From Portland, you can be in Hood River in one hour. Just follow the Columbia River Gorge all the way there, past so many iconic stops: Multnomah Falls, Columbia Gorge Hotel, Bonneville Dam…

Hood River, a hot spot for wind surfers, is a charming little town full of historic, quaint neighborhoods with stunning views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. And then there’s the dramatic gorge winding through the town; its vast and large scale with richly textured cliffs. As you arrive, you can feel the upbeat, laid back vibe where the pace is slower and the view, like a cool glass of water. The air is fresh with Spring scents.

I went to see one of my favorite artists, Elizabeth See, an oil painter who paints all things found in nature – particularly animals and flowers. She uses oil paint on wood. She resides in White Salmon but brought her paintings to her great grandfather’s wood cabin, that was once his art studio. She even shared with us some of his landscape paintings that were still kickin’ around from the 40’s.

This was the view on the way there, just outside of town, past vineyards, and nurseries:

This is the view of Mt. Adams in one direction and Mt. Hood in the opposite, as you approach:

Here is the cabin where she had her work:

This last shot is most of what went home with us. We couldn’t resist the local bird paintings and studies of a rabbit, a bear, a guinea pig, a game hen, a Magpie, A Great Horned Owl, and flowers. Her flower paintings are a favorite, but she was mostly out since she paints them in the Summer. She mostly had animals this time.

Keep thinking about these two:

We had lunch at a landmark road side cafe, Twin Peaks, where gliders and small planes fly right over our heads before landing at the air strip on the other side of the road. Great fish and chips.

I stopped to take a few shots of this lovely old home along the road with enormous fruit trees, big old barns and of course a great view of Mt. Hood.

After that we headed over the Toll Bridge to White Salmon, Washington, which was 7 miles away.

We made the long trek to Wildcraft Studios, which I have been completely curious about, but sadly they had closed up early. They offer all kinds of art classes and workshops.

Chelsea Heffner, Wildcraft Studio School

Spotted an artful tree on the way there, filled with sneakers, cowboy boots, work boots….curious for sure.

Lastly, we stopped by The Hatchery Art Studios in downtown White Salmon. Here are a few shots of some artists’ work from there:

– Angela Williamson

– Cyndi Strid

Printmaking by Sally Gilchrist

Wish I had time to get to the Dalles Art Center and many other studios – there’s some real talent out there.
I’ll have to make a weekend of it next year.

We may head back for Trout Lake Festival of the Arts July 12-13 on the green at Trout Lake School.

So, that’s a wrap for this hunt.

-Suzanne