Unusual views

The Hardware Store will host an exhibition of Anne Gordon’s images of Vashon in August, with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1.

Gordon, a photographer and designer, has created a show of unusual glimpses of Vashon and Maury islands, using painting and photography on canvas and luminescent papers.

The exhibition also includes landscapes of the Northwest.

Tiny treasures

Treasure Island will host an exhibition of miniatures in August, with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1.

Works will include doll house miniatures by Diane Hunter and Sonny Winter’s bonsai plants.

Hunter, of Hunter House Miniatures, says she inherited her love of high-quality miniatures from her mother.

With attention to detail and insistence on the finest materials (ebony, briar wood, sterling silver and gold), she crafts miniature doll houses in the serenity of her Maury Island studio.

Winters, also from Vashon, says he discovered his passion for bonsai after he bought a bonsai for his son as a wedding gift. After taking classes at Bonsai Northwest, Winters became a member of the Puget Sound Bonsai Association.

Watercolors at Luna

Islander Kris Cushing will exhibit watercolor paintings at Café Luna, with an opening set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1.

Cushing, known to many as a friendly teller at US Bank, is a member of the Northwest Watercolor Society.

The artist said she began to draw when she was 5 years old, and “fell in love” with watercolor painting in 1992.

“Watercolor is a fun and demanding medium,” she said. “When I paint with watercolors, I have to mentally focus and picture the finished painting in my mind, before I even lift a brush.”

Cushing’s work will be on view on the café throughout the month of August.

Back Bay Inn double-bill

Local watercolor artists Donna Botten and Geri Peterson will open an exhibition of their watercolors at Back Bay Inn from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1.

Botten is a self-taught artist. Her range of subjects reflect her love of Vashon — whether it’s a bouquet of tulips or hollyhocks or an old truck hiding in a forgotten field waiting to tell its story.

Peterson’s favorite subjects are flowers and animals, but for this show she created a variety of boat and water-related paintings. She says there may be a few flowers thrown in for good measure.

While their styles are different, both artists use bold colors to capture unusual views of their subjects.