Ingrid Amirault is one of the new artists for the 23rd annual Summer Studio Tour on Bainbridge Island, and her oil paintings should be popular with locals as she features the natural environment.
The free tour featuring 43 artists takes place Aug. 11-13 at five local studios.
Amirault said, “having grown up in the Northern Yukon territories, nature influenced every aspect of living. The Wild was in every breath so capturing this artistically seemed natural to me.”
Her work plays with light and shadow, dappled light through trees and just has a moody energy that is captivating, a news release from tour manager Dinah Satterwhite says.
Her formal training is in Interior Design where she was classically trained in perspective drawing. She also created watercolor illustrations for architects before AutoCad took over that 3D task. Today, she works primarily in oil. Her home studio is set up for both large and small work. But she’s also active all over the Olympic Peninsula painting en Plein Aire with her Pacific Northwest artist friends.
“The influences that pull me in often involve the fantastic light and shadow presented to us in the PNW. Capturing the feeling and energy of light passing through a flower petal; light reflected off the water; light dappling through fir and cedar groves in the Olympics; light bouncing off the clouds or a rooftop or a wharf; or the sunhat of a child playing on the pebbly beach. Alternatively, the mists on a gray pensive afternoon. This is what draws me in. The energy of just being there with that mood and feeling. If I can capture that story of being in a moment of life, then I have done my job.”
Another new artist, Robert Brownlee, will be showing his jewelry that feature semi-precious stones. Working with fine silver and old-world techniques of bezel rolling, there are no adhesives or glues. “My passion for the beauty I find in these semi-precious stones is my inspiration, the stones sort of dictate the style of the setting with the patterns and colors they display,” he said.
Satterwhite said the tour includes a new studio this year. “Sophie Frieda’s beautiful home and garden, which will be full of wonderful artists. And many new artists with amazing work.”
That studio is just off Valley Road on Hyla. Other studios are: Theresa Killgore’s next to Lynwood Center; Elemental Furnishings on Vincent Road; Danna Watson’s on Fletcher Bay Road; and Barbara Weissman’s close to Rolling Bay just off of Valley Road.
Hours of the free self-guided tours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that Friday and Saturday, closing at 5 p.m. that Sunday. For photos of each artist’s work and bios, along with a map of the studios and event details, go to www.bistudiotour.com. For details call Satterwhite at 206-842-0504.
