Two Astoria artists, Tim Dalrymple and Rebecca Sentgeorge, exhibit work inspired by their recent journeys abroad at RiverSea Gallery April 15 through May 10. Meet the artists at the opening reception and enjoy the music of Ray Raihala from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15.

Dalrymple presents “Travels in Tuscany,” a collection of acrylic paintings and collage work reflecting the impressions of time spent in the Italian region of Tuscany. Dalrymple, who recently revisited this romantic and historic landscape, has composed a series of work that reflects his journey.

When discussing his visit to Tuscany, Dalrymple speaks of how art is a natural part of life for Italians. “We Americans have to make specific, conscious, sometimes anguished decisions about art in our community life; witness the countless ‘Art in Public Places’ programs at local, state and national levels. In Italy, art is inescapable. Perhaps that explains why people have traveled to Tuscany for centuries.” Dalrymple uses his canvases to illustrate his journey and his path through the Tuscan hills, historic architecture, art and people. This series of paintings was “based on individual experiences such as traveling on a train, peeking into a cheese shop or taking part in a farmhouse cooking class. All are responsive in some way to the special sense of life, art and beauty which that place, that world called Tuscany, inspires.”

Dalrymple began his studies at the Museum Art School in Portland, now known as the Pacific Northwest College of Art, as a casual interest before embarking on a successful career in the corporate realm. After retiring, Dalrymple returned to his love of painting. He enrolled in the art program at Clatsop Community College, where he furthered his studies. He has shown his work over the years at RiverSea Gallery and participated in group and juried exhibitions.

Sentgeorge brings to RiverSea Gallery “Japan Diaries: Keeping my Memories Safe,” a collection of watercolor paintings that are the result of a Fulbright Memorial Fund study trip to Japan. During her three-week tour, she was inspired by the aesthetic sensibilities of the Japanese culture. She found herself especially drawn to the architecture and “surface patterns found on everyday objects such as fabric and pottery.” Once home and in the studio, she found herself drawn to the people of Japan and discovered her subject matter.

Sentgeorge, who travels extensively, always keeps an art journal. “Art journaling while traveling is one way that I commit the small sacred moments making up my day to my long-term memory.” She uses this process of recordkeeping as a tool to gain an understanding of things she experiences. “It is often only after slowing down and taking the time to notice that I begin to get a glimpse of what attracted my eye to begin with.”

Sentgeorge has enjoyed a long and diverse career as both artist and art educator. She has been a potter, a printmaker and an accomplished watercolorist. Sentgeorge, who has exhibited her work in California, Australia and Oregon, recently designed a 37-foot-long tile mosaic installed at Tapiola Park. She is also involved with the development of the new Chinese Interpretive Garden to be built in Astoria.

Both artists share with viewers their response to and appreciation of another culture, and both share the same desire to deepen the connection of humanity through art.

RiverSea Gallery is open daily at 1160 Commercial St. For information, call (503) 325-1270.