Creative Inspirations at Blue Whole Gallery!

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

"Doing Our Own Thing"

    Artistic Inspirations coming from visible objects that surround us everyday take center stage in the display windows of the Blue Whole Gallery with the works by two long time artist members. The conceptual art work of Barb Boerigter which focuses on unusual materials and found objects, and the paintings of Ryoko Toyama that reflect her active response to her world, past and present.  This captivating exhibit shows the independence that artists have in their work and will be presented on First Friday March 3, 2017 at the Gallery from 5 to 8pm and throughout month.  

 Barb Boerigter, is a 2 and 3-dimensional artist who is interested in things that are made, used and then discarded. She finds beauty in these cast-offs and uses them to create unique pieces of conceptual art that challenges the viewer to see what stories they still may tell.  Samples of her work can be seen below.

 "Roman Ego"

 (W. Va. Black Soapstone, Roman shard-porcelain olive oil jar stopper)

 "The Years Got Me"

(Mixed Media)

      Barb often times will sit in her studio for a long time surrounded by found objects, materials, that are labeled and stored for easy access. Eventually something clicks and her mind can see another story that they can tell.  The results can be works that might be intriguing or not.  

"Sequim Russet"

"Their Work is Done"

 

"Mixed Media Painting"

   Share in Barb Boerigter's efforts in doing her own thing and enjoy the stories arising from things that are made, used and then discarded yet still can be treasured anew. Visit the Blue Whole Gallery and meet the artist and her artwork on First Friday March 3, 2017 from 5 to 8pm. and throughout the month. 

 Ryoko Toyama, is a painter whose inspiration comes from visible objects, music, and words.  Working in water-based media because of its fluidity as well as acrylics she likes to create "emotional reality" as described by Skip Lawrence. Her creative process begins with the end in mind but often the work can take its own course producing the unexpected in a magical transition as seen below.

"For New Year with green"

 

"For New Year with red"

     Painting for Ryoko is an active response to her world, past and present and gives great joy in return. Her work is filled with brilliant color, bold strokes of movement and fluidity in composition. Examples of this exploration can be seen here. 

"A Visitor"

"March bloom"

 

"Our Valley"

 

     Give yourself an artistic adventure and view the selections of paintings by Ryoko Toyama by visiting the Blue Whole Gallery.  Meet the artist who invites you to share her freedom of expression on First Friday March 3, from 5 to 8 pm.  Also Ryoko's art work will be featured throughout the month.

Both artists welcome your contact,

including interviews.

Barbara B. Boerigter 
at Dutchman@Olypen.com

or Phone: 1-360-683-8058

Ryoko Toyama  

at Blue Whole Gallery 

 1-360-681-6033