Blue Whole Gallery is honored to welcome Timothy O’Connell as our newest member artist. A talented local artist and proud member of the S’Klallam Tribe, Timothy brings both creative excellence and deep cultural roots to our gallery community.
Timothy’s work reflects a powerful connection to place — to the waters, forests, and living traditions of the Olympic Peninsula as well as Hawaii. Timothy grew up in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii and earned his BA in Studio Arts from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. In 2018 he moved to the Olympic Peninsula and works at the Jamestown carving shed. His heritage as a member of the S’Klallam Tribe informs his artistic perspective, weaving story, identity, and respect for the natural world into his creations. Each piece carries a sense of continuity — honoring the past while speaking clearly to the present.
Timothy’s work has been shown at the Ferguson Gallery and the Laura Cooksey Gallery, reflecting his growing presence within the Olympic Peninsula’s respected gallery community. In July 2025 he earned the “Spirit of the Northwest” award for his painting “Cloudy Day at at the Beach” from the juried “In the Spirit Contemporary Native Arts Show” held by the Washington State Historical Society.
As a local artist, Timothy is an important part of our regional creative community. His presence at Blue Whole strengthens our commitment to showcasing artists whose work reflects the richness and diversity of our area. Visitors will experience art that is not only visually compelling, but also meaningful and rooted in tradition.
We are proud to have Timothy O’Connell join our collective and look forward to sharing his work with collectors and visitors alike. Stop by Blue Whole Gallery to experience his art and help us give him a warm welcome.
