This retrospective of the art of Shirley Foss will allow the public to view her love of life.

"Olympic Mountains"

Margo Hankel

     Margo Hankel is an active artist member at the Blue Whole Gallery who also sees the beauty of life in places, persons and things that surround her.  Her art work reflects these interests with the use of watercolors that capture the real world with charm and delight.  This can be seen in Margo's painting of the "Olympic Mountains" that dominate the communities of Port Angeles and Sequim.  It is a stunning view of mountains covered in snow and a forest of evergreens in the foreground.  

"Who R U"
 

"Iris"

     Along with showing natural beauty Margo realizes that wildlife also shares and lives within these surroundings as her picture of an Owl looking at the viewer testifies.  Also, flowers that can be found in any one's garden offer natural beauty as well.  This is seen in Margo's painting of the American Bearded Iris.  Such a rendering shows the delicate nature of its petals forming the flowers on its stately stem.

"Fair Daze"

"Hollywood Beach"

     Along with nature Margo also senses that every day events can bring joy and caring by showing a youthful time as seen in "Fair Daze". In this fine watercolor a child rides a wooden horse on a carousel as he is held protectively by his father.  Even the gathering of Kayaks on Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles is captured by Margo's creative hand as they form patterns of shapes and colors together on the beach.

     These fine selections of art work by both Shirley Foss and Margo Hankel will give the viewer a fresh and inspiring insight into what Nature offers everyday in a world that we sometimes take for granted.  Don't let this chance slip by!!  Visit the Blue Whole Gallery on the 1st Friday of October 4th and throughout the month.  Take advantage to see and be inspired by the art work that both of these artists offer.