Barbara Marks, owner of the Blue Heron gallery in Coupeville, offered a lot of art in her business, but she didn’t have any time to paint.

To solve that problem, she decided to move her business one block down into a vacant spot in Mariners Court on the corner of Front Street and Alexander Street.

“I downsized to this space,” Marks said. “It’s a much cooler space.”

She said that while the other space, located next to the Penn Cove Gallery, was bigger and the overhead was higher.

Her new business, which is located in the back corner of Mariners Court, used to be a storeroom for other businesses in the court and is approximately 200 square feet smaller than her old spot.

She said the old location provided some difficulties for her. Being in the middle of the block, she said people often passed her shop by.

Now people coming from the parking lot behind the Coupeville Recreation Hall notice the orange walls and enter through the rear of the Court. She added that people heading to other Mariner’s Court businesses, such as Christopher’s on Front Street, A Touch of Dutch and the Honey Bear, often wander into her gallery.

The smaller space allows her to be more selective in the artists she promotes, she said. In addition to her art, she features some local artists as well as one from Pullman and one from Alaska. The Blue Heron Studio Gallery also offers a small variety of pottery, wire horses and several alabaster sculptures.

One thing missing from the Blue Heron is Mandy, Marks’ teacup Yorkshire Terrier who spent her days at the gallery. She has to stay at home until she gets used to the new space. Marks said Mandy would wander to the old gallery and sit in front of the door.

The gallery currently opens around noon every day. Marks is spending her mornings painting a gigantic mural at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Once she is finished with that project, the Blue Heron will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. She will also be on hand at the holiday bazaar at the Greenbank Farm.

Marks’ prior spot on Front Street didn’t stay empty for long. A new art gallery has already moved into the spot and is open for business.

The Hunter Art Studio features the art of Robert Hunter, who has painted for more than 50 years. He also has a 36-year career behind him as an art teacher at Clemson University. Hunter, along with his wife, Eileen, moved to Whidbey Island in 2002 from Skagway, Alaska. They had operated out of a winter studio in Freeland before moving to Coupeville.

“It was the most beautiful place on the West Coast,” Eileen said, explaining their move. She said that Robert has put on 41 art shows over the years and one of his paintings is on display at the White House.

He is currently producing a series of watercolor paintings of lighthouses from the Aleutian Islands to Mexico.

In addition to Robert’s art, Eileen will sell estate jewelry out of the studio.

The Hunters are planning a grand opening next month. That event will take place during the Greening of Coupeville, Saturday, Dec. 3. People can see art at the Blue Heron and the Hunter Art Studio, as well as all of the other galleries in Coupeville, when they attend an art and antique walk that takes place after the tree lighting. The walk goes until 8 p.m.