Artistic Exploration

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

  

 An Exploration in Art Skills

   With the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall, the Blue Whole Gallery will showcase two of its member artists Debbie Cain and Lynne Armstrong. Each of these artists explore their art differently by using materials and techniques to reveal what they appreciate most around them. Their work will be featured at the Blue Whole Gallery starting on First Friday September 5th, and throughout the month.  This will give the public a chance to view two versatile artists who's skills explore different techniques that they have found to help them reveal through their art what they feel and are interested in showing.

Debbie Cain

Debbie Cain in her studio with loyal companion "Mckinley"

   Debbie Cain enjoys exploring art and its possibilities on a three dimensional level, that is painting, carving, embellishing, embedding stones and other materials on natural gourds instead of paper or canvas.  This exploration of gourd art allows her to expand her imagination and use materials beyond the usual materials.  This style can be seen in "Falling Leaves Cut Out" a work where Debbie cuts a gourd to show the outline of maple leaves, that are then delicately painted with fall colors.

"Falling Leaves Cut Out"

"Twined Gourd"

  Beside carving and painting gourds she also incorporates twine and turquoise stones into gourds to give them texture other than the natural smoothness that each gourd has.  She works to integrate these materials so that the gourd takes on a special shape other than itself alone.   
  Tastefully, Debbie makes every effort to incorporate elements into the gourd so that it becomes a unified creation that does not take away but adds to the overall shape. 






   In addition to integrating natural elements on to the gourd, Debbie also paints and carves images on the surface.  Subject matter varies, but images such as wolves, tigers and Southwest portraits & motifs gives her a varied spectrum of creative challenges.  The following examples show the skills that are required to render such images realistically. 

"Tiger Portrait"

"Lone Wolf"

'Trio Lizard on Basket"

       

"Indian Maiden"

 

"Basket Weaver Bear"

   

 

"Chili Peppers"

                  All of these handmade and decorated pieces by Debbie Cain reflect her exploration into this art form which requires technical skills to arrive at a completed composition.  Such dedication begins with a simple gourd that may incorporate a carved image, a painting along with natural elements to achieve the final results.   
   Explore this art form and see Debbie's creations at the Blue Whole Gallery on September 5th and throughout the month.

Lynne Armstrong

   Educated in Art and Art History at Cornell and Stanford, she has been painting all her life.  That exploration is leading Lynne into two different series, one labeled "Dream" in which she is venturing into the abstract in order to convey a subject's purity of soul, its meaning and what she feels about it.  The results can be seen in the following three abstract acrylic paintings.

"The Dream"

 

"A Wondrous Thing"

"Super Moon"

 

"Spring in the Orchard"

"Blossom Tapestry"

     Lynne also explores the seasonal changes that are upon us at this time.  This new series titled "Fulfillment" show how flowering trees in Spring move into a Fall scene laden with ripening fruit and leaves of fall colors.  Such are the gifts that Nature shares with us throughout the year and yields a special element in Fall where the wide spectrum of colors are to be enjoyed as well. 
    

  
                                                        

 

                                                                       "Apple Trees"

  To reveal these changes Lynne Armstrong uses thick impasto strokes of acrylic paint to make a composition come alive and tell a story or share a feeling.  Her two series "Dream" & "Fulfillment" are artistic explorations that can be enjoyed and savored by visiting the Blue Whole Gallery.  





  Both Lynne Armstrong and Debbie Cain will be present along with their art work on the First Friday of September 5th at the Gallery from 5 to 8pm and their art will be featured throughout the month.  So enjoy the fruits and gifts of the Fall Season and join these fine artists and explore their art work by visiting the Blue Whole Gallery. 

Both Artists welcome your contact.

Debbie Cain: at dcain0516@gmail.com

Cell Phone Number: 951-205-5645

Lynne Armstrong:  at lynne@lynnearmstrong.com

The Natural World is the Artist's Realm

Evening view of the Blue Gallery

 Summer Splendor

Deer among Lupin

Wildflowers on Hurricane Ridge

 Hurricane Ridge

   
   With the beginning of August, the days of Summer are full upon us and the beauty of Nature extends itself to show the artist its many textures, colors, fragrances and sounds that make up our world around us. This dazzling stage is captured by two featured artists of the Blue Whole Gallery, Pam Walker and David C. Willis.  Both endeavor to reveal their love of nature and the surprises that Summer offers us all.  Such a setting will be on view in the Gallery's display windows starting on 1st Friday, August 1st, and throughout the month. Expand your days of Summer by visiting the Gallery and viewing the fine works of art that will be on displayed for all to wonder and enjoy.  Here is a sample of the works by both artists.

Pam Walker

    

  

"Maine Colors"

   A northwest artist that loves the out of doors and for obvious reasons. Her artwork reflects her desire to capture natures diversity, in wildlife, shapes and color.  Working in pastels, photographs, fabric and photo transfers she seeks out the essence of nature among the myriad of subjects that make up our living world.  These elements are seen in the following examples created by Pam. 

"On the Wings of the Dawn"

  
  Pam is known for her pigment transfer photographs where the delicate surface of the photo pigment is transferred to various surfaces such as clear vellum or copper.  With this technique shares her view of scenes found in nature so that others can enjoy the splendor of those images.

   

   

"Moon Drops over Red Rocks" (pastel)

 

   You can readily see that Pam does accomplish what she sets out to do as viewed in the art works above.  Yet she also avidly works in pastels to focus on the subject pictured.

   To reveal the power and majesty that we all can enjoy, Pam Walker gives us that view by capturing a dynamic action of the moment to bring out the stately beauty that passes so quickly in time.  This is so apply seen in the following images.

"Where Desert touches Ocean"

 "One Ray" 

 (Pastel)

"Delicate Arch at Sunset"

 To see these examples of the Pam Walker's elegant photographic artwork and pastels please visit the Blue Whole Gallery on 1st Friday, August 1st, 2014 from 5 to 8 pm. and throughout the month. Avail yourself of the visual world that Pam so admires and wants to share with you. 

David C. Willis

David in his garden

"Foxgloves"

  A versatile artist who explores nature with different approaches and mediums.  The results of David's art work are both abstract and realistic reflecting the diversity of the natural world. With Summer time in Sequim, David is fascinated by the splendor of colors, fragrance and textures surrounding him in his garden on the Olympic Peninsula.  So it is no surprise that he eagerly wants to share with you what Summer has to offer.  Using his art skill he has taken his brushes and canvas outside to paint what he sees so that others can enjoy his love affair with art and nature.  Here are examples of his art work:

"Lupin"

"Beachcomber"

    David was raised in the Philadelphia area and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.  He then took advantage of opportunities to apprentice with a master craftsman builder and an historical restoration expert where he was trained in the fine art of furniture making and finishing.  Thus, when he is not outside painting or gardening, David uses his time to make furniture, picture frames and even volunteers designing and building live theater sets. These activities give David a chance to widen his artistic interests and expand into photography . 

Pumpkins from the garden

Thorns on a branch

Onion tops

  Versatility, experience, and a love of art are those qualities that make up the artist David C. Willis.  He welcomes you to view his efforts in revealing the splendor of summer with all its abundance of textures, shapes, & colors. See his art work showcased at the Blue Whole Gallery on the First Friday of  August 1st, 2014 from 5 to 8 pm and throughout the month.

 Extend the days of Summer and come visit the Gallery to delight your eyes with the paintings of David C. Willis & the photo art of Pam Walker.  

Both Artists welcome your contact.

Pam Walker: at pammiedon@hotmail.com

David C. Willis:  at dc.willis@outlook.com

Revealing Artistic Skill.

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

Freedom of Expression

   Throughout the month of July, starting on First Friday, July 4th, 2014 the Blue Whole Gallery will celebrate this special holiday by featuring the art work of two member artists, Deborah Sterk and Margo Hankel.  Both artists use different art mediums revealing their skills and independent choices on subject matter and creative expression.  Their art work is an example of how an artist can exhibit the freedoms americans hold dear, the liberty to show their ideals of life as they see it through art.

Deborah Sterk

Deborah Sterk

"Holly Hocks"

   An artist of extraordinary independent skills and proficiency.  Deb, a contemporary artist of the Pacific Northwest, works in oil and acrylic. She began her painting journey in 2005.  A self taught artist who has enhanced her knowledge and skills by taking workshops with master artists, Robert Hoffman, Gay Faukenberry, Ken Auster, Scott Burdick, Scott Christiansen & Robert Burridge.  Early on, her art work focused on capturing a moment with a clear sense of color and strong brush work.  This approach can be seen in the following examples:  

 

"Wedding Vessel"

"Musician's Home"

"Cargo Ship"

"Thinking of Spring"

  

 "Tequila Tangerine"

 As one of the most accomplished impressionist painter, Deb now has taken a dramatic change in direction. This major breakthrough takes on an experimental style with a conceptual focus, new sets of colors & looser interpretive style.  This leap to a freer & open abstract dimension has allowed her to transform her art from predictable to unpredictable & thus giving her the freedom to explore new horizons & approaches.  Here are examples of that leap of faith:

"Abstract 1"

   

"Abstract 2"

  
   Share in this creative endeavor & new freedom of expression by Deborah Sterk by visiting on First Friday July 4, 2014, America's day of Independence, the Blue Whole Gallery from 5 to 8 pm. View her efforts & celebrate with us the rights & freedoms we hold dear!

Margo Hankel

Margo Hankel by her picture "The Prado Balboa Park, San Diego"

  Margo Hankel's art medium of choice is watercolor. It requires skill and practice to master its elements and Margo uses it to capture the beauty of life in places, persons and things that surround her.   Her subject matter varies from scenes that nature provides as well as the wildlife that shares and lives within those surroundings.  The following selections reveal her skill and focus. 

 

"Hole in the Wall"

"Who R U"

"Salt Creek"

 

"Olympic Mountains"

    Margo's stunning view of the Olympic Mountain Range dominating the communities of Port Angeles & Sequim is an example of her interest in nature. It is a view capturing the towering mountains covered in snow and a forest of evergreens in the foreground.  Such a focus can also be directed to a garden view with equal strength as seen in the two selections  below.

"Gail's Garden"

"Tapa's Koi Fish"

"Paella"

   These fine selections of art work by Margo Hankel will give the viewer a fresh and independent 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 of Sequim, Washington to take advantage and see the independent expression of art by Margo Hankel and Deborah Sterk as presented to visitors on First Friday, July 4th, 2014 from 5 to 8 pm. and throughout the month of July.

Both Artists welcome your contact.

Deborah Sterk: at dsterk@olypen.com

or Phone: 1-360-461-7625

Margo Hankel: at margo_hankel@msn.com

or Phone: 1-360-425-5104