Two Artists With Different Approaches

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

      Born on the Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles, Washington. Karin was attracted to drawing, painting and creating things from wood, paper and fabric at an early age.  Encouraged by her parents and teachers, she achieved honors in art at Port Angeles High School and later a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.  This background lead her to become a graphic artist from 1977-1988 in the Seattle area. She now works as a mixed media artist out of her home studio in Sequim, Washington.
                      

"My Indigo Jacket"

"Nash's Beets"   "Golden Pomegranate"

   Not content to stick with one media or style, Karin prefers to mix or layer watercolor, gouache, acrylic and pastel to see what happens. This experimentation leads her on a journey of discovery where the process is the vehicle that leads to the finished piece.  Color, shape and texture are key elements.  Subjects can be purely abstract, such as  "My Indigo Jacket", or more realistic images of birds, flowers and fruit, such as "Nash's Beets" or "Golden Pomegranate".  Her artistic style ranges from abstract expressionism to contemporary realism.

 

"Butterfly Carnival"    and   "Corrugated Construction"

    Karin's collage compositions on paper and canvas also make use of materials such as painted papers, lace and fabric.  She uses corrugated cardboard, foil, sand and wire to create texture and bring an eclectic style to her art.  The results can be seen in the pieces "Butterfly Carnival" and "Corrugated Construction".
    
    

"Friday, 8am"

"Winged Journey"

 Karin's assemblage pieces allow us to break away from the norm of accepting only flat painted images.  We begin to see and appreciate the value of everyday objects that add form and structure (as well as surprise and humor) to a composition as seen in the pieces, "Friday, 8AM"and "Winged Journey".

    Take a Leap of faith and expand your own views by seeing the artistic elements in Karin's art.  View her journey of exploration.  Allow your eyes and mind to venture into her world. Take a chance, smile, see and enjoy her creative flights of fancy.  Come and visit the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim on the 1st Friday, September 6th to witness a different approach to art by September's featured artist Karin Anderson.

David C. Willis

Linen Press

  David moved to Sequim from Florida just last year with a vision.  He wanted to devote the majority of his time and energy to creating new works of art.  And he has! David's background is in fine art painting, building furniture and developing decorative painting techniques based on restoration methods used on antique furniture. His work spans a wide range of styles, mediums and methods, all of which display his amazing attention to detail and expert craftsmanship.  Here he is seated on a custom made table that he built and painted.  He is holding his painting titled "Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Snowman".  In the background we can see his abstract work titled "Heartbreak".  Both oil paintings exhibit his eclectic taste and passion for detail and varied subject matter.  His interest in furniture and cabinet making and decorative painted surfaces can be seen in the Table and the Linen Press (39" x 19" x 82"high). These pieces showcase painting techniques based on restoration methods used on antique furniture.  He learned these skills while attending Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where David majored in painting.  He mastered these restoration skills while apprenticed under Peter Deen, a renowned conservator and painter of surfaces.  With this experience, David continues to apply his skills in furniture making but he also wants to reveal his skill as an oil painter.

"Season One"

      His choice of subject matter reflects his love of detail as seen in his oil painting entitled "Season One".  The action of a thrown pitch to the batter with the umpire and catcher behind him is a moment of time captured along with the shadowy figures in the dugout and the fans in the bleachers.  Such realism and detail gives the viewer a chance to witness this baseball game along with those who were also present at the time.  

"When the Bloom is Over"

"Prickly Pear"

            David also loves to paint what he grows in his garden with detail and color to show the texture & shape that nature gives plants in joyous abundance.   Both paintings displayed show this interest and reverence for plant life.

"Woody"

"Mr. Snowman & Mr. Rabbit"

  There is also room for just taking the viewer into the world that also allows younger eyes to enjoy.  This is what David presents in his oil painting entitled "Mr. Snowman & Mr. Rabbit and his rendition of "Woody". 



    
     David's painting style, with attention to detail and varied subjects give the viewer the opportunity to enjoy the delight of youth, relive a moment of time captured and see the beauty of nature.  This is the what the Blue Whole Gallery of Sequim presents to the visitor by having the art of David C. Willis be featured at the Gallery for the month of September beginning on First Friday September 6th.  Its a chance to acknowledge the variety that art can exhibit if given the chance to be seen by the public, Vive la Difference!!!  

Three-Dimensional World of Stephen Wry's Art

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

Stephen Wry

Blue Meanie

      The visitor who enters the World of Stephen Wry at the Blue Whole Gallery will encounter pieces of pottery that are whimsical in nature.  Each piece allows the viewer a chance to see figures that are bright with color, and have their own distinctive personalities.   The objects are a reflection of Stephens imagination that is free to express itself on its own.  These flights of fantasy become humorus creatures that will appeal to young and old.  They invariably bring a smile to one's face. 

    

Thyroid Dreams

Sun King

  To bring such clay creations into existence Stephen uses a variety of techniques which include throwing, hand building and coiling.  To finalize his figures he uses gas & electrical firings but also Raku, Soda and Pit firings or a combination of them in order to have each piece reach its potential. Such skills he has mastered due to attending California State University in Fullerton, where he majored in ceramics under Jerry Rothman.  He also minored in Art History and graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts. 

Burning Embers

     Yet Stephen does not limit himself to just figures of his own imagination.  He also creates vases that reflect the qualities of specific types of firings or glazes that exhibit textures and colors on distinctive  forms.   This can be seen in the piece to the right that shows the action of fire touching the surface of this aluminum saggared fired clay vase.  

    The collector of art should have both the serious and the whimsical within a collection.  Both have their place and allow the viewer the chance to see them.  Such choices can be made if you visit the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim to see these creations of Stephen Wry and his three-dimensional World.

Three-Dimensional Art on View in August

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

Wood Workers are the  

Featured Artists at the Blue Whole Gallery

     The Blue Whole Gallery during the month of August will focus on two of its premier Wood Workers Carl Baker and Christian Speidel.  Their artwork will be showcased in the Gallery windows, apart of "Art Walk in Sequim", beginning on August 2, the First Friday of the month.  This is your chance to view their three-dimensional works of Art that are created with the use of lathe turning and sculpting.  The results by both Artists reveals the inner beauty that wood contains.  Distinctive grains, colorful patterns, shapes, natural movement and texture come alive in their work.  Each artist has their own individual look and subject matter and the viewer will be rewarded by both.  This is especially true if you venture into the Blue Whole Gallery during the whole month of August to see their creations.  To give you some perspective on these artists, here is a sample of their work and their philosophy in approaching the medium they work in.
                                           

Carl Baker

Natural Edge Maple Burl Bowl (Dia. 15.5")

                     Carl Baker developed his love for working in wood at an early age.  As with most young junior high students of the 1950's he was required to take shop classes and this is where he developed a love for turning wood as a means of artistic expression.  After doing Military Service in the Navy and entering the work force as a clinical psychologist, his hobby of turning wood was put on hold until his retirement.  Settling in the community of Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State he began to direct his attention to studying form and technique with several of the Worlds best known turners.  His love for wood turning took hold and became his passion.

Butterflies & Flowers Pierced Wood Bowl

   Such knowledge along with traveling to most corners of the World where Art is encourage his desire to seek out his own artistic expression has resulted in his wood turning creations.   Here are samples of his creativity.  The Maple Burl bowl pictured above reveals the woods natural colors, intricate patterns, and shape that is captured by the natural edge of the burl.  Such detail is kept by Carl to emphasize natures intricate patterns.  Then Carl goes a step further by turning wood into a bowl that is so evenly thin and then piercing an edge pattern around it.  To add to the delicate nature and lightness of this piece he air brushed butterflies and flowers on to the exterior surface. 

Candle holders

Bottle Stoppers

  Another of Carl's fantastic creations are Bottle Stoppers. This is where the artist sees wood and its potential to become a utilitarian object.  By turning and sculpting the wood the artist is able to find expression and at the same time explore the wood's inner soul to release its potential. It becomes a work of art that is to be enjoyed by the touch and the eye. Also, Carl created wooden candle holders, as pictured to the right, using such distinctive woods as purple heart and ebony. These pieces and others can be enjoy by you when you visit the Blue Whole Gallery during the month of August.  

Redwood Bowl (Dia. 8.75")

   Christian Speidel, a native of rural Wisconsin, has focused on working with woods, and exotic timber for many years.  He sees the unseen as each piece of wood with its special features begin to take form by his ability to release the image through lathe turning, sculpting and mosaic techniques.  He visualizes the inherent beauty that the heart of the wood contains and hopes to release it so that others can respect the art within.

"Octopus" - Maple (Height 11.75" - length 19.5")

"Diving Frog Table"

  This skill by Christian is especially seen in his rendering of "Octopus" which took him two years to make from a maple stump.  This is no mean task.  It is an example of true commitment to his desire to reveal the character that a piece of wood can dictate to one open enough to see.  Such an inspiration is also viewed in his Diving Frog Table which used the texture of wood and its grain to tell a story and yet reveal wood's natural shapes.  This is everything for Christian for wood must share itself with the artist.  He has achieved that goal in these creative sculptures that the Blue Whole Gallery is proud to exhibit so that the viewing public can appreciate & admire it.

Fish Bowl - Spalted Maple

   Through sculpture Christian is able to explore and express the natural warmth and grain of wood in a unique manner.  Such is the case with this "Fish Bowl" that pictures a salmon vividly centered within the bowl. The carved fish is encased by the woods contours of shape and form and becomes apart of nature's living canvas.

Christian Speidel's "Flying Fish Airlines"

    Another great work that Christian Speidel has just completed for the First Friday of August 2 showing at the Blue Whole Gallery, is his creation of "Flying Fish Airlines" . This work of art shows two Sturgeons below with a Tarpon with wings on top and its propellers are salmons.  The wood is Douglas Fir and the stain is Batik silk stain
 
    It is up to you to take advantage of such works of Art by the woodworkers Carl Baker and Christian Speidel.  Take a flying leap of faith and visit the Blue Whole Gallery in the month of August to view such efforts that these artists want to share with you and allow them the recognition they deserve.

Lavender Farm Festival in Sequim

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

                                                      

    Lavender Farm Festival from July 19 - 21

Fields of Lavender in Sequim

      The month of July is upon us and the traditional community of Sequim will again become the Lavender Capital of North America.  The area will burst with fields of fragrant lavender marking its 17th year.  Lavender farms of the area will host classes, tours, crafts, food and music that will feature this herb with all its attractions both in color, variety and culinary attributions.  Sequim's "Carrie Blake Park" will be host to over 100 Lavender Arts and Crafts booths that feature all the aspects of the culinary and flowering aspects of lavender.

Basket full of Lavender

  Among the Sequim Lavender Farmers that will take part in the Festival are the following:  PURPLE HAZE LAVENDER FARM (purplehazelavender.com) with 12 acres of Organic Lavender Fields with a gift shop filled with their own line of culinary and body care products.  They ask you to join them during the Lavender Festival Weekend  for unique craft vendors, yummy Northwest cuisine and their famous Lavender Margarita!; JARDIN DU SOLEIL LAVENDER FARM (jardindusoleil.com) owned by the Schiefen family invites you to enjoy their first lavender blooms, with a gift shop filled with the aroma of lavender, handcrafted gifts during the weekend Festival from July 19-21 music, food, and activities for the whole family are offered; OLYMPIC LAVENDER FARM (olympiclavender.com) is a certified organic farm with a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains.  Their lavender studio is offering culinary and body products along with some good food.  This will be the chance to say "Goodbye" to the farmers Mary Borland-Liebsch and Buce Liebsch who after 16 years are retiring. VICTOR'S LAVENDER FARM & NURSERY (victorslavender.com) are Sequim's premier wholesale lavender growers, having propagated over one million plants in dozens of varieties.  During the Festival they will offer a complete line of lavender products along with great Mexican food, and workshops on how to plant and propagate lavender.  WASHINGTON LAVENDER FARM (walavender.com) is an oceanfront lavender farm that Dan and Janet Abbot invite you to stroll its lavender fields and treat yourself to panoramic ocean and mountain views along with  music and a farm store featuring lavender products. LOST MOUNTAIN LAVENDER FARM (lostmountainlavender.com) is owned by Monica and Ray Veihl who will welcome you to visit their specialty farm and experience over 100 cultivars of lavender!  Their Cottage Gift Ship and beautiful orchard offers the visitor the smell and beauty that only lavender can give.  During the Festival and Fair in July great music, vendors and delicious food and wine can be enjoyed all weekend! 

        

     The Blue Whole Gallery will pull its resources of artistic views to show case this special local event and feature the colors, the intensity and vibrant offerings that this herb of Lavender can offer the viewer.  The paintings selected here reveal the area of Sequim and the scenery and landscapes that offer the viewer beauty and color. Here are some examples of the art work by the Artists of the Gallery that will be available throughout the month of July and during the Lavender Farm Festival from July 19-21. The water color picture to the right shows mother and child among plants of lavender with bird bath fountain in a garden setting.  The painting is by Carol Janda who is a signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society. Many of her paintings reflect the beautiful scenes of the Olympic National Park and Peninsula.

"Lavender Fever"

"Window to the Past"

      Another fine water colorist  is Reggie Consani whose style reflects her preference for painting the action of human figures and local scenes.  Her works are in private and public collections.  Her skills and style originate and came out of the Art Institute of Seattle that placed emphasis on drawing skills and original styles.  Here are two fine examples of her work one showing two children with straw hats holding hands fulls of lavender as they walk among the fields of rows of lavender.  The next picture shows a view from a window of a "Loafing Shed" that was located on 5th Ave on the Old Olympic Highway in Sequim unfortunately this historic building no longer exist but is captured in the expert hands of Reggie for others to see again.  Reggie is leaving the Gallery to be with her daughter in Walla Walla, Washington but her work will remain in the Gallery, a lucky chance for those art connoisseurs to acquire works of unparalleled quality that capture vivid scenes that tell a story or reveal the past as it once was on the Olympic Peninsula.

"Lighthouse"

     The painting to the right is a view of the Spit Lighthouse on the Olympic Peninsula painted by David C. Willis.  David is an Artist, Craftsman and Furniture maker who has attended Pennsylvania Academy of Fire Arts in Philadelphia PA.  He has been painting; building furniture and studying restoration techniques for over 30 yrs.  This rendering is only a glimpse of what he had captured on the Olympic Peninsula and if you visit the Blue Whole Gallery you will encounter more of his work that reveals the quality & vividness of this fantastic area.
     
              

"View from the Cutting Garden"

"Arbor with Clematis"

The work of Lynne Armstrong reflects her skills that she has achieved over the years due to her inner calling to Art and her studies at Cornell University and Stanford resulting in a Masters Degree in Fine Art.  Working in mediums of watercolor, oil, acrylic and clay.  Her pieces are in many private collections in the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe.  Her art work is currently represented at the Gallery in Sequim and reflects her efforts to achieve and capture fluid views with bright colors.


  

"Alone in the Garden"

"Johnson Creek in Autumn"

The following artist is Ryoko Toyama.  A watermedia artist whose work shows an active response to the World around her, past and present.  Working in water based media and acrylics she is able to capture color and texture that directs the viewer into her world that she sees and hopes to share.  This world that Ryoko pictures reflects many views of the Olympic Peninsula and gives us and the visitor another aspect of life around us.

     

"Holly's"

    Another Blue Whole Gallery artist is Deborah Sterk.  She has done freelance commercial artwork and her earliest lesson in painting and drawing came from Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting.  Deborah has exhibited in the Midwest and her work is  in numerous private collections.  Recently she received the People's choice at the Small Expression IV exhibit presented by the Northwest Art Center. Using oil based paints Deborah is able to bring out the luster and bright colors that nature allows us to enjoy but at the same time texture is also seen which gives the impression of realism and form.

"Pink Blossoms"

     Pam Walker, a consummate artist who took art and photography at Columbia College while raising her two sons.  Traveling throughout the United States and in Asia and Central Asia her work consists of photos from around the world.  Her art work places emphasis on nature and color captured by both film with digital aspects as well as the use of pastels.  All of these techniques help to render their own distinctive feel and texture.  The selections that are presented to the visitor at the Gallery allow the viewer to enter a world magnified by details but also alive with color.

     I hope this small array of artistic works created by some of the Artists at the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula in the State of Washington will give you an idea of their efforts to render the viewer insights into the surrounding elements that make up the World around us.  It is an invitation to you all to visit the Gallery and enjoy the creative spirit of others.  Wishing you all the best and a Happy Fourth of July!!!

 

July Events at the Blue Whole Gallery

     

The Blue Whole Gallery Blog

     

Susan Spar in her studio

     The Blue Whole Gallery and its Artists want to thank Susan Spar for all the work and effort she has done over the years for the Gallery and this Blog Sight.  She has done a magnificent job of maintaining the sight and showing the work of feature artists and events that the Blue Whole Gallery has sponsored over the years at its location on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State in the community of Sequim in the Dungeness Valley.  Its  well worth a visit since it features local artist and their works.  So we say a fond good-by to Susan Spar an artist of note herself and who continues to teach her skills to others and now will have more time to create and focus on her own work.  You can learn more about Susan Martin Spar's art by visiting on line at susanspar.com or follow her blogs at www.susanmartinspar.blogspot.com.  I personally, Greg Felando, would like to thank Susan for all the help and guidance she has given to me to continue this blog for the Blue Whole Gallery.

Sequim's Centennial Celebration

     Here on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State a celebration will be taking place that focuses on the 100-year old community of Sequim.  This Centennial Festival will feature a turn of the century community picnic that begins on the Fourth of July and will include activities from hayrides, antique cars, mustache challenge, and numerous musicians performing throughout Carrie Blake Park where the activities will be centered.

     The Blue Whole Gallery will join in the festivities with its own 1st Friday of July 5th from 5 - 8 pm. with a group artists showing.  The show will feature variety of art about Sequim and the Dungeness Valley and show views of this beautiful area and its history.  This will take place at the Gallery throughout the month of July!!  Here below are sample photos of the art work that will be presented along with other artists works.

                         

 Sequim Meat Market by Pam Walker                                                        Larry Barnes photo of Sequim Coop Elevator 

    

"Around Sequim" by Mary Franchini

"Gierin Farm Cooling Tower by Ryoko Toyama

                      

  

"Farm House circa 1920" by Pam Walker

"McAlmond House" by Carol Janda