The Blue Whole Gallery is delighted to welcome back artist Dennis “Doc” Panghorn, whose work many visitors will recognize for its craftsmanship, heart, and deep connection to the natural world.
Doc is the owner of Floating Mountain Arts and brings a rich creative background to the gallery as an artist, woodworker, and custom designer of wood and metal jewelry. For decades, he worked as a cabinetmaker and builder of custom furniture in the greater Atlanta area, honing the skills and attention to detail that continue to inform his art today.
A few years ago, life—and inspiration—shifted west when Doc and his wife came to visit family on the Olympic Peninsula. What began as a visit quickly became something more permanent.
“It didn’t take long for us to realize what an amazing place this would be for us to live,” Doc says. “We feel truly blessed to call Sequim home—‘Skwim,’ for those still learning the local pronunciation.”
As a wildlife artist, Doc found himself immersed in a landscape overflowing with subject matter. Snow-capped mountains rise just miles to the south, home to elk, deer, cougars, and sweeping alpine views. To the north, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea offer an ever-changing tapestry of water, clouds, and marine life—from orcas and seals to sea birds and sea stars. What struck him most was not just the diversity, but the sheer vastness of it all.
“The scale of the views here is breathtaking,” he reflects. “Having mountains on one side and the sea on the other has completely rekindled my passion for painting and creating.”
Alongside his renewed focus on painting, Doc continues to design unique jewelry pieces and explore other creative projects, inspired daily by the Olympic Peninsula’s natural beauty. He describes Sequim as a place that seems to invite creativity—a sentiment shared by many artists in the community.
“Having Doc return to the Blue Whole Gallery feels like welcoming back an old friend. His deep connection to the natural world and his diverse creative practice add an important voice to our collective, and we’re better for it, ” said Julie Hembree, a Blue Whole Gallery board member.
We’re thrilled that this inspiration has led Doc back to the Blue Whole Gallery, where he once again displays his work among fellow local artists.
Please join us in welcoming Dennis “Doc” Panghorn back to the gallery, and stop by to experience the landscapes, wildlife, and craftsmanship that have found new life through his art.
Not only extremely talented, Doc is such a positive and generous energy….we are delighted he has returned to our little collective. What a bright spirit and a giving heart! And his artwork is amazing.