August Featured Artists
A fine flock of new work comes to roost at Port Townsend Gallery during the month of August as artists Mary Lynn Maloney and Laurie Perrett share their playful, nature-inspired collage and mixed media art.
“Spectrum” mixed media collage
by Mary Lynn Maloney.
Mary Lynn Maloney
In a continual quest to get closer to water, mountains and trees, collage artist Mary Lynn Maloney recently moved to a tiny house where she is surrounded by these natural elements and all their inherent sensory pleasures. Since her move, Maloney has looked to her surroundings for the found objects that she incorporates into her collage and assemblage artwork. She will be exhibiting several new assemblage pieces that feature driftwood, stones, tree bark and feathers juxtaposed with unrelated everyday objects. Maloney explains: “I hear so many people say that the outdoors is their ‘church.’ I understand that reverence; I feel serene and joyful when I pick up a piece of bark or some stones. I select specific items from nature and rework them into a shrine-like setting that is all about placement.” The artist is also exploring what she calls “the magical and fanciful aspect of nature.” The movement of fog, the shift of light, or the rustlings of birds are all sensations she seeks to convey in her new artwork.
To see more of Mary Lynn's work, visit her website:
www.topfloordesign.net
“Kingfisher” mixed media painting
by Laurie Perrett
Laurie Perrett
Following the “flights of fancy” theme, mixed-media painter Laurie Perrett will unveil a colorful array of new paintings featuring local birds. “Birds fascinate me with their subtle personalities,” explains Perrett. “It is hard to ignore them; birdsong begins before dawn and is nearly constant outside my studio all day long.” The painter’s new work, like the realm of nature, features layers of color, pattern and texture. Perrett has also added text to her pieces, incorpor-ating bits of trivia about each bird that adds a tantalizing graphic element to the work. As part of her creative process, she enjoyed the added bonus of learning more about each bird, and looks forward to portraying many more.
Perrett’s bird series is a continuation of her mixed media exploration. She primarily used acrylic media in conjunction with hand- or machine-made washi papers. Her sunny new paintings are evocative of vintage posters or labels. The artist explains one of the main objectives in her series: “I wanted to provide smaller, affordable paintings that would make people smile.”
To see more of Laurie's work, visit her website:
www.laurieperrett.com/art
Come and meet our featured artists at a reception during Gallery Walk, Saturday, August 7th, from 5:30-8pm. Light refreshments and good cheer will be served. Port Townsend Gallery is located at 715 Water St. For more gallery information, phone 360-379-8110, or visit www.porttownsendgallery.com
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Community Bowl Project.
A bowl-painting party is planned for Saturday evening, August 7th, in the driveway between our gallery and the Boiler Room. Local potters make and donate soup bowls, and you are invited to come paint them! The painted bowls will then be fired, and sold at Port Townsend Gallery during September Gallery Walk. All proceeds from the sale of the bowls will benefit the Food Bank.
Paint a Bowl for the Food Bank!
A tent will be set up with bowls and paints for Gallery Walk on August 7th. We encourage all creative people (and those just thinking about being creative) to help us paint bowls that will be fired later and sold during the September or October Gallery Walk at Port Townsend Gallery. Nothing is required of bowl painters except some good ideas. All proceeds from the sale of the bowls will go to our local Food Bank. Funds that go to the Food Bank buy food at greatly reduced prices for those who need it most in our community. Gallery artists Shirley Moss and Phoebe Huffman will help bowl painters at the August 7th event.
Gallery Walk Re-Usable Cups
In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic trash generated on Gallery Walk evenings, Port Townsend Gallery offers art patrons the option of purchasing a tiny clay cup handcrafted by gallery members Darby and Phoebe Huffman.
Port Townsend Gallery artists enjoy the hospitable tradition of welcoming visitors with refreshments during Gallery Walk, the popular first-Saturday art event. The amount of plastic cups thrown away after each event, however, is something members are trying to reduce. Their solution: a small clay cup that patrons can purchase, enjoy that evening, then bring back and reuse month after month.
Gallery member Mary Lynn Maloney explains: “People are used to carrying their tote bags with them to the grocery store, why not carry your own special little cup to Gallery Walk?”
Clay Gallery Walk cups
by Phoebe and Darby Huffman
The custom-made cup is hand-thrown by husband and wife team Phoebe and Darby Huffman, two local artists who strive to maintain a ‘green’ studio. The Huffmans purchase 100% of their power through PSE’s Green Power Alternative, and the artists apply no glaze to the custom cups, thus avoiding the use of heavy metals in their process. In addition to their green practices, the Huffmans intend to donate a small proportion of the sales of the cups to the Jefferson Land Trust.
The tiny Gallery Walk cup holds approximately 2.5 ounces of liquid, making it an ideal size for sipping, admiring art, and then stashing into a purse or bag. The cups are chip resistant as well as dishwasher and microwave oven safe. Cups are priced at $6, or 2 for $10, and are available at Port Townsend Gallery.
To see more of the Huffman's work, visit their website at www.phoebehuffman.com
Previous Months' Newsletters
715 Water Sreet, Port Townsend
OPEN daily at 10 AM
(360) 379-8110 |
