Port Townsend Gallery features Biskup, Scruggs

Published 1:30 am Sunday, October 4, 2020

PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Gallery is spotlighting two artists during the month of October.

Artwork by Mike Biskup and Loren Scruggs is on display at the gallery at 715 Water St.

Biskup is a contemporary watercolor painter of imaginary landscapes and abstractions.

He is exhibiting watercolors with frames he built by hand. His new pieces feature fine lined pencil cross hatching.

Born in Los Angeles, Biskup comes from a family rich in artists, poets and dreamers, he said.

He spent time with Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, whose ideas have inspired his life and work ever since.

“In my paintings, everything flows together. Colors, lines and shapes — people, places and things are woven into one harmonious, functional system.

“I want to subtly remind viewers that we humans, in all our diversity, are essentially interconnected, and with thoughtfulness, can function together harmoniously as well.”

Scruggs has been making art out of tin cans since 1991; the first piece being a 3D dragon head.

She primarily worked in 3D, creating patterns on paper and then transferring them to tin. Cutting, folding, rivets and slot and tab construction were methods used.

Bottle caps became a large part of her work later when she started making whistles.

The 2D flat piece plaques started shortly after that, created by cutting and nailing tin to wood. Loran’s artwork is about joy, play and reuse.

Labels and advertising iconography are often brightly colored with simple words and images very much like children’s educational toys, organizers said.

She is always on the lookout for bottle caps, tin cans and has a large collection of both. She has been collecting colorful plastic from the beaches and will have new works with this recycled material.

The Port Townsend Gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as by appointment.

For more information, call 360-379-8110 or see www.porttownsendgallery.com.