The Blue Whole Gallery is pleased to be featuring artists Marilyn Hiestand and Shayna Robnett during the month of September. These two very different artists come together in their presentation of “Nature Nurtures”. Marilyn is a lifelong artist with expertise in many mediums. Shayna found her way to art through oil painting during the pandemic.
Both artists find their work informed by nature. Marilyn finds the natural environment healing, whether she is sitting on the ground in a fairy ring or observing the cycle of life springing up from a nurse log. “I find extreme peacefulness in those settings,” states Hiestand. “In troubled times, it gives me hope. That’s why I paint so much from nature.”
Shayna describes painting as a form a meditation where her mind can go completely blank and she experiences the deep sense of calm. “Nature vs. nurture leads me to question if I control the paint brush or does the inspiration of my environment allow the brush to flow across the canvas?” says Robnett. “Painting has become an important piece of my soul that I didn’t know existed before now.”
Both artists are presenting works of “Nature Nurtures” throughout the month of September. They will be available during First Friday Art Walk on September 5 th from 5 to 8pm for questions and to discuss their work.
The Blue Whole Gallery is located at 129 W. Washington and open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to 3pm.