Blue Whole Gallery will start the fall season off with a new show entitled Elements of Nature. The show features two well known local artists, Julie Senf and Mike Middlestead. Both artists work is informed by their relationship to the beauty of the North Olympic Peninsula and it’s people. Julie has lived here for more than 40 years. Mike retired here after 25 years in the Coast Guard.
Julie is a watercolorist displaying her love of the Peninsula’s natural beauty in her paintings. Years ago, after she began drawing and painting, she realized her fascination with the diversity of this area. “I’ve come to realize what I enjoy capturing most with my paints is this amazing area and it’s natural beauty” says Julie. From Cape Flattery, to the top of Storm King, to the leaves falling from the trees, Julie paints it all.
One has only to look at Mike’s work to know he is captivated by the world around him. He found his way to ceramics after he retired and was taking an Into to Art class in college. He found clay and hasn’t looked back. His work is diverse and displays his love for the water. He has created everything from a life size Raku king salmon to barnacle encrusted vases. “I love this medium!” states Middlestead. “I am always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with clay, always with a focus on the environment, especially the water.”
The public is invited to meet the artists and see their work Friday September 5th and to “come explore and walk together with us as we bring you the Elements of Nature from our Olympic Peninsula.”