SEQUIM — Art in fractals and glass are the spotlight in November at the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim.
The gallery’s “Roots of Fertility: Natural Geometry” exhibit featured artists for the month are fractal artist Dan Brewer and Deborah Harrison, mixed-media glass sculptor.
A special meet-the-artists event is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at 129 W. Washington St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays-Sundays; masks and social distancing are required in the gallery.
Brewer said when he stumbled upon fractals he began to explore how they are made back in the early days (1970s) of personal computers, when a single change could take nine hours. Over the years the fractal world continued to draw him back and his interest in building computers grew.
“Fractal art #886” by Dan Brewer, who is a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim this November. (Submitted art)
Brewer’s fractal work, he said, is true to the generating equations, with no layering or partial editing of color, no redrawing touching up or painting.
“I hope you find them as pleasing and interesting as I find them compelling,” he said.
Harrison said her first water sculpture, “The Nautilus Mandala,” was born from the image of an illuminated fountain that came to her in a dream five years previous. Since then, she’s worked on multiple designs.
“While each of my fountains features flowing water as its primary element, the spiral, circle, square and triangle are common motifs,” Harrison said.
“I have learned that in many spiritual traditions, these shapes are believed to signify universal forces, and are often incorporated into temples, churches and shrines.”
“Nautilus Mandala” by Deborah Harrison, who is a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim this November. (Submitted photo)
Harrison said she found the most enjoyable part of crafting water sculptures was playing with the colored glass, so a few years ago she decided to focus her energies there, developing a unique technique of layering the glass in order to avoid the toxic materials often involved with stained glass work.
“I was delighted to discover that my layering technique offers a depth and complexity not often seen in traditional stained glass designs,” she said.
Her most recent, “The Seed Pod,” was inspired by the autumn harvest of her garden’s arugula plants.
“For me, the translucent glass bead ‘seeds’ speak of the beauty and the mystery of Nature’s power of renewal and regeneration,” Harrison said.
For more about the gallery, see bluewholegallery.com.
