Nature photographer Philip McCrain and washi artist Kyoko Niikuni at Gallery at Town Center starting Tuesday

The Gallery at Town Center Presents: 

Philip McCrain and Niikuni Kyoko

August 23 – October 2, 2016

The Gallery at Town Center is pleased to present an exhibition of works by nature photographer Philip McCrain and washi artist Kyoko Niikuni, opening August 23, 2016. See these works and the creations of over 90 other local artists during gallery hours: Tuesday – Saturday, Noon to 5pm.

Also, please join us at the Gallery for an artist reception on Thursday, September 15 from 5pm to 7pm.

Philip McCrain has spent a good deal of his life enjoying the outdoors. A native of the Northwest, he has spent much of his life exploring the mountains, lakes, streams and beaches of the area. He brings his years of experience in technology to his photography, along with a passion to share the beauty and wonder of birds—the world’s flying jewels.

McCrain approaches his work as a naturalist, artist, and technician. Knowing the habitats and habits of the birds is the essential to capturing their personality and essence. This means as much scouting as shooting. Finding locations with access to the birds with minimal disturbance is as much a part of the process as capturing and printing the image.

Phil’s work has been shown in galleries around the state and has won awards in local shows. He has participated in juried art festivals throughout the Northwest and has pieces hanging in homes across the country and on six continents. He currently lives in the Seattle area with his wife, and creative partner, Jody.

Niikuni Kyoko specializes in creations using Japanese Washi Paper. Each image starts with a pencil line drawing and then she uses traditional Japanese paper techniques to craft an image which looks and feels like a painting. Her inspiration comes from nature and wildlife, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Chigiri-e is the name of the torn-paper technique Niikuni uses, where sheets of traditional rice paper are teased apart and the delicate fibers are glued down, one by one, with careful brush strokes. The final result is a complexity of color and depth that is breathtaking. She never grows tired of working with the Chrigiri-e method because she never knows exactly how the paper will respond to her manipulations.

Niikuni wants to share with others her love of nature and the beauty of Washi paper.

The Gallery at Town Center is a program of the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Arts Council and is located inside the Lake Forest Park Town Center on the lower level. 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations.