Women artists find a new roundtable for artistic inspiration, social interaction.

“Art Buffet” evokes a smorgasbord of visual delights, and that’s exactly what the members of this group produce.

Although their personalities and styles are every bit as diverse as their artwork, the seven women have formed a mutual admiration society in just five months.

Pamela Wachtler Fermanis, Barbara Wilson, Elizabeth Smith, Sylvia Carlton, Gillian Bull, Carrie Goller and Sophie Frieda found one another in circuitous fashion. They meet monthly over pots of tea and coffee as mentors, critics and friends.

“We’re a committee,” said Frieda, who paints exotic plant life and landscapes in oils and is one of the group’s four Brits. “Art Buffet nurtures. It is a vehicle for us to build marketing ideas, share artistic goals, pass on relevant information and support one another, while fostering friendships with fellow artists.”

Serious artists all, they take solace in knowing that whatever creative path they follow, the other members will lend a sympathetic ear and straightforward advice.

“We learn so much from each other,” said Carlton, who creates plein air paintings (painting outdoors in natural light) and still lifes and came up with the group’s name. “I think that’s why we can listen to criticism.”

Five of the women are islanders; Smith and Goller live in Indianola and Poulsbo, respectively. Their varied ages and backgrounds only enhance what each brings to the table.

“We are a group of artists who initially got together for social contact with like-minded souls,” said muralist Barbara Wilson, the self-anointed social secretary. “From the first meeting, it was apparent that we all had a lot to offer the other members in terms of information and ideas. Together, we give each other a great support network and can bounce ideas off each other.”

At a recent gathering, Smith discussed her latest technique, which marries traditional pen-and-ink drawing with the latest technology.

Although there are some strong personalities in the group, there is no leader. Gillian Bull, who enjoys painting landscapes en plein air using pastels and oils, puts it thusly: “The person whose home we meet in is in charge of us.”

The meetings are equal parts serious and fun. Even the quietest members, Fermanis among them, easily chime in. She relishes the opportunity to interact with fellow artists.

“I’m normally not a group person. I get too involved in other activities,” said Fermanis, whose specialty is miniatures and whose fondness is pet portraits. “I force myself to get out there.”

Since they’ve only been together a short time, the group hasn’t done much critiquing of one another’s art.

When they have, they mix positive comments with suggestions for improving a particular aspect of the work.

They’re not concerned about ruffling feathers once the frequency increases.

“It’s supposed to be encouraging. There’s a fine line between a positive critique and a criticism,” Carlton said. “We have to be polite…and have good social graces.”

To that end, the group is happy that their first exhibition, March 18, will be hung by the host of the event, Denise Gargano, a Silverdale-based artist representative (see box).

Characteristic of her fellow group members, Carrie Goller works in several mediums, including portraiture en caustic and watercolor. Although tBoller happily credits Wilson with pushing her to apply for grants, Wilson points out, “We push each other.”

Goller, she added, is a driving force who brings enthusiasm into the group.

Through Art Buffet, Goller hopes to learn more about art and the art world, promote one another’s art, individually and together as a group, and, last but not least, have fun.

“There is a good mix of talent, with everyone having some kind of experience or knowledge to offer,” Goller said.

“We’re rolling along like a roller coaster,” Wilson said. “The hardest thing for artists, I think, is (working) alone in your studio.

“We’ve already been contacted by other artists who want to join us.”

The group votes “no” to widening its membership, realizing that even one additional artist would change the dynamics.

Several of the women followed different career paths – landscape design, accounting and paralegal work – before answering their creative calling.

When members doubt the quality of their work, being in the group pays dividends.

“I never think I’m good enough for galleries,” said Wilson, to the pooh poohs of the other Art Buffet members. “It’s hard to self-promote. The group is a good thing. I can’t see it myself. It’s good to get other perspectives.”

And, added Carlton, “This is just the funnest group I could consider belonging to.”

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Buffet table

Art Buffet – a group of seven local artists – will host a premier exhibition from 3 to 7 p.m. on March 18. Join artists Gillian Bull, Sylvia Carlton, Pamela Fermanis, Sophie Frieda, Carrie Goller, Elizabeth Smith and Barbara Wilson for art, food and wine. To RSVP and obtain directions, email denise@atworkartwork.com or call (360) 471-0583.