Richard Lawson and Sarah Fitch are the featured artists for March at Gallery-9 in Port Townsend.

Lawson has been a photographer for
30 years, and shoots seascapes, landscapes, and florals. 

“I strive to capture the essential qualities of Nature,” the artist explained. 

“When I photograph, a communication takes place between my heart’s aesthetic sensibilities and my mind’s technical craftsmanship, resulting in images that can convey deep emotional impact,” Lawson added. “My passion in life is to touch people’s hearts through creative expression. I believe my camera is a diving rod to beauty, which can open the heart and help us to be more receptive to love and deep inspiration.”

In this month’s show, Lawson will present new works, including “Blossom Road.”

“For me, tree blossoms carry the essence of spring. They are an explosion of color. When I stand before such a scene I am often overwhelmed with gratitude that I can capture such beauty and share it with the world. It seems these days we can all use a bit of upliftment and inspiration,” he said.

Fitch is a self-taught artist who creates bas relief stoneware ceramic tiles and sculptures. Gallery-9 describes her creations as “earthy folk art with a whimsical and spiritual nature.” She is attracted to nature and has a sense of delight and magic when she sees wild creatures, and her enchantment with ravens is why she named her workspace the Rolling Raven Studio.

“My studio is in the woods where nature’s wildness still exists. I need the quiet and the wild in my creative space,” Fitch noted.

“For me art is a meditative practice that helps in clearing mental clutter and maintaining a sometimes precarious hold on sanity in this capricious world,” she added.

In her animal-themed works, her aim is to create a sense of liveliness, character, and expression.

Plaster molds are made from original tile designs allowing for repeats. Each of the highly detailed tiles is created one at a time and are not at all like mass-produced commercial tiles.

Fitch’s tiles are stoneware fired to 2200 F which make them more durable then raku or terra cotta.

In the March exhibit, she will show a stoneware “Night Owl” and ceramic tile, “Hunting Partners.”

“Owls are a favorite subject matter for me. I have felt the whoosh of owl wings in a forest night; mysterious and majestic night flyers that can see when others cannot,” she said. “They are well-known symbols of wisdom. Silent hunters flying in the dark; spirit messengers with qualities of intuition, intelligent awareness, and vision.”

“The wolf has known the raven friends since puppyhood,” Fitch added. “Ravens have always been familiar company to wolves and I’m certain that many come to know one another as individuals. The wolf learned long ago to listen when the ravens called to alert them to a potential feast.”

Gallery-9 is open from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday; masks are required. The gallery is the home of the North Olympic Artist Cooperative and is located at 1012 Water St., Port Townsend. 

For more information, visit www.gallery-9.com.