INVITED!

One of my watercolor paintings has been invited to an art show. What an interesting way to convey that one's art was selected by the juror to be included in an art show.

Having applied to several art shows, I was uncertain which show this was and which painting as I have a tendency to change painting names.

According to the e-mail, I am one of 224 artists from every corner of the state of Washington who submitted artworks for consideration by the juror, Dennis Peacock. Dennis selected 129 pieces for inclusion in the show from nearly 700 that were submitted. WOW!

Collective Visions Gallery (aka CVG) is an artist-owned and operated gallery representing over 25 Puget Sound artists working in a variety of 2D and 3D modes and media in contemporary, abstract and traditional styles. The Gallery is located in the heart of downtown Bremerton. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sundays from 1 to 5 during the summer months & February CVG Show; the one my painting will be included.

And now the watercolor painting....

Iris Family
Joanne Osband

Artistic Gardening

A continuation of the concept that art encompasses life, I was gifted with the loan of a lovely book from my friend, Janet.

A Garden Gallery; the Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis by George Little and David Lewis.

Little and Lewis are long-time collaborators whose concrete sculptures and garden installations have been collected around the world. Their Puget Sound garden is the primary showcase for their artwork, but also for the unique gardening qualities that epitomize their style. Water features, oversize and broad-leaf plants, expansive use of color, zone-pushing tropicals, architectural emphasis, and elements of classicism and mystery-all combine to create a deeply personal and magical space.

Hosta Leaf Sculputre

The book alternates voices of Little and Lewis and is filled with insights as well as stories. It is a fascinating look at a creative partnership that came about spontaneously, succeeded quickly, and, like their garden, continues to evolve and grow.

My favorite quote so far is from George in speaking about creating a garden. He says, "What matters is the relation of people to their spaces. Does the garden seem a natural extension of the owner? Is there a love of gardening here, a simple joy in the partnering with nature to make something beautiful?"

The idea for dinosaur eggs, which an artist friend created that I shared in earlier blog, is a spin off from Little and Lewis.

Wish I Had My Camera!

How can I explain the incredible vista my friend and I saw for a brief moment today?

I will try.......

Olympia, Washington is blessed with many waterways. If you look at a map you will see all these fingers reaching towards Olympia from the Puget Sound. The waterways are an asset to our city.

Elaine and I were taking a walk on the Percival Landing boardwalk in downtown Olympia. It is a scenic walkway interspersed with art with a glimpse of the Olympic Mountain range if you should be so lucky as to have a day without rain.



The Kiss
Richard Beyer
Cast Aluminum
Gift from Patrons for South Sound Cultural Activities (POSSCA)
1990


Today was one of those days. As we came to the view of the Olympics covered in snow, there was a break in the sky which created a pattern of light on the mountains. It was dramatic and exquisite. A couple of people had their cameras in hand and I wish I had had mine. We all stood there in awe and the sunlight danced upon the mountain range for a short period of time. And the show was over. Need I say, it was AWESOME?!

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Today I visited the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge just outside of Olympia.



The Nisqually River Delta, a biologically rich and diverse area at the southern end of Puget Sound, supports a variety of habitats. Here, the freshwater of the Nisqually River combines with the saltwater of Puget Sound to form an estuary rich in nutrients and detritus. These nutrients support a web of sea life - the benefits which extend throughout Puget Sound and beyond.

Nisqually Refuge has become an increasingly important place for wildlife, especially migratory birds. Western sandpipers and other shorebirds feed and rest on the estuarine mudflats and marshes. Ducks and geese feed and rest on the freshwater ponds and marshes.

Spring brings many songbirds - goldfinches, warblers, and tree swallows can be seen in the forests and fields. Woodpeckers, hawks, and small mammals are found in the woodlands, croplands, and grasslands. Mixed conifer forests on the bluffs above the delta provide perches for bald eagles and osprey, and a nesting site for a colony of great blue herons. Salmon and steelhead use the estuary for passage to upriver areas.

It is a great place for hiking, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, fishing, and environmental education to learn more about the natural world and the importance of places rich in beauty and biological diversity.

Woodard Bay

Today my friend and I visited Woodard Bay Natural Resource Conservation Area; 678 acres of coniferous forest on saltwater bay. A sanctuary for a variety of birds, harbor seals, river otters, bald eagles, a colony of bats, and an important great blue heron rookery. The 678 acres encompass maturing second-growth forest, the waters of Woodard and Chapman bays and a rich history that spans from American Indian use to settlement in the 1850s and Puget Sound's logging era.

It is a good place to come and learn about the former uses and about the area's abundant wildlife -- 175 species of birds have been recorded here. Mink are active during the day, and careful watchers can see these members of the weasel family along the water's edge.



Natural Resources wants to protect the scenic, archaeological, historical, cultural and ecological values in what amounts to an urban wildlife refuge only 15 minutes from downtown Olympia. But the primary concern is ecological values.