Part 1: Artist Date in Port Angeles

It was a perfect day to check out the local gallery scene here in Port Angeles. Gray. A little drizzly. Cold with a bit of wind. Time to escape the should-dos that weren’t getting done anyway and head into town–just me and my muse having a little artist date.

I parked down by the harbor, right near the ferry building. Ships in the distance, seagulls screaming their opinions. Wind whipping my hair into a sculpture no one asked for, reminding me I should’ve worn a hat. And a jacket because damn, it was cold.

Part 2: Visiting Local Art Galleries

First stop: a gallery on the wharf, the kind I suspect caters mostly to tourists, just because of the location. I wasn’t expecting much beyond lighthouse prints and crab magnets, but surprise, surprise—that’s where I discovered an artist whose work stopped me in my tracks — Andrew Rinke, a Seattle based painter. I could go on and on about how much I love his work but my words won’t do it justice–it just resonates with me. Anyway, click on the link and check it out for yourself.

I ended up buying one of his prints, a small version of Slow Morning (even the title makes me happy). If I had the space I would’ve gone bigger. If I had the money I would’ve gone original. Sigh… Who knows? One day the house will be finished and I’ll be rich…

Next up was the gallery tucked inside the performing arts center, Field Arts and Events Hall. Inside: a fabulous fiber show—Fiber on the Strait hanging through October 25. Color, texture, and more stitch-witchery than I thought possible. The gallerist and I got talking (as artists do), and it turned into one of those rare, genuine conversations that made me feel like I will indeed find my art community here in Port Angeles.

The last stop was Wild Side Gallery, a gallery featuring American artists inspired by nature. There was some 2D but the majority of the work was 3D. Clay. Jewelry. Wood. Metal. Stone. Some really nice stuff. I stayed for another great conversation with the owner—about materials, process, the madness of trying to sell art in unpredictable times. People.Politics. You know, artist talk.

By the time I walked out my creative cup was full. Brimming over with good feels. There were more galleries on my list but I was done for the day.

I had one more stop to make, an eatery that makes the best foccacia. After that it was time to go home, make some sketches. Pull out the ipad and oh yes, hang my new print.

Part 3: Creative Prompt: Visit a Gallery

This week’s prompt: Visit a gallery. Or an art show. Go alone. Wander. Let yourself be surprised. Maybe even buy something. If you live anywhere near the Sierra Foothills (my old stomping grounds) Open Studios is this weekend and next (second & third weekends in October). Drive around, visit multiple studios and say hi to my friends for me.

It doesn’t matter if you fall in love with the work or don’t get it at all—what matters is showing up, letting the art shake something loose inside you.

Then bring that feeling home and pour it onto your canvas, into your sketchbook, your journal, your clay—whatever form your Muse takes this week.

Tell me about your own art wanderings in the comments or tag me with #courtingthemuse so I can see what lit you up (and maybe what you accidentally bought).

‘Till next week–