Canvas & Stone

Evening view of the Blue Whole Gallery

Artists

   Janine Hegy and Ryoko Toyama

   With the coming of autumn, the Blue Whole Gallery will showcase two of its active members Janine Hegy and Ryoko Toyama through out the month of November starting on Friday the 1st.  Each of these two exceptional artists chose different artistic surfaces to express what they see around them.  Janine selects natural stone, wood and jewelry to explore the world of texture, color and form that can be creatively made into objects to be enjoyed and used.  Ryoko uses the painters brush with bold strokes of color on canvas or paper responding to visible objects or concepts that surround her life.  Both artists strive to create objects that captivate and attract the viewer to see more within ones mind.

 

"Yew Bench with saw marks"

Janine Hegy

 Janine Hegy, stonemason and jeweler, enjoys putting materials of different natural elements together to create an object of simplicity & useful function. This artistic endeavor  can be readily seen in the yew bench which combines the warmth of wood with the strength and chiseled lines of sandstone and limestone. The stone supports are positioned artistically enhancing the split wood whose surface retains original saw marks.

                                      

 

Butterfly wedge

  Janine also uses her artistic talents to create stone landscapes in settings that become a garden pathway or a natural wall to enhance the garden's overall effect. She owes such strong focus due to her passion for tools, great mentors and by having joined in the 2003 Stone Foundation, the Dystone Conservancy and Stonefest. With her continued study under various mentors in the field she has increased her expertise and skills.   This again can be seen in her stone wedge carving showing butterflies and flowers.

Japanese Butterfly

    To enhance her interest with natural materials Janine Hegy also has a background in metal training. Studying with Silversmith-Lynn Hull/N.Seattle; Lost Wax Casting - Revere Academy of SF and Goldsmithing - Andy Cooperman-Pratt/Seattle she has gained. The results are clear in the Japanese Butterfly of copper and silver etching that she created & the pearl and coral earring on the left.  
     These artistic works by Janine can be enjoyed and savored by the public at Blue Whole Gallery on Friday November 1st and throughout the month.  Give yourself a special treat and inspiration during this time when autumn leaves cover the ground with seasonal beauty.

Ryoko Toyama

"Tale of the Sea #2"

   Ryoko Toyama, applies her brush to canvas and paper with watercolor, mixed media or acrylic rendering scenes of astonishing creativeness and insight.  It is part of her expressive nature to view life, present or past and introduce the element of spontaneity. In this way she shares her inspiration with others who view her work and enjoy its creativity.

"At Jamestown Beach"

"Moon over Protection Island"

   Ryoko, strives to interpret what she loves on the Olympic Peninsula.  It is this quest to offer a  panorama of nature and human contact that gives the viewer a slice of time offering parables of human involvement with nature.  This is captured by her painting "At Jamestown Beach" where paddlers are approaching the beach during the annual Tribal Canoe Journey.  Or for example when the natural beauty of the land meets the sea and becomes an embracing love affair  in the painting "Moon over Protection Island".

"Cycle of Life"

"Pear Two"

   These bold brush strokes of Ryoko also pictures the meaning of life that she has embraced as shown in her painting "Cycle of Life".  Yet a simple paring of two pears allows viewers to sample the simplicity of natural objects as well.

    The Blue Whole Gallery is inviting the public to experience these two artists whose dynamic views of what they see around them are so differently expressed.  Both Janine Hegy and Ryoko Toyama artwork explore different views and materials giving us an appreciation and exposure to their visual world of color, texture and inspiration.  An adventure awaits you on the 1st Friday of November when you can treat yourself to such diversity by seeing the work of these two fine artists at the Blue Whole Gallery.

 

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.

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.