PORT TOWNSEND — Seeking adventure, Beverly McNeil moved to a remote village in Alaska in her 20s.
There, she assumed the role of sole health care provider in the village 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle for eight years — a task that called for itself to proper stress relief off the clock.
So she took up solo hiking and discovered a passion for nature photography along the trail.
Birds, bears, more
She captured birds first.
Lately, she’s been pursuing shots of grizzly bears, mountain goats and wolves.
Port Townsend Art Walk participants can experience McNeil’s adventures through her lens today at the Port Townsend Gallery, 715 Water St., where she will be on hand to share about her work from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Joining McNeil, Port Townsend painter Mark Henthorn will showcase his favorite subjects: coastlines, the quieter and softer outdoor moments, sea- and townscapes.
After a long career as an architect and illustrator, Henthorn began painting landscapes mostly in the West, occasionally illustrating his travels.
He has painted in a variety of media but now paints only in soft pastels or a mix of water-based paint with oil pastels.
Henthorn paints primarily in the studio, from a combination of photos and sketches completed at the site. He said the ultimate satisfaction lies in the eyes of those who look on his work with appreciation.
The Port Townsend Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 360-379-8110 or visit www.porttownsend gallery.com.
• Gallery 9, 1012 Water St., will feature the paintings of Gary Rainwater and the beaded jewelry of Judith Komishane. The creativity and inspiration of these artists reflect the color and natural perfection of the autumn season, according to a press release.
Rainwater has lived at least three lives: 22 years as a Los Angeles firefighter, building and rebuilding large boats starting in 1956, and working as a painter and a woodcarver.
Wooden Boat Festival-goers might have toured his restored vessel during this year’s festival. The Ladyhawk, originally a Danish fishing boat, demonstrates Rainwater’s artistry throughout.
Rainwater’s array of painting themes stems from these diverse interests, including boats, nature and rustic scenes.
“He likes to paint big and bold, in oils, with a thoughtful hand,” according to a press release. “His colors this month reflect autumn tones of red and gold and an accompanying muted palette that conveys the mist and fog of November.”
Komishane creates her signature designs with a wide variety of beads and pendants, including antique pins, ancient Chinese cards and other repurposed beads from all over the world.
For this month’s autumnal theme, she worked with tree leaves dipped in gold and silver — allowing the bodhi, cottonwood and oak foliage to shine. The new jewelry is also adorned with colors of amber, green prehnite and orange jade.
To many, this season also means football. So for November, Komishane created Seahawk-themed necklaces.
“I started beading 10 years ago while keeping my husband company watching games and haven’t stopped,” she said in a press release.
Rainwater and Komishane will discuss their art from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Visit gallery-9.com or call 360-379-8881 for more information.
• Northwind Arts Center, 701 Water St., will feature Northwest artist Katherine Loveland from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Loveland grew up in Seattle and earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Rutgers University. In her practice, she used postcard reproductions of museum art to elicit emotional reactions in patients.
Since retiring, she has pursued photography.
Of the abstract in nature, Loveland said: “When released from the distracting familiar, my awareness is free to respond at a deeper emotional and philosophic level. I can be a child experiencing an image without visual constraints.”
Loveland uses repetitions and variations of shapes, textures and colors to produce tactile sculptural images. She feels that the triptych format provides a more complex visual experience, according to a press release.
The show opened Thursday and continues through Nov. 26. Exhibit hours are Wednesdays through Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.northwind arts.org/exhibits/artist- showcase.
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Reporter Sarah Sharp can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at ssharp@peninsula dailynews.com.
Beverly McNeil’s nature photography will see the spotlight at the Port Townsend Gallery, 715 Water St., for Port Townsend’s Art Walk Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Beverly McNeil)
The big and bold oil paintings of Gary Rainwater will be on display at Gallery 9, 1012 Water St., from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Port Townsend’s Art Walk Saturday. (Gary Rainwater)
