SK artists in the spotlight

Standing poised with her right foot extending her leg into a straight line and her toe aimed to the ground, the dancer looks poised and ready to jump and pirouette off the brown background of her canvass and out of the wooden frame.

The portrait hangs in the middle of the southern wall at the Sidney Art Gallery, a modern piece of art following in the classical traditions of John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet and famed ballerina painter Édouard Manet.

The painting is one of dozens hanging at the gallery at 202 Sidney Ave. this month, showcasing the work of members of the South Kitsap Artists Association.

The artist-selected paintings, organized into three categories — oils, watercolors and drawings — display the patterns and preferences of each local artist.

“Whenever you do artwork, you get a passion for something,” artist Dianne Gardner said. “People is what I have a passion for.”

The 58-year-old Ollala painter loves portraits, and notes that this painting of a professional dancer from Florida represents a method once cherished.

The dancer sat for the picture, dressed and standing as still as possible, for three hours. These days, Gardner said, even when people commission a portrait, they typically hand her a photograph.

“Unfortunately, people don’t want to sit for their portraits anymore,” Gardner said.

For these paintings, Gardner sketched the dancer in different poses in 20-minute increments, resulting in two paintings at this show — “Point” and “Backstage.”

These are just two of many pieces by local artists, ranging from portraits to abstracts, including landscapes by SKAA president Loretta Anderson, 65, of Long Lake.

Artwork from the more than 40-year-old organization will be on display at the Sidney Art Gallery throughout October. But this Sunday the gallery will hold a reception for the artists and art lovers

From 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, the public is welcome to view the artwork and enjoy refreshments, while Meredith Essex will judge the submissions and give best of show awards for each category, plus honorable mentions.

The Sidney Art Gallery is located at 202 Sidney Ave. in Port Orchard.

For more information, visit www.sidneymuseumandarts.com or call (360) 876-3693.

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