<p>"Hexa," an alder wood carving by Laura Buchan.</p>

RiverSea Gallery presents a two-person show in September featuring biomorphic forms sculpted in wood by Laura Buchan and abstracted landscapes in encaustic by Karl Kaiser. Both artists will be on hand for the art walk reception. Refreshments will be served, and DJ Nachobizness will play a mix of ambient jazz. The artwork will remain on display through Oct. 1.

Laura Buchan is a sculptor from Portland who translates the anatomy of animals, insects and plants into delicate expressions of structure and form. Working in wood, she abstracts, alters and combines various anatomical shapes to create amalgams of several species. The raw wood, untouched by any sort of finish, imparts a lifelike energy to the work. Unfettered from the strictures of representation, her creatures and plant forms take flight into the realms of the imagination.

Karl Kaiser works in encaustic, an ancient medium combining beeswax, pigment and resin, which he prizes for the translucent depth it lends to his paintings, and the technique he has developed is all his own. His spare, luminous landscapes are composed of up to 100 layers of wax and bisected by a three dimensional horizon line. He allows the wax to flow and find its path, suggesting forms such as clouds, tree lines and water. Occasionally he carves deep into the wax layers to reveal the multi-colored strata beneath in strong, undulating lines.

RiverSea Gallery is open daily at 1160 Commercial St. The gallery offers original art, fine craft and jewelry by established and emerging artists from the northwest and around the nation. Call the gallery at 503-325-1270 or visit the website at riverseagallery.com for more information.