‘Creativity Comes in Many Forms’ at Blue Whole Gallery

By Sequim Gazette Staff • July 4, 2023 11:30 am
Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “You Don’t Say” by Marilyn Hiestand, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.
Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “You Don’t Say” by Marilyn Hiestand, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

The Blue Whole Gallery spotlights “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” with its July exhibit in downtown Sequim.

Featured artists for July are Carol Janda (watercolors, oils, and clay) and Marilynn Hiestand (silk art, watercolor, collage, fiber art).

Meet the artists at the gallery, 129 W. Washington St., from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, July 7, during the First Friday Art Walk event.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays.

For more about the gallery, visit bluewholegallery.com.

Janda says everything about art interests her.

“It is constantly changing … materials, methods and society, likes and dislikes, young or old, any place, any media, something for everyone,” she said.

Janda works in several media, including watercolor, oils and clay. Over the years, she has used her education as a substitute teacher for the school systems and have taught watercolor classes for Peninsula College.

Using nature as inspiration, Hiestand creates silk paintings, collages, watercolors and other art creations.

“I learned from my mom’s love of nature and art to appreciate the beauty around us and to want to create some of that in my art,” she said. “It took many years for me to realize this. I spent my young and middle years creating fabric and fibers. In the last year, I have returned to watercolors.”

Hiestand’s watercolors mostly portray animals and flowers.

“If I had to use three words to describe what I would like viewers to take away from my paintings, they would be connection, empathy and awe,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Posing” by Carol Janda, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Photo courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Posing” by Carol Janda, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Photo courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / A silk scarf by Marilyn Hiestand, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Photo courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / A silk scarf by Marilyn Hiestand, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Breaking Through” by Carol Janda, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Breaking Through” by Carol Janda, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Purple Delight” by Marilyn Hiestand, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Purple Delight” by Marilyn Hiestand, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Running In the Rain” by Carol Janda, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.

Artwork courtesy of Blue Whole Gallery / “Running In the Rain” by Carol Janda, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery’s “Creativity Comes in Many Forms” exhibit in July.