Local artist Pipper Watkins will be the featured artist in January at the Bainbridge Public Library.

Watkins uses acrylics and modeling gel as the medium for her new exhibit, “Trees.”

The show will open during the Bainbridge Island First Friday Art Walk, and an artist’s reception is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5 at the library.

“My goal with this series is to show trees in a way that can’t be ignored. One must look, and look again,” the artist explained. “Thoughts may lead to questions. Will questions lead to answers?”

The works were done on 24-inch-by-30 inch professional-grade canvases, and acrylics and modeling gel combine to create indigenous species with unusual textures and character.

Many of the works will be done with the intent of showing these features at very close range.

Watkins is a graduate of Oregon State University, and was president of the Corvallis Art Guild and also a member of the Corvallis Art Center jury. She worked for years as a botanical illustrator in watercolor, and her works are in multiple collections, including the collection of the Corning Glass family.

The exhibit will be on display at the library during the entire month of January, and also on the library website at www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org.