Artists Working to Make It Happen!!

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Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

Preparing the Gallery for the Holiday Season

Artist Terry Grasteit helping out.

   Setting artwork in the Blue Whole Gallery does not happen by wishing it so, but rather it is due to the efforts of individual members volunteering their time, artistic sense of balance and taste to present a visual treat for the public to view.  The results of their hard work & effort this Holiday Season will make the Gallery come alive with a display of original art and unique gifts that will be offered the day after Thanksgiving, Friday Nov. 28 and throughout the month of December.  
    This wonderful selection spans the spectrum of painting, photography, ceramics, holiday cards, ornaments, jewelry, fiber art and more.  Each of these art works have been created by Blue Whole Artists themselves and reveals their spontaneity, creativeness and imagination.  This allows the public the opportunity to embrace & support the arts and the artists themselves.

Artist Robert "Bud" Bowling helped set the Gallery Gift stand up.

    To set the stage for showing these Holiday Gift Items, member artists like Robert "Bud" Bowling, Terry Grasteit, and Brian Buntain put together glass shelving that allows items to be displayed well. This Gift Gallery section, located in the center of Gallery, allowed artists Karin Anderson and Liz Harper to place the art work so that the public can view, touch and admire the efforts that each artist of the Gallery has worked hard to create.  

Karin Anderson making final touches.

Liz Harper placing gift items on stand

Artists Liz and Karin stopped working for a photo shot.

A sample of the artwork by Gallery's artists.

   The Gift Gallery and a Holiday Group Show starts on First Friday, December 5th bringing together 2D and 3D art that offers that perfect gift for friends and family.  Or deck your own table and walls this Holiday Season with original handmade art from the members of the Blue Whole Gallery.  This time of giving thanks and sharing with family and friends can also be remembered by a treasured gift that is appreciated by those you care about.

    

    All the artist members of the Blue Whole Gallery extend their heartfelt hopes that the Holiday Season ahead is a joyous and thoughtful one for each and everyone.

  

 In Memory

    With the ending of the year 2014 we regret to announce the passing of two of the Blue Whole Gallery's founding members.  Their art work and personal dedication to the Gallery will be greatly missed.

Mary Lou Teitzel

Helen Wood

Colors & Textures in Art

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

   

Artistic Inspirations

   Fall has arrived on the Olympic Peninsula.  Cooler & overcast days along with rain turning into snow on the mountains will be the season's gift to us all.  Yet spectacular colors & textures still can be seen at the Blue Whole Gallery with the art works of Jan Tatom & Karin Anderson. Each has a distinctive way of expressing their inspiration in art.  Jan reveals her vision by working in purchased & hand-spun fibers revealing weaving patterns with the use of two looms. While Karin works in acrylic, mixed media and assemblage incorporating a multitude of materials.  Brighten up your day and view these artist's colorful visions on First Friday, November 7th and throughout the month at the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim, Washington.

Jan Tatom

Jan working at her Schacht Loom

Using a loom's shuttle & bobbins

  Jan Tatom enjoys the weaver's world where threads are woven with unlimited color combinations obtained from dye processes along with creative loom designs and woven geometric patterns.  It is an ancient art form found in all human cultures that reveals cultural identity, historical events, fashion trends and artistic skills.  Jan is fascinated with the possibilities that fiber can offer and she is inspired by the colors of spring or fall, along with the natural beauty of the Olympic Mountains. The challenge is to interpret such inspirations as creations that include fabric garments, discharged & dyed rayon scarves, & hand-woven wearable art as well as decorative and utilitarian pieces.

A swift used in winding yarn.

 In order to create such objects  Jan uses hand-spun fibers, a swift that winds yarns into skeins, along with two looms, a Schacht & a Gilmore, that are warped simultaneously to form decorative and utilitarian pieces. The results are an expanded range of colors, patterns with different weave structures and unlimited forms.

Double Weave Block

    Here are a sample of Jan Tatom's fiber inspirations that reveal patterns, weaving skills that please the eye and serve a multitude of uses.  (i.e. wearable art that may be used as a table runner or wall hanging.)

Ikat Handwoven with beads, Tencel discharge

Alpaca Twill - Hand-dyed Alpaca

Undulating Wall Hanging / Runner, Perle Cotton

  Truly, Jan has mastered the skills of weaving. Her artistic creations reveal the passion and the inspiration she has for fiber art.  The color range & textures obtained by special dye processes along with creative loom designs & weaves offers the visitor to the Blue Whole Gallery an inspirational look at wearable art as well as a decorative & utilitarian pieces.  Explore this weaver's world and join Jan Tatom at the Gallery on November 7th, from 5 to 8pm & throughout the month.

Karin Anderson

Karin working in her studio

   Karin Anderson is a mixed media artist whose work is eclectic, colorful & fun.  Not content to stick with one medium or style, Karin works with a multitude of materials ranging from acrylic, watercolor, gouache, & pastels, to collage & assemblage.  The latter can be seen below.

"Portrait of an Artist"

    
    Karin's inspiration comes from everyday things:  leaves, rocks, flowers, newspapers, fabric, found objects & (her favorite) rusty junk. These objects become the spark for her creative process.  She finds great satisfaction in re-purposing these elements into her art to stir up a story, memory or a laugh from the viewer.

"Mango Morning"

  Karin is always eager to experiment and explore something new. She uses vibrant colors to create simple, bold compositions.   

"Are We There Yet"

     Karin's creative inspirations combine both a love of color & an unconventional approach to art, revealing her unique view of the world.  She has the ability to take the everyday object and turn it into an intriguing work of art. She achieves this with skill and daring.  Visit the Blue Whole Gallery on First Friday, November 7th and throughout the month to view Karin's imaginative work and exploration into the world of art. 


  Jan Tatom and Karin Anderson will be the featured artists on November 7th from 5 to 8pm at the Blue Whole Gallery. Enjoy their approach to art and talk with the artists themselves on this first Friday.

Both artists welcome your contact:

Karin Anderson: at karindesigns54@yahoo.com

    Home phone: 360-681-8481    Cell phone: 360-477-7923
karinandersonart.com

Jan Tatom: at jantatom@olypen.com
Phone:  360-681-3845