Blue Whole Gallery will present “Nature Nurtures” featuring the work of artists Marilyn Hiestand and Shayna Robnett during the month of September.

Hiestand is a lifelong artist with expertise in many mediums. Robnett found her way to art through oil painting during the pandemic.

Both artists find their work informed by nature.

Hiestand finds the natural environment healing, whether she is sitting on the ground in a fairy ring or observing the cycle of life springing up from a nurse log.

“I find extreme peacefulness in those settings,” she said. “In troubled times, it gives me hope. That’s why I paint so much from nature.”

Robnett describes painting as a form a meditation where her mind can go completely blank and she experiences a deep sense of calm.

“Nature versus nurture leads me to question if I control the paint brush or does the inspiration of my environment allow the brush to flow across the canvas?” she said. “Painting has become an important piece of my soul that I didn’t know existed before now.”

Both artists will be available during First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 5 from 5-8 p.m. to answer questions and discuss their work.

Blue Whole Gallery is located at 129 W. Washington St. and is open to the public Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about the gallery, visit bluewholegallery.com.

Daring Depths by Shayna Robnett.

Adventures of Sisterhood by Shayna Robnett

In the Garden by Marilyn Hiestand.

Eye to Eye by Marilyn Hiestand.