Abstract artists Jan Hoy and Jeanne Toal are bringing their works to Northwind Art’s Jeanette Best Gallery starting this month.

The two-woman exhibition “Elemental” will see at least nine of Hoy’s sculptures accompanied by 21 of Toal’s paintings. It runs from Thursday, Oct. 3, through Nov. 18  at the gallery at 701 Water St. in downtown Port Townsend.

Toal, whose studio is in the woods behind her home in Port Townsend, and Hoy, who lives in Coupeville on Whidbey Island, will get together for a free public artists’ talk on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in the gallery.

Growing up in Reno, Nevada, Toal was inspired by the horizon and the colors of the mountains and sky and the paintings are swathed with colors from oil pigment, sticks and metal leaf.

They mix images of mountains, clouds and changing light.

Toal leaves each multi-layered surface unframed, because she wants to allow space for the viewer to imagine what is beyond the painting.

“It’s fun to hear what people see,” Toal said.

Hoy creates sculptures free of what she calls the inhibitions of traditional shapes, ideas and expectations.

Back when Hoy, now in her 70s, entered college, she thought she had to study something “practical.” What she really wanted to do was make art.

Hoy acted on her desire and attended the University of Washington, where she earned a fine arts degree. She has lived her passion ever since.

Hoy’s sculptures do not come with a “message,” at least not one that can be expressed verbally.

“I want people to take it in, to feel the piece,” Hoy said. Her work’s meaning is “pure joy” for her.

Toal’s art education began when she was in her 20s, when she took a class at the YMCA. She met an 85-year-old art teacher there, a woman “full of life.”

Toal learned much from the teacher, but she stopped painting as she began her career as a medical writer.

She went on to be a social worker and bodyworker, and then worked in refugee resettlement. After her retirement, Toal returned to art.

Hoy observed that her sculptures and Toal’s paintings are “both abstract and simple, but neither are simple to make.” since Toal’s works “have so much layering and finessing.” She said the two artists’ works are both subtle and strong.

Toal has exhibited her work at Northwind Art’s Showcase gallery since moving to Port Townsend in December 2017, while Hoy’s creations are on display at locations around the Pacific Northwest.

“It is a great thing, at this point in life, to have a passion,” Hoy said.

The hours at Jeanette Best Gallery gallery are noon to 5 p.m., Thursdays through Mondays.

For more information about Northwind’s shows and classes, see NorthwindArt.org