This detail from Shoreline shows one-third of the triptych by Lawrence artist Pam Sullivan. The fiber mixed-media piece uses dye sublimation and writing on organza, as well as stitching, among other techniques. Sullivan's work will be featured at Diane's Artisan Gallery during tonight's Downtown Friday Gallery Walk.

More than 700 miles from the closest arm of an ocean, it’s unusual to find a Kansas artist whose artwork is all inspired by the sea.

But Pam Sullivan has a good reason for using the soft colors and subtle motions of ocean water as the basis for the various mixed-media art she creates. Her husband is a retired naval officer, and after the two graduated from Kansas University, they moved to one large coastal town then another, on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Sullivan, again a Lawrence resident, is the featured artist at Diane’s Artisan Gallery, 801 1/2 Mass., during tonight’s Downtown Friday Gallery Walk. She’ll have several pieces on display, but the primary piece will be a 30 inch-by-30 inch mixed-media piece that involves an aqua-colored base, copper leaf pieces on parts of the painting and fiber weaving in long strips to deliver a textured appearance.

“You develop a real attachment to some of your work. Certain pieces – including the one in this show – are ones I didn’t want to let go,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said the piece also incorporates text, which appears in almost all of her work. Its subtlety, and lack of true form, can make it hard for the average person to see the words.

“What it means, that’s up to you. It’s what you make of it,” Sullivan said. “It isn’t something you need to stand there and read. You make up the story.”

Sullivan works with a variety of different substances when making her art, but each piece ultimately is inspired by the sea. She sometimes uses organza or other fibers to give her art texture. She likes to use both pure copper and copper leaf or foil to provide the piece with a distinctive look. She treats the pure copper with wax so that it doesn’t discolor.

In her years of artwork, there have been dramatic shifts in the way each piece is created, but she’s remained committed to the sea. Each piece she creates develops from the piece before, she says, meaning that pieces often share similar appearances.

Sullivan’s friend, Diane Horning – the namesake and owner of Diane’s Artisan Gallery – says it was only natural that she feature Sullivan during this year’s event.

“Three years ago, Pam was one of my first customers,” Horning says. “I started collecting her work personally, one thing led to another and I was able to cajole her into displaying her work here.”

Horning said she hoped Sullivan’s participation in the Gallery Walk would help elevate the artist’s stature among the local community. She’s known, but not well enough, Horning says.

“I find her work just kind of glows. It’s soft and there’s layers to it,” she adds.

As for the Gallery Walk itself, Horning says it’s like a gallery opening – or a party.

Various downtown locations will be taking part, with a special exhibition of art by elementary and junior high students being held at the Lawrence Arts Center. Signs of Life Gallery will feature three artists in two galleries – more than any other location. The artists will debut their latest works as part of the Gallery Walk.

The event takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, and will feature artists at nine galleries in the downtown area. Admission is free.