Fresh Connections – The Parfitt Way Blog

In a touching and warm remembrance to local artist, Ruth Carr who died of cancer last year, a new sculpture has been dedicated on the grounds of the Harbour Public House overlooking the Harbour Marina. Ms. Carr was the inspiration and leader of what became known as the Wednesday Watercolors. Meeting in her studio and often on the grounds of the Pub and Marina the group became known regionally for their style and abilities. A group show at the Bainbridge Public Library was a recent tribute to Ms Carr.

The sculpture designed and crafted by Dave Myers and Kelly Asordian, is now in place and is a fine memorial. A tour of the design and crafting process is online More watercolors are on display through August at the Harbour Public House showing scenes of local life and the vision of this talented and inspired group of local artists.

This group of Bainbridge Island artists, including watercolorists, sculptors, mixed media artists and painters continue to meet regularly on these grounds to work and share ideas and inspirations. One of the driving forces among this group is watercolorist and copper sculptor Ted Hoppin. Well known locally for his gates and for his expertise as a Master Gardener his work is much in demand.

The gates Mr. Hoppin creates are as practical as they are beautiful and sometimes whimsical. Scaling each gate and recognizing that gates don’t always have to shut out the world they are inviting and often include painted flowers as well as the copper metal work for which he is so well known. It is certainly not uncommon to find references in the gates to the proud owners. This includes the needle and spool of thread, in copper, in the corner of the gate for a seamstress and fiber artist. Look also in the Pacific Northwest Magazine of July 13, 2008 to see more of his work and to read of his vision for creating the works of art that flow from his interaction with the natural world around us.