From the artist:
Even as a child I was always interested in drawing and painting. In High School my favorite subjects were art and biology, and this is when I discovered oil painting. I continued to paint through college as I pursued studies in public relations and modeling. In 1973, I began two years of figure drawing with Lorraine Airey at Spokane Falls Community College. By 1983, we had three wonderful children and I had already worked several years at my second love which was medicine. In the fall of 1988, Stan Miller was still teaching at Shadle Park H. S. (my Alma Mater) and that's when I fell in love with watercolor. The allure, the challenge, the frustration all captivated my strong will and I very much wanted to conquer this incredible medium, hopfully without it destroying me first! Well, one class and one decent painting later and I was back to work and children, sports, and the joy I so loved in the business of being a Mom.
Another 14years flew by; the children grew up, got married and gave me GRANDCHILDREN!! Our first, Thomas, was born in 2002 quickly followed by Collin, Katy, Alex, and now, Cora Christina! We adore them all and there was no greater motivation to paint again than having these precious little treasures so near! After all those wonderful years in medicine we built a little "Swedish-inspired" studio, and by the summer of 2005 I was able to paint full-time. I continue to study with our very fine regional artists, read and paint every day with my furry little Wire Fox Terrier, Mocha, and enjoy our many blessings more than ever.
My faith and family mean everything to me. Without the extraordinary support of my husband Ken and our three grown children, Amy, Traver, and Jordan, and their spouses, my accomplishments would be meaningless. My art will be my gifts for many generations to come.
May I create a gift for you too?!
Vicki A. West
WestWatercolor.com
