My Painting style is impressionistic. Intense light of Florida, the Philippines, and the California high desert influenced my work. I live with music, and even at 14, I painted to classical music—Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Grieg. I still do.

I’ve exhibited in California, New York, and locally. In June 2005, I was the featured artist in The Pen Woman. I am a member of the NLAPW in Arts and Letters, WSO, and the NWWS. My fascination with art began as soon as I could hold a pencil. As a pre-teen in the Carnegie Museum of Art’s special program, I was the youngest of 16 students who researched, designed, and painted murals for the museum’s Medieval Armor Exhibition, reported by local media and Life Magazine.

When I paint I am compelled to express the wonder of beauty and relationships around me—to celebrate the sacred in the ordinary. I love to paint & share my enthusiasm for art making with others. I paint & teach in my private studio in Hillsboro.

For me painting is a form of prayer and praise of my Creator. I often find myself longing to paint the essence of an experience: the awe of seeing the night sky, the beauty of morning light, the sweetness of a loving relationship, the contemplation of Scripture. Teaching is vital to my life as an artist. The camaraderie of learning together invites shared inspiration. It's thrilling to witness the “aha moment” when someone grasps a new skill that enhances their life, broadening possibilities.

Imbued at once with both a lush sensuality and an edgy geometry, my colorful, graphic landscapes depicting the Willamette Valley hearken back to the 1930s’ midwestern regionalist style of such artists as Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood.

As an artist, I attempt to convey the sense of serenity of the natural world. That my art has found places in healing environments, such as Salem Memorial Hospital and the Silverton Hospital Birthing Center, leads me to believe that I have captured that essence of tranquility. My art is shown at the Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery and the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery and appears on wine labels both domestic and international.

Fran Richards is primarily an oil and pastel painter. Her subjects are whatever catches her interest, with landscape and people topping the list of favorite subjects, and excursions into contemporary art. Color and composition are her passion.

Art education began at Glendale College, Ca., followed by night classes at Pasadena Art Center of Design. Classes and workshops have continued including classes in France and Italy, and travels in Africa, Central America, Japan and South Korea. She has shown her work in Portland, Salem, Washington Co, and CA. She received the 2007, 1st place award in pastels, for the state of Oregon, from the \"OR Assoc. of American Mothers. She has a studio in Hillsboro. (www.sequoiagallerystudios.org.)

I like mixed media because I can use many different tools to make art. My paintings and photos are inspired by environmentalism, by cats, by humor, and by my concern about why we make war on each other and on our planet.

I have studied acrylics and mixed media at The Village Gallery of Arts and through self-study. Private collectors have bought my work. I have awards from the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts and The Village Gallery of Arts. I have been juried into the Celebration of Creativity and the Beaverton Showcase of the Arts. I am also a musician, playing piano and other instruments in the Starlight Symphony Orchestra and occasionally accompanying church services and soloists. I find that my art and music together make me more creative.

Watercolor paintings by Vergie Ries celebrate life: colorful, uncut flowers in natural settings; people caught doing what they love to do; streetscapes that combine human motion with textured, historic architecture.

Watercolor artist Vergie Ries paints at Sequoia Studio #5 www.sequoiagallerystudios.org. Top-quality paintings and Giclee’ prints (100+ year protection). Commissions welcome. VISA/MC/Layaway accepted. Member WSO, studied under international award-winning watercolor artists in OR and CA. Local Shows: St. Vincent Hospital summer 2008, Sequoia Gallery, Beaverton City Hall, Village Gallery of Art, Pacific University, Valley Art. Arts consultant; WCA manager; RACC liaison.

I love being surrounded by the beauties of the Pacific Northwest, such as the forest, beach, farms, the city and Mt. Hood. This is what inspires my artwork.

Art has been a natural part of my life. In recent years it has been a main focus. I have airbrushed several murals in homes and businesses. Currently, I make pastel pet portraits and acrylic paintings on canvas and wood. In 2008, I received the \"People\'s Choice\" award at the Beaverton Art Showcase. I hope to be part of future art shows.

My main goal is to capture the uniqueness of a landscape or subject before me. Plein air painting has been a huge influence in my development as an artist.

I've been painting for 20+ years with my education coming from workshops with respected and well-known artists. My work is represented by Lawrence Gallery in Sheridan, Salishan and Portland. Every year I paint at the Sheridan garden party and plein air events. My paintings have been exhibited at Mill Atelier Gallery (Santa Fe), El Presidio Gallery (Tucson), Caswell Gallery (Troutdale) and other galleries throughout Oregon.

Painting landscapes has to do with comfort and reverence. I feel comfortable in nature, as if I belong. I can sit or lie down and just be still. I can breathe and take it all in with feelings of gratitude.

When a landscape painting is going well, it is not so much about the end image for me; it is about being in the painting, being with the painting. I often get lost in my work, losing a sense of time and specific place. Landscape painting is like meditation. While painting nature, I sense calmness, a type of Zen, and the action becomes a prayer of gratitude. I can only hope that the people who see my work share in some of the feelings I get from painting them.

My passion in art comes from nature and the energy of ordinary things. Letting the energy just flow not thinking about what will happen, just letting it be, allows it to grow. I usually start with a color and within it I see what it wants to become.

I am fortunate to come from a family of artists, painters, glass blower, welder and sculpture. Art has always come naturally and I have worked in many mediums. I love to try new things and encaustic painting has become my passion through its endless opportunities.

The built environment provides a rich source of study. I can’t help but look at the world and see geometric harmony in the constructs around us. When a shadow falls just right or the light warms momentarily, it is all the reason I need to be there.

It is said that we are products of our environment. This is certainly the case in Kekule’s work, whose study into the built environment is firmly linked to his quarter-century of work in architecture and construction. One exhibit he participated in, jurors said, “...strong work, a good sense of craftsmanship, solid artistic skills” and “independence in execution.” Kekule acknowledges that an artist’s work is ever-changing, and that his portfolio is evolving into a refined body of study.

My primary impetus in painting is to express joy. It seems a lot of clients respond to my sense of fun. Often my paintings include birds which are doi

I have exhibited locally, regionally and nationally and received many awards. I am a signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society and was juried into the American Watercolor Society 2008 Show.

Kane's work addresses figure and motion,using line, color and texture to convey that sense of moving form or moving world. Her watercolor & ink figures express the essence of movement. Kane's acrylic abstracts convey the motion,color,texture of place.

AB-Smith College,MS,Ph.D.-Harvard Univ.,BFA (equiv)-PNCA. Former member,owner-Blackfish Gallery.Exhibits throughout OR & United States (1987-present). Artwork in many private, public collections (incl. City Hall, Corvallis, OR & PCC, Cascade,Portland). Juror-several OR shows. Speaker- several forums on art/art issues (OR,WA). Member: Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council. Award winner (WSO, City of Corvallis, San Bernadino,CA). Former faculty: PNCA, Art Institute of Portland.

Patti has exhibited in such venues as “The Paper Garden Show” at the Portland Japanese Gardens, Beaverton Arts Commission, the Village Gallery of Arts and the North Bank Arts Gallery. Vivid colors and nature are constants in her work.

Patti's art training began at an early age. She received extensive training in high school and went on to study at Indiana University Bloomington. Through the years she has held on to her inner artist.  Patti has spent the past ten years developing her style and medium of expression. Patti is currently working with silk. She is painting and hand dying silk fabric using the French Serti technique. She also is exploring the world of paper art.

We are a small non profit school in Portland committed to proving professional art instruction with no less than trade quality materials in an encouraging, supportive, and inspiring environment. We welcome students of all ages and skill levels.

Ano youssefian has been an art instructor for over 25 years. She has taught at numerous schools in the Portland metro area including Catlin Gabel, Riverdale Elementary, Oregon College of Art and Craft, and more. For nearly a decade she has served on the board of the Beaverton Arts Commission as treasurer, and she volunteers countless hours to a number of programs in our community.

I care mostly about how my work communicates my own feelings, ideas and beliefs. Abstraction and spirituality are the two main themes of my art, with my Christian faith often being the center.

I'm an illustrator, graphic designer, and art director, but fine art remains my passion. I've been working in oils for over 30 years, and watermedia for 15 years. I've exhibited in various local galleries, exhibitions and festivals.

My work as an artist is to try to present an idea or concept which will enrich others with a different experience.

I have been painting for over 15 years. I received my BFA with a major in painting at Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland Oregon. I love to paint, experiment, and play, washing out, scratching and distressing the surfaces of the work. I find myself drawn to abstract work, mixed media, using paper and other mediums to create depth and interest expressing my ideas and vision.

My direction in life is to grow with my art and using the strength of the Lord. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me."

Bio in my web: www.jimsmith.wetpaint.com. Will be teaching again in different areas (PCC, Local galleries) Watercolor, Acrylic, Photo/Acrylic, Water Soluable Oil and Pencil.

The movement of the ripples of a stream, the swaying of grass, the swimming of fish, or a pond’s reflection; bright light and dramatic shadows... the color design of our world inspires me, whether in realistic or abstract form.

Since the 1970’s, training in drawing, oil painting, acrylic, watercolor and basic design. Self-study for many years. Membership: Watercolor Society of Oregon (WSO), Beaverton Arts Commission, Village Gallery of Arts. Awards: WSO Achievement Award, Fall Show 2007, People’s Choice – Beaverton Showcase 2006, First Place, (2) Village Gallery shows 2005-06. Available for commissions; offer layaway payments.

My passion is painting, I can paint anything, but tend to paint expressively and not realistically, but more on based on the mood of the model or what I am painting. I love abstracts and the negative space of telephone lines, buildings and people.

I graduated from PSU in 2003 with a drawing, printing and painting degree. In 2004, I graduated from Pacific University with a teaching degree. I currently teach art in Hillsboro School District. I love teaching art and painting and ideas are my passions. One of my portraits of my daughter was recently juried into Beyond the Demos V at PNCA. I have won several competitions (2nd place usually) at the Hillsboro Plein Aire in July.

My goal is to offer a visual experience that feeds our humanity of caring, compassion and connection with others as well as celebrate the natural world in which we live... the Great Northwest.

A Native Oregonian, I have painted for 35 years with "en plein air" capturing my attention these last few years. I have received a number of awards and included in several collections eg. Beaverton City, Allison Collection and others. My joy is sharing the joy of Washingon county and other NW landscape environments.

For me, paintings are a kind of waltz---a dance between the artist and the viewer, wherein each person takes a turn at leading and then following. I hope my work is a place where the imagination can truly dance like no one is watching.

A member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon, Oregon Society of Artists, and Northwest Watercolor Society, Liz’s award winning paintings have been displayed at a number of shows in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and California. Liz has been teaching watercolor to adults since 2002 in a “Basic Watercolor & More” class on Monday mornings at the Multnomah Art Center in SW Portland and is available for one-on-one instruction.

Ed Labadie utilizes his diverse background in the fine arts, graphic design and illustration in his career as an exhibiting artist and a teacher. He is an award-winning artist with works in private and corporate collections in the US and Australasia.

Ed Labadie began his career in the USA where his exhibition endeavors grew in scope and recognition, advancing to awards in national juried competitions. He earned signature member status and served as president of the Idaho Watercolor Society. He has taught painting and drawing for many years in the USA, throughout New Zealand, and in Australia. Labadie produced an art instruction video titled 'Creating from Chaos' that has inspired artists throughout the world.

When he retired his wife encouraged him to start painting and he now devotes many hours to his rapidly expanding career. Berle is a regular at the Lake Area Artists show and the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts.

He measures his success by whether a person identifies with his subject and has a good feeling about It. When someone looks at his work and feels they have either been there, seen it, done it, or felt it, Berle feels he has done his job well. He wants viewers to connect with his art. (Belinki & Duprey Gallery)

I use watermedia and/or collage elements on paper, panel or canvas supports to explore color, textures, and form in response to my environment and to express an emotional truth.

2008 Salem Mayors Oregon Artists Show Case2007 Fall Watercolor Society of Oregon, Juror Dan Burt, AWS, NWS, Award of Distinction2007 Spring Watercolor Society of Oregon, Juror George James, NWS,AWS2006 Fall Watercolor Society of Oregon, Juror Eric Weigardt, NWS, AWS2006 Spring Watercolor Society of Oregon, Juror Tony Couch2005 Fall Watercolor Society of Oregon, Juror Mel Stabin, AWS, NWS., First Place2005 Spring Watercolor Society of Oregon, Juror Donna Watson, AWS, NWS.2

I love painting, whether in my studio in Scholls or painting en plein air. We do live in a beautiful area for artists. We don't need to go looking for something to paint, we have to pick just the one thing out of the many to concentrate on for today

I have studied under a few terrific teachers and continue to take workshops to improve my work, but have had no formal training. 20 years ago one gallery owner carefully looked over my work and said "I can tell you love to paint, now if you want to be an artist and show in galleries go home and paint at least a 100 more like these." So with the support of a great husband I will continue to paint for at least another 20 some years.

Working in the tension between chaos and calm, I draw and paint abstract energy patterns by layering tangles of lines from maps, distorted photographs, scientific diagrams, records of movement, wave forms, and written music.

After a decades-long detour in academia and high tech, Deborah Bouchette now is painting, drawing, and playing in conceptual space. Her works are abstract and deal with all sorts of chaos, energies, maps, and visual density. In 2011, in August Deborah will be artist-in-residence at ARNA, Härlosa, Sweden; then in September and October, she will be in residence at DRAWinternational, Caylus, France. Deborah is married to Bill \"Prune\" Wickart, and they live in beautiful rural Hillsboro.

I mostly paint landscapes in bold colors. I like northwest landscapes. Most of my painting is in watercolor on paper, although I do some watercolor on canvas. My canvas paintings are sealed with an archival varnish. I do some acrylic painting as well.

I have been painting for the past 11 years. My education in art is from workshops and classes from local and many nationally known painters. I also have an extensive art library and have done lots of self study. I belong to the Village Gallery of Arts, Beaverton Arts Commission, Oregon Society of Artists and the Watercolor Society of Oregon.

My work is representational. I always have sea, land or sky scapes available. I do portraits on commission. Pet portraits are my first love.

I started drawing at my artist mothers knee as a youngster and won my first award in painting at age 11. Life has taken a front seat to my art over the years yet my work hangs in collections from Florida to Washington, Oregon, California and Hawai`i to Australia. I recently moved to the Portland area and continue to paint here.

After experimenting with many mediums throughout her life, Brenda is best known for her pastel work. Often soft, impressionistic, peaceful themes of water and landscapes, she works en plein-air as well as in the studio.

Brenda Boylan earned a BS in Applied Art & Design at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1986 and has studied with pastelists Kitty Wallis and Maggie Price. She is a member of the Northwest Pastel Society, Beaverton Arts Commission, participates in regional juried shows, teaches Art Literacy to grade school students and is a frequent lecturer on the pastel medium. She is represented by The Earthworks Gallery on the Oregon coast.

Over the last 15 years as a hard working professional I have found that indulging in art and craft has been a way to stay balanced. When I become involved in projects I forget about the responsibilities and worries of work.

My lifelong professional career has been in education; a teacher, school administrator, and curriculum director. I began my career as a Spanish and theater teacher and my interest in the arts started then. I volunteer at Portland Center for the Performing Arts. I have always sewn and today I enjoy seeing colorful, useful quilting projects come together. It wasn't until about age 40 that I discovered that I enjoyed painting, and it all started with a PCC class.

Water is often a subject of my landscape paintings. My work explores how plants, animals and our unique Northwest geography respond to water’s power to nourish and shape. I work in the traditional plein air style while using an impressionistic touch.

Graduate of Burnley School of Professional Art, Seattle. Employed as illustrator and graphic designer for 37 years. Participated in many juried shows including Portland Open Studios, Celebration of Creativity, Beaverton Visual Arts Showcase, group shows ("Best Use of Color"-award 2008), two-person shows and solo show. Member of Northwest Pastel Society, Beaverton Arts Commission, Village Gallery of Arts. Gallery representation: Aurora Gallery in Vancouver, WA., Ryan Gallery in Lincoln City, OR.