My friend Christina and I decided to go on a day trip to Seattle last Thursday, using the Sketchbook Project Tour as our excuse. It turned out to be a day filled with art and inspiration, and the Sketchbook Project was the least exciting thing we experienced.

There were three shows I really wanted to see while we were in town, all at the usual galleries I like to visit in Seattle. Our first stop was to see the latest work by Morgan Brig at Patricia Rovzar Gallery. I really admire her new figurative pieces, but there was a series of her ships there as well.

Visit the Patricia Rovzar Gallery website to view more work in the show.

We visited Greg Kucera Gallery on 2nd Avenue and saw mind blowing kinetic sculpture by John Buck, and textile work by Marie Watt.

Watch this video of John Buck’s kinetic sculpture, Cat’s Cradle, in motion.

A beautiful textile piece by Marie Watt made from old blankets.

Our last gallery stop for the day was Roq la Rue to see more amazing kinetic sculpture, this time by Casey Curran. Visit his website to see these pieces in motion. Each has a crank for the viewer to gently move the handmade mechanics of the sculpture, and make wings flap and flowers bloom. They are difficult to photograph and way more compelling in person.

It was a terrific crazy-busy day of art, and I’m so glad we decided to do this. I love road trips, but there’s something pretty special about going on a trip to see art with a fellow artist. The best part is that we both came back inspired to get back into our own studios.