Activity Center display features works of pair of Puyallup artists

Abstract painters Arlene Towne and Bonnie Miller are happy to have found each other.

“I think we are a very complementary duo,” Miller said.

Their show, “Bold Colors,” consists of 30 abstract paintings, 15 from each artist. The show is currently on display at the Premier Gallery at the Puyallup Activity Center, 210 W Pioneer, through Sept. 1.

Both women have always loved to create and experiment with color and mediums.

Previously, Miller worked as a community college English teacher at Green River and Highline community colleges, and moved on to becoming an arts writer after taking up glass blowing in the 1980s.

She published two books on Northwest glass artists, “Out of the Fire: Thirty Northwest Glass Artists,” and “Why Not?” a monograph on artist Ginny Ruffner. In 1996 she traded writing for painting and has never looked back.

Miller grew up in Eastern Washington and moved to Puyallup with her husband in 1973. Towne, who as born in Puyallup, grew up in the Tri Cities.

Towne became interested in art in high school, but life with her family had her setting those things aside for a few years. After retirement, she started painting again.

The artists met through Arts Downtown and started painting together a couple of years ago. Valley Arts United, the parent organization, is in charge of both the gallery at the Activity Center and the City Hall, Miller said.

“Arlene was doing abstract painting and I was doing abstract painting. No one does abstract painting around here, and we just clicked and she started coming over to my studio to paint,” Miller said.

Towne has always like abstract work.

“I need to paint,” she said. “If I don’t paint, my husband says, ‘Don’t you need to paint?’” I love playing around with it. It is a good stress reliever.”

Towne and Miller say they are the ying and the yang. Miller is very organized, very precise and her brushes are always set out perfectly; Towne said hers are in chaos.

“We compliment each other and we are good friends,” Towne said.

“Bold Colors” is displayed throughout the Activity Center. Each painting begs the viewer to stop and look, making their own assumptions about what they might be seeing.

Miller enjoys naming her paintings, and when she finds a phrase that she likes, she writes it down hoping to create a painting that will fit the catchy phrase.

“Abstraction doesn’t have to resemble something,” she said. “I can make any shape or form be free with the color or the way things are combined and work with form.”

An open house will be held at the Activity Center from 6 to 8 p.m. June 30. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served and attendees will have an opportunity to visit with the artists and learn more about their art. Art will also be for sale.

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 10:54 AM with the headline "Activity Center display features works of pair of Puyallup artists."