Starting Sept. 1 and running throughout the month, businesses and galleries will be open for the monthly art walk. Here is a preview of what art viewers should expect.

Gallery 9

Featured during this month's art walk in Gallery 9 will be Susan Spar's oil paintings and Mitch Poling's baidarkas.

With classical roots, Spar receives inspiration from both nature and everyday objects, which shines through her work. These subjects become the focus of deep meditation, from stunning reds to subtle reflections, Spar brings to life objects and hints at city views, whimsical moments and nostalgia.

“I like to let the painting tell me what it wants or needs. It becomes a kind of push-and-pull between the artist and canvas,” Spar said.

She received her training in textile design at The Fashion Institute of Technology and the Watts Atelier in Encinitas. In 2012, she completed a program of figure drawing and classical painting at the Georgetown Atelier in Seattle under Master Painter Tenaya Sims.

A long time Gallery 9 member, Poling will display Chugach skin and frame kayaks, which are known as baidarkas. Having lived in the Prince William Sound in Alaska, Poling spent hours paddling in his father's baidarka, watching in the boathouse where they were being built.

In a traditional way, Poling uses hand-carved cedar and fastened with lashings.

"The baidarkas have evolved over thousands of years, and seem almost alive,” Poling said. “Paddling one is like becoming a sea mammal, a very special experience. They offer a connection to the sea and its environment that is truly unique."

The pair of artists will discuss their work during the Gallery Walk 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Gallery 9 at 1012 Water St.

Pippa's Real Tea

With all-new paintings ready for this month's art walk, Marie Amerson will present her collection at Pippa's Real Tea.

Continuing her work in oil on canvas, Amerson concentrates her works on local scenes, keeping the creative channel open for discovery in each of her 20 new works.

“Whatever I learn from the last painting, leads me to the next one,” Amerson said. “The vitality, the life force of each pieces is what attracts me. If I put energy into the painting, and stay open, the creative expression is alive. The painting paints itself and I too become the viewer.” She continued to explain her favorite pieces are the ones that keep giving her energy.

Amerson is a local artist who moved to the area in 1976. The show will be on display in September and October at Pippa's Real Tea at 633 Water St.

Port Townsend School of the Arts

“Lobby Concessions Moon,” is the image being used during this year's Port Townsend Film Festival by Port Townsend School of the Arts faculty member will be on display during the September art walk at the Art Experience Space at 236 Taylor St. What started out as a sketch inspired by “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” was further developed by posing The Rose Theatre owner Rocky Friedman as the gestural model in the venue's lobby. Limited editions of the print, measuring 22.5 inches by 27.75 inches, will be for sale.

Darsie Beck, a PTSA faculty member who leads a popular sketching class, will also join Port Townsend's Urban Sketchers in the Art Experience Space. The group will sketch and exhibit a series of Port Townsend scenes including downtown architecture, boats and other landmarks. The Urban Sketchers will be on hand during the Wooden Boat Festival, engaging visitors in the joys of travel sketching and maritime art.

Many other artist-teachers will join the art walk to talk about their work and the classes they offer from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 1.

Two Sisters Gallery

Lisa Blohm, will present her orca art, as well as an orca information, orca talk and orca fundraising for the art walk. She will be in the new gallery space of Two Sisters Gallery at 210 Polk St. inside the Kuhn Building second floor, above the Old Whiskey Mill.

Original paintings and Giclee prints will be on sale, with proceeds going toward orca art book sales. Remaining prints will be donated to help southern residents' conservation efforts for the Orca Network and the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island.

Taps

Mike Biskup and Hernan Paganini will show their new work at Taps at the Guardhouse from Sept. 1 through Sept. 20.

As a local Port Townsend artist, Biskup has shown his work extensively on the west coast, and is a member of the board and faculty of Port Townsend School of the Arts. Hernan is an Argentinian artists, who recently made the move to Seattle. His work has been viewed throughout Central and South America, as well as various galleries, museums and murals. Most recently, he was accepted onto the Washington State Public Artist Roster. The pair share a love of bold color, collage and various forms of artworks with deeply structural integrations. They met through Instagram and, will meet for the first time the day of the art walk. Visitors are welcome to join them any time during the opening day of the art walk to talk, draw and relax.

Taps is located on Fort Worden at 300 Eisenhower Ave.

Northwind Arts Center

From Aug. 30 through Sept. 30, Northwind Arts Center will host the “Women of Port Townsend; Men from Whatever” exhibit, which will feature Jesse Joshua Watson and Richard Jesse Watson.

Jesse Joshua Watson lives in Port Townsend with his wife and sons as he pursues his painting career, saying his art comes in waves.

“I focus intensely on one subject matter both to study it visually and to grow artistically,” Watson said. “This new body of work is a study of women in Port Townsend. For years, I’ve painted masculine subjects and now I turn to the feminine, as a way to honor women in our community, and to better understand for myself how I might portray women as a focal point in my art.”

Richard Jesse Watson has found a niche in painting and perpetual experimentation through his sculpting. Using lost objects, found objects and other repurposed materials, he puts to use the worn out and burnt out within his works.

Jese's son, Clay, a third-generation Port Townsend local, will provide music for the reception during the gallery walk, which will open 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 1. An art talk will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2.