Title: Tidal Pool Artist: Maya Rasmussen Medium: Paint, pens, colored pencil and soft pastels School: Olympia High School Inspiration: Depiction of a tidal pool. It is common to find them on the beaches of the PNW. W is often only represented by evergreen trees and the forest but I find the ocean is an aspect of our state that is vital and beautiful...

Title: Nasturtium Artist: Leila Chavez Medium: Gouache & Watercolor School: Olympia High School Inspiration: This piece depicts the nasturtium plant, a native plan here in WA. I grew quite fond of them while working at the farm in the Nisqually Valley over the past couple of summers.

Title: Oregon Coast Artist: Isis Costillo Medium: Photography School: Olympia High School Inspiration: My inspiration for this piece was to capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest. Growing up near the Caribbean Sea I have always had a soft spot for water. Finding a new perspective of the ocean was my goal.

Title: Rainy Day in Seattle Artist: Vaughn Wright Medium: Gouache School: Olympia High School Inspiration: Seattle area

Title: Cushman Artist1:Analise Dumontier Medium: Pen Drawing School: Olympia High School Inspiration: Inspired by me and my friends favorite places to hang out where we can explore the trails and the beach and all the treasures the water brings in.

As one of the first featured artists of the new year, time is on my mind. One of the reasons I am so drawn to mosaic art is it's permanence. Time has little meaning for a mosaic, whether stone, glass or ceramic. Given the right conditions a mosaic can and does live for millennia. TIME is a piece I created last summer as I was celebrating (or not celebrating) a big "zero" birthday. TIME will be my centerpiece for the featured artist window. A reminder that we must "Waste

I have always loved being outside; camping, hiking, exploring new places… I loved it all. I was especially drawn to the bright colors and textures found in nature… plants, rocks, shells, flowers and landscapes. Because this love of nature continues to inform my art today, it’s no surprise to me that I am an abstract landscape artist. I’m also not surprised that I was drawn to encaustic painting as a medium. It is a medium like none other that I’ve experienced. I fell in love